Podcasts about 10m

Summary del Show: • El Nasdaq lidera tras resultados de $AMZN (+11.9%) y $AAPL (+2.5%), que revitalizan el ánimo luego de una sesión floja. Inversores miran ahora a $CVX y $XOM antes de la apertura y asimilan la cancelación de la cumbre Trump–Putin. • $AMZN bate en ventas, beneficio y suscripciones con AWS como motor; $AAPL también supera expectativas en su trimestre fiscal. El sesgo vuelve a mega-cap tech pese al tropiezo reciente de $META y $MSFT. • $NFLX anuncia split 10:1 para facilitar la participación en su plan de opciones; trading ajustado comienza el 17 de noviembre. Pese a márgenes recientes más flojos, las acciones suben +20% en 2025. • Apagón de canales de $DIS (incl. ESPN y ABC) en YouTube TV tras fallar acuerdo con $GOOG; ~10M de suscriptores afectados. Aerolíneas $UAL, $AAL, $LUV y $DAL piden reabrir el gobierno para pagar a controladores y TSA.

The Leafs were doubled up by Columbus in a rough night all around—Cayden Primeau struggled and the team looked disjointed. The fellas discuss the ongoing conversation surrounding Easton Cowan’s development amid Toronto’s perennially high expectations. John Tavares quietly hit 500 goals amid the loss, a milestone Ray says is best celebrated later. Elsewhere, Brad Marchand took a leave from the Panthers to support a grieving family friend—an act of compassion reminding everyone what truly matters. Meanwhile, Ottawa, Utah, New Jersey, and Pittsburgh—all praised on the last pod—promptly lost in Tuesday’s Frozen Frenzy, with chaos in Pittsburgh including disallowed goals and Crosby’s mysterious misconduct. In Vancouver, hard skating drills raised eyebrows as Adam Foote tried to jumpstart a depleted lineup as he saw fit considering the team's limited practice time. Plus, extensions for Thomas Harley and Logan Cooley, both 8 years north of $10M per, signal the new going rate for emerging stars in a rising-cap era. Then in Ask Ray and Dregs Anything... rapid fire featuring talking hockey on days off, impressive & underperforming teams, dog-doo conundrums and Hallowe'een hypotheticals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the debut episode of Ambition 2.0, host Amanda Goetz sits down with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni—the visionary co-founders of Phia, the AI-powered shopping assistant backed by Hailey Bieber, Kris Jenner, Sheryl Sandberg, and other major investors. From meeting as college roommates at Stanford and launching Phia as a class project to raising an $8M seed round for their company, Phoebe and Sophia have been through it all together. They get candid about building a tech startup from scratch, navigating friendship as co-founders, and learning how to set boundaries to avoid burnout. They open up about: The real meaning of work-life balance (and does it even exist?) Why personal branding is a superpower for founders The “ground rules” that keep their friendship—and business—thriving Lessons from their fundraising journey and startup leadership The creative philosophy behind their own podcast, The Burnouts Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or just love a good founder origin story, this episode dives deep into ambition, friendship, and what it takes to build something groundbreaking. (00:00) Intro (03:50) The origin story of Phia (05:18) Building the Phia team and shaping company culture (11:50) Raising $8M with high-profile investors (14:15) Friendship “ground rules” for co-founders  (23:10) Burnout, boundaries, and balance (28:42) Work-life balance (30:45) Why personal branding matters more than ever (32:00) Rapid-fire questions (38:23) Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs GUEST LINKS Phoebe Gates: https://www.instagram.com/phoebegates/  Sophia Kianni: https://www.instagram.com/sophiakianni/  Phia: https://www.instagram.com/phiaco/  The Burnouts Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/theburnouts/  FOLLOW THE PODCAST IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss  Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/  https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast  SIGN UP Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter, filled with career inspiration and intel for ambitious women: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/  For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/  DISCLAIMER This episode is sponsored by Semrush.  Check out Semrush One, the only solution built for the next era of search. It unites Semrush's leading traditional SEO tools with powerful AI search capabilities, all in one place, so you can make smarter, faster marketing decisions. Search moves fast, and you should have the right solution to stay ahead of the curve. Trusted by 10M+ marketers worldwide, try it today at semrush.com/. #Ambition2Point0 #PhoebeGates #SophiaKianni #PhiaAI #GirlbossPodcast #WomenInBusiness #AIShopping #Startups #FemaleFounders  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Behind every highlight reel is a messy maze of contacts, gatekeepers, and missed opportunities—until someone maps it. In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Ryan Rottman, actor-turned-founder who conceived an “IMDb for athletes,” and Sean O'Brien, CEO and former CMO who scaled Modloft from ~$25M to nearly $100M and helped Kevin Costner's Autio build engineering in-house. Backed by marquee investors (including super-agent Scott Boras) and a recent CNBC debut, AthleteAgent.com centralizes accurate, validated contacts for athletes and agents across growing pro leagues. Ryan and Sean share how they're boosting deal flow for the 99% of athletes, tightening product focus, and building trust in an industry famous for being fragmented and insular.   Key Takeaways: → How a dinner with Aaron Rodgers sparked the idea for an “IMDb for athletes” → Why athlete representation and endorsement deals are so fragmented—and how they're solving it → The surprising industries subscribing to AthleteAgent (from Coca-Cola to financial advisors) → How AthleteAgent is bringing transparency, trust, and deal flow to athletes and agents → Why sports representation and endorsements are so fragmented—and how a centralized “pro LinkedIn” changes the game   Ryan Rottman is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of AthleteAgent.com, a groundbreaking sports tech platform. In his role, Ryan oversees business operations, strategic partnerships, and platform development, helping expand the site's reach across professional leagues and enhance its database of verified athlete and team contacts. Before stepping into the tech and sports business world, Ryan built a successful career in entertainment, starring in films such as Billionaire Boys Club, The Open Road, and a variety of Hallmark originals, as well as television series like 90210(CW), The Middle (ABC), and The Lying Game (ABC Family). His background in production and storytelling has been instrumental in shaping AthleteAgent.com's user experience and brand identity. Ryan combines business acumen with creative vision, bringing a unique edge to the intersection of sports, media, and tech. Sean O'Brien is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive with a track record of scaling successful ventures across multiple industries. In his early 20s, Sean co-founded a patented eCommerce company that achieved $10M in sales and was acquired after being featured as a “Product of the Year” on The View. He went on to launch The DivotCard, a Groupon-like platform for golf, which earned recognition in Inc.. By the age of 30, both startups had exits. Sean later served as CMO/CTO at Modloft, a luxury D2C furniture brand, helping scale it to nearly $100M in revenue and earning accolades from Forbes, CNN, and Architectural Digest. He also played a key role at Autio, a startup backed by Kevin Costner and other investors, which turned down a $1M offer on Shark Tank. Currently, Sean is the CEO of AthleteAgent.com and Swingzy, while also being a part-time venture capitalist at NGVP and Hustle Fund. He has studied at prestigious institutions such as Wharton, Stanford, and UC Berkeley.   Connect With Ryan Rottman and Sean O'Brien: Website: https://www.athleteagent.com/ Instagram: https://www.athleteagent.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tia Newcomer is the CEO of CaringBridge, a nonprofit providing a vital digital platform where families can communicate, receive support, and rally their communities during health journeys. With a career that spans Revlon, PepsiCo., Hewlett-Packard, and multiple health tech ventures, Tia brings a rich background from the for-profit world into the heart of the nonprofit sector, or as she prefers to call it, the for-impact space. In this episode of The Wow Factor, Brad sits down with Tia to unpack her career journey across four pivotal pillars, from consumer goods to tech, healthcare, and now mission-driven leadership. She shares how personal experiences, including her husband's fight with cancer and her own sense of purpose, led her to take a surprising leap into nonprofit leadership. Tia discusses the real-world impact of CaringBridge on hundreds of thousands of families every day, the technology powering it, and how "ministry pace" just won't cut it when the stakes are this high. She also dives deep into why entrepreneurial thinking, business rigor, and cross-sector collaboration are essential in the nonprofit space. "The difference between nonprofit and for-profit is a tax status. The skillset? It's the same." – Tia Newcomer "In moments of crisis, people don't need 'let me know how I can help.' They need tangible action." – Tia Newcomer "If I'm spending the majority of my time working, it better be fulfilling. That's the leap I made." – Tia Newcomer This Week on The Wow Factor: Tia's four career pillars: Consumer Goods, Technology, Women's Health, and Nonprofit Why leaving HP was her wake-up call to find purpose in her work Her perspective on for-impact vs. nonprofit leadership How CaringBridge grew to 300,000 daily users with only 40 employees The real story behind the CaringBridge platform and its founder Why technology for good is more essential than ever The burden of "just let me know how I can help" and what to say instead The power of one person raising their hand to share updates and mobilize care Partnering with GoFundMe to raise over $10M directly for patients and families The role of generosity, from emotional support to meals, transportation, and funds Tia Newcomer's Word of Wisdom: Leadership is about building something that matters and having the courage to follow the nudge, even when it's outside your comfort zone. Connect With CaringBridge: Tia Newcomer CaringBridge Website CaringBridge LinkedIn CaringBridge on Facebook CaringBridge on Instagram Connect with The Wow Factor: WOW Factor Website Brad Formsma on LinkedIn Brad Formsma on Instagram Brad Formsma on Facebook Brad Formsma on X

Sitting down at FermionX with Managing Director Will Patrick, we explore how a third-generation MD took a family electronics manufacturer from tribal knowledge to a data-first operation that customers can see, trust, and scale with.We start with the lineage—granddad's silkscreen craft evolving to PCBs, then assembly—and why honoring that service and customer focussed ethic made the transformation stick. Then we lift the hood on the digital rebuild: a modern MES for full traceability, powerful dashboards for top-level clarity, and smarter quality tooling including Koh Young's KSMART and Luminovo. The goal wasn't technology for its own sake; it was a single source of truth where every action leaves a data point and every decision gets faster, cleaner, and easier to audit.From there, we talk growth. By redesigning processes and floor layout, Will has created headroom to push from around £10M to £25M without stacking overhead. We break down how visibility wins contracts in the EMS world, why customers value shared dashboards and live traceability, and how a long-term, 20–30 year plan changes which investments make sense today. We also get practical about AI: exception-driven MRP alerts, machine feedback loops, and agentic systems that surface the one issue that will derail tomorrow—after, and only after, the data foundation is solid.If you care about scaling a contract manufacturer without losing your soul—or your margins—you'll find concrete steps here: where to start with MES, how to drive cultural adoption, which metrics to watch, and how to stitch tools together so operators move faster, not slower. Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of manufacturing, data, and leadership, and tell us what you'd automate first.EMS@C-Level is sponsored by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Creative Electron (https://creativeelectron.com) You can see video versions of all of the EMS@C-Level pods on our YouTube playlist.

In this episode of The D2D Podcast, Hunter Lee sits down with Brianna Fitzpatrick, Founder and CEO of Digital Natives, a Phoenix-based digital advertising agency managing over $1M/month in ad spend for service-based businesses. Brianna shares her journey from running global ad campaigns to helping local service companies turn clicks into paying customers through smarter, data-driven marketing.If you're someone trying to generate more leads and build trust beyond the first knock, this episode is packed with gold. Brianna breaks down how simple, low-cost strategies like Google Business profiles, automation, and review incentives can instantly boost visibility and why authentic, low-production content often outperforms polished videos.You'll also learn why marketing and sales should never operate in silos, how tracking tools like CallRail and UTM codes can tighten your conversion process, and how to retarget unclosed leads for quick wins. Whether you're working with a marketing team or just starting from scratch, Brianna's actionable advice will help you build consistency, credibility, and a brand that sells long after the door closes.You'll find answers to key questions such as:How can digital marketing help door-to-door reps extend trust after the first knock?What simple tools can door to door people use to start building a personal or company brand online?Why are low-production, authentic videos outperforming polished content in 2025?How can marketing and sales teams work together to close more high-quality leads?What are the best ways to retarget and convert leads that didn't close the first time?Get in touch with Brianna Fitzpatrick: 

This week, LeRoy sit's down with Bryan Clayton, founder of GreenPal, often called the "Uber for lawn care." Brian's entrepreneurial story is nothing short of inspiring. He started mowing lawns at 18, grew his landscaping company into a $10M business with over 150 employees, successfully sold it, and then pivoted into tech — building GreenPal, which now connects 300,000+ users with lawn care professionals across the country. Free Trial and 20% off Jobber for 6 months: go.getjobber.com/ballardinc Need a website? Use the code GreenGrind to get your first month for $1. https://www.greenfrogwebdesign.com/koryballard

This week Dante and Harry Are joined by the Manhattan Madam Kristin Davis• How she built a $10M+ escort ring like a Fortune 500 company• What brought down her empire—and the powerful men who didn't fall with it• What prison taught her about politics—and why she pivoted into working for presidential campaigns• The real reason elites fear women like her (hint: it's not just sex)• Why she's telling her story now—and what HBO didn't show• She was featured in the new HBO Max & Discovery Go docuseries Hustlers, Gamblers & Crooks See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Andrew Reichert, CEO of Birgo Capital, went from buying his first duplex with no money down to owning 3,000+ units worth over $300 million. But his journey wasn't all smooth sailing - Andrew reveals how building a 20-rental portfolio nearly bankrupted him, the “$10M idea” that changed everything, and the lessons he learned scaling his business.Whether you're stuck managing a handful of single-family rentals or trying to figure out how to break into larger deals, this conversation will help you shortcut years of trial and error.Key TakeawaysWhy Small Rentals Won't Set You FreeHow Andrew realized that $200/month per property wasn't going to replace his income.The math that made him pivot away from single-family rentals.From Duplexes to a $300M PortfolioWhy raising capital was the turning point in his career.How starting with a fund instead of a single deal accelerated his growth.The Hardest Lesson in Scaling a CompanyWhy “the people who got you here won't always get you there.”How to make tough calls without losing sight of your mission.Finding Purpose Beyond Financial FreedomHow Andrew's Rhino Operating System helps people align their work with their purpose.Why clarity—not just cash flow—is the real key to building a fulfilling life.Overcoming Comfort and Taking ActionWhy staying “comfortable” keeps most investors from scaling.Practical tips to create urgency and move from idea to execution.Connect with AndrewLinkedInBirgo CapitalROS Journey – The Rhino Operating System BookConnect with MichaelFacebookInstagramYouTubeTikTokResourcesTheFreedomPodcast.com Access the #1 FREE Apartment Investing Course (Apartments 101)Schedule a Free Strategy Session with Michael's Team of AdvisorsExplore Michael's Mentoring ProgramJoin the Nighthawk Equity Investor ClubReview the Podcast on Apple PodcastsSyndicated Deal AnalyzerGet the Book, Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing by Michael Blank For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session495/

Premium financing life insurance for estate planning is one of those strategies that sounds impressive—and sometimes is. But for most families, it introduces more complexity and risk than benefit. https://www.youtube.com/live/8Dav7pQVOrc At The Money Advantage, we don't lead with premium financing, and we rarely recommend it. But in a recent conversation with a client facing an eight-figure estate tax liability, the question came up: “Is there a way to fund a large life insurance policy without disrupting my investment portfolio or using my own capital?” That opened the door to a serious conversation about premium financing—what it is, who it's for, and where it can go wrong. If you've ever wondered about this strategy—or had it pitched to you without the full picture—this breakdown is for you. Let's take an honest look. When Premium Financing Life Insurance Might Make SenseWhat Is Premium Financing Life Insurance?When Does Premium Financing Make Sense?1. You Have Estate Tax Exposure2. You Want to Preserve Liquidity3. You Have the Right Collateral4. You Have the Cash Flow or Exit StrategyWhy Some Premium Financing Strategies FailThe Right Way to Structure Premium FinancingOur Perspective: Leverage Is a Gift—If You Steward It WellRe-Summarizing the Big PictureWant to Learn More? Listen to the Full Podcast EpisodeBook A Strategy CallFAQ: What to Know About Premium Financing Life Insurance for Estate PlanningWhat is premium financing life insurance?Who is premium financing best for?Is premium financing life insurance risky?What types of life insurance are used in premium financing?How is the loan repaid in premium financing?Can premium financing be used with Infinite Banking?Does premium financing impact estate planning? When Premium Financing Life Insurance Might Make Sense While it's not our go-to recommendation, premium financing can be useful for a small subset of high-net-worth individuals—if it's thoughtfully structured, clearly understood, and fully aligned with legacy goals. In rare cases, it allows a bank to fund large insurance premiums while the client preserves liquidity and keeps other investments in play. Here's when it may be worth considering: You have a $10M+ net worth You face substantial estate tax exposure You want to avoid liquidating investments or business assets You can post strong collateral And you have a clear, realistic repayment strategy Used responsibly, premium financing can provide leveraged protection without draining capital. Still, this isn't about chasing leverage. It's about stewardship. And for 99% of families, we'd guide them to simpler, more stable solutions. What Is Premium Financing Life Insurance? At its core, premium financing is when you use a third-party loan (usually from a bank) to pay the premiums on a permanent life insurance policy—typically a large whole life or indexed universal life (IUL) policy. Here's the simplified flow: You apply for a large life insurance policy. A lender agrees to loan you the premiums (often millions of dollars). You pledge collateral—often the policy's cash value and/or outside assets. The policy grows, the lender is repaid over time or at death, and your heirs receive the net death benefit. It's using leverage—other people's money—to fund a necessary part of your estate planning strategy. But here's the key: You have to be strategic. We've seen it done well… and we've seen it go terribly wrong. When Does Premium Financing Make Sense? Let's be crystal clear: Premium financing is NOT for everyone. This is a strategy for high-net-worth individuals, often with $5M, $10M, $25M+ in net worth. Here are the key indicators that premium financing might be a fit: 1. You Have Estate Tax Exposure The estate tax exemption is in flux—and could be cut in half. If you're planning to leave more than $6–12 million in assets per individual,

This week Dante and Harry Are joined by the Manhattan Madam Kristin Davis• How she built a $10M+ escort ring like a Fortune 500 company• What brought down her empire—and the powerful men who didn't fall with it• What prison taught her about politics—and why she pivoted into working for presidential campaigns• The real reason elites fear women like her (hint: it's not just sex)• Why she's telling her story now—and what HBO didn't show• She was featured in the new HBO Max & Discovery Go docuseries Hustlers, Gamblers & Crooks See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Annabel Hay is the founder of Clutch Glue, one of Australia's fastest-growing beauty brands - now valued at over $10 million in just two and a half years. From working full-time to standing in the spotlight on Shark Tank, Annabel's journey is the definition of courage, creativity, and belief in yourself when no one else sees the vision.In this episode:How Annabel turned a night out into a $10M idea – The wild story of how one frustrating fashion fail at a club became the spark for Clutch Glue.Building Clutch Glue while working full-time in construction – How Annabel balanced her 9–5 job with her growing business and the mindset that kept her going when she had zero free time.The Shark Tank Experience – What it was really like behind the scenes, how she prepared for national TV, and what happens after the cameras stop rolling.The truth about quitting your job to chase your dream – Why Annabel cried the day she resigned, and how leaving her corporate life changed everything — both the good and the scary parts.The power of ‘delusional belief' in business – How a mix of optimism and a little bit of “crazy” helped Annabel push through fear, doubt, and huge unknowns.Overcoming burnout and finding balance again – The moment Annabel realised she was working 16-hour days, and the lessons she learned about protecting your energy as a founder.How to build a product people actually need – Annabel's step-by-step thinking behind solving a real problem, creating something women actually wanted, and making it go viral.What it takes to build a brand people love – The marketing, storytelling, and mindset shifts that made Clutch Glue one of Australia's fastest-growing personal care brands.Annabel's advice to anyone with a dream – Why you don't need to have it all figured out, how to start small, and why believing in yourself might just be the smartest business move you ever make.—Get Shopify for $1

Darryl Pahl is the co-founder of DFnet, a Seattle-based company providing clinical trial data management software and services. Along with his wife and co-founder, Lisa Andrzejczyk, Darryl started the company more than 20 years ago after careers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. They built DFnet around long-term client relationships in global health and clinical research. The company runs DFdiscover, an enterprise-grade electronic data capture and management platform used in clinical studies worldwide. With offices in the U.S., Canada, and South Africa, DFnet has grown to more than 50 employees and is approaching $10M in revenue. Clients range from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to nonprofits like PATH and major universities. Still independent and bootstrapped, DFnet has made key moves to prepare for the future—such as bringing in a growth-focused CEO, diversifying beyond single-client risk, and shifting legacy software to SaaS and services. Darryl shares the lessons from running conservatively under debt, buying rather than building, and building a global company rooted in relationships and practical execution. Key Takeaways Stability First Growth – Carrying a 10-year SBA loan forced conservative growth and taught the discipline of stability over risky expansion. Buying Not Building – Acquiring DataFax brought 35+ new clients overnight and proved that buying legacy software can be smarter than reinventing. Services Plus Software – Unlike pure SaaS, DFnet thrives by combining consulting, hosting, and software in a regulated field. Spouse Founders Structure – Their 51/49 ownership split avoided deadlocks and kept marriage and business aligned. This Interview Is Perfect For SaaS founders balancing growth and control Founders considering succession or sale Bootstrapped entrepreneurs in niche B2B markets Anyone curious about global health data and impact-driven tech Quote from Darryl Pahl, co-founder of DFnet "The best position to be in is to say that in three to five years, we would be crazy to sell this company. It's doing so well. That would be the perfect thing. And what we're not looking for is a giant payout. We have a very modest lifestyle. “But is an asset, it is a business, and there's a business aspect. It would have to be the right type of buyer. It has to be the right fit. It has to be the right person or group that is respectful to our clients, our employees, and us as owners.  “So the ideal would be to have the luxury of either not selling or being more selective rather than responding to random emails from some financial buyer or search funder.” Links Darryl Paul on LinkedIn DFnet on LinkedIn DFnet website Podcast Sponsor – Fraction This podcast is sponsored by Fraction. Fraction gives you access to senior US-based engineers and CTOs — without full-time costs or hiring risks. Get 10 to 30 hours per week from vetted and experienced US-based talent. Find your next fractional senior engineer or CTO at fraction.work. You can start with a one-week, risk-free trial to test it out. The Practical Founders Podcast Tune into the Practical Founders Podcast for weekly in-depth interviews with founders who have built valuable software companies without big funding. Subscribe to the Practical Founders Podcast using your favorite podcast app or view on our YouTube channel. Get the weekly Practical Founders newsletter and podcast updates at practicalfounders.com. Practical Founders CEO Peer Groups Be part of a committed and confidential group of practical founders creating valuable software companies without big VC funding.  A Practical Founders Peer Group is a committed and confidential group of founders/CEOs who want to help you succeed on your terms. Each Practical Founders Peer Group is personally curated and moderated by Greg Head.

In this episode of The Dirt Bags Podcast, we're in studio with Josh Montanye, Chief Business Officer at Williams Companies and Executive Vice President at Williams Plumbing / Williams Civil Construction. Josh brings a wealth of experience in overseeing planning, procurement, performance, and financing for large commercial construction projects. With a focus on municipal and public clients, he's managed budgets ranging from $1M to $10M. Josh also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Liberty University!Josh's IG @jmontanye @willplumb @williamsacademy406Josh's Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-montanye/ Website: willplumb.com "ImOn A Hoe": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WgcthLMercBook a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing: https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05Huge Thanks to our sponsors:Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie's already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand—and it shows. Whether you're a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you're covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems. Learn more at: eljen.comSludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications. Discover the details at: sludgehammer.netThanks for listening!

Check out my newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://TKOPOD.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and join my new community at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://TKOwners.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠━Beehiiv is the newsletter platform I've used for over a year and a half because their data shows you exactly what's working. Get 30% off three months at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠beehiiv.com/chris⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠━In this solo episode I'm doing something different and ranking my six biggest business failures from #6 to #1. I walk through No BS Crypto with John McAfee, the painful lessons from running a third-party logistics company that did $400K a month with 90% revenue tied to one toxic client, and the whirlwind of launching Bitcoin mining at the exact wrong time after a bull-run high where we did $10M in 90 days and still lost in the end. I also get honest about a phone repair merger I rushed, and the number one failure that cost me a friendship in my wholesale iPhone parts business. The theme across all of it is control, concentration risk, partnerships, and how survivorship bias hides the real cost of bad decisions. If you want the full backstory on the McAfee chapter, check out Episode 9 where I tell that story in detail.Enjoy! ---Watch this on YouTube instead here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tkopod.co/p-yt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ask me a question on or off the show here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://tkopod.co/p-ask⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://tkopod.co/p-cjk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn about my company: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://tkopod.co/p-cof⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on Twitter here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://tkopod.co/p-x⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free weekly business ideas newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://tkopod.co/p-nl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share this podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://tkopod.co/p-all⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Scrape small business data: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://tkopod.co/p-os⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Experiment, Gary Fox sits down with Dan Murray, co-founder of Heights, the brain health and wellness brand redefining supplements through science and transparency. From building a startup after insomnia and burnout to scaling Heights to over £25 million ARR, Dan's story is a masterclass in resilience, product integrity, and founder mindset. Dan doesn't hold back-calling out the biggest scams in wellness, revealing how Heights earned credibility in a saturated industry, and sharing the truth about raising investment, building trust with scientists, and navigating toxic investor relationships. If you've ever wondered how to build a purpose-led brand in a crowded space—or how to rebuild confidence after failure—this episode is for you. Show Notes In this episode, we cover:

ZayZoon pioneered the earned wage access category a decade ago and has become the leading embedded provider through partnerships with over 300 payroll companies. With over $50 million raised and a team of 200, ZayZoon now serves 15,000+ businesses across the US. In a recent episode of Category Visionaries, I sat down with Tate Hackert, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of ZayZoon, to unpack their B2B2C distribution strategy, the economics of three-sided marketplaces, and how they're expanding from earned wage access into the connected workplace. Topics Discussed: Building for two years without revenue while signing payroll distribution partners Why embedded B2B2C distribution beats direct sales for hourly workforce products Engineering three-way marketplace economics that align payroll, employer, and employee incentives The November 2017 trade show that killed their Canadian market strategy Educating three distinct buyer personas in a category creation motion Product expansion strategy: when to stay focused vs. when to launch adjacent products Positioning shift from "financial wellness" to recruitment/retention/productivity outcomes The underwriting advantage of payroll-integrated repayment for reducing loss rates Building 300+ payroll partnerships through relationship-driven GTM GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Solve distribution economics before product-market fit: ZayZoon spent 2014-2016 building product and signing payroll partners before generating first revenue in 2016. The insight: "Why would we go and try to sign up business by business...Let's sign up the payroll company because they're this umbrella organization." For B2B2C models, solve the distribution layer first—even if it delays revenue. Your bottleneck is partner adoption curves, not product readiness. Structure three-way economics where everyone wins big: ZayZoon discovered payroll companies had "this gold mine of employees that they hadn't yet monetized" and built a model where they pay payroll partners "a really hefty revenue share" while keeping enough margin for ZayZoon and keeping the service low-cost for employees. In platform businesses, the unit economics must be compelling enough that each party actively sells for you, not just tolerates you. Map your value prop to your buyer's actual job metrics: ZayZoon's breakthrough came from reframing earned wage access as solving recruitment, retention, and productivity—the metrics small business owners are measured on. Tate explained the unlock: "It's free for me, and it's deployed seamlessly through the HCM provider that I already use. Yeah, turn it on." Your features matter less than your impact on the specific KPIs in your buyer's quarterly review. Kill underperforming markets immediately, even after years of investment: After building in Canada from 2014-2017, one US trade show in November 2017 generated "more signed business than we had done in the previous couple of years in Canada." They put Canada "on life support" by January 2018. Resource reallocation speed matters more than sunk cost. When signal clarity emerges, move capital and team within weeks, not quarters. High-touch relationship GTM beats automation until you hit scale: Tate's core partnership advice: "Pick up the phone...be gritty as hell. Those first hundred customers that you do, be gritty." He emphasized personal outreach builds "pattern recognition and learnings that you receive from being ultra curious." For partnerships specifically, bring "humility, transparency and the expectation that you're building a ten year plus relationship, not being transactional." Automation scales what works—but relationship GTM discovers what works.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co // Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM  

In this reflective episode, Anthony “AJ” Vaughan challenges leaders to reimagine how work is designed, executed, and aligned with human potential. Drawing inspiration from Dr. Benjamin Hardy's principle of “expanding the mind and condensing the timeline,” AJ explores how organizations can stretch their strategic imagination—thinking in $100M possibilities instead of $10M habits—while restructuring the systems, people, and emotional infrastructure needed to make it real.He breaks down how leaders can:Redeploy capital, talent, and capability with empathy and precisionRedesign operating systems to serve both business goals and human fulfillmentAlign financial ambition with cultural and emotional ROICreate new pathways for scale through honest self-assessment and workforce reinventionThis is not just a talk about growth—it's a challenge to every CEO, CHRO, and COO to rebuild their organization around truth, timing, and human alignment.

Your business could be worth 2, 3, even 10x more, without getting a single new customer.After selling 3 companies, I've learned the difference between a $1M exit and a $10M exit comes down to one overlooked metric.I'll walk you through exactly how to fix it and maximize your business value.✅ Get Access to my Business Valuation Calculator: https://bit.ly/47i6e5Q▸▸ Subscribe to The Martell Method Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3XEBXez▸▸ Get My New Book (Buy Back Your Time): https://bit.ly/3pCTG78

John sits down with Zac Dearing (Mantel) to break down how top HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies are moving from “proposal tools” to true shopping experiences that help homeowners buy with confidence—and help teams close more, faster. They dig into hard data from Mantel's platform and homeowner survey: why Tuesdays are the biggest sales day, how response time and proposal view time (“eyeball time”) predict closes, and why a 10-point jump in proposal strength correlates with ~$960 higher average ticket. They also cover remote/virtual selling (and what a high-fidelity, open-cart experience can look like), pricing transparency (69% of homeowners try to find a price online…only 15% find something clear), extended-warranty strategies, and what changes between a $10M shop and a $100M shop (hint: ruthless simplicity). If you want a concrete playbook for modern sales—benchmarks, coaching levers, and systems that scale—this one's for you.

AODocs manages business-critical documents for enterprises where downtime has real consequences—production lines stopping, construction projects delayed, containers sitting at ports. Founded in 2012 and bootstrapped to profitability by 2022, the company serves Google's data center builds, aerospace manufacturers' FAA certifications, and Veolia's water treatment operations. In this episode of Category Visionaries, we sat down with Stéphan Donzé, Founder of AODocs, to unpack his 14-year journey from Google ecosystem specialist to Microsoft-compatible platform. Stéphan shares unfiltered lessons from the brutal 2014-15 years when cloud platform limitations broke customer deployments, why they've reconsidered fundraising every two years but remained independent, and how AI agents finally created the urgency factor their category always lacked. Topics Discussed: Surviving 2014-15 when Google Cloud platform performance limits broke at scale Bootstrapping via services company profits until standalone profitability in 2022 Why long-term document lifecycle management (10-30 year retention) resists VC timelines Expanding from Google workspace early adopters to Microsoft enterprise accounts The failed experiment with cloud reseller partners who couldn't deploy DMS Why marketing hire ramp time equals technical hire ramp for platform products Medium-sized industry conferences outperforming 30K-attendee mega-events on cost-per-lead Positioning as document foundation for reliable AI agent information access GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Transparent post-mortem communication converts crises into trust: When AODocs hit unexpected Google Cloud platform limitations in 2014-15—breaking deployments for customers running mission-critical workflows—they published detailed explanations of root causes outside their control and remediation plans. Stéphan explained: "We've always been extremely transparent...Yes, we screwed up here. Here is the thing we put in place so that it doesn't happen again." This approach consistently strengthened customer relationships during their worst incidents. For founders in business-critical infrastructure: your crisis response protocols matter more than preventing every outage. Bootstrap via complementary services revenue until product-market fit: AODocs funded development by merging with a Google Cloud consulting firm that deployed early Gmail enterprise implementations. Services profits subsidized product R&D while providing direct customer access. Stéphan described the deal structure: "I have a software company that has no revenue, but I can suck the profit of the service company until I make revenue." The model worked until 2022 when AODocs became independently profitable. For technical founders: identify services businesses with your target customer base as bootstrap partners, not just revenue sources. Partner technical capability trumps partner pipeline size: AODocs initially partnered with Google Cloud resellers (SATA, Onix) who had enterprise access but couldn't scope or deploy document management implementations. The inflection point came shifting to system integrators with actual DMS practices. Stéphan noted: "These guys don't really understand document management...they could not really help us deploy our product because they don't understand what we're doing." For complex B2B products: vet partners on technical delivery capacity, not just lead generation promises. Platform products require 12-month marketing onboarding: AODocs learned marketing hires need equivalent ramp time as engineering roles—not two one-pagers and go-to-market. Stéphan's realization: "It takes a year before someone is able to write the right things and to sense the essence of the product." This applies specifically to platforms with multiple use cases, not point solutions. For founders with horizontal platforms: budget full-year onboarding before expecting marketing productivity, or hire people who've sold similar complexity before. Founder must own category positioning until $10M ARR: Stéphan argues technical founders can't delegate core messaging early: "My personal take is that in the tech company the CMO cannot be anybody else than the founder itself at least for the first $10 million." This comes from watching marketing experts produce "beautiful words and lots of fluff but still not get the essence of what we're doing." For technical founders uncomfortable with marketing: you're avoiding your most important job in the early years. Regional 2K-5K conferences deliver better unit economics than flagship 30K events: While AODocs attends Google Next (30,000) and Gartner conferences, smaller regional IT decision-maker events generated superior cost-per-qualified-lead. Stéphan's finding: "If you look at the number of dollars you spend per lead that you get, the small events are surprisingly effective." This contradicts conventional wisdom about flagship event ROI. For enterprise B2B: test regional and vertical conferences before scaling spend on mega-events. Technology paradigm shifts create replacement urgency: AODocs positioned as "modern cloud-based document management" for years without forcing function to rip out legacy systems. AI agents changed the calculus entirely. Stéphan's repositioning: "If you don't upgrade your document foundation, you won't be able to benefit from the AI productivity acceleration." The urgency comes from AI agents requiring clean, validated document repositories—impossible with SharePoint chaos. For founders in infrastructure categories: look for adjacent technology waves that make your solution prerequisite, not optional upgrade. // Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co // Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role.   Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM

Calico is building an agentic AI system for apparel sourcing and production—automating the "messy middle" of manufacturing that has operated on emails, Excel, and WhatsApp for decades. As a founder who previously built and exited apparel brands, Kathleen Chan experienced the pain firsthand: opening a Shopify store takes minutes, but actually producing inventory requires staying up until 2am managing factory communications. In this episode, she shares how Calico is creating a new category during the 2025 tariff crisis, when sourcing directors are rewriting playbooks that haven't changed in 50 years. Topics Discussed: How Calico functions as an AI co-pilot for sourcing directors and production managers Creating a category when no budget line exists for agentic AI systems Leveraging the 2025 tariff environment as an adoption catalyst Why six months of paid acquisition produced high signups but zero quality customers Sequencing GTM tactics from unscalable one-to-ones to conferences to content Building authenticity in a market saturated with AI slop and generic LinkedIn content Hiring early evangelists who maintain conviction through the startup zigzag GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Match GTM motion to how your market transacts, not what scales: Calico tested paid acquisition for six months before realizing relationship-building converted better despite being unscalable. In apparel manufacturing, decades-long supplier relationships can't turn on and off overnight—the buying motion reflects this reality. Kathleen's approach: early-stage requires one-to-one dinners and networking to answer nuanced questions; mid-stage shifts to conferences for broader reach; late-stage deploys LinkedIn content once the market understands your category. The sequencing matters because each stage builds on the previous one's trust foundation. Brutally audit customer quality, not conversion metrics: Calico's paid acquisition drove signups and "conversions by marketing sense," creating a false signal of product-market fit. After six months, the math revealed these customers cost more to acquire than those from relationship channels and had lower quality. Kathleen's lesson: vanity metrics provide a "weird little dopamine hit" that masks broken unit economics. For B2B founders in complex sales cycles, track cost-per-quality-customer, not cost-per-signup. Use macro disruption to collapse sales cycles: The 2025 tariff crisis created an "impossible challenge" for Calico's ICP—sourcing directors forced to rewrite playbooks built over decades while tariffs changed via tweet. Rather than fighting the chaos, Calico positioned itself as the solution to this specific moment, anchoring customer conversations on tariff-driven urgency. This transformed education from abstract ("here's what agentic AI can do") to concrete ("here's how we solve your tariff problem today"). B2B founders should identify trigger events that make the status quo untenable. Create category clarity by defining what you're not: In a market where "AI could mean things to many different people," Calico differentiated by explicitly stating what their system cannot do. Kathleen prioritized "dispelling the notions of what we are and what we aren't" over overselling capabilities. This matters because sophisticated buyers—especially in industries with low tech adoption—need to understand boundaries before they'll trust promises. The tactic builds credibility in noisy markets where everyone claims AI magic. Hire evangelists who outlast founder doubt: Calico's most impactful GTM decision was bringing on early team members who could evangelize value through the inevitable "zigzaggy" early stage—when "it's exciting one day and the worst day ever the next." These people interface directly with customers regardless of whether the founder is having doubts or frustrations. Kathleen's insight: in B2B relationship-driven sales, your early GTM hires' conviction directly determines whether customers stick through product evolution. Hire for authentic belief, not just skills. Deprioritize content in high-noise environments: Calico deliberately delays LinkedIn content until later stages because "folks are a little bit more muted to all the LinkedIn content coming at them." With AI making content easier than ever to create, Kathleen sees audiences questioning whether to take it seriously and whether AI-generated content has less value than human-generated. Her approach: authenticity trumps quantity. For B2B founders, this means investing in formats that can't be easily faked (video, in-person) before scaling written content. // Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co // Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM

Episode 190: Automate Your Lead Generation with our FREE online course: https://go.digitaltrailblazer.com/auto-leads-course-freeMost online business owners struggle to get organic reach on Facebook, pouring time into content that nobody sees while their competitors seem to go viral effortlessly.Without an audience, even the best products and offers will struggle to sell.In this episode, Rachel Miller teaches us how to grow from zero to 200,000+ organic reach per post in just a few weeks using her "niche neighboring" strategy, crafting posts that trigger Facebook's algorithm through strategic engagement stacking, and why traditional "value posts" actually hurt your reach.She also reveals her sideways selling approach that generated $7,000 from a single post without any direct call-to-action.About Rachel Miller: Rachel is a Lifetime Learner. Mom to six kiddos. Serial Business Builder.  After growing her own audiences to over 4.4 million people, as well as bringing in over $10M in revenue from those audiences, Rachel now helps other businesses grow engaged audiences for their brands, without ads - she has helped over coach over 27,000 Businesses - helping them get their audience & future customer base, without ad spend!Get Your FREE Viral Content Pack Here: https://packs.pagewheel.com/dashboardConnect with Rachel:Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/leviandrachel Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pagestrategies/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/moolahMarketer/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Rasilla24 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelmillermarketing/ Blog: https://rachelmiller.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelsillamiller/Want to SCALE your online business bigger and faster without the endless hustle of networking, referrals, and pumping out content that nobody sees?Grab our Ultimate Ad Script for Coaches, Agencies, and Course Creators.Learn the exact 5-step script we teach our clients that allows them to generate targeted, high-quality leads at ultra-low cost, so you can land paying customers and clients without breaking the bank on ad spend. Grab the Ultimate Ad Script right HERE - https://join.digitaltrailblazer.com/ultimate-ad-script✅ Connect With Us:Website - https://DigitalTrailblazer.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/digitaltrailblazerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitaltrailblazerTwitter: https://twitter.com/DgtlTrailblazerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/DigitalTrailblazer

In this episode of AV Trade Talk, host Katye McGregor Bennett sits down with Alexa Centeno, co‑owner of Systems Design & Integration (SDI Boston) and founder of the new VELLA HAUS franchise, to explore how premium home staging and home technology come together to sell faster, sell higher, and create lifelong clients. Alexa shares her journey from integrator to stager (without leaving integration behind), the moment a $10M project setback became rocket fuel, and why she's taking her staging brand national. You'll hear about: How SDI evolved from hanging TVs to delivering 20,000‑sq‑ft smart estates with lighting control, theaters, outdoor lifts, motorized shades, voice control and more. The origin story of VELLA HAUS: turning a last‑minute “no” into a thriving staging business that completed 77 homes last year—and the systems she uses to scale. Staging with real tech to create emotion and demand: framed displays, full theater seating with screens and speakers, landscape audio, and why these experiences become powerful AV lead generators. Education as a differentiator: helping builders plan for shade pockets, lighting, and infrastructure—so design and technology align from day one. The big announcement: VELLA HAUS has launched and is now accepting franchise applicants for a national luxury home staging franchise with protected territories—starting in Massachusetts—and a highly selective (≈1%) award process. Who they're looking for and how to raise your hand. A peek inside SDI Boston's experience center: a Listening Room for cinema demos, an Experience Room showcasing Lutron, Ketra, Leon, Coastal Source, outdoor living, and more—curated to inspire designers, architects, builders, and homeowners alike. Highlights from Katye's CEDIA Expo Smart Stage panel on design‑tech collaboration featuring Toni Sabatino (Toni Sabatino Style), Caitlin Stewart (Leon Speakers), Frank DeFilippis (Sonos), and Alexa Centeno (VELLA HAUS), and what those conversations signal for integrator–designer partnerships. Whether you're a designer, integrator, builder, or realtor, this conversation offers practical ideas for teaming up, differentiating your projects, and creating unforgettable client experiences before, during, and long after the sale. #avtradetalkpod

If you're a business owner struggling to secure the capital you need to grow, this episode is for you. Tyler Chisholm sits down with Anthony D. Almeida, CEO of The Unbankers, to talk about what it *really* means to be finance-ready—and why so many small and mid-sized businesses are left behind by traditional banks. With over 25 years in the trenches of corporate finance, Anthony shares how his team steps in to support businesses seeking loans under $10M—especially those scaling fast, acquiring competitors, or managing complex turnarounds. From the critical role of fractional CFOs to building forward-looking financial models, Anthony offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what lenders actually want—and how to plan for capital before you need it. For leaders tired of hearing “no” from the banks, this episode introduces an alternative path built on relationships, strategy, and deep operational insight.In this episode:What it means to be an Unbanker and why that mattersWhy traditional banks are stepping away from sub-$10M dealsHow The Unbankers fill the financing gap with hands-on, operationally-savvy supportInsights into asset-based vs. cash-flow lendingThe increasing role of fractional CFOsWhen and how to start preparing for financingLending market comparisons between Canada and the U.S.What industries Anthony loves to work with—and which ones they steer clear ofWisdom bombs:"You're not as finance-ready as you think you are." – Anthony D. Almeida"Noah built the ark before it rained. That's how you need to think about your business finance strategy." – Anthony D. Almeida"Lenders will look at your cash flow as an asset. If it's strong and predictable, that tells a compelling story." – Anthony D. Almeida"Business plans aren't just for the lenders; they're how you articulate your vision to yourself." – Anthony D. AlmeidaFor the Extra Curious:Learn more about The Unbankers: https://www.unbankers.comExplore the rise of fractional CFOs: https://www.cfoshare.orgGuide to being finance-ready: BDC's Business Loan Checklist: https://www.bdc.ca/en/articles-tools/money-finance/get-financing/business-loan-application-checklistOverview of cash flow-based lending: Investopedia on Cash Flow Lending: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cash-flow-lending.aspUnderstanding asset-based lending: NerdWallet Guide: https://www.nerdwallet.com/ca/business/asset-based-lendingThis episode is brought to you by clearmotive marketing. When it comes to marketing that truly matters to your business, clearmotive is your go-to partner. With a proven track record of more than 15 years, they understand what makes your business tick. Learn more at https://www.clearmotive.ca and discover how clearmotive can help your marketing thrive.We're on social media! Follow us for episodes you might have missed and key insights on Western Canada directly on your feeds.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collisionsyycLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/collisions-yycYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@collisionsyycWebsite: https://www.collisionsyyc.comThank you for tuning into Collisions YYC!Remember to subscribe and follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode.If you loved the episode, please leave us a 5-star review and share the show with your friends! These things really help us reach more potential fans and share everything that's amazing about Western Canada.We sincerely appreciate your support of our local podcast.Host links:Tyler's website: https://www.tylerchisholm.comTyler's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerchisholmGuest links:Anthony De Almeida's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-de-almeida-726123aThe UnBankers' Website: https://www.theunbankers.comThe UnBankers' Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theunbankers/The UnBankers' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunbankers/Collisions YYC is a Tyler Chisholm original production // Brought to you by clearmotive marketing

Vic is a successful Board Advisor, AI Strategist, and Innovator whose mission in life is to help the most people possible make the most money through business, technology, and science. Website: http://aihrdojo.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-ako/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/vicako.bsky.social Newsletter: https://opportunity-report.beehiiv.com/ (Asymmetric opportunities for ambitious builders. Each week: a validated venture blueprint worth $10M+, complete with go-to-market strategy and exit path.) CallumConnects Micro-Podcast is your daily dose of wholesome leadership inspiration. Hear from many different leaders in just 5 minutes what hurdles they have faced, how they overcame them, and what their key learning is. Be inspired, subscribe, leave a comment, go and change the world!

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Vic is a successful Board Advisor, AI Strategist, and Innovator whose mission in life is to help the most people possible make the most money through business, technology, and science. Website: http://aihrdojo.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-ako/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/vicako.bsky.social Newsletter: https://opportunity-report.beehiiv.com/ (Asymmetric opportunities for ambitious builders. Each week: a validated venture blueprint worth $10M+, complete with go-to-market strategy and exit path.) CallumConnects Micro-Podcast is your daily dose of wholesome leadership inspiration. Hear from many different leaders in just 5 minutes what hurdles they have faced, how they overcame them, and what their key learning is. Be inspired, subscribe, leave a comment, go and change the world!

This week in Portland Oregon startup news, a Portland startup raises $10M more, Oregon senior Senator Ron Wyden calls out Flock on the heels of an Amazon Ring partnership, Bend Venture Conference 2025 is in the books, a bunch of upcoming startup and AI events, and more. Let's get into it…PORTLAND OREGON STARTUP STORIES00:00 Portland Oregon startup news intro00:50 Unofficial winners of the Bend Venture Conference 202502:25 Portland VC investments double in Q303:45 Senator Ron Wyden calls out Flock06:00 Knapsack raises $10M08:10 Two AI events 09:40 Maxwell Folley starts something new10:55 Startup applications due14:33 Portland Retro Gaming Expo17:25 SecretsPORTLAND OREGON STARTUP LINKS- Senator Wyden's letter to Flock https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-slams-surveillance-tech-company-for-ineffective_protections-for-oregonians-against-abuses-by-federal-agencies-and-out-of-state-law-enforcement- TiE Oregon Collegiate Competition https://www.tieoregon.org/pitch-oregon/collegiate-startup-challenge- Y Combinator https://www.ycombinator.com/apply- Oregon UAS Accelerator https://oregonuas.org/pages/oregon-uas-innovation-challenge- Portland Retro Gaming Expo https://www.retrogamingexpo.com/ FIND RICK TUROCZY ON THE INTERNET AT…- https://patreon.com/turoczy- https://linkedin.com/in/turoczy- Portland startup news on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/portland-oregon-startup-news-silicon-florist/id1711294699- Portland startup news Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2cmLDH8wrPdNMS2qtTnhcy?si=H627wrGOTvStxxKWRlRGLQ- The Long Con on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-long-con/id1810923457- The Long Con on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/48oglyT5JNKxVH5lnWTYKA- https://bsky.app/profile/turoczy.bsky.social- https://siliconflorist.substack.com/- https://pdxslack.comABOUT SILICON FLORIST ----------For nearly two decades, Rick Turoczy has published Silicon Florist, a blog, newsletter, and podcast that covers entrepreneurs, founders, startups, entrepreneurship, tech, news, and events in the Portland, Oregon, startup community. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a startup or tech enthusiast, or simply intrigued by Portland's startup culture, Silicon Florist is your go-to source for the latest news, events, jobs, and opportunities in Portland Oregon's flourishing tech and startup scene. Join us in exploring the innovative world of startups in Portland, where creativity and collaboration meet.ABOUT RICK TUROCZY ----------Rick Turoczy has been working in, on, and around the Portland, Oregon, startup community for nearly 30 years. He has been recognized as one of the “OG”s of startup ecosystem building by the Kauffman Foundation. And he has been humbled by any number of opportunities to speak on stages from SXSW to INBOUND and from Kobe, Japan, to Muscat, Oman, including an opportunity to share his views on community building on the TEDxPortland stage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj98mr_wUA0). All because of a blog. Weird.https://siliconflorist.com#pdx #portland #oregon #startup #entrepreneur

Are you struggling to scale your online business? This one is for you. I am chatting with Dylan Jahraus, an extraordinary entrepreneur and coach who went from a side hustle on Etsy to generating millions in profit. Dylan shares her inspiring story of overcoming family tragedy and transforming her passion for e-commerce into a thriving business.  She started with a simple Etsy shop and grew it to over $1 million in profit before transitioning into coaching. Now, Dylan helps others achieve financial freedom through her coaching program, which has scaled to over $500k per month.  Dylan reveals the strategies that fueled her explosive growth. She shares how she mastered YouTube content, created an irresistible offer, and scaled her business without relying heavily on ads. If you're ready to learn how to create and scale your own business, don't miss this inspiring conversation. "If you're thinking about creating an offer, make sure you're an actual expert." ~ Dylan Jahraus In This Episode: - Dylan's upbringing and early family challenges - How she made $10k a month on Etsy - Switching from Etsy to coaching  - Early coaching struggles and lessons on sales calls - Scaling to $500K/month and creating a high-ticket offer - Training her coaching team & launch model - Dylan's YouTube strategy and content flow for success - The mindset behind her daily consistency and motivation - How Dylan's brand growth now impacts others - Final advice to aspiring creators  About Dylan Jahraus: Dylan Jahraus is a seasoned e-commerce entrepreneur with 13+ years of experience. Her e-commerce acumen fueled an Etsy venture, propelling her shop to over $1M profit within 6.5 years, followed by expansion to Amazon and Shopify. In 2022, she launched the Multi-Six-Figure Etsy Blueprint.  Swiftly, the program enrolled 4000+ students and achieved $10M+ revenue, a vibrant community of over 100,000 YouTube subscribers, and a top Etsy podcast with 550,000+ downloads. In 2024, Dylan Jahraus launched etSEO, an SEO software that served thousands of Etsy sellers within its first 60 days.  Get personalized coaching to set up and scale your online business: https://dylanjahraus.com/services  Connect With Dylan Jahraus: Website: https://dylanjahraus.com/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanjahraus/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dylanjahrausofficial  Where to find me: IG: https://www.instagram.com/jen_gottlieb/    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jen_gottlieb     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jenleahgottlieb    Website: https://jengottlieb.com/    My business: https://www.superconnectormedia.com/    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jen_gottlieb

In this special episode, AJ turns the E1B2 Collective lens inward to ask a bold question: What if you could scale a company from $10M to $100M in ten years using only HR and people systems as your primary lever? Drawing insights from over 1,000 podcast episodes, dozens of guest appearances, and years of field research with top CHROs and operators, AJ breaks down how founder rewiring, talent architecture, and culture operating systems can outpace finance and product as true growth engines. From hiring for delta—not pedigree—to treating HR as a revenue function, this is a masterclass in building sustainable, human-centered scale. Thoughtful, strategic, and brutally honest—this is the playbook for leaders who believe people are the ultimate growth strategy.

College football just detonated a money bomb.

In this week's episode of Business Lunch, Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss continue breaking down the “Bottlenecks” framework—the 11 proven playbooks that billionaires use to grow, protect, and multiply wealth.From AI-driven acquisitions to tax-optimized exits, this conversation dives into the strategies that separate ordinary entrepreneurs from long-term empire builders. You'll hear how the world's wealthiest think about capital allocation, scaling “boring” businesses, and structuring companies for massive, tax-efficient exits.Whether you're scaling your first venture or managing a growing portfolio, this episode is a tactical deep dive into how to think—and act—like a billionaire.Key Takeaways • Tech Is Not a Moat: With AI making innovation easy to copy, your real advantage is distribution and users. • The QSBS Advantage: How the Qualified Small Business Stock exemption can eliminate up to $10M (or more) in capital gains per shareholder. • DAFs & Charitable Strategy: Donor Advised Funds can combine tax savings with long-term impact—if structured correctly. • Boring Businesses, Billionaire Results: Logistics, energy, and real estate can quietly create generational wealth when value is added and scaled. • Capital Cycling: Why the world's best investors (like Blackstone and Berkshire) act like banks—recycling capital and compounding returns.Episode Highlights [00:02:00] – Why tech is easy to copy—and why users, not code, create real enterprise value. [00:10:00] – The billionaire tax play: how QSBS and DAFs legally minimize or eliminate capital gains. [00:18:00] – When to start thinking about tax strategy (hint: usually not before $10M net worth). [00:25:00] – Logistics, land, and “boring” businesses that create quiet fortunes. [00:33:00] – The ESG arbitrage: adding sustainability to raise valuations. [00:40:00] – Network effects and marketplace rollups: creating compounding flywheels. [00:55:00] – The rise of “edge retail”: micro-brands, coffee chains, and inversion models that scale fast. [01:05:00] – Capital cycling and other people's money (OPM): how billionaires play the funding game.Memorable Quotes“If all you are is a feature that someone else could build, you don't have a business—you have a countdown clock.”“Boring businesses aren't boring when they compound quietly into billions.”“It's not what you make—it's what you keep.”“Billionaires don't think like operators; they think like capital allocators.”Mentioned in This EpisodeQualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) – U.S. tax exemption strategyDonor Advised Funds (DAFs) – Philanthropic and tax planning vehiclesRoss Perot Jr. – Logistics real estateDutch Bros – Scalable retail model exampleBlackstone & Berkshire Hathaway – Capital cycling and compounding modelsListen If You'reA founder or investor learning to structure smarter deals.A CEO or operator ready to scale beyond execution into capital allocation.A strategic thinker who wants to play the long game in business and wealth creation.ConnectHosts: Roland Frasier & Ryan DeissPodcast: Business Lunch with Roland FrasierMore at: businesslunchpodcast.comMentioned in this episode:Join Roland & Ryan at Get Scalable LiveIf you're a founder, CEO, or operator running a 7- or 8-figure business, Get Scalable Live was built for you. This is not your typical business event. It's 3 days of hands-on strategy, real-world frameworks, and next-level networking with the smartest operators in the game.

Get on our free newsletter & get 11 questions to change your life now: https://www.clarkkegley.com/free-ques...  Buckle up… we got a real one today! This is my experience with the new age movement. Some of you have been watching since this phase and wondered why I quit creating content in this space. Some of you have no clue what I'm talking about. Either way, I want to explain why I QUIT new age thought (things like 'manifestation' and 'the law of attraction') and why I deleted 10M+ worth of videos. And I want to let you in on the behind-the-scenes content/creator angle because I think a lot of people don't realize WHY so much content is created in this space, the massive incentives to keep creating it, and the incentives to never change your ideas. Hopefully you get something from this. Remember—one of the most 'spiritual' things you can do is give yourself the ability to change your mind, even if that means doing so in public! Cheers. Chapters: 00:00 I almost didn't make this video... 00:56 PART I: My story 01:49 The shortcut to views + what gurus don't tell you 02:47 The turning point 03:41 Warning signs 05:31 Behind the scenes "gurus" 07:01 PART II: The flaws 07:19 1 09:29 2 11:02 3 12:59 4 14:19 5 15:26 6 16:04 PART III: The solutions Get the 7 Shadow Work Questions to change your life (free gift for yt subs): https://www.clarkkegley.com/shadow-work The Best of Series | 10-years In The Making:    • THE BEST OF - Clark Kegley | Top Videos on...   MY FAVORITE TOOLS

Vic is a successful Board Advisor, AI Strategist, and Innovator whose mission in life is to help the most people possible make the most money through business, technology, and science. Website: http://aihrdojo.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-ako/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/vicako.bsky.social Newsletter: https://opportunity-report.beehiiv.com/ (Asymmetric opportunities for ambitious builders. Each week: a validated venture blueprint worth $10M+, complete with go-to-market strategy and exit path.) CallumConnects Micro-Podcast is your daily dose of wholesome leadership inspiration. Hear from many different leaders in just 5 minutes what hurdles they have faced, how they overcame them, and what their key learning is. Be inspired, subscribe, leave a comment, go and change the world!

Want to build a construction business that runs without you? In this episode, Aaron Mills shares how accurate financials and strategic systems can transform your company from owner-dependent to highly valuable and sellable. Learn how one electrical contractor grew from $30M to $90M in four years while the owner reduced his involvement from 60 hours to just a few hours per week.What You'll LearnHow to transform messy financials into strategic tools for growthThe importance of WIP schedules and how they reveal hidden profit opportunitiesWhy pricing increases often meet less resistance than you expectHow to strategically remove yourself from day-to-day operationsThe exact systems needed to triple net profits while working lessTime Stamps00:55 - Episode Intro02:32 - Financial Resource Optimization04:15 - Challenges in Construction Financials05:29 - Case Study: Electrical Contractor06:48 - Growing Broke: Understanding Revenue Pillars14:21 - Controller vs CFO: Roles and Responsibilities22:25 - Exiting the Business and Personal Success Stories28:51 - Understanding the WIP Schedule31:41 - Dissecting the WIP Schedule36:03 - Training Project Managers44:28 - Challenges in Implementing WIP46:03 - The Importance of Systems49:16 - Daaxit's Free Strategy Session50:30 - Core Values and Asking for Help50:55 - The Story Behind Daaxit51:47 - Episode OutroSnippets from the Episode"If your financials are on a roller coaster month to month—if you're making a whole bunch of money one month and losing a whole bunch the next—then your financials are inaccurate and you need some help."— Aaron Mills"When you're going to sell your business, it's so much more attractive if you're not in the business running it every day. You want a business that operates by itself."— Aaron Mills"A controller's reporting the history; the CFO bridges the history to the future with the business owner and the vision."— Aaron Mills"I just took my first two weeks off. I didn't answer my phone. This spring, this summer, I've been going to my kids' sporting events for the first time ever, and I have the best relationship with my wife ever."— Construction Business Owner (Client Success Story)Key TakeawaysYour financials should be strategic tools, not just tax documentsWIP schedules reveal hidden profit opportunities when properly analyzedRaising prices on unprofitable clients is often easier than you thinkBuilding a business that runs without you increases its value dramaticallyDifferent revenue levels ($5M, $10M, $20M+) require completely different systemsProject managers need monthly financial reviews to maintain profitabilityA business that runs without you provides both financial and personal freedomResources⁠24 Things⁠ Construction Business Owners Need to Successfully Hire & Train an Executive Assistant⁠Schedule⁠ a 15-Minute Roadblock CallCheck out⁠ OpenPhone⁠Build a Business that Runs without you. Explore our⁠ GrowthKits⁠ Need Marketing Help? We Recommend⁠ Benali⁠Need Help with podcast production? We recommend⁠ Demandcast⁠More from Aaron MillsAaron Mills - Founder/ CEO DaaxitDaaxit WebsiteAaron Mills on LinkedInMore from Martin Holland⁠theprofitproblem.com⁠⁠annealbc.com⁠   ⁠Email Martin⁠⁠Meet With Martin⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠Instagram⁠More from Khalil⁠benali.com ⁠⁠Email Khalil⁠⁠Meet With Khalil⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠Instagram⁠More from The Cash Flow ContractorSubscribe to our⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube channel⁠Subscribe to our ⁠Newsletter⁠Follow On Social:⁠ LinkedIn⁠,⁠ Facebook⁠,⁠ Instagram⁠, ⁠X(formerly Twitter)⁠Visit our ⁠website⁠⁠Email⁠ The Cashflow Contractor

In Part 2 of The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast with John Karpov, founder and CEO of Action Home Services, Dwayne and John go even deeper into the mindset and systems behind Action Home Services(AHS), a leading landscaping and exterior construction company serving Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. From almost losing his residency to scaling an $8M business while facing deportation, John shares how he built structure, leadership, and culture around his immigrant grit. He opens up about redefining fulfillment, transitioning from survival mode to leadership, and how relentless personal growth became the cornerstone of his company's 50% year-over-year growth.John reveals his leadership playbook — from reading 2 books a month to building over 1,000 SOPs and investing $1.5M in professional development for his team — and how staying humble, hungry, and human is what keeps him grounded through every phase of growth.If Part 1 was about survival, this episode is about scaling — with purpose, structure, and soul.Listen to Part 1 HEREWatch Part 1 HERETimestamps[00:00:00] — Dwayne opens with: “You can only run a business so long by running the fastest.”[00:01:00] — John's incredible story of his wife's visa approval and their shared “never give up” destiny.[00:05:00] — The immigration battle: how they nearly lost everything waiting for permanent residency.[00:07:30] — The miracle timing that let them stay in Canada and the lessons learned living on the edge.[00:10:00] — Reinvesting every dollar into the business while facing uncertainty.[00:13:00] — Scaling to $10M+ before age 25 — and not feeling like it's an accomplishment.[00:17:00] — Dwayne and John explore scarcity versus hunger — and how the immigrant mindset fuels drive.[00:19:00] — John on never feeling “done” and why fulfillment comes from helping others succeed.[00:22:30] — The breakthrough realization: happiness is in the journey, not the destination.[00:26:00] — Daily fulfillment rituals: reading, training, and prioritizing sleep.[00:29:00] — Building structure and delegation into the company's DNA — leadership by design.[00:31:00] — Creating organizational charts, head of departments, and scaling through people.[00:35:30] — Learning to lead through education: 100+ conferences and a book club culture.[00:38:00] — Investing $1.5M in personal and professional development and $40K in books.[00:41:00] — Company reading list and rewards program: from “Unreasonable Hospitality” to “Good to Great.”[00:45:00] — John's transparent leadership: open-book finances, KPI education, and growth accountability.[00:49:00] — Over 1,000 SOPs: how structure scales culture.[00:53:00] — Turning every mistake into a process and every error into a lesson.[00:56:00] — The ROI of structure: new managers finally saying, “I love that it's organized.”[00:58:00] — Why immigrants often make exceptional employees — grit meets gratitude.[01:00:30] — Dwayne's reflection on the power of sacrifice and the immigrant spirit.[01:02:00] — John's final advice: “If you need my help with your business, I'll be there for you.”Key...

TwelveLabs is building purpose-built foundation models for video understanding, enabling enterprises to index, search, and analyze petabytes of video content at scale. Founded by three technical co-founders who met in South Korea's Cyber Command doing multimodal video understanding research, the company recognized early that video requires fundamentally different infrastructure than text or image AI. Now achieving 10x revenue growth and serving customers across media, entertainment, sports, advertising, and federal agencies, TwelveLabs is proving that category creation through extreme focus beats trend chasing. In this episode, Jae Lee shares how the company navigated early product decisions, built specialized GTM motions for established industries, and maintained technical conviction during years of building in relative obscurity. Topics Discussed: How military research in multimodal video understanding led to founding TwelveLabs in 2020  The technical thesis: why video deserves purpose-built foundation models and inference infrastructure  Targeting video-centric industries where ROI justifies early-stage pricing: media, entertainment, sports, advertising, and defense  Partnership-driven distribution strategy and AWS Bedrock integration results  Specialized sales approach: generalist leaders, vertical-specific AEs and solutions architects Maintaining extreme focus and avoiding hype cycles during the first three years of building  Federal GTM lessons: why In-Q-Tel partnership and authentic mission alignment matter more than process optimization  The discipline of saying no to large opportunities that don't fit ICP  Keeping hiring bars high when the entire team is underwater GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Hire vertical specialists on the front lines, not just at the top: TwelveLabs structures its GTM team with generalist leaders (head of GTM and VP of Revenue) who can sell any technology, but vertical-specialized AEs, solutions architects, and deployment engineers. These front-line team members come directly from the four target industries and understand customer workflows, buying patterns, and integration points without ramp time. For founders entering mature markets with established tech stacks and complex procurement, this inverted model—generalist strategy, specialist execution—accelerates deal velocity because technical buyers immediately recognize domain fluency. Infrastructure plays require integration partnerships, not displacement: In established industries with layered technology stacks, positioning as foundational infrastructure demands partnership-first distribution. Jae explained their approach: integration with media-specific GSIs, media asset management platforms, and cloud providers ensures TwelveLabs fits into existing workflows rather than forcing wholesale replacement. This is particularly critical for selling into industries like media and entertainment where technology decisions involve multiple stakeholders across production, post-production, and distribution. The AWS Bedrock integration delivered 30,000+ enterprise agreements in seven weeks—a distribution velocity impossible through direct sales alone. Extreme focus on first-principles product development beats fast-follower tactics: While competitors built quick demos by wrapping existing models, TwelveLabs spent three years building proprietary video foundation models and indexing infrastructure from scratch. Jae was explicit about the cost: "It was painful journey in the first like two and a half, three years because folks are flying by." The payoff came from solving actual customer problems—indexing 2 million hours of content in two days, enabling semantic search at scale, building agent workflows for specific use cases—rather than impressive demos that couldn't handle production workloads. For technical founders, this validates staying committed to fundamental research even when market momentum favors surface-level innovation. Federal requires cultural alignment before GTM optimization: TwelveLabs' federal success stems from authentic mission alignment, not just process execution. With In-Q-Tel as an investor providing interface to agencies and founders with military backgrounds, the company established credibility through shared values rather than sales tactics. Jae was direct: "If you're kind of entering because, oh, federal market is big and you go in, you're going to get your butt kicked. So I think like you need to actually build your team in a way that's like passionate to work on this project." This matters because federal deals require sustained engagement through long sales cycles, security reviews, and deployment complexity—momentum that only comes from genuine conviction, not quota pressure. ICP discipline protects product focus and team morale: Saying no to large early opportunities that don't fit ICP is operationally painful but strategically essential. Jae acknowledged the difficulty: "Early on saying no to customers is hard... as a founder you want to grow your business and you know that's going to be good for the morale. But that's only true when the customers are actually their ideal customers." Wrong customers create three failure modes: they pull product roadmap toward one-off features, they consume disproportionate support resources, and they generate reference cases that attract more wrong-fit prospects. For early-stage infrastructure companies, every customer shapes your market position—choose deliberately. // Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM

Freeplay AI emerged from a precise timing insight: former Twitter API platform veterans Ian Cairns and Eric Schade recognized that generative AI created the same platform opportunity they'd previously captured with half a million monthly active developers. Their company now provides the observability, evaluation, and experimentation infrastructure that lets cross-functional teams—including non-technical domain experts—collaborate on AI systems that need to perform consistently in production. Topics Discussed: Systematic customer discovery: 75 interviews in 90 days using jobs-to-be-done methodology to surface latent AI development pain points Cross-functional AI development: How domain experts (lawyers, veterinarians, doctors) became essential collaborators when "English became the hottest programming language" Production AI reliability challenges: Moving beyond 60% prototype success rates to consistent production performance Enterprise selling to technical buyers: Why ABM and content worked where ads and outbound failed for VPs of engineering Category creation without precedent: Building thought leadership through triangulated insights across hundreds of implementations Offline community building: Growing 3,000-person Colorado AI meetup with authentic "give first" approach GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Structure customer discovery with jobs-to-be-done rigor: Ian executed a systematic 75-interview program in 90 days, moving beyond surface-level feature requests to understand fundamental motivations. Using Clay Christensen's framework, they discovered engineers weren't just frustrated with 60% AI prototype reliability—they were under career pressure to deliver AI wins while lacking tools to bridge the gap to production consistency. This deeper insight shaped Freeplay's positioning around professional success metrics rather than just technical capabilities. Exploit diaspora networks from platform companies: Twitter's developer ecosystem became Ian's customer research goldmine. Platform company alumni have uniquely valuable networks because they previously interfaced with hundreds of technical teams. Rather than cold outreach, Ian leveraged existing relationships and warm introductions to reach heads of engineering who were actively experimenting with AI. This approach yielded higher-quality conversations and faster pattern recognition across use cases. Target sophistication gaps in technical buying committees: Traditional SaaS tactics failed because Freeplay's buyers—VPs of engineering at companies building production AI—weren't responsive to ads or generic outbound. Instead, Ian invested in deep technical content (1500-2000 word blog posts), speaking engagements, and their "Deployed" podcast featuring practitioners from Google Labs and Box. This approach built credibility with sophisticated technical audiences who needed education about emerging best practices, not product demos. Build authority through cross-portfolio insights: Rather than positioning as AI experts, Ian built trust by triangulating learnings across "hundreds of different companies" and sharing pattern recognition. Their messaging became "don't just take Freeplay's word for it—here's what we've seen work across environments." This approach resonated because no single company had enough AI production experience to claim definitive expertise. Aggregated insights became more valuable than individual case studies. Time market entry for the infrastructure adoption curve: Ian deliberately positioned Freeplay for companies "3, 6, 12 months after being in production" rather than competing for initial AI experiments. They recognized organizations don't invest in formal evaluation infrastructure until they've proven AI matters to their business. This patient approach let them capture demand at the moment companies realized they needed serious operational discipline around AI systems. //  Sponsors:  Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co // Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role.    Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM

Most investors want success, but few are willing to suffer for it.James Lascara, a former Navy SEAL turned 8-figure real estate investor, built his empire through discipline, leadership, and relentless execution. He's done triple-digit transactions, developed 50+ units in Tampa this year and built a $10M portfolio!We talked about what that mindset looks like in business…And why real success only comes when you're willing to suffer.James is speaking at our 10th Anniversary event in Clearwater, and honestly, this might be the most valuable session we've ever had.If you're ready to build that kind of discipline and leadership into your own business, that's exactly what we do inside 7 Figure Runway. Runway is where people like James Lascara are built, where discipline replaces doubt, and action replaces fear.Join 7 Figure Runway >>>Catch you later!LINKS & RESOURCES1,000 FREE Seller LeadsGet your first 1,000 seller leads FREE from our partner BatchLeads and start closing deals immediately. CLICK HERE: http://leads.getbatch.co/mztQkMr7 Figure Flipping UndergroundIf you want to learn how to make money flipping and wholesaling houses without risking your life savings or "working weekends" forever... this book is for YOU. It'll take you from "complete beginner" to closing your first deal or even your next 10 deals without the bumps and bruises most people pick up along the way. If you've never flipped a house before, you'll find step-by-step instructions on everything you need to know to get started. If you're already flipping or wholesaling houses, you'll find fast-track secrets that will cut years off your learning curve and let you streamline your operations, maximize profit, do MORE deals, and work LESS. CLICK HERE: https://hubs.ly/Q01ggDSh0 7 Figure RunwayFollow a proven 5-step formula to create consistent monthly income flipping and wholesaling houses, then turn your active income into passive cash flow and create a life of freedom. 7 Figure Runway is an intensive, nothing-held-back mentoring group for real estate investors who want to build a "scalable" business and start "stacking" assets to build long-term wealth. Get off-market deal sourcing strategies that work, plus 100% purchase and renovation financing through our built-in funding partners, a community of active investors who will support and encourage you, weekly accountability sessions to keep you on track, 1-on-1 coaching, and more. CLICK HERE: https://hubs.ly/Q01ggDLL0 7 Figure Real Estate Ready RoomUse this proven blueprint to launch and grow your real estate investing business. Step-by-step video course takes you through everything you need to know… and we'll jump on WEEKLY workshops to break down each step with you LIVE! Think of it like getting a master's degree in tactical real estate investing for a fraction of the cost. CLICK HERE: https://7figureflipping.com/ready Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram: @7figureflipping Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The D2D Podcast, host Hunter sits down with Thomas Lundberg, founder of Sellify AI. From being $60,000 in debt and unsure of his next step, to breaking rookie records in pest control sales, Thomas' journey is proof that door-to-door can change your life in a single summer.He shares how the grind of knocking doors shaped his faith, discipline, and resilience—lessons that carried him into entrepreneurship. Today, through Sellify AI, Thomas is pioneering sales automation that helps companies retarget customers, win back canceled accounts, and even close deals end-to-end with AI-driven conversations.For new or struggling reps, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways: the importance of having a strong “why,” the role of faith and consistency on the doors, and how to leverage technology without losing the human touch. Thomas also dives into the realities of entrepreneurship—why relationships matter more than revenue, and how staying grounded in your principles is key to long-term success.Whether you're just starting out or looking for ways to level up, Thomas' story shows how setbacks can become setups for massive growth if you stay committed to the process.You'll find answers to key questions such as:How can faith and purpose fuel success in door-to-door sales?What lessons from D2D translate directly into entrepreneurship?How does Sellify AI help companies close more sales automatically?Is AI a threat to reps, or a tool to grow the industry?What mindset shifts can turn personal setbacks into breakthroughs?Get in Touch with Thomas Lundberg & Sellify AI:Website: https://sellifyai.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-k-lundberg/Ready to stop feeling stuck and scale your home service business? Join our Virtual Business Bootcamp (Oct 23–24) and learn the 3-Part Operating System that's helped 300+ owners hit $10M, $20M, and beyond.Lock in your spot now: https://events.thed2dexperts.com/live-now?el=pod-shownotes-ep494&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=bmb2Thank you for listening! Don't miss out on future episodes! Subscribe to The D2D Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. You may also watch this podcast on YouTube!You may also follow Sam Taggart on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more nuggets on D2D and Sales Tips.

Is your brain fog, fatigue, or weight gain more than just stress? It could be perimenopause—and it may be your body's biggest wake-up call.In this empowering episode, Dr. Shivani Gupta sits down with Dr. Mariza Snyder, a functional medicine practitioner, hormone expert, and bestselling author of The Essential Oils Hormone Solution and The Perimenopause Revolution. With over 10M podcast downloads, Dr. Mariza shares science-backed tools and her own journey to help women become the CEO of their health.Together, they unpack the truth about hormone chaos, metabolic health, sleep, and what it means to truly future-proof your body and mind.

About This EpisodeDaniel Ziv, Global VP of AI and Analytics at Verint, reveals why experienced executives are making their worst decisions in decades—and how AI analytics is rewriting the rules of business intelligence. Learn the two critical frameworks that separate AI winners from losers, and why the biggest risk isn't picking the wrong technology—it's doing nothing at all.Guest BioDaniel Ziv leads AI and analytics product management and go-to-market strategy at Verint, where he helps global enterprises transform customer experience through data-driven decision-making. With two decades in the analytics space, Daniel has witnessed firsthand how AI is fundamentally changing what's possible in customer insights.Key Timestamps[00:00] - Why change is happening faster than ever before[03:04] - The Macro vs. Micro Analytics Framework explained[06:19] - Two flawed decision-making patterns destroying value[09:20] - Real ROI: $80M saved, $10M found in 48 hours[15:32] - Generative AI vs. Agentic AI: What's the difference?[21:03] - The hybrid cloud advantage (why on-prem isn't dead)[26:35] - Common misconceptions about Verint[28:49] - Daniel's advice for making AI decisions today[32:17] - Final thoughts: "Ride the dragon"Key TakeawaysThe Two Fatal Mistakes:Gut-based decisions without data - Your experience is becoming less reliable as change acceleratesAnalysis paralysis - Waiting weeks for insights while competitors move in hoursThe Macro-Micro Framework:Macro Analytics: Understand patterns across ALL interactions (the 30,000-foot view)Micro Analytics: Apply insights to individual interactions in real-timeCompanies that excel at both create significant competitive advantageReal Results:Large telecom: $80M saved + 11% sales increaseTypical deployment: $5-10M in insights found within 1-2 daysUK financial services: $5M additional revenue from loan process improvementsEnergy supplier: $2M saved through increased agent capacityGenerative → Agentic Evolution:Generative AI responds to prompts (you ask, it answers)Agentic AI breaks down goals and executes multi-step workflows autonomouslyExample: Genie Bot evolved from answering questions to analyzing, quantifying, and exporting results automaticallyAction Items for ListenersAudit your decision-making speed - Are you making gut calls or waiting too long for data?Identify one quick-win AI deployment - What could you turn on this week without changing infrastructure?Evaluate your analytics gaps - Do you have macro insights, micro operationalization, or both?Test before scaling - Start with 300 users, validate, then scale to 30,000Connect with Daniel - Reach out on LinkedIn to discuss your specific use caseConnect With Daniel ZivLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dziv1/About the Host Maribel Lopez brings decades of technology industry analysis experience, helping business leaders cut through hype to understand what actually works in AI, cloud, and digital transformation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/maribellopez/Subscribe & FollowIf you found this conversation valuable, subscribe for more deep dives with AI leaders who are actually deploying this technology and seeing real business results.Tags: #AI #Analytics #CustomerExperience #GenAI #AgenticAI #BusinessIntelligence #CXAutomation #DataDriven #DigitalTransformation #Verint

Pia Mance started Heaven Mayhem in 2022 with just $900 and scaled it into a $10M accessories brand in under three years. In this interview, Pia breaks down the scrappy steps she took to launch her first collection, the grassroots marketing hacks that made her products go viral, and how celebrity moments like Hailey Bieber wearing her designs gave the brand instant credibility. From handmaking necklaces in her living room to building an accessories empire stocked in global retailers like Selfridges, Pia shares exactly how she grew fast without outside investment—and the mindset shifts that kept her moving forward. What you'll learn from this interview: • How Pia launched Heaven Mayhem with just $900 • The scrappy tactics she used to get her first sales • Why “done is better than perfect” became her growth mantra • How grassroots marketing can look like a $50K campaign (on a $300 budget) • What happened when Hailey Bieber wore Heaven Mayhem • How to scale products from handmade to factory production • Why community-first brand building is more powerful than metrics • How she scaled to $10M in revenue without outside funding By the end of this interview, you'll walk away with a proven blueprint for taking an idea from scrappy beginnings to a multi-million dollar brand—so you can apply the same principles to your own eCommerce journey. SAVE 50% ON OMNISEND FOR 3 MONTHS Get 50% off your first 3 months of email and SMS marketing with Omnisend with the code FOUNDR50. Just head to https://your.omnisend.com/foundr to get started. HOW WE CAN HELP YOU SCALE YOUR BUSINESS FASTER Learn directly from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders inside Foundr+ Start your $1 trial → https://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial PREFER A CUSTOM ROADMAP AND 1-ON-1 COACHING? → Starting from scratch? Apply here → https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application → Already have a store? Apply here → https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application CONNECT WITH NATHAN CHAN Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/nathanchan LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan/ CONNECT WITH PIA MANCE Website → https://heavenmayhem.com/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/piamance/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/piamance/ FOLLOW FOUNDR FOR MORE BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES YouTube → https://bit.ly/2uyvzdt Website → https://www.foundr.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/foundr/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/foundr Twitter → https://www.twitter.com/foundr LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundr/ Podcast → https://www.foundr.com/podcast

In this episode of The Daily Windup, I break down how billions in government contracts go unclaimed every year—and how to make sure your business isn't part of that statistic. We walk through the pitch deck process, TRL levels, and the exact details you need to win over DoD evaluators. You'll also learn why following formatting instructions (yes, down to Times New Roman font) could mean the difference between getting funded or being instantly deleted. Federal contracting success isn't luck—it's precision, presentation, and professionalism. Key Takeaways: Every year, billions in government contracts are left on the table because small businesses don't follow simple instructions. Nail your pitch deck by focusing on validation, scalability, and cost savings (save $10M over 5 years, for example). Follow DoD formatting rules to the letter—one wrong file or missing item can get your email deleted instantly. Learn more: https://federalhelpcenter.com/ https://govcongiants.org/ 

LightSpeed VT: https://www.lightspeedvt.com/ Dropping Bombs Podcast: https://www.droppingbombs.com/   Ever wonder how the elites turn market chaos into millions overnight? In this straight-shooting Dropping Bombs episode, Joel Kraut—former Wall Street options trader turned real-estate operator—pulls back the curtain on going from Black Monday's $10M day to pioneering a BRRR-style playbook that everyday investors can actually run. He strips away guru fluff and explains why most people never tap real-estate goldmines, how to build cash-flowing single-family portfolios, and why you must leverage the cycle instead of fearing it. This is Wall Street chaos turned Main Street wealth—delivered by someone who lived both.   Here's the blueprint most gurus skip: automate $500/mo into an S&P 500 index (compounding toward ~$1.8M in 30 years), then accelerate with covered calls. If you've got $50K–$250K sitting idle, this convo shows exactly how to put it to work—and why mentorship collapses your timeline from a decade to 18 months. From personal rock bottoms to mentoring thousands, Joel's message is simple: commitment over interest, mindset over money, and now is the time to buy—before the big players scoop it all.  

In this explosive episode of Inside the Vault with Ash Cash, we sit down with Kenneth “Smitty the Goat” Smith, the westside Chicago hustler turned multimillionaire entrepreneur who cracked the code on credit, funding, and digital marketing. From sleeping on his sister's couch to building a $10M empire, Smitty reveals how he leveraged debt as a wealth tool, created a six-figure recurring revenue community, and built a legacy that now includes real estate, lending, and mentorship. This is one of the realest conversations on how to turn information into transformation. If you've ever been afraid of credit or stuck trying to build your business from scratch—this episode will shift your mindset forever.

You can grind your way to $1M, but you'll never grind your way to $10M. In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael and Jessica Mogill break down what it really takes to 10X a law firm. From the early days of sheer hustle to the bold bets that build unforgettable brands, this conversation explores the mindset, courage, and leadership shifts required to make the leap from incremental growth to exponential impact. Here's what you'll learn: Why the grind gets you from $0 to $1M, but only leverage and delegation get you to $10M How courage-driven decisions, such as giving away a Tesla or booking a Super Bowl stadium, changed everything The leadership evolution that begins when you stop being the doer and start empowering others to win Exponential growth is not about working harder. It is about thinking bigger and leading differently. ---- 05:17 – The grind that gets you from $0 to $1M and why it will not get you to $10M 07:38 – The shift from doing everything yourself to building leverage through people 11:30 – Why best-known beats best and how bold marketing bets changed everything 15:25 – The courage behind putting the Game Changers Summit in Mercedes-Benz Stadium 20:15 – How the pandemic forced a leadership evolution and shifted focus to helping others win ---- Links & Resources: Give and Take by Adam Grant Shoe Dog by Phil Knight Tesla Mercedes-Benz Stadium  PlayStation ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O'Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 403. AMMA — How To Scale Beyond Growth Basics 390. Passion, Process, and Pitmaster Wisdom for Law Firm Leaders with Rodney Scott 382. What It Takes to Build a $100M Legal Business with Chris Dreyer

MrBeast contestant turned viral content creator Camilla Araújo joins the boys to discuss Sophie Rain making $50M/year on OF, ROASTS Logan for losing to KSI, sleeping with 2000 men w/ Bonnie Blue, her family’s reaction to starting an OF at 19 years old (+ will god will forgive her?), Logan spending $10M on Pokémon cards, her uncanny resemblance to Katy Perry, Mike fumbling Tate McRae, if she’s ever been to a Diddy party & more..   SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ► https://www.youtube.com/impaulsive   You can grab my shirts and all WWE Merch, hats, tees, replica title belts, Superstar collections on https://shop.wwe.com/ & https://www.fanatics.com/   Be sure to subscribe to the WWE Topps Now mailing list on https://www.topps.com/ and follow Topps on all social media platforms so you never miss a single moment.   Thank you https://mmcollective.studio/ & https://www.monsters.video/ for hosting us!   Watch Previous (Benny Safdie On Directing Smashing Machine, The Rock’s INSANE Body Transformation, UFC vs. Jake Paul) ► https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdSoEkvAzQs&t=1s   ADD US ON: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/impaulsiveshow/   Timestamps: 0:00 Welcome Camilla Araújo!