Podcasts about 10m

Monster trucks, skeletons, and a CMO who doesn't think about cost analysis very often. In this in-studio conversation, Torq CMO Don Jeter breaks down how brand-led world-building beats feature dumps, why entertainment now matters more than information on the trade show floor, and how a Monster Jam partnership and an episodic LinkedIn “junior intern” series created real pipeline by earning mental real estate long before buyers are in-market. We get into the 60-day rebrand sprints, showing up at Black Hat, aligning sales and product so bold creative actually converts, measuring what matters when attribution gets fuzzy, and using AI for brainstorming without shipping “AI slop.” Stick around to the lightning round where Don reveals his $10M marketing moonshot and the sacred marketing belief he thinks won't age well. If you care about brand, demand, and breaking B2B sameness, watch through to the end and then queue it up on audio for the commute. Key Moments: 00:00: Brand > Features: Cold Open02:09: Rebrand to Stand Out (Not Blend In)03:53: Trade Show Strategy + Monster Jam Booth07:31: World-Building for B2B Brands10:02: Episodic LinkedIn: Meet “Intern Trevor”13:18: Do Bold Stunts Actually Drive Revenue?20:16: Brand x Product x Sales: Tight Alignment30:04: Polarizing on Purpose: Handling the Haters34:30: Collabs, Culture & Consistency (Beyond F1)38:52: AI for Ideas, Humans for Taste45:00: Hiring Creatives + Technical PMM Muscle48:03 Lightning Round (Super Bowl Ads, Hot Takes & More)  Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

My guest today is Jeff Horing. Jeff cofounded Insight Partners and has been the Managing Director since 1995. This is one of Jeff's first public conversations about building one of the world's most successful technology investment firms with over $100 billion in AUM. Jeff reveals the mechanics behind Insight's legendary sourcing machine—60-80 people systematically calling companies worldwide. He explains their contrarian "one fund" strategy that deploys $12 billion across everything from $10M growth deals to billion-dollar buyouts, and why he thinks this creates unmatched competitive advantages. We discuss remarkable talent diaspora, AI representing a "TAM accelerator," and Insight's five-ingredient framework for perfect investments. Please enjoy this great conversation with Jeff Horing.  For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ramp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ramp.com/invest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlphaSense⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alpha-Sense.com/Invest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. – This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ridgeline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ridgelineapps.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the platform. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:08:35) Insight Partners' Investment Strategies (00:13:06) Evaluating Software Businesses (00:22:51) The One Fund Strategy (00:29:32) The Evolution of Insight's Sourcing Strategy (00:35:09) Operationalizing the Sourcing Process (00:44:43) Adapting to Market Changes and Strategies (00:49:45) Navigating Market Corrections and Investment Strategies (00:51:40) Challenges and Opportunities in Venture Buyouts (00:54:12) Talent Development and Retention at Insight (00:56:03) The Importance of Sourcing and Pattern Recognition (01:02:08) Scaling and Operationalizing Investment Strategies (01:20:24) Impact of AI on Investment and Software Markets (01:27:40) Reflections on Winning and Selling Strategies (01:30:34) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Ever Done For Jeff

Today's Headlines: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox says accused shooter Tyler Robinson isn't cooperating, but the Washington Post found Discord messages where Robinson admitted to the shooting hours before his arrest. FBI Director Kash Patel revealed Robinson had also suggested his plans in texts and a now-destroyed note. Investigators describe him as politically radicalized against Kirk, though he has no criminal record and was still in trade school. Meanwhile, VP JD Vance guest-hosted The Charlie Kirk Show from his White House office, joined by Tucker Carlson, Stephen Miller, and others. Miller went full scorched-earth, calling left-wing groups a “domestic terrorist movement” that the government would dismantle “in Charlie's name.” In other news, Trump wants companies to ditch quarterly earnings reports, the U.S. and China reached a tentative TikTok sale deal ahead of tomorrow's deadline, and the Trump administration plans to destroy $10M worth of contraceptives intended for low-income countries despite global offers to take them. Trump also bragged about another strike on a Venezuelan “drug boat,” Israel launched a new ground offensive into Gaza with Rubio nodding along, and NY Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed Zohran Mamdani over Andrew Cuomo. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: BBC: Suspect in Charlie Kirk shooting not cooperating with authorities, Utah governor says WaPo: Suspect In Charlie Kirk Shooting appears to confess in Discord chat NYT: FBI Head Says Note and DNA Link Suspect to Charlie Kirk Killing AP News: JD Vance says national unity is impossible with those celebrating Charlie Kirk's killing NBC News: 'We will do it in Charlie's name': Stephen Miller vows vengeance for Kirk's murder CNBC: Trump advocates end to quarterly earnings reports  CNBC: Bessent: TikTok deal 'framework' reached with China, Trump and Xi will finalize it Friday Axios: Planned Parenthood urges Trump not to destroy $10 million in contraceptives The Guardian: Trump announces deadly US strike on another alleged Venezuelan drug boat  Axios: Israel launches offensive to occupy Gaza City Axios: Rubio to discuss with Netanyahu Israeli plan for possible West Bank annexation NYT: Opinion | Kathy Hochul: Why I Am Endorsing Zohran Mamdani Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.comGrain Markets and Other Stuff Links-Apple PodcastsSpotifyTikTokYouTubeFutures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.0:00 Direct Payments4:12 US/China Talks5:45 Brazil Soy Planting Starts8:17 Crop Progress/Conditions10:13 NOPA Soy Crush11:19 Tyson and High-Fructose Corn Syrup13:26 Grain Shipments are Strong14:31 Flash Sale

OpenInfer addresses the enterprise infrastructure gap that causes 70% of edge AI deployments to fail. Founded by system architects who previously built high-throughput runtime systems at Meta (enabling VR applications on Qualcomm chips via Oculus Link) and Roblox (scaling real-time operations across millions of gaming devices), OpenInfer applies proven architectural patterns to enterprise edge AI deployment. The company targets three specific customer pain points: cost reduction for AI-always-on applications, data sovereignty requirements in regulated environments, and reliability for systems that must function regardless of connectivity. In this episode of Category Visionaries, CEO and Founder Behnam Bastani reveals how external market catalysts like DeepSeek's efficiency breakthrough transformed investor perception and validated their compute optimization thesis. Topics Discussed: System architecture pattern replication from Meta's Oculus Link to Roblox to OpenInfer The compute efficiency gap: why "throwing hardware" at AI problems creates market inefficiencies How DeepSeek's January 2025 breakthrough shifted investor sentiment from skepticism to oversubscription Customer targeting methodology: focusing on business unit leaders facing career consequences Government market discovery: air-gapped environments and data sovereignty requirements Technical demonstration strategies for overcoming the 70% edge deployment failure rate Privacy-first AI positioning unlocking previously inaccessible use cases GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Target decision-makers with career-level consequences: Rather than pursuing prospects who might "take a risk," Behnam focuses on "those that lose their jobs if they're not solving the problem" - specifically business unit leaders whose profit margins or sales metrics directly impact their career trajectory. This creates urgency that comfortable cloud users lack and accelerates deal cycles by aligning solution adoption with personal survival incentives. Leverage external market catalysts for thesis validation: OpenInfer initially faced investor pushback ("Nvidia's got everything working well. Why you think you can do anything better?") until DeepSeek's efficiency breakthrough provided third-party validation. "January hits and then there's DeepSeek... People called us, hey, you're DeepSeek on edge." Founders should identify potential external events that could validate their contrarian thesis and be prepared to capitalize when these catalysts occur. Lead with technical proof points over explanations: In markets with high failure rates, demonstrations eliminate skepticism faster than education. "We definitely have metrics, demos, and we go with those. We demonstrate what's possible... we remove this skepticalism in terms of ease of deployments, power of edge in one shot." This approach recognizes that technical buyers need confidence before curiosity. Pursue unexpected traction sources aggressively: Despite targeting enterprise ISVs, government demand emerged due to air-gapped environment requirements. "Government is actually becoming huge traction primarily because data ownership was a major topic to them." Rather than forcing initial market hypotheses, founders should redirect resources toward segments showing organic product-market fit signals, even when they require different sales processes. Build credibility through architectural pattern repetition: Investors backed OpenInfer because "we are the people that have built this twice, scaled it to millions." Repeating proven technical patterns across different contexts creates sustainable competitive advantages that new entrants cannot replicate without similar experience depth.   //   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 

Surgical Safety Technologies is pioneering the transformation of operating rooms from secretive environments into data-driven spaces that optimize patient outcomes. With their "Operating Black Box" platform now deployed in over 50 hospitals across the US, Canada, and Western Europe, the company has generated over 100 peer-reviewed publications demonstrating the ability to reduce patient morbidity and mortality by more than 30% while increasing hospital efficiency by $20 million annually for a typical 40-50 OR facility. In this episode, we sat down with Teodor Grantcharov, founder of Surgical Safety Technologies, to explore his 20-year journey from academic researcher to category-creating entrepreneur in the challenging world of healthcare innovation. Topics Discussed: The evolution from virtual reality surgical simulators in the late 1990s to comprehensive OR analytics platforms Breaking through the cultural resistance to measurement and transparency in surgical environments The strategic decision to target top-tier academic medical centers as early adopters Building a platform with four distinct modules: efficiency, compliance, quality/safety, and education The 10-year journey from research hypothesis to proven commercial success with measurable patient outcomes Creating the category of "data-driven healthcare" in traditionally dogma-driven medical environments GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Use demanding customers as product validation engines: Teodor's team deliberately targeted top-tier academic medical centers as their initial customer base with a specific thesis: "If we can make the best in the world even better, then we can make anyone better." This wasn't just about prestige - these customers had "internal, very sophisticated systems" and "very knowledgeable professionals and leaders" who would stress-test the platform in ways that revealed product gaps early. The approach creates a competitive moat: once you can satisfy the most demanding buyers in your category, you possess capabilities that competitors serving easier customers lack. Build category credibility through academic validation at scale: Surgical Safety Technologies generated over 100 peer-reviewed publications before their sales process accelerated, creating what Teodor calls "irrefutable" evidence. This wasn't just marketing - the publications came from top hospitals proving 30% mortality reduction and $20 million annual efficiency gains per 40-50 OR facility. The strategy transforms sales conversations: instead of pitching features, they present peer-reviewed outcomes data that procurement committees and clinical leaders cannot dismiss. Category creators in regulated industries should consider academic validation as sales ammunition, not just credibility building. Structure modular platforms for multi-stakeholder enterprise sales: Rather than forcing binary adoption decisions, Surgical Safety Technologies created four distinct platform modules (efficiency, compliance, quality/safety, education) that can be sold individually or as a complete suite. This addresses the reality that "each of those have different stakeholders" within hospital systems. The modular approach enables two distinct sales motions: land-and-expand with single-module entry points for budget-constrained buyers, or comprehensive platform sales when "we usually upsell additional modules to the subscription." This architecture is particularly valuable in complex enterprise environments where different departments control separate budget lines. Leverage mission-driven culture as a competitive advantage: Teodor emphasizes that every hire must understand "what we do, why we do it" and that the company constantly reminds itself "this is not just a gadget or an application. We have a responsibility for improving performance and ultimately improving quality of care for patients." In industries where trust and outcomes matter more than features, a genuine mission-driven approach becomes a critical differentiator that influences everything from branding to employee retention. Time market entry with regulatory and cultural shifts: The company's success accelerated as healthcare systems became more willing to measure performance and embrace transparency. Teodor observes: "Now we see hospitals recognize that you can't improve what you can't measure." B2B founders should identify when broader industry trends create openings for previously resistant categories, and position themselves to capitalize on these inflection points.   //   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 

This week's Espresso covers news from Kamino, SunCompany, Sempli, and more!Outline of this episode:[00:30] – Omie raises $160M led by Partners Group[00:41] – Kamino raises $10M in a round led by Flourish and Quona[00:48] – SunCompany secures $15M to expand clean energy operations[01:06] – Sempli secures $10M in debt[01:20] – Bugster raises $300K from 500 Global for AI testing[01:31] – Klar acquires Bineo[01:42] – Latamlist Roundup Sep 1st – Sep 15thResources & people mentioned:Startups: Omie, Kamino, SunCompany, Sempli, Bugster, KlarVCs: Partners Group, Flourish Ventures, Quona Capital, Banco de Occidente, Bancolombia, Banco AV Villas, Bancoldex, Fondo Presente, Comfama, 500 Global, Banorte, Bineo,

In this throwback episode, Chris is joined by Miguel Jubiz to unpack the brutal truth behind why most real estate professionals never build real wealth. Miguel breaks down the critical difference between the cash machine (earning commissions) and the wealth machine (building lasting assets)—and how agents can unlock both to create financial freedom.With over $30M in annual sales, 20+ flips a year, and a lean, high-profit team, Miguel shares the systems, mindset, and strategies that helped him escape the transactional grind and build a business that prints money—even when he's not working.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why most agents fail to transition from making money to building wealthMiguel's strategy for managing 82+ annual transactions and 20+ flips with a small teamThe exact script and math he uses to recruit and motivate high-performing showing assistantsHow he built a business where showing agents earn $120K+ per yearHis investor-first model for winning repeat deals and referralsWhy delegating showings helped him double his incomeThe deal breakdown: how he sourced, funded, and profited from a $375K flipMiguel's next big play: launching a hard money bank and hitting $10M net profitConnect with Miguel Lubiz:Instagram: @jubizrealestateEmail: mjubiz@silverrockhomesgroup.comHit Chris up:Instagram: @craddrockFacebook: Chris Craddock BusinessRESOURCES: 

Copernic Catalysts is developing next-generation chemical catalysts using computational materials design to replace century-old technology in the $80 billion ammonia industry. The company has raised $10 million and is working with top-five global ammonia producers to prove their Neptune catalyst can deliver tens of millions in annual savings per plant while reducing the industry's 1% contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. In this episode, Jacob Grose shares insights from his journey from BASF venture capitalist to deep-tech founder, revealing how his team is navigating one of the most conservative B2B markets while building transformational technology for both current chemical production and future sustainable shipping fuels. Topics Discussed: The century-old ammonia catalyst problem and why the industry hasn't innovated Copernic's computational approach to rationally designing drop-in replacement catalysts The extreme conservatism of chemical industry customers and how to overcome it Multi-stage go-to-market strategy from lab samples to pilot demonstrations to commercial scale Using toll manufacturing partnerships to scale capital-efficiently while building customer trust The historical significance of ammonia synthesis and its role in feeding 8 billion people Building a platform technology for multiple catalyst products across different chemical markets GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Navigate ultra-conservative B2B markets with staged proof: Jacob outlined a methodical approach for entering markets where customers are "terrified of change" due to tight margins and operational risks. Start with small lab samples to top customers, progress to pilot-scale demonstrations over 6-12 months, then secure commercial installations. This staged approach allows conservative buyers to gradually build confidence while de-risking their decision-making process. Leverage toll manufacturing for customer credibility and capital efficiency: Rather than building manufacturing capabilities, Copernic partners with established catalyst manufacturers using an "Apple model" - they own the IP while trusted partners handle production. This approach provides three key advantages: faster scale-up, capital efficiency, and most importantly, customer comfort with proven quality control systems. For deep-tech founders, partnering with established players can accelerate market acceptance. Turn industry conservatism into a competitive moat: While chemical industry conservatism creates barriers to entry, Jacob recognized it also creates powerful moats once you're established. Companies using 100-year-old iron-based catalysts represent massive switching costs and customer lock-in opportunities. Founders entering conservative industries should view initial resistance as future protection against competitors. Design for drop-in replacement adoption: Copernic deliberately engineered their catalyst to work within existing plant infrastructure, minimizing customer adoption friction. Jacob emphasized using "base metals" (common, inexpensive materials) and standard manufacturing techniques to ensure compatibility. When disrupting established industries, reducing implementation complexity can be more valuable than maximizing performance gains. Build technical credibility through domain expertise transfer: Jacob's nine years at BASF provided deep industry knowledge that proved essential for both product development and customer trust. His background in corporate venture capital gave him insights into how large chemical companies evaluate new technologies. Founders targeting specialized B2B markets should consider how domain expertise - whether through hiring, partnerships, or personal experience - can accelerate credibility and customer relationships. Position platform technology for multiple market opportunities: While focused on ammonia catalysts initially, Jacob positioned Copernic as a platform company with computational catalyst design capabilities applicable across multiple chemical markets. This platform approach appeals to investors seeking larger addressable markets while providing strategic flexibility as the company scales.   //   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 

Eldon put a $150K line of credit on his house to start eSentire in 2001. No VCs would touch him—they didn't understand services businesses. He worked 12-hour days, 7 days a week for 7 years to hit $1M in revenue. His co-founder coded while he flew to New York on $99 JetBlue flights from Buffalo to save money. Then something clicked: they brought in an experienced CEO who transformed their scrappy cybersecurity consulting into a managed service. Revenue grew from $1M to $10M in just 3 years. They won 95% of competitive deals against Dell-backed SecureWorks by comparing themselves to a local burger joint versus McDonald's. Today eSentire is worth over a billion dollars. This is the raw, unfiltered story of building a massive B2B company without following any of the Silicon Valley playbook—no YC, no venture capital for years, just pure survival mode.Why You Should Listen:How to win head-to-head sales battles against bigger competitors with no marketing budget.Why taking a long time to hit $1M ARR doesn't mean failure.How bringing in an experienced CEO after 8 years saved the company.Keywords (comma-separated):Startup podcast, Startup podcast for founders, eSentire, Eldon Sprickerhoff, cybersecurity, bootstrapping, managed services, B2B sales, Canadian startup, MSSP, founder-led sales, pivot00:00:00 Intro00:01:00 Starting eSentire after 9/1100:03:26 The dot-com crash reality00:05:23 $150K home equity line to start00:08:32 Landing first customer at ING00:14:03 Making up the rules as they went00:19:09 Bringing in an experienced CEO00:22:44 The hamburger pitch that beat Dell00:28:36 From $1M to $10M in 3 years00:34:39 Common founder mistakes00:40:39 Chief survival officer mindsetSend me a message to let me know what you think!

Linktree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/Analytic⁠Join The Normandy For Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here: ⁠https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0K⁠Join Analytic Dreamz on Notorious Mass Effect for a deep dive into “Motion,” the Sept. 11, 2025, trap anthem by Pluto, Sexyy Red, and NaNaski. As the lead single for Pluto's Pluto World (Sept. 26), it builds on “Whim Whamiee”'s 21M+ Spotify streams and 50M+ TikTok views. With 1M+ pre-release social impressions and Sexyy Red's viral pull, early buzz suggests a 10M+ stream debut. Praised for ATL authenticity, it's poised for a Billboard Hot 100 run. Tune in with Analytic Dreamz to explore this rising hip-hop wave! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Callidus Legal AI is transforming litigation practice by building comprehensive AI-powered workflows for legal professionals. With 1,200 customers and 100% quarter-over-quarter growth, the company has developed a product-led growth strategy that combines domain-specific AI tools with visual multi-step workflows. In this episode, Justin McCallon shares how Callidus has achieved rapid growth through a zero-friction PLG approach while building trust in a traditionally conservative industry. Topics Discussed: The current state and future potential of AI in legal practice  Callidus's approach to building domain-specific legal AI tools with visual workflows  The company's comprehensive case database containing 11 million U.S. cases  Product-led growth strategies that drove 100% quarterly growth and 1,200 customers  Performance marketing optimization for legal AI tools  Building trust and eliminating hallucination risks in AI-powered legal research  The evolution from chatbot-based tools to sophisticated visual workflows  Organic growth strategies including making case databases freely accessible on the web GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Master zero-friction PLG for professional services: Callidus achieved 1,200 customers and 100% quarterly growth by eliminating traditional B2B sales friction. Justin explained their approach: "Initially we did this with zero touch points, zero friction. You don't need to talk to anybody. It's basically just you come to our website, you sign up for a trial, you start using the app." This model works particularly well for professional services where individual practitioners can make purchasing decisions independently. Focus on high buyer-intent keywords for performance marketing success: Rather than casting a wide net, Callidus targeted specific, high-intent search terms. Justin emphasized: "A lot of people focus on words that maybe are too informational with lower buy intent." They focused on keywords like "legal AI assistant" and "legal AI research" that indicated immediate need rather than general curiosity. Founders should prioritize keywords that align with their ICP and indicate purchase readiness. Create organic acquisition through valuable free resources: Callidus moved their entire 11 million case database to the web for free access, creating a powerful organic acquisition engine. Justin described the strategy: "People have free access to every case that we have. And they can search, say Brown versus Board of Education. And we'll be one of the groups that has a page dedicated to that." This approach generates organic traffic while demonstrating product value, creating a natural conversion funnel from free users to paid customers. Optimize every funnel step with ruthless precision: Callidus's performance marketing success came from methodical funnel optimization. Justin broke down their approach: "Every step of the funnel. Break it down. What conversion rate are we seeing on this step of the funnel? What's benchmark? And then for the areas that are below benchmark, why are we not doing well?" Founders should treat each funnel step as a conversion problem to solve, using data to identify bottlenecks and creative solutions to address them. Build trust through domain expertise, not just technology: In conservative industries like law, trust is built through demonstrating deep domain knowledge. Callidus differentiates itself by combining legal expertise with engineering: "We have really visual multi step workflows, we have really deep engineering, we've tied both the legal knowledge and the engineering expertise." Founders entering regulated or conservative industries should emphasize domain credibility alongside technical capabilities. Use evaluation systems to optimize AI model performance: Rather than fine-tuning models, Callidus built comprehensive evaluation systems to optimize performance across different foundation models. Justin explained: "We've gone through and had lawyers say, hey, here's my case I've worked on in the past. Here are all of the cases I would reference here... Then we can say, okay, it looks like for this API call, GPT-4 is the best, and this one's Claude." This approach allows for dynamic optimization without the overhead of model training.   //   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 

Hamming AI has emerged as a pioneer in voice agent quality assurance, creating what founder Sumanyu Sharma calls a "new category" of QA for conversational voice agents. After spending a decade building data products at scale at companies like Tesla and Citizen, Sharma recognized an acute pain point as voice agents began proliferating: enterprises desperately needed confidence that their voice agents would work reliably before launching to production. In this episode of Category Visionaries, Sharma shares how his team accidentally created a new category by following their instincts and leveraging a decade of expertise in reliability testing, audio processing, and machine learning. Topics Discussed: The evolution from Tesla's data science team to founding a voice agent QA company How "wandering the desert" for months led to finding the perfect problem-solution fit Building a completely inbound-driven go-to-market strategy in an emerging category The decision to launch before feeling ready and building alongside customers Why the voice agent market skeptics were wrong about market size Creating enterprise trust through reliability testing at scale GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Follow your instincts when you have deep domain expertise: Sharma spent months "wandering the desert" looking for the right problem until voice agent QA clicked. He emphasizes that when you have a decade of relevant expertise, you can recognize the perfect problem when it appears. As he put it, "when you see it, you kind of know... I am perfectly equipped to solve this specific problem. I'm built for this." Founders should trust their instincts when they have genuine domain expertise rather than overthinking market validation. Build something people want before focusing on category creation: Unlike many founders who start with category creation in mind, Hamming AI "accidentally" created their category by obsessively solving customer problems. Sharma notes, "We weren't looking to create a category. We were just looking to solve a problem that we feel passionate about, that we are already experts at." This customer-first approach led to organic category emergence and sustainable demand. Launch before you feel ready and build with customers: Sharma's biggest learning was launching with a "half-baked" product rather than perfecting it in isolation. "We didn't have a product that we thought was incredible. We just thought, hey, it kind of works, but let's actually build the product together with customers." This approach accelerated learning cycles and created stronger product-market fit than months of internal development would have achieved. Leverage contrarian insights from deep market proximity: While others dismissed voice agent QA as "too small," Sharma's data science background and proximity to builders gave him conviction. He analyzed the fundamentals: "Voice is a universal API for people. Voice agents are just becoming possible. They will be unreliable. Therefore, testing is very important. That's the math." Founders should develop conviction through first-principles thinking rather than consensus market opinions. Focus obsessively on customer success over marketing in emerging categories: Hamming AI remains completely inbound-driven, focusing entirely on making existing customers successful rather than traditional marketing. Sharma explains, "The voice space is so small where if you are doing a good job and if you build a product that people love, they will tell their friends about it." In nascent categories, product excellence and word-of-mouth can be more effective than broad marketing campaigns.   //   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 

What keeps a landscape company strong after six decades, and what has to change to keep growing?In this episode of The Landscaper's Guide, Jack Jostes visits Grand Rapids to talk with Jeremy Miller, owner of Miller Landscape, as the company approaches 60 years in business. Jeremy shares how a family-first culture, EOS, and clear roles helped the team move past a revenue plateau and build a scalable company where people can grow without burning out.You'll discover:How “Do What We Say We Will Do” shows up in hiring, operations, and customer experienceWhy EOS, role clarity, and a smaller leadership team reduced conflict and improved accountabilityThe scorecard metrics Miller Landscape watches weekly, including Google Reviews, and why reviews now drive buying decisionsHow a 10-year VTO to $20M, plus a focus on time, guides decisions and protects family lifeWhether you are running a $2M shop or building past $10M, you will hear practical ways to scale profitably while keeping your team and family front and center.Show Notes:Watch the full episode + see the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ Tell us where to send your beef jerky: https://landscapersguide.com/toolboxCheck out Miller Landscape: https://www.millerlandscape.com/See upcoming live and virtual events: https://landscapersguide.com/events

Get free training on breaking into government contracting: https://www.govclose.comDeep dive on the analytics behind AI in this week's edition of Federalytics: https://federalytics.substack.com/p/federal-ai-contract-intelligenceEveryone's talking about AI agents and AI assistance – and the U.S. government is listening. In this video, a former DoD acquisitions officer (managed $82 Billion in Defense contracts) reveals how AI companies and developers can sell to the government. We break down real examples of government AI contracts already in action:Dept. of Education's “Aiden” chatbot: navigating student loans via an AI assistant (proof-of-concept on a special contract vehicle).VA (Veterans Affairs) AI chatbots: small contracts (under $10M) with startups to help vets access benefits – a great entry point for new players.Navy's office assistant GPT: a prototype AI tool the Navy aims to deploy service-wide to enhance productivity.Air Force & DARPA's AI agents: autonomous AI pilots flew a fighter jet (X-62A) in simulated dogfights and won – AI for defense is here.Why it matters: Federal agencies are investing in AI solutions right now. But winning these contracts means understanding how the government buys (think contract vehicles, SAM.gov, “sources sought” notices, etc.). This video shows you how to navigate the process and position your AI product for AI for defense and public sector success. Whether you're a veteran transitioning out, a federal professional, or a tech entrepreneur, these insights will help you sell to the government and join the AI government contracting boom. Don't let the AI agents revolution pass you by – the Pentagon isn't waiting on AI assistance and agents, and neither should you.Explore the GovClose Certification – Fast-track your career with our premier GovCon training program and certification.https://www.govclose.com/govclose-certification-programFollow on LinkedIn and stay updated with daily tips from our founder (former USAF contracting officer) https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/Schedule a Enrollment Consultation: https://www.govclose.com/enrollment-interview#aiassistant #aiagent #agentsinartificialintelligence

StretchDollar is transforming how small businesses approach employee health benefits by decoupling plan administration from funding. Rather than forcing all employees onto a single group plan, the platform allows employers to provide pre-tax monthly budgets that employees can use to purchase individual health plans they select and own themselves. In this episode, I spoke with Marshall Darr, Co-Founder and CEO of StretchDollar, about building a solution that addresses the unique challenges small businesses face in providing healthcare benefits. Topics Discussed: The limitations of traditional group health plans for small businesses under 50 employees How the 2020 IRS ruling on ICHRAs (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements) enabled new approaches StretchDollar's evolution from being their own first customer to serving diverse small businesses The company's cost-effective go-to-market strategy focused on inbound traffic and partnerships Building trust and brand credibility in a heavily regulated industry Optimizing content strategy for both traditional SEO and emerging LLM search traffic The decision to move away from paid marketing channels GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Become your own first customer to validate the solution: Marshall's team used StretchDollar internally from day one, with his co-founder in San Francisco wanting Kaiser while Marshall was in Pittsburgh where Kaiser wasn't available. This real-world constraint validated their core value proposition. Rather than compromising on a "Frankenstein sort of national but very small group plan," they gave everyone $500 monthly budgets. B2B founders should consider how their own operational needs can serve as the initial proof point for their solution. SMB markets require ruthless cost-effectiveness in go-to-market: Marshall learned from Gusto that targeting small businesses demands extremely cost-effective acquisition strategies. With much smaller annual contract values than enterprise clients, "you need to rely a lot on inbound traffic, a lot on customer-to-customer referrals." B2B founders in SMB markets must build products compelling enough that customers actively recommend them, as traditional enterprise sales models don't work economically. Industry expertise enables superior content marketing: StretchDollar's content strategy works because Marshall spent years as a health insurance broker, selling "hundreds of group policies, hundreds to thousands of individual policies." This deep domain knowledge allows them to create genuinely useful content that attracts both traditional search traffic and increasingly, LLM-generated referrals. B2B founders should leverage their industry expertise to create content that demonstrates unique insights rather than generic advice. Paid marketing can be a distraction from fundamentals: Marshall's team discovered that stopping paid marketing resulted in only "a very marginal sort of drop in signups" while freeing up "tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars." The shift forced them to focus more on content quality and organic growth. For SMB-focused B2B founders, paid channels may be "so optimized right now that you need an insane budget and really good unit economics" to compete effectively. Self-service onboarding becomes competitive advantage: Drawing from Mercury's banking experience, Marshall realized SMB customers want to "knock this out" in 20 minutes without extensive sales calls. StretchDollar built their platform to allow self-onboarding while maintaining sales support for those who prefer it. B2B founders should consider how self-service capabilities can differentiate their solution while improving unit economics. Partnership strategy should target natural referral sources: StretchDollar partnered with Oscar Health, appearing on their website as the preferred destination for sub-20 employee groups. This creates a natural referral flow from a complementary service. B2B founders should identify companies whose customers represent natural expansion opportunities and build formal partnership channels.   //   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 

Nevermined is pioneering the infrastructure for AI commerce, building payment rails specifically designed for agent-to-agent transactions. With a vision of trillions of AI agents functioning as both merchants and consumers, Don Gossen brings 20 years of AI experience to solving what he believes will be the foundational payment challenge of the next era of computing. In this episode of Category Visionaries, Don shares insights on creating an entirely new category—AI commerce—and the unique go-to-market challenges of building for a future that's rapidly becoming reality. Topics Discussed: The emergence of two distinct agent modalities: agent as proxy and agent as independent economic actor Why existing payment infrastructure cannot handle the scale and velocity of AI agent transactions Nevermined's commission-based business model focused on agent-to-agent payments The fundamental cost model differences between SaaS and AI agents Creating the "AI commerce" category and the strategic importance of early categorization Go-to-market strategy targeting verticalized AI agent builders with Series A+ funding The infrastructure investment phase versus deployment challenges in AI adoption GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Target customers who have proven business models, not just potential: Don's go-to-market strategy specifically targets AI agent companies that have raised Series A or later rounds. His reasoning: "Hopefully the VCs that are backing them have done some due diligence. And the money they're earning is actually real." Rather than chasing every potential customer, focus on those who have already validated their revenue model and can immediately benefit from your solution. Understand the fundamental cost structure of your customer's business model: Don identified that AI agents have an inverted cost model compared to traditional SaaS—most costs are operational (OpEx) rather than capital (CapEx). He explains: "The cost model is basically flipped. Most of your cost is actually on the opex... Your operating costs fluctuate based on the request." This insight shaped Nevermined's entire value proposition around cost monitoring and settlement rather than just payment processing. Create category language early, even before market adoption: Don coined "AI commerce" in 2023 when "people were like, what the hell's an AI agent?" His approach: "It always helps to categorize and provide language that's going to allow people to understand what it is that you're talking about... It's the memeification of the category." Don't wait for your market to mature—create the vocabulary that will define it. Focus on the operational reality, not the theoretical use case: While competitors focus on connecting bank accounts to AI agents for consumer purchases, Don focuses on the underlying workflow costs: "How much does the workflow cost to actually render that outcome?" Understanding the true operational mechanics of your customers' business—not just their surface-level needs—can create significant competitive differentiation. Leverage deep domain expertise to identify non-obvious problems: Don's 20 years in AI revealed that variable AI agent responses create variable operational costs—a problem most founders wouldn't recognize. He notes: "Until recently most people didn't realize that is a major issue in operating these solutions." Deep industry experience can help you spot problems that newer entrants miss entirely.   //   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 

NASCAR's Jeb Burton: Talladega Heartbreak, Hounds & Habitat | 100% Wild Podcast Ep. 442 NASCAR Xfinity driver Jeb Burton drops by the studio to talk racing, Talladega heartbreak, and why race-day prep feels a lot like bow season. We get into self-filming realities, conservation easements (and his dad's foundation protecting 12K+ acres), and the hot-button topic of deer hunting with hounds in the South: what good clubs do right, what gives it a bad name, and how tech changed the game. We wrap with a rapid-fire “Fast Lap” on favorite seasons, first birds, and bucket-list hunts. Topics Covered: Talladega finish controversy and racing prep How racing windows compare to hunting chances Jeb's 163” muzzleloader buck story Trail-cam follow-ups and access strategies Food plot and edge cover tactics Self-filming hunts: DSLR vs. POV setups  The Burton Conservation Foundation and easements The “Four D's” of land turnover explained NASCAR sponsorship grind and playoff cutoff battle  Deer hunting with dogs: good vs. bad clubs Fast Lap Q&A: favorite season, first turkey, stand snacks, bucket-list hunts  Timestamps 00:00 – “Deer hunting with dogs” teaser: why it's touchy (and where it's legal) 00:14 – Welcome back; Jeb Burton joins in-studio (No. 27 Xfinity) 02:03 – Outdoor TV roots; car livery & the Talladega finish controversy 03:15 – Grip, setups & why St. Louis isn't Talladega; $10M simulator prep 04:57 – Racing chances vs. limited big-buck windows; food plot strategy & risk 07:25 – Jeb's 163” muzzleloader buck story & why edge cover matters 11:13 – Locked-down buck lessons; trail-cam heartbreak the next morning 13:46 – Access without blowing timber; slow-roll entries during the rut 15:13 – Self-filming reality: DSLRs, POVs, frame vs. impact tradeoffs 21:04 – Golden Corral & sponsor banter (Casey's, anyone?) 25:05 – Ad break – HHR Sports 25:31 – The Burton Conservation Foundation: military-base buffers, easements (12K+ acres) 29:55 – The “Four D's” of land changing hands & why easements matter 35:42 – Ad break – Cold Steel 36:07 – Growing up Burton; 200 Xfinity starts & the sponsorship grind 43:27 – Points picture before the cutoff; racing a cousin for the last spot 46:20 – MJ's team, the charter dispute & the judge's warning to both sides 49:46 – Deer dogs deep-dive: good clubs vs. bad behavior; tech & trespass 55:17 – Fast Lap: favorite season, first turkey at age 9, stand snacks, bucket-list hunts 57:32 – Elk & pronghorn plans; travel preferences; outro & invitation back Join the Rack Pack Facebook Group : https://www.facebook.com/share/g/n73gskJT7BfB2Ngc/ Get ahead of your Game with DeerCast available on iOS and Android devices App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/deercast/id1425879996 Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.druryoutdoors.deercast.app Don't forget to stock up for your next hunt! 1st Phorm has you covered!  Protein Sticks: https://1stphorm.com/products/protein-sticks-15ct?a_aid=DruryOutdoors Level-1 Bars: https://1stphorm.com/products/level-1-bar-15ct?a_aid=DruryOutdoors Energy Drinks: https://1stphorm.com/products/1st-phorm-energy?a_aid=DruryOutdoors Hydration Sticks: https://1stphorm.com/products/hydration-sticks?a_aid=DruryOutdoors Send us a voice message on Speakpipe! https://www.speakpipe.com/100PercentWild?fbclid=IwY2xjawHG5cpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHS-OqetdhlMV6LGrV5KfUBO7fjYcduyut_LzgxrQnEgBbe_vPXGCMgF1Sw_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw For exciting updates on what's happening on the field and off, follow us on social Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OfficialDruryOutdoors Instagram: @DruryOutdoors  Twitter: @DruryOutdoors Be sure to check out http://www.druryoutdoors.com for more information, hunts, and more!  Music provided by Epidemic Sound http://player.epidemicsound.com/

NASCAR's Jeb Burton: Talladega Heartbreak, Hounds & Habitat | 100% Wild Podcast Ep. 442 NASCAR Xfinity driver Jeb Burton drops by the studio to talk racing, Talladega heartbreak, and why race-day prep feels a lot like bow season. We get into self-filming realities, conservation easements (and his dad's foundation protecting 12K+ acres), and the hot-button topic of deer hunting with hounds in the South: what good clubs do right, what gives it a bad name, and how tech changed the game. We wrap with a rapid-fire “Fast Lap” on favorite seasons, first birds, and bucket-list hunts. Topics Covered: Talladega finish controversy and racing prep How racing windows compare to hunting chances Jeb's 163” muzzleloader buck story Trail-cam follow-ups and access strategies Food plot and edge cover tactics Self-filming hunts: DSLR vs. POV setups  The Burton Conservation Foundation and easements The “Four D's” of land turnover explained NASCAR sponsorship grind and playoff cutoff battle  Deer hunting with dogs: good vs. bad clubs Fast Lap Q&A: favorite season, first turkey, stand snacks, bucket-list hunts  Timestamps 00:00 – “Deer hunting with dogs” teaser: why it's touchy (and where it's legal) 00:14 – Welcome back; Jeb Burton joins in-studio (No. 27 Xfinity) 02:03 – Outdoor TV roots; car livery & the Talladega finish controversy 03:15 – Grip, setups & why St. Louis isn't Talladega; $10M simulator prep 04:57 – Racing chances vs. limited big-buck windows; food plot strategy & risk 07:25 – Jeb's 163” muzzleloader buck story & why edge cover matters 11:13 – Locked-down buck lessons; trail-cam heartbreak the next morning 13:46 – Access without blowing timber; slow-roll entries during the rut 15:13 – Self-filming reality: DSLRs, POVs, frame vs. impact tradeoffs 21:04 – Golden Corral & sponsor banter (Casey's, anyone?) 25:05 – Ad break – HHR Sports 25:31 – The Burton Conservation Foundation: military-base buffers, easements (12K+ acres) 29:55 – The “Four D's” of land changing hands & why easements matter 35:42 – Ad break – Cold Steel 36:07 – Growing up Burton; 200 Xfinity starts & the sponsorship grind 43:27 – Points picture before the cutoff; racing a cousin for the last spot 46:20 – MJ's team, the charter dispute & the judge's warning to both sides 49:46 – Deer dogs deep-dive: good clubs vs. bad behavior; tech & trespass 55:17 – Fast Lap: favorite season, first turkey at age 9, stand snacks, bucket-list hunts 57:32 – Elk & pronghorn plans; travel preferences; outro & invitation back Join the Rack Pack Facebook Group : https://www.facebook.com/share/g/n73gskJT7BfB2Ngc/ Get ahead of your Game with DeerCast available on iOS and Android devices App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/deercast/id1425879996 Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.druryoutdoors.deercast.app Don't forget to stock up for your next hunt! 1st Phorm has you covered!  Protein Sticks: https://1stphorm.com/products/protein-sticks-15ct?a_aid=DruryOutdoors Level-1 Bars: https://1stphorm.com/products/level-1-bar-15ct?a_aid=DruryOutdoors Energy Drinks: https://1stphorm.com/products/1st-phorm-energy?a_aid=DruryOutdoors Hydration Sticks: https://1stphorm.com/products/hydration-sticks?a_aid=DruryOutdoors Send us a voice message on Speakpipe! https://www.speakpipe.com/100PercentWild?fbclid=IwY2xjawHG5cpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHS-OqetdhlMV6LGrV5KfUBO7fjYcduyut_LzgxrQnEgBbe_vPXGCMgF1Sw_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw For exciting updates on what's happening on the field and off, follow us on social Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OfficialDruryOutdoors Instagram: @DruryOutdoors  Twitter: @DruryOutdoors Be sure to check out http://www.druryoutdoors.com for more information, hunts, and more!  Music provided by Epidemic Sound http://player.epidemicsound.com/

Already past $10M and want help implementing the framework?Learn more here: https://www.18strategies.com/18strategiespodcast

In this episode, I'm sharing the real behind-the-scenes of some massive decisions I'm sitting with right now as I look to scale my company from $3M to $10M. I talk about the tension between short-term decisions that keep the business healthy and the long-term plays that build true legacy, and how I work through the gray area when clarity feels out of reach. If you've ever felt the weight of making the “right” decision in your business, this episode will remind you how to find perspective, create clarity, and move into action with confidence.

Can one idea really become $10 million? In this episode, Jordan Fleming shares how he turned a single concept into $10M in annual recurring revenue — and the exact lessons entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and business owners can take from his journey. Whether you're building a SaaS company, scaling your real estate business, or searching for your “million-dollar idea,” Jordan reveals the mindset, strategies, and execution framework that made all the difference. Here's what you'll learn in this video:

Taskbar location win 10/11, Scammers trick elderly into paying for oxygen, Apple Auto update not happening, So what happens if I don't update my PC to Windows 11? Cell Data Usage, US puts 10M bounty on Russian Hackers using a 7 year old exploit to gain access to US infrastructure, Old Laptop what brand? Android drops 120 major patch release, Crooks using Musk's AI to attack Musk's X.

Welcome to another episode of Expert To Authority Show, brought to you by http://gtex.org.uk/, I am your host, Simone Vincenzi, The Experts Strategist, and this is the podcast for experts who want to become the ultimate authority in their niche while making an impact in the world.We have created the Webinar Conversion Kit where you will get access to:The High-Converting Webinar FrameworkBONUS #1: High-Converting Webinar Slide TemplateBONUS #2: Pitch and Follow Up TemplatesBONUS #3: High Converting Webinars Case StudiesBONUS #4: Our Trello Webinar ChecklistAll of this for only £29.99 for a limited period of time.Click here to download.https://webinarconversionkit.com/Today I have the pleasure to interview Martin MartinezThe visionary behind Meet Alfred. Martin is a born entrepreneur who realized the corporate life wasn't for him. Now, with over 20 years of sales and marketing experience, he's built Alfred to help businesses automate their outreach and thrive. Martin loves empowering others with smart strategies that lead to real growth. Today, Meet Alfred is trusted by over 89,000 users across 87 countries, a testament to his leadership and vision.In this episode, we talk aboutThe 3 must-have pillars behind every successful LinkedIn strategyHow to save time without spamming and why your approach matters more than your toolsReal stories: From $200 software to $10M+ in recurring revenueConnect with Martin MartinezLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martintalksbusiness/To become a GTeX Member, Apply here:https://gtex.events/call -------To receive daily support in your coaching and speaking business, join our private Facebook Group EXPLODE YOUR EXPERT BIZ https://www.facebook.com/groups/explodeyourexpertbiz/-------Take a full business assessment for free to have absolute clarity on your business with the EXPERT BIZ CHECKLIST.http://bit.ly/expert-biz-checklist-podcast------Also, make sure you subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any other episode.  If you want to reach out to me with your questions, you can email me at Simone@gtex.org.uk that comes right to my inbox.

Want to start your own million dollar business with less than $1k? Get the guide: https://clickhubspot.com/wbk Episode 742: Sam Parr ( https://x.com/theSamParr ) talks to Billy Parks ( https://x.com/billyfilm ) about 7 creators making $5M to $10M from niche content with small audiences. Billy is a partner at Slow Ventures where he invests in creator-built businesses. — Show Notes: (0:00) The creator middle class (6:53) Jonathan Katz-Moses (15:24) Mary Heffernan (23:03) Jocko Willink (29:01) Detail Geek (35:10) Tony Seno (46:15) Niches to go after (58:17) Under the radar creators — Links: • Jonathan Katz-Moses - https://www.youtube.com/@katzmosestools/videos • Mary Heffernan - https://fivemarys.com/marys-story • Jocko Willink - https://www.youtube.com/@JockoPodcastOfficial • Tonester - https://www.youtube.com/@tonesterpaints • T.Rex Arms - https://www.trex-arms.com/ — Check Out Shaan's Stuff: • Shaan's weekly email - https://www.shaanpuri.com • Visit https://www.somewhere.com/mfm to hire worldwide talent like Shaan and get $500 off for being an MFM listener. Hire developers, assistants, marketing pros, sales teams and more for 80% less than US equivalents. • Mercury - Need a bank for your company? Go check out Mercury (mercury.com). Shaan uses it for all of his companies! Mercury is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column, N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC — Check Out Sam's Stuff: • Hampton - https://www.joinhampton.com/ • Ideation Bootcamp - https://www.ideationbootcamp.co/ • Copy That - https://copythat.com • Hampton Wealth Survey - https://joinhampton.com/wealth • Sam's List - http://samslist.co/ My First Million is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by HubSpot Media // Production by Arie Desormeaux // Editing by Ezra Bakker Trupiano

Discover what it takes to acquire over $600M in mobile home parks and self-storage facilities. In this powerful episode, Matthew Ricciardella, founder and CEO of Crystal View Capital, shares his journey from washing dishes in his family's restaurant to building one of the top-performing private equity funds in North America. He reveals why manufactured housing and self-storage are his core focus, how he sources mom-and-pop deals others overlook, and the disciplined strategies that have kept his funds outperforming expectations—even in volatile markets. If you're serious about scaling wealth in alternative real estate, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.5 Key takeaways to learn from this episodeFrom Restaurants to Real Estate – Matthew's early lessons in work ethic fueled his leap into real estate, beginning with residential sales and quickly evolving into investing.The Pivot to Mobile Homes & Storage – He discovered these asset classes generate higher free cash flow, are fragmented, and provide defensive performance in downturns.Capitalizing on Mom-and-Pop Sellers – By targeting underperforming but institutional-quality assets, Crystal View creates value and later exits to institutional buyers.Fund Growth & Investor Trust – Starting with a $10M first fund, Crystal View scaled to $200M raises by consistently delivering on promises and outperforming projections.Conservative & Resilient Strategy – With leverage as low as 25–50% and fixed debt, Matthew's funds have never missed distributions, even as many peers cut or froze payouts.About Tim MaiTim Mai is a real estate investor, fund manager, mentor, and founder of HERO Mastermind for REI coaches.He has helped many real estate investors and coaches become millionaires. Tim continues to help busy professionals earn income and build wealth through passive investing.He is also a creative marketer and promoter with incredible knowledge and experience, which he freely shares. He has lifted himself from the aftermath of war, achieving technical expertise in computers, followed by investment success in real estate, management skills, and a lofty position among real estate educators and internet marketers.Tim is an industry leader who has acquired and exited well over $50 million worth of real estate and is currently an investor in over 2700 units of multifamily apartments.Connect with TimWebsite: Capital Raising PartyFacebook: Tim Mai | Capital Raising Nation Instagram: @timmaicomTwitter: @timmaiLinkedIn: Tim MaiYouTube: Tim Mai

A 14-year journey from bootstrap to scale.Exotel's story is one of India's most remarkable SaaS journeys. Shivakumar Ganesan, started Exotel in 2011, bootstrapping it from the ground up. In 2012, he raised a seed round of ₹2.5 crore, but for the next eight years, the company grew without any external funding. Then came COVID and revenue went from $10M to $5M and what followed were bold strategic moves.3 funding rounds, 2 major acquisitions, and the decision to stay focused on the Indian market despite advice to go global first. Today, Exotel powers calls for delivery executives, cab drivers, and banking relationship managers across the country.In this conversation, Shivku shares what it's like to tackle India's unique AI challenge of building voicebots in 30+ languages, and how automation could reduce contact center jobs by as much as 80%. He talks about the tough transition from serving SMBs to enterprise customers and how he has built a ₹2500 crore+ business without leaving India.If you're interested in B2B companies built from India, this episode is full of insights on timing, reading the market, and creating deep moats in overlooked opportunities.0:00 – Trailer0:42 – Exotel enabling 2 Billion Calls Monthly5:04 – 4 Fundraises & 2 M&A's in 18 Months12:06 – How Acquisitions Affect Company Finances18:11 – Why 90% of M&As Fail22:02 – Why Acquisitions Are Extremely Hard22:59 – How AI Will Change Customer Relations26:46 – How Customer Spending Will Shift with AI29:10 – AI Could Reduce 80% of Jobs30:27 – Where AI Offers Hope31:47 – India's Unique AI Challenges34:60 → Actually 35:00 – Building in India for the US Market38:17 – Why Exotel Didn't Enter the US Market39:49 – Indian SaaS Co's Should Go Public42:50 – The Mega Cycles of Tech Transformation45:37 – Customer Segments: SMBs to Startups to Enterprise56:45 – Find Large Uniquely Indian Markets to Solve59:44 – India's Shift from Price to Quality Is 20 Years Away-------------India's talent has built the world's tech—now it's time to lead it.This mission goes beyond startups. It's about shifting the center of gravity in global tech to include the brilliance rising from India.What is Neon Fund?We invest in seed and early-stage founders from India and the diaspora building world-class Enterprise AI companies. We bring capital, conviction, and a community that's done it before.Subscribe for real founder stories, investor perspectives, economist breakdowns, and a behind-the-scenes look at how we're doing it all at Neon.-------------Check us out on:Website: https://neon.fund/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneonshoww/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beneon/Twitter: https://x.com/TheNeonShowwConnect with Siddhartha on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddharthaahluwalia/Twitter: https://x.com/siddharthaa7-------------This video is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the individuals quoted and do not constitute professional advice.Send us a text

Scalestack is revolutionizing go-to-market operations through intelligent automation, helping enterprise revenue teams eliminate what CEO Elio Narciso calls the "manual work tax" - the 72% of time sales reps spend on tedious data tasks instead of engaging with customers. With $3.1 million in funding and enterprise customers including MongoDB, Redis, and Astronomer, Scalestack has built an agentic orchestration platform that transforms how large organizations manage their revenue data. In this conversation, Narciso shares how his team discovered the massive ROI hidden in back-office automation and why the future belongs to companies that can seamlessly blend human strategy with machine execution. Topics Discussed: The concept of "manual work tax" and its impact on sales productivity  Why 95% of AI investments in enterprises are failing to produce results  Scalestack's evolution from automation platform to agentic workflow orchestration  The company's enterprise-first approach and deployment strategy with large customers  How Scalestack landed MongoDB as an early customer through targeted outbound  The role of podcasting as an ABM strategy for enterprise sales  Scalestack's vision to replace traditional CRMs with intelligent systems of action GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Target the back-office before the front-office: While many AI companies rush to automate customer-facing roles like SDRs, Narciso emphasizes that the real ROI lies in back-office automation. He cites an MIT study showing that 95% of AI investments fail when focused on last-mile customer interactions, while back-office process automation delivers measurable results. B2B founders should prioritize automating the tedious work that doesn't directly touch customers but enables better customer engagement. Enterprise customers require co-creation, not just deployment: Scalestack's success with MongoDB, Redis, and other large customers came through what Narciso calls "deployment engineers" - essentially building custom solutions collaboratively. He draws inspiration from Palantir's model of developing technology alongside customers. This approach requires significant upfront investment but creates defensible technology that can be productized for the broader market. B2B founders targeting enterprise should be prepared to invest in customer success resources that can handle complex, bespoke implementations. Use customer language to refine your messaging: Narciso completely redid Scalestack's website based on language extracted from hundreds of customer calls and podcast interviews. He emphasizes that "customers always have the best words" because they've lived the pain most deeply. Rather than relying on internal assumptions about positioning, B2B founders should systematically capture and analyze how customers describe their problems and desired outcomes. Cold email still works with enterprise buyers when done strategically: Scalestack's first major customer, MongoDB, came from a cold email to their SVP of Sales Ops. The key was targeting someone (employee #8 at MongoDB) who had an entrepreneurial mindset and curiosity about learning from vendors. Narciso's insight: enterprise operators often want to learn from startups tackling similar problems, whether to buy the solution or implement it internally. B2B founders should research target prospects' backgrounds and approach those with startup experience or operational curiosity. Podcasting as ABM for enterprise sales: Narciso uses his "Revenue Engine Masters" podcast strategically as an account-based marketing tool, targeting specific people at target companies rather than focusing on broad reach. After recording nearly 20 episodes, he's seeing inbound interest and using the content to extract messaging insights. The podcast also strengthens relationships with prospects and customers who participate. B2B founders should consider podcasting not as a mass-market strategy but as a high-touch relationship-building tool for their ideal customer profile.   //   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 

I share how downloading a "Couch to 5K" app - despite being able to run half marathons - taught me a powerful lesson about achieving big goals in business. After hitting a mental block that kept sabotaging my runs, I discovered that starting embarrassingly easy and building small, consistent wins creates unstoppable momentum. This same principle of breaking down massive business goals into bite-sized, achievable steps helps you develop a winning habit that compounds over time, whether you're trying to scale from $1M to $10M or launch that outbound sales operation you've been putting off.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Hiring, leading, and keeping your team focused is one of the toughest parts of growing a landscaping company. Add in the unique challenges of ADHD and neurodivergence, and it can feel overwhelming. But what if those differences could actually be a strength in your company?In this episode of The Landscaper's Guide, Jack Jostes interviews LeanScaper Chief Customer Experience Officer Kristen Kiely. Kristen has nearly a decade of industry experience with LMN, The Grounds Guys, and now LeanScaper, and her husband runs a $5M design-build and snow company in Toronto. She shares how neurodivergence, structure, and operational systems can actually fuel growth for landscaping companies.You'll discover:Why ADHD and neurodivergence can be a superpower in the landscape industryHow tools like calendaring, nutrition, and routines improve focus and leadershipWhy efficient operations and financial discipline drive profitability and scalabilityWhether you're managing a $2M company or pushing past $10M, this episode will help you think differently about your team and your growth.Show Notes:Watch the full episode + see the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ Get your free beef jerky sample: https://landscapersguide.com/toolbox See upcoming live and virtual events: https://landscapersguide.com/eventsConnect with Kristen: Instagram: https://instagram.com/kristencxo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenkielycfe/ LeanScaper: https://leanscaper.com

Why are so many chasing $10M exits when $3-4M plus a paid-off house might be the real freedom number? Should you be betting big on Bitcoin in 2025, and did we miss out on a massive opportunity 9 years ago? And if you're “unemployable,” is that a badge of honor... or a red flag? This week, Dan and Ian crack open the reality behind location-independent entrepreneurship: from sipping wine in Europe (and still gaining weight) to navigating whether your side hustle cash flow can really replace that W-2 paycheck. LINKS Join Dynamite Circle and hang out with us in Bangkok in October (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black) Connect with 7+ figure founders and join us in NYC this December (https://dynamitecircle.com/dc-black) The episode that could have made us $1.6 million (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/bitcoin) @levels.io's investment portfolio (outperforming the S&P 500) (https://levels.vc) BowTied Bull's article “Think Twice After You Make It” (https://bowtiedbull.io/p/think-twice-after-you-make-it) This week's sponsor: spp.co “Your billing, onboarding & projects in one client portal” (http://spp.co) 22 FREE business resources for location-independent entrepreneurs (https://tropicalmba.com/resources) CHAPTERS (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:44) What percentage of W-2 Income is Small Biz income worth? (00:13:48) This Week's Sponsor: SPP.co (00:15:12)  Are Entrepreneurs Truly Unemployable? (00:18:34)  “Financially Cozy” Level of Wealth (00:26:18) Europe for the summer: overrated, underrated, or properly rated? (00:27:26) Company news CONNECT: Dan@tropicalmba.com Ian@tropicalmba.com Past guests on TMBA include Cal Newport, David Heinemeier Hannson, Seth Godin, Ricardo Semler, Noah Kagan, Rob Walling, Jay Clouse, Einar Vollset, Sam Dogan, Gino Wickam, James Clear, Jodie Cook, Mark Webster, Steph Smith, Taylor Pearson, Justin Tan, Matt Gartland, Ayman Al-Abdullah, Lucy Bella. PLAYLIST: The Changing Landscape of SEO and the Influence Equation (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/changing-landscape-seo) What is the Michael Jordan of Business Models? (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/michael-jordan-business-model) “When is my LTV good enough?” + Founder Mode for Bootstrappers (https://tropicalmba.com/episodes/ltv-good-enough)

In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Jack Carr from Jack Acquisitions, who also runs Rapid Response Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in Nashville, TN. Together, they break down the four most important pillars to scaling a home service company past $10 million a year: leads, people, sales, and infrastructure.John and Jack dig into what separates $1M businesses from $10M+ operators, from locked-in marketing strategies to strong recruiting pipelines and dedicated sales teams. They highlight why incentives drive performance, how to attract money-hungry talent in today's labor market, and why infrastructure supports growth but doesn't replace the fundamentals.Jack shares practical insights from his own company and acquisition experience—covering recruiting structures, incentive plans, sales processes, and the mindset shift it takes to scale. From driving consistent demand to building a rock-solid backbone for growth, this episode is packed with actionable strategies for contractors ready to break through the $10M ceiling.

Unlock Your 7-Figure Brand: Get Absolute Clarity & Build Your Empire | The Consistency Queen Part 2In this powerful part 2 of the "Unlocking Your Seven-Figure Brand" series, Elsa Morgan reveals why most women settle for what they can achieve instead of going after what they truly want—and how that gap is the reason you feel unfulfilled even when you hit goals.We're diving deep into the #1 most important step to scaling your business: getting absolute clarity on your vision. Your vision is your North Star. It drives your strategy, filters your decisions, and aligns your actions so you can build a legacy business and create generational wealth without burning out.In this episode, you'll learn:• How to define a compelling vision for your life and business (and why it's okay to be "delusional").• The exact framework to use your vision as a filter for every decision—from investments to your inner circle.• Why high-achieving women see obstacles as feedback, not failure.• How to achieve personal alignment so you never quit when it gets hard.• How Elsa is building her own $10M company and how you can replicate her mindset.Mentioned in the video:Ready to stop settling and start building? If you're a high-achieving woman ready for a proven framework and 1:1 mentorship, apply to work with Elsa here: ➡️ https://workwithelsa.com ⬅️// CHAPTERS //00:00 Welcome to Part 2!01:15 The Problem: Settling vs. What You Truly Want05:30 Why Your Vision is Your Business Compass12:45 How to Get "Delusional" Clarity on Your Vision20:10 Making Decisions in Alignment with Your Vision30:05 Personal Alignment: The Key to Not Quitting40:18 Using Your Vision as a Filter for Everything50:00 Are You Ready for Mentorship?// TAGS //#7FigureVision #WomenInBusiness #FemaleEntrepreneur #BusinessClarity #ScaleYourBusiness #Leadership #Mindset #GoalSetting #EntrepreneurMindset #BuildYourEmpireGet my FREE 6-Figure Blueprint:https://www.empoweryouacademy.com/six-figure-blueprintLearn How to build a 6-figure business:https://youtu.be/1Y-lS_iXBjELearn the Rich Habits to achieve six figures in your business:Book: https://amzn.asia/d/5QnmrcqWorkbook: https://amzn.asia/d/huWwrSvFind the The Consistency Queen Podcast here:https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/elsa-morgan-the-consistency-queen/id1503930477Head over to The EmpowerHer Facebook group to join our community of amazing women like you:https://facebook.com/groups/empowerherlegacyShop EmpowerHer Amazon Store:https://www.amazon.com/shop/elsamorgan-theconsistencyqueenFind Elsa everywhere else:Instagram: https://instagram.com/therealelsamorganTwitter/X: https://x.com/realelsamorganFacebook: https://facebook.com/elsabmorgan

Most startup CEOs are spreading themselves too thin - too many channels, too many customer types, too many offers.On top of that: THEY DON'T ASK FOR THE BUSINESS.That's the $10M mistake.In this episode, I share the Rule of One:One Channel – go where your buyers actually live.One Customer – focus on the person with pain and budget.One Offer – make it so good they feel silly saying no.When you simplify, you multiply. This is your fastest path to revenue.

News and Updates: Waymo begins robotaxi testing in New York City, deploying up to eight vehicles in Manhattan and Brooklyn with safety drivers until Sept. 2025. While Alphabet hails it as a milestone, critics like former mayor Bill de Blasio and union leaders slam the move as unsafe and job-killing. DOT insists safety rules will keep pedestrians protected. Waymo is eyeing Dallas, DC, and Miami for 2026 after logging 10M+ rides nationwide. IRS offers EV buyers last-minute relief ahead of the Sept. 30 sunset of the $7,500 federal tax credit under Trump's Big Beautiful Bill. Buyers only need a signed contract and payment in place by the deadline—delivery can come later. Newly eligible models for 2025 include Tesla Cybertruck, Kia EV6/EV9, Hyundai Ioniq 5/9, and Cadillac Vistiq. Losers include Rivian, Nissan Leaf, VW ID.4, and Chevy Bolt. Melania Trump is rebranded the “First Lady of Technology” by the NY Post, launching the Presidential AI Challenge for K-12 students. Inspired by her own use of a deepfake to narrate her audiobook, she says AI can “ignite innovation” in schools. The contest offers up to $10,000 prizes and national recognition in June 2026. Critics point to risks of kids bonding with AI chatbots—72% of teens already use them, some with disturbing outcomes. Data centers face growing backlash over water use. A Lawrence Berkeley Lab report warns U.S. facilities consumed 17B gallons of cooling water in 2023, projected to double or quadruple by 2028. Google and Meta disclosed that ~95% of their water use comes from data centers. Communities in the Great Lakes, Texas, and abroad are raising alarms as companies eye water-stressed regions to build AI server farms. Google shares first-ever environmental footprint of Gemini AI prompts. A single text query uses the energy of watching TV for 9 seconds, five drops of water, and emits 0.03g of CO₂—33x more efficient than last year thanks to software and renewable energy. However, the report excludes image/video generation and AI training. DOE projects U.S. data centers could eat up to 12% of electricity by 2028. Bloomberg warns AI is draining water in drought zones. Roughly two-thirds of new U.S. data centers since 2022 are in high water-stress areas, including Texas and Arizona. A 100MW facility consumes 2M liters daily—equal to 6,500 households. Microsoft and OpenAI are experimenting with closed-loop and immersion cooling, but most of the industry still relies on water-intensive evaporative cooling. Protests have erupted in Chile, the Netherlands, and Uruguay over water use.

This episode of The Spitfire Podcast is a full-on masterclass in reigniting your creative fire—and your life. Host Lauren LeMunyan welcomes transformational coach, award-winning filmmaker, and founder of AudPop, Paige Williams, for a juicy, soul-stirring conversation that covers everything from the power of play to the prison of perfectionism. Together, they dive into Paige's transformative framework, The 12 Creative Keys, a deeply personal and practical journey from creative desperation to spiritual awakening. Through honesty, laughter, and a few well-placed EM dashes, Paige and Lauren explore how creativity isn't just for artists—it's a vital force within all of us, waiting to be remembered. They cover: Why creativity is spiritual and how disconnection kills it How childhood play lays the foundation for adult innovation The false stories we absorb and the power of rewriting our narratives The role of courage, surrender, and love in unlocking our genius What it really takes to shift from surviving to soul-aligned thriving Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or just trying to get out of your own damn way, this episode is packed with inspiration, clarity, and a permission slip to be fully you.   Social Media Handles  @paigewilliamscreates - IG https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigewilliamscreates/ Website: https://www.paigewilliams.co/ About Paige Williams Paige Williams is a transformational coach, award-winning filmmaker, and founder of AudPop, a global platform that's connected 80,000 creators with brands like Dell, Hilton, and Southwest, awarding $10M to filmmakers. She's the author of The Twelve Creative Keys, a framework helping leaders grow with courage, clarity, and aligned action—without burning out.   Like our show? We'd love a review or a subscribe!

Wanna know why 86% of Investors treat water tech like Portfolio Insurance? Watch this! More #WaterTech insights? Get my free water investor database: https://investors.dww.show

Tony Scott brings an unparalleled perspective to cybersecurity leadership, having served as CIO of the federal government, VMware, Microsoft, General Motors, and Disney before taking the helm at Intrusion during a critical turnaround phase. When Scott joined Intrusion three and a half years ago, the company was in crisis—running out of money, facing SEC investigations, and dealing with shareholder lawsuits after poor leadership decisions. Today, Intrusion has stabilized its technology, raised sufficient capital, and carved out a unique position in the Applied Threat Intelligence category, focusing on real-time packet-level network analysis that stops zero-day attacks and command-and-control communications that bypass traditional security tools. Topics Discussed: Scott's transition from government service to cybersecurity investment and eventual CEO role The crisis state of Intrusion when he joined and the turnaround strategy implemented Intrusion's pivot from direct sales to a managed service provider (MSP) go-to-market strategy The challenge of creating a new category in Applied Threat Intelligence Building and rightsizing the marketing and sales teams during the turnaround The realities of running a public company versus private enterprises Intrusion's unique packet-level network analysis technology versus conversation-based monitoring GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Do your homework before the meeting: Scott's biggest frustration as a buyer was vendors who showed up unprepared, asking generic questions like "what keeps you up at night?" without understanding the organization or its priorities. He literally had a secret signal with his assistant to escape these meetings. B2B founders must research prospects thoroughly, understand their specific challenges, and craft relevant value propositions before requesting meetings. Generic discovery calls are a waste of everyone's time and destroy credibility. Fix the product before scaling sales: The previous CEO at Intrusion hired dozens of salespeople to sell a product that wasn't ready, resulting in zero sales during his tenure. Scott prioritized fixing scalability, reliability, and feature gaps before rebuilding the go-to-market engine. B2B founders often face pressure to hire sales teams early, but selling a broken product destroys market credibility and wastes resources. Product-market fit must precede sales-market fit. Find the right distribution channel for your product: Intrusion's breakthrough came when they stopped trying to sell directly to end customers and focused on managed service providers and managed service security providers. This channel strategy worked because Intrusion's solution enhances existing security stacks rather than replacing them, making it perfect for MSPs serving SMBs that can't afford enterprise-level security expertise. B2B founders should carefully analyze whether their solution is better suited for direct sales, channel partnerships, or hybrid approaches based on customer buying behavior and implementation complexity. Embrace being in a category of one: Despite pressure from analysts and customers to fit into existing categories, Intrusion discovered they occupy a unique position in Applied Threat Intelligence. While this creates messaging challenges, it also eliminates direct competition. Scott worked with Gartner and other analysts to establish that no other company does exactly what Intrusion does. B2B founders shouldn't force themselves into existing categories if their technology is truly differentiated—creating a new category can be more valuable than competing in crowded ones. Leverage legal training for crisis management: Scott's law school background taught him to analyze situations from a 360-degree perspective, understand all stakeholder positions, and develop comprehensive strategies. This skill set proved invaluable during Intrusion's turnaround and his previous crisis management roles. B2B founders facing difficult situations should adopt this approach: clearly define the problem, gather multiple perspectives, identify all stakeholders, and develop a theory of the case for moving forward.   //   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 

If you like what you hear, please subscribe, leave us a review and tell a friend!Hackers are increasingly targeting organizations and users through scams, malware, and ransomware. WhatsApp users face chat hijacks, Android devices are hit via Meta malvertising and evolved droppers, and npm packages mimic trusted tools to steal from crypto wallets. Austria's Interior Ministry reports 100 breached email accounts, while a fintech firm suffered an attempted $130M heist. Pennsylvania's AG office faced ransomware disruptions, Disney settled for $10M over children's data, and Cloudflare blocked a massive 11.5 Tbps DDoS attack. Varonis expanded its cybersecurity offerings by acquiring SlashNext.

Thinking about selling your company? 24 founders told us what really happens after the wire hits. — joinhampton.com/exit-reportAli Abdaal didn't sell a startup. He didn't raise money. He didn't even plan to leave medicine. He just turned himself into the business, and ended up happier, wealthier, and more free than he ever expected.Here's what we talk about:Why Ali says money hasn't made him more happy, just removed the stuff that made him unhappyHis net worth (between $1M and $10M) and how it breaks downHow a scammed MacBook deal sparked a business that made £1M+What he learned after hitting $6M/year in revenue, and why he stopped trying to scale furtherHow flying business class and skipping trash day became his personal luxuriesWhy “$100M in the bank” wouldn't change how he spends his timeHow coaching, meditation, and philosophy reshaped his relationship with moneyThe moment Lewis Howes helped him break his identity as a doctorHis rule of thumb: “Freedom comes from leaving money on the table”Why he's building software to reduce his dependence on contentHis real goal: $2M/year profit so he can work when he wants, on what he wantsSponsors:Get US caliber talent at offshore prices with https://www.oceanstalent.com/Achieve your dream body with https://www.dailybodycoach.com/moneywiseProtect your upside and get your time back at https://www.cressetcapital.com/moneywiseCool Links:Hampton https://www.joinhampton.com/Lower Street https://www.lowerstreet.co/Ali's stuff: https://aliabdaal.com/Chapters:(0:00) Introduction & Ali's Philosophy on Wealth(1:48) Net Worth Breakdown & Investing(3:17) Life in Hong Kong: Renting vs. Owning(4:54) From Medicine to Entrepreneurship(6:09) Early Business Lessons & Getting Scammed(7:44) Building and Selling the First Business(9:02) YouTube Journey & Passive Income(12:00) Revenue Growth, Plateau, and Lifestyle Design(16:01) Money, Happiness, and Scarcity Mindset(24:00) Motivation, Fulfillment, and Final ThoughtsThis podcast is a ridiculous concept: high-net-worth people reveal their personal finances. Inspired by real conversations happening in the Hampton community.Your Host: Harry MortonFounder of Lower Street, a podcast production company helping brands launch and grow top-tier podcasts.Co-parents a cow named Eliza.

Freedom by Design: How to Build a Profitable Business That Serves Your Life with Michael Walsh   Most entrepreneurs start their journey with the dream of freedom—yet many quickly find themselves trapped by the very businesses they built. Revenue grows, responsibilities pile up, and the joy of entrepreneurship fades into overwhelm. In this Episode of the Profit Answer Man, I sat down with Michael Walsh, founder of the Walsh Business Growth Institute and author of Freedom by Design, to unpack how business owners can create companies that support—not suffocate—their lives. Michael has spent over 30 years guiding business owners through the predictable “danger zones” of growth. His message is clear: profit and freedom come when you design your business around your life, not the other way around.   Key Insights from Michael Walsh:  Business Must Serve Life, Not Just Profit. Too many owners chase revenue milestones—$1M, $5M, $10M—only to find bigger problems waiting at each stage. Michael warns: if profit is your only motivator, satisfaction will always elude you. The companies that thrive long-term are those designed to support the owner's life and impact. Reflection: Is your business structured to fuel your life's goals—or is your life revolving around your business? Growth Brings Predictable “Danger Zones”. Michael outlined the common revenue milestones where owners hit walls: $1M–$1.2M → the “zone of hell” where you're too big for DIY systems but too small to afford enterprise solutions. $5M and $10M → structures and systems must evolve or growth stalls. $12M–$20M → the toughest chasm, where people complexity and outdated processes collide. Takeaway: Each new level requires reinventing systems, structures, and leadership—not just “working harder.” Systems Alone Don't Scale—People Do. Rocky and Michael both love spreadsheets, but Michael cautions: numbers tell the story, but people drive the result. A well-designed business empowers its people to excel rather than constraining them with rigid systems. Reflection: Are your processes freeing your team to use their strengths—or boxing them in like cogs in a machine? Freedom Comes from Teamwork, Not Control. Michael stresses that leaders must shift from command-and-control to building intelligent ecosystems. True management is about helping people think, thrive, and work together. When teams are supported—not micromanaged—2+2 can equal 6. Question: How much time do you spend training people how to work together, not just what to do? The Future Belongs to the Creative Business Owner. AI is transforming the business landscape, but Michael warns that owners who outsource thinking to machines lose their edge. The next era isn't the Information Age—it's the Age of Creativity. Those who combine human insight with AI tools will thrive. Action Step: Don't fear AI—learn to use it as a creative partner to free you up for high-value problem solving.   Key Takeaways:  Profit Alone Won't Bring Fulfillment. Chasing revenue milestones without purpose leads to burnout. Businesses built around life goals—not just profit—create more satisfaction and sustainability. Growth Has Predictable “Danger Zones”. Each revenue milestone ($1M, $5M, $10M, $20M) comes with hidden challenges. Systems, structures, and leadership must evolve at every stage, or growth will stall. Systems Must Support People—Not Control Them. Processes should free your team to use their strengths, not box them in like cogs. Businesses thrive when systems empower people to excel. Freedom Comes Through Teams, Not Micromanagement. Leaders must shift from command-and-control to cultivating intelligent ecosystems. Strong teamwork multiplies results and creates freedom for owners. The Next Age is Creativity, Powered by AI. AI won't replace entrepreneurs—but those who creatively combine human judgment with AI tools will have a massive advantage in the years ahead.   About Michael Walsh: Michael Walsh is the founder of the Walsh Business Growth Institute and author of Freedom by Design: The Business Owner's Guide to Grow, Make an Impact, and Find Joy Again. For over 30 years, he has helped business owners in Canada, the U.S., and Europe scale profitably by aligning their companies with their life goals.   Links: Website: http://www.walshbusinessgrowth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-walsh/   Conclusion: Freedom in business isn't about hitting the next revenue milestone—it's about designing a company that grows with you, supports your lifestyle, and empowers your team. Michael Walsh reminds us that profit follows purpose, systems must evolve with scale, and people—not spreadsheets—ultimately drive success. As the business landscape shifts into the age of creativity, those who align vision, systems, and people while leveraging tools like AI will unlock both profitability and freedom. Your business should give you life, not take it away. The choice to design it that way is yours.   Richer Soul Ep 440 The AI Driven Leader with Geoff Woods: https://richersoul.com/?s=Geoff+Woods   #ProfitFirst #BusinessGrowth #FinancialFreedom #SmartScaling #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessStrategy #LeadershipMatters #CashFlowFix #PurposeDrivenBusiness #CreativeEntrepreneur   Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available! Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/ My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/ Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs. #profitfirst

Hopping from buyer meeting to meeting may get you into the seven figures, but it won't garner your business fast growth through $100M and beyond. Not without really lucky amounts of word-of-mouth. Really lucky. Waiting until you're $10M in ARR to get strategic is a surefire path to misfires and stagnation.Your Host: Dr. James F. Richardson of Premium Growth Solutions, LLC www.premiumgrowthsolutions.com Please send feedback on this or other episodes to: admin@premiumgrowthsolutions.com

In the episode 261 of the IDEAS+LEADERS podcast, I sit down with Matthew Stafford, Managing Partner at Build Grow Scale and a veteran entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience building businesses across industries. From brick-and-mortar stores to SaaS and DTC brands, Matthew has seen it all - and helped hundreds of eCommerce companies cross the $1M and even $10M revenue milestones.We dive deep into:The biggest leadership lessons from 3 decades of entrepreneurshipThe most common conversion killers in eCommerce todayHow to increase sales without increasing ad spendUsing buyer psychology and data-driven insights to boost performanceWhy conversion doesn't stop at the sale - and how to turn buyers into loyal fansIf you're leading a startup or scaling a global brand, this conversation is packed with strategies you can apply right away to grow smarter, not just bigger.

Fetch Package Delivery has revolutionized apartment package management through an innovative off-site warehouse model, serving over 400,000 units and approaching $70 million in ARR. In this episode, we sat down with Michael Patton, Founder & CEO of Fetch, to explore how he built a logistics-heavy business that bridges the gap between traditional property management and modern e-commerce demands. Michael's journey from corporate finance to PropTech pioneer offers unique insights into scaling physical service businesses in markets that weren't traditionally venture-backable. Topics Discussed: Fetch's origin as a solution to apartment building package management problems The company's evolution from bootstrapped Dallas startup to national platform Building MVP in logistics-heavy businesses versus traditional SaaS Early customer acquisition strategies in relationship-driven industries Navigating the PropTech market before it became mainstream Scaling operations while maintaining service quality during hypergrowth Expanding from core package delivery to adjacent services GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Master relationship-based selling in traditional industries: Michael succeeded in the apartment industry through personal relationship building rather than digital marketing funnels. He spent months visiting properties, forming relationships with regional managers, and even secured his first customer through a handwritten card campaign that resonated with a VP who loved dog rescue. B2B founders entering traditional industries should prioritize face-to-face relationship building and understand that decision-makers often value personal connections over polished presentations. Take calculated risks to capture market timing: Fetch grew from $1M to $40M ARR in just 18 months during 2019-2021, despite not being fully operationally ready for that scale. Michael explains: "The thing that we did right was take advantage of really intense market demand when it came, even though we weren't always quite ready for it." Founders should be prepared to scale aggressively when market conditions align, even if it means accumulating technical debt or operational challenges that can be addressed later. Physical service businesses require different MVP strategies: Unlike SaaS companies that can iterate with software alone, Fetch's MVP required Michael to personally deliver packages for 18 months while building operational knowledge. This hands-on approach provided invaluable insights: "It was so valuable looking back, to be able to see every side of the business and literally four or five, six hours a day, be the last mile delivery partner." Founders building physical service businesses should expect to be deeply involved in operations during early stages to understand every aspect of their value chain. Hire ahead of immediate needs during growth phases: During Fetch's hypergrowth period, Michael deliberately over-hired on skill level, bringing in leaders who were arguably overqualified for immediate needs but would be essential as the company scaled. This strategy of "trusting leaders and bringing in the right people to lead some of the most critical ops" allowed them to maintain quality during rapid expansion. Founders should consider investing in talent that can grow into roles rather than just filling current gaps. Build platform infrastructure for adjacent service expansion: Fetch's long-term strategy always focused on establishing the "rails" between warehouses and buildings, then adding services that utilize existing trips and infrastructure. Michael describes: "We've sort of done the dirty work of building up a labor intensive business and we have sort of underlying tech to make that a lot easier now." This approach of building core infrastructure first, then layering additional services, creates significant competitive advantages and higher margins over time.   //   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 episode of The Property Profits Podcast, Dave Dubeau sits down with global real estate consultant Josef Lapko, whose career spans from the ancient streets of Jerusalem to the fast-growing markets of the United States. Josef shares the remarkable story of a 20-year development project in Jerusalem's Old City — a project that uncovered artifacts from the time of King Solomon and required unprecedented engineering solutions, including a custom glass elevator from Japan. He explains the unique challenges of historic construction, from navigating layers of regulations to preserving centuries-old structures, and how those lessons shape his modern consulting work with family offices today. Listeners will learn: The complexities of building in historically significant areas How to anticipate delays, manage risk, and assemble the right project team Why vision and persistence pay off in heavy-duty renovations How Josef helps family offices scale from $5–10M transactions to $70–100M portfolios   - Get Interviewed on the Show! - ================================== Are you a real estate investor with some 'tales from the trenches' you'd like to share with our audience? Want to get great exposure and be seen as a bonafide real estate pro by your friends? Would you like to inspire other people to take action with real estate investing? Then we'd love to interview you! Find out more and pick the date here: http://daveinterviewsyou.com/

Welcome to Day 30 of the Double Your Profit SeriesThe go-to series for contractors, home service owners, and small business entrepreneurs.Today's topic is one of the biggest levers you have in scaling your company: Cut Overhead Like a Maniac.

The Rickey Smiley Morning Show kicks off with Pastor Frederick Douglass Haynes reminding listeners they “deserve to win,” followed by front-page news digging into Trump’s economy spin, Mizzou’s “Black to Class” controversy, and a wild British Airways scandal. Sports talk heats up with Deion Sanders speaking on son Shilo’s NFL future, and in entertainment Brat reports on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey’s engagement, Offset praising Drake’s loyalty, Regina King launching a wine brand in honor of her late son, and Beyoncé and Jay-Z buying a $10M countryside estate. Plus, an HBCU spotlight and talk of Cardi B’s courtroom drama keep the first hour buzzing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Description: Tim Conway Jr. and guest host Mark Thompson roll into Hour 2 with more breaking news as Southern California weathers a flash flood warning and an earthquake rattles the High Desert. They cover the bust of an alleged Home Depot theft ring that stole more than $10 million in merchandise. Bellio can't contain her excitement as the crew dives into the news of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement, sparking lively debate about their rumored $18 million dream home and where the newlyweds might settle down. Meanwhile, Cracker Barrel is still under fire for its short-lived rebranding. 5:05pm – Flash Flood Warning and Earthquake rattles the High Desert / Alleged Home Depot theft ring arrested after $10M in merchandise stolen 5:20pm – Bellio's excitement about the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce engagement.  5:35pm – Taylor and Travis are engaged / Cracker Barrel faces backlash over rebranding 5:50pm Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's alleged future $18 Million home, Tim and Mark discuss where the newlyweds will reside.  

*Want to start a business with less than $1k? Get the guide: https://clickhubspot.com/obd Episode 739: Sam Parr ( https://x.com/theSamParr ) and Shaan Puri ( https://x.com/ShaanVP ) talk about anti-digital businesses that are making $10M to $300M a year. — Show Notes: (0:00) Shaan joins a country club (06:28) IDEA: Social Club (11:04) IDEA: Family club house (12:10) IDEA: Pet Owner Housing (19:47) IDEA: $300M Anti-phone pouch (32:53) MFM's Pascal Challenge (24hr phone fast) (34:29) The greatest biography of all time (37:22) Steve Martin's 40-year mindset (41:31) Dialectics — Links: • Zero Bond - https://zerobondny.com/ • Chief - https://chief.com • The Malin - https://themalin.co/ • The Lighthouse - https://thelighthouse.com/ • Neuehouse - https://www.neuehouse.com/ • Soho House - https://www.sohohouse.com/ • Yondr - https://www.overyondr.com/ — Check Out Shaan's Stuff: • Shaan's weekly email - https://www.shaanpuri.com • Visit https://www.somewhere.com/mfm to hire worldwide talent like Shaan and get $500 off for being an MFM listener. Hire developers, assistants, marketing pros, sales teams and more for 80% less than US equivalents. • Mercury - Need a bank for your company? Go check out Mercury (mercury.com). Shaan uses it for all of his companies! Mercury is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column, N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC — Check Out Sam's Stuff: • Hampton - https://www.joinhampton.com/ • Ideation Bootcamp - https://www.ideationbootcamp.co/ • Copy That - https://copythat.com • Hampton Wealth Survey - https://joinhampton.com/wealth • Sam's List - http://samslist.co/ My First Million is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by HubSpot Media // Production by Arie Desormeaux // Editing by Ezra Bakker Trupiano

Derrick Barker is the co-founder and CEO of Nectar, a flexible capital platform for experienced real estate operators. He began buying property from his Harvard dorm room, later traded structured bonds at Goldman Sachs while scaling to 500+ units, and now oversees thousands of units while helping operators unlock growth with portfolio-backed capital.