Podcasts about Agency

Why does time feel so slippery, especially for creative pros? In this episode, we explore the phenomenon of “time anxiety”—that restless sense that we're running out of time or not spending our hours on what really matters. We're joined by Chris Guillebeau, author of the book Time Anxiety, who brings a fresh lens to how we experience time, how our anxieties about it span past, present, and future—and why productivity hacks alone will never be enough.We dig into the difference between optimizing and aligning our time, the dangers of chasing phantom deadlines, and why so much of our stress comes not from the clock itself but from unresolved tensions and borrowed definitions of success. Together, we share practical tactics to help you shift from a reactive, urgent default to a more intentional, aligned creative life.If you've caught yourself sprinting but never arriving, or if you've ever felt that low-grade hum of anxiety about how you're spending your days—this conversation is for you.Five Key Learnings:Time anxiety spans the past, present, and future. It's not just about feeling overwhelmed day-to-day—it's also about lingering regrets, future uncertainties, and the ever-present sense of the clock ticking down.Optimization isn't the solution—alignment is. You can't “efficiency” your way out of anxiety. The real answer? Align your time with your values, priorities, and the impact you want to have.Phantom deadlines and borrowed benchmarks create false pressure. Much of our anxiety comes from arbitrary timelines based on outliers or cultural expectations. True progress comes from setting your own standards and constraints.Not everything urgent is important. Creative work demands space for what matters. Protecting time for meaningful—and even non-urgent—work is essential to breaking the cycle of anxiety.Self-awareness is the starting point. Pay close attention to how you spend your time and how it makes you feel. Notice unresolved tensions, distinguish between energizing and draining activities, and let those insights guide your daily choices.Get full interviews and bonus content for free! Just join the list at DailyCreativePlus.com.Mentioned in this episode:The Brave Habit is available nowMy new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

Brandon Kordower is the Founder and CEO of Aura CFO, a firm that helps marketing agencies scale profitably through fractional CFO services and strategic financial guidance. With over 15 years of experience, Brandon empowers agency owners to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Under his leadership, Aura CFO has supported businesses from $500K startups to nine-figure companies and helped clients achieve eight-figure exits by focusing on financial clarity and growth. Daniel Simon, Executive Vice President at Aura CFO, brings 30 years of C-suite experience and a wide-ranging background across investment banking, music, fine arts, marketing, e-commerce, education, and restaurant ownership. His versatile experience adds depth to the firm's insights and services. Together, Brandon and Daniel lead a team dedicated to helping agencies avoid common financial missteps, increase profitability, and prepare for sustainable growth or acquisition. In this episode… Many agency owners struggle with financial clarity — confused cash flow, underutilized teams, and misleading revenue growth often stand in the way of maximum profitability. So how do top-performing agencies turn these challenges into sustainable, scalable success? Brandon Kordower shares how shifting from basic bookkeeping to fractional CFO services can unlock powerful insights for growing agencies. Along with Daniel Simon, he breaks down why people costs are often the biggest lever — and the biggest risk — in agency finances. From tracking staff utilization to setting service-line margins, they emphasize the importance of moving to accrual accounting, avoiding the trap of revenue obsession, and following key benchmarks like 60% gross margin and keeping people costs below 55%. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Brandon Kordower, Founder and CEO of Aura CFO, a firm that helps marketing agencies scale profitably through fractional CFO services and strategic financial guidance, and Daniel Simon, Executive Vice President, to discuss how agency leaders can take control of their finances, scale smarter, and prepare for eight-figure exits. They share real-world stories, actionable metrics, and insights into the financial visibility every creative business needs to thrive.

Today on the show we've got a very special guest, one of the OGs of ecommerce, Ezra Firestone.He's been around forever, running brands like Boom by Cindy Joseph, building software companies like Zipify, and creating training businesses like Smart Marketer, all while staying hands-on in the game as the DTC landscape keeps evolving.We get into how he went from top wig drop-shipper to building and exiting nine-figure brands, and how that journey shaped the way he thinks about marketing today. Ezra breaks down the creative frameworks and persona funnels he's using to scale - building tailored journeys that speak directly to specific customer mindsets and motivations - and why a one-size-fits-all approach no longer cuts it in today's performance landscape.He also shares why most brands are underusing Amazon and Shop App, how to approach them as full-funnel growth channels, and what it looks like to prepare your brand for AI-native discovery through structured data and platform-level optimization. Plus, we get into Meta ad theory, challenger brand tactics and how Ezra's role has evolved from hands-on operator to long-term strategist focused on sustainable growth, supporting great teams, and staying aligned with what actually matters.If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6Chapters00:00 Introduction09:07 The Drop Shipping Business Model Explained19:26 The Shift from Drop Shipping to Brand Ownership29:21 Content as a Core Strategy in E-Commerce39:18 Storytelling and Engagement in Marketing45:04 Maximizing Amazon and Shop App Opportunities56:07 The Rise of LLMs and SEO Strategies59:20 Optimizing E-commerce Operations for Success01:00:13 Transitioning from Operator to Navigator01:06:32 The Importance of Strategic Thinking in Business01:14:08 Evaluating Business Models: E-commerce vs. Agency vs. SoftwarePowered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsHaus.http://Haus.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

Welcome to another episode of Build a Better Agency! In this special solo cast, host Drew McLellan tackles one of the perennial challenges and hottest conversations among agency leaders: how to strategically shape your agency team for lasting success. Drawing on decades of experience and access to the financial workings of hundreds of agencies, Drew provides listeners with a timely and insightful look at evolving team structures as agencies gear up for 2026. Drew shares fascinating trends shaping today's agency workforce, including the rise of smaller in-house teams, increased reliance on part-time employees, contractors, and global talent, as well as the impact of AI on traditional roles. He explores why the most profitable agencies typically have teams between 12 and 40 people, and details how agencies are leveraging a blend of strategic full-timers and specialized contractors to maximize expertise while remaining nimble. Throughout the episode, Drew challenges listeners to move beyond old paradigms of in-house staffing, instead embracing flexible models that respond to both economic realities and shifting client needs. Listeners will gain practical advice for preparing their own agencies for the future. Drew urges owners to focus on cultivating "Sherpa-like" team members—those who act as strategic guides and teachers for clients, rather than simply executing deliverables. He highlights the growing importance of nurturing a culture of continuous learning and adaptability, as well as prioritizing skills and problem-solving ability over traditional credentials in new hires. If you're ready to future-proof your agency, enhance your strategic value to clients, and reimagine what a modern, high-performing agency team should look like, this episode is packed with actionable insights and food for thought. Whether you're planning for next quarter or looking ahead to 2026, Drew's thoughtful analysis and forward-thinking advice will help you start important conversations about the future of your agency A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Shifting agency team structures for maximum profitability The growing blend of full-time, part-time, and contract talent Leveraging global talent for specialized and technical roles The impact of AI on team composition and the “hollowing out” of the agency pyramid Evolving client needs: strategic partners and “Sherpa”-style leadership Rethinking hiring for skills and adaptability over formal education   Building a learning organization to stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape

Meet Eric

Data-Driven B2B Growth in 2025: Insights from Hamlet Azarian of Azarian Growth AgencyIn this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, Josh Elledge talks with Hamlet Azarian, CEO of Azarian Growth Agency, about how B2B companies can accelerate growth in 2025 using real-time data, AI integration, and signal-based marketing strategies. Hamlet explains how his team helps founder-led startups and mid-market companies break through revenue plateaus by aligning marketing and sales processes with timely, personalized outreach. This conversation reveals the specific tactics, tools, and mindset shifts businesses need to stay competitive in today's fast-changing landscape.Leveraging Signals, AI, and Authenticity for Sustainable GrowthHamlet emphasizes that the traditional, linear sales funnel is being replaced by signal-based marketing, where businesses act on real-time indicators like industry news, contract awards, or leadership changes within target accounts. This approach enables highly relevant outreach that improves conversion rates and strengthens relationships. Azarian Growth Agency uses platforms like Clay, combined with CRMs such as HubSpot or Salesforce, to capture and act on these signals efficiently.Beyond signals, Hamlet shares how his agency has been “AI-first” since 2020, embedding artificial intelligence into marketing and sales workflows for everything from prospect research to content creation. By building “core files” containing brand guidelines, customer personas, and case studies, AI outputs remain accurate, on-brand, and strategically aligned. Human oversight ensures AI acts as a co-pilot, not a replacement, preserving quality and authenticity.For SaaS founders, Hamlet recommends a founder-led social media strategy to generate excitement and credibility before launch. By openly sharing the product journey—including both wins and challenges—leaders can build trust, encourage audience engagement, and create anticipation. Combined with Azarian Growth Agency's selective onboarding process and complimentary exploratory audits, this authenticity-driven approach sets the foundation for long-term, sustainable growth.About Hamlet AzarianHamlet Azarian is the CEO of Azarian Growth Agency, a B2B marketing consultancy specializing in data-driven growth strategies. With a focus on real-time engagement, AI integration, and scalable processes, Hamlet has helped startups and mid-market companies across industries accelerate revenue growth and optimize marketing performance.About Azarian Growth AgencyAzarian Growth Agency partners with B2B companies to deliver predictable, scalable growth through data enrichment, automation, and signal-based marketing. Their services include marketing strategy, AI integration, sales enablement, and founder-led brand building. The agency works selectively with clients to ensure strong alignment and measurable impact, offering free exploratory audits to identify high-value growth opportunities.Links Mentioned in this EpisodeAzarian Growth Agency WebsiteHamlet Azarian on LinkedInEpisode HighlightsWhy traditional funnels are being replaced by signal-based marketing.How AI can accelerate marketing and sales without replacing human judgment.The importance of core files to

We are so excited to be joined by Arianne Virsunen today to talk about her journey of launching BLOND BRANDS— a boutique creative agency specializing in branding, creative content, and experiential marketing. From balancing creativity with business to standing out in a crowded industry, she shares lessons every entrepreneur and creator can relate to. Ari's Instagram: @arivirsunenBLOND BRANDS: @blondbrandsDanielle's IG: @shestyledwhatAllysa's IG: @allysa.larsonThe Influence Community IG: @theinfluencecommunityAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Lesley Logan shares 19 thought-provoking quotes by Carl Jung to remind us of our power to change, lead, and grow. She also highlights a major business win from Agency member Stacey Extence and opens up about her own journey in receiving support through hiring a personal trainer. This episode is a celebration of growth, self-awareness, and asking for help when it counts.If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co mailto:beit@lesleylogan.co. And as always, if you're enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/#follow-subscribe-free.In this episode you will learn about:19 insightful quotes from Carl Jung to shift your mindset.How stepping away helped Stacey Extence create her best revenue month.Teaching strategies for supporting clients with visual impairments.The value of outsourcing even when you're capable of doing it yourself.Why repeating an investment in yourself still counts as a win.Episode References/Links:19 Powerful Sentences by Carl Jung - https://www.instagram.com/p/DJneo8RRVPg/Submit your wins or questions - https://beitpod.com/questions If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox. https://lovethepodcast.com/BITYSIDEALS! DEALS! DEALS! DEALS! https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentCheck out all our Preferred Vendors & Special Deals from Clair Sparrow, Sensate, Lyfefuel BeeKeeper's Naturals, Sauna Space, HigherDose, AG1 and ToeSox https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentBe in the know with all the workshops at OPC https://workshops.onlinepilatesclasses.com/lp-workshop-waitlistBe It Till You See It Podcast Survey https://pod.lesleylogan.co/be-it-podcasts-surveyBe a part of Lesley's Pilates Mentorship https://lesleylogan.co/elevate/FREE Ditching Busy Webinar https://ditchingbusy.com/ Resources:Watch the Be It Till You See It podcast on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gLesley Logan website https://lesleylogan.co/Be It Till You See It Podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjogqXLnfyhS5VlU4rdzlnQProfitable Pilates https://profitablepilates.com/about/Follow Us on Social Media:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lesley.logan/The Be It Till You See It Podcast YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gFacebook https://www.facebook.com/llogan.pilatesLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-logan/The OPC YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@OnlinePilatesClasses Episode Transcript:Lesley Logan 0:00  It's Fuck Yeah Friday. Brad Crowell 0:01  Fuck yeah.Lesley Logan 0:02  Get ready for some wins. Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self-doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guest will bring bold, executable, intrinsic and targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started.Lesley Logan 0:47  Hi Be It babe, welcome to your Fuck Yeah Friday, this short, sweet and hopefully very inspiring episode where I share something that inspired me, that hopefully is useful for you, a win of yours and a win of mine, and it reminds us that we're not perfect bands, thank God, and that we are doing the best we can to make life a better place for ourselves and those around us, right? So the thing that came across my feed that I was like, oh, I gotta share this with the Be It Pod babes says 19 Powerful Sentences by Carl Jung That Will Change How You View the World. Okay, I'm gonna take the time to read all 19, and so we'll put the link in the show notes, so that if there's one that like stands out to you, you can go back and you can screenshot it and save it for yourself. Number one, I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become. I mean, if that's not be it till you see it, right, I don't know what is. Number two, everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves. Ooh, love that. Number three, if the path before you is clear, you're probably on someone else's. Number four, you are what you do, not what you say you'll do. Well, that's another be it till you see it one. Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life, and you will call it fate. Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life, and you will call it fate. Where your fear is, there your task is. Talk about this and the opening credit, opening music of the pod, right? Like do, got to do things that's scary because that's where clarity comes from. Yeah, it's antidote to fear. Action is. Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes. So, your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes. No tree, it is said, can grow to heaven unless its roots reach down to hell. The world will ask who you are, and if you don't know, the world will tell you. People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own souls. The first half of life is devoted to forming a healthy ego, the second half is going inward and letting go of it. Isn't that the truth that's so adulting, it's so hard. Okay, one does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious. If a man knows more than others, he becomes lonely. Where wisdom reigns, there is no conflict between thinking and feeling. No matter how isolated you are and how lonely you feel, if you do your work truly and conscientiously, unknown friends will come and seek you. So true. Thinking is difficult, that's why most people judge. That's amazing. Know all the theories, master all the techniques, but as you touch a human soul, be just another human soul. Solitude is for me a fount of healing, which makes my life worth living. Talking is often torment for me, and I need many days of silence to recover from the futility of words. The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are. That's a be it till you see it. Oh, I'm so glad we ended with that one. Brilliant, wonderful, beautiful. I'm gonna save that one just because, like, keep it for myself. Oh my gosh. So, so good. So I would love to know which one of those are your favorite. Which ones you're gonna put on a Post-It. Like our other guests have said about things, to remind yourself, because that's what we need, right? Lesley Logan 4:27  All right, now let's do a win of yours. This is from Stacey Extence. She's an Agency member. We've had her for a long, long time, and I'm really proud she's had a couple wins that she shared with you as before. So I'm grateful that she's letting us share another one. She said okay, this month has been crazy insane in the best possible way. Apparently, all I needed to do was go out of town and stop stressing for things to start rolling. Pause. I gotta tell you this. Listen to that again. I just needed to go out of town and stop stressing. You guys cannot micromanage your stress and the constraint and control you're trying to have around the dreams you have are what's keeping it from happening. So do the work. Do not just like manifest that shit, like, do the actual work, but also kind of let go of the control of how it plays out. Okay. Coming back to Stacy's win. Best month ever in revenue. It was a nice blend of packages and group classes. I could actually pay my bills with the money made this month. This is the first time all year that has happened. Six new clients dropped in my calendar, and most have been repeat clients. I taught my first blind client. I was mindful to use my hands to make noise on the equipment, brushing over the spring so she could hear where they were, shaking the handles and straps, etcetera. I also guided her hand while describing the Reformer. After my initial follow up text, she said that she was absolutely loved it and couldn't stop talking about it all last weekend, she's coming in every weekend in June for more lessons. Two random folks who've never done Pilates saw my fundraising event on Facebook and are coming to the Mat Raiser next weekend. I'm hoping to flip one or both into regular clients. Have an opportunity to team up and do an event with a local female social group who has events in the Milwaukee area, looking at August timeframe, and the apartment conflicts I reached out to would like to partner with me, so I got to make the flyer for their newsletters to homeowners, as well as a digital piece for the TVs and the lobbies. Humongous, like, so many wins in just the time that you like, sat down, got quiet and went on a vacation, Stacey. First of all, we have to acknowledge you did the work, all right? You did the effort in to make the Mat Raiser, that's a fundraiser guys, happen that you told people about it. Also, you didn't get scared and go, oh, I'm not capable of teaching someone who's blind. You're like, no, I can teach a body. I just have to learn how to tell them what we're doing, because it's going to challenge me. Like, I just think that a lot of us often don't raise our hands to say, yeah, I'll do that. And others want to do things, but then we don't do the things around it to make sure people know, like we talked about this in past episodes, some people won't share what they're working on until it's perfectly done. No, tell people you're working on your website. Tell people what you want to be until you see, tell people what you're doing. Why? Because they will help you. Before I was a certified Pilates instructor, I was telling everyone I was becoming a certified Pilates instructor. Guess what? I want to take Pilates with you. And so then I had practice bodies to teach. So at the studio that I was becoming a teacher, right? So I was able to actually teach even more bodies as a brand new teacher than if I had not told anyone all, so I was an even better teacher when I graduated. So you got to share with people what's going on, what you're working on, so that they can cheer you on. At the very least, right? At the very least. Lesley Logan 4:27  Okay, my win. So I hired myself a trainer. We're going in month three with this person, and so when is I hired a trainer? I think I've talked about this in the podcast before. I'm still celebrating it, because I have to pay every single month to keep it going. And I wanted to share with you that, like, a win can be just repeating an investment you made on yourself, right? Two, it has been really, really nice to let someone pour into me. So the second win is that I am receiving, receiving someone's expertise in my life around something that I'm knowledgeable but not an expert in, and it's just so nice. So I just want to say like you might be a great cook or a great housekeeper of your own house, or even a great person with your own dogs. And guess what, you might need help, right? And so investing in people who actually want to make the thing that you can do well, but they can do great as their business, investing in them is a way of practicing receiving and indulging in yourself and prioritizing yourself. And so here we are going into the fourth month of working together. She's able to like, handle like, okay, this month, I'm not in town, I'm not in my gym, so here's what I have access to, and she's able to give me workouts. And so I don't have to be creative, I could just focus on the things that I'm really good at. And so I just love this win so much. Because my hope is it inspires you. If there's something that you need to do, just because you can doesn't mean you should. I have a client that I've been working with, and she is on a weight loss journey, and so she's got a trainer, she's got me, and we were talking about some things, and she's like, yeah, I just need to get better at my meal planning, and I said to her I know you actually have been on this journey for a long time, and you've done tons of research, and I know you know all the things, but have you thought about getting help with this just for a month? So not a full-time investment, not a forever investment, just like a two weeks or a 30-day investment, and to see how it makes you feel. Does even having it for just your lunches help you only have to plan your dinners, because it can be overwhelming to meal plan all of your meals to help give you the nutrition and fuel that you need for the workouts that you're doing and for the life you want to have. That can be overwhelming, but if you have some help in it, it allows you to go I just only have to focus on the dinners, right? Like we have to make things a little easier for ourselves, the things we want to do and outsourcing it for a short period of time is a win. It's not a failure. It's not like, oh, I couldn't do it. It's like, no, I'm seeking out help. You know, I used to get meals delivered when I worked in a studio, because I wouldn't, I just didn't have the time every single day to prep my breakfast and my lunch. It was just so, so hard. So I had someone send it to the studio, breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday. So I get to the studio and there would be my breakfast and lunch, and I just had to worry about dinner. And it was so nice because I would just, I'd only to go grocery shopping for dinner and not only that, and it was wonderful to help make sure I was fueled for the day. You know, meal plan doesn't have to actually have anything to do with weight loss, and it can actually just have everything to do with like, giving yourself nutrition. So anyways, my win is receiving the expert support and continuing to do it and hopefully inspiring you to just evaluate in your life, where it could just be a little bit helpful to have someone support you somewhere. Maybe OPC is the thing that supports your movement practice, or if you're a Pilates instructor, maybe agency becomes a support in your life, right? Yes, these things are investments. Yes, they cost money. And I'm going to tell you right now, when I had the meal delivery service, it wasn't like I was rolling in it. It was an expense, but it literally meant that I wasn't wasting food and that I wasn't so frustrated. So actually, my business was better because I had more energy to be in it. I'm just saying, sometimes we have to spend money to make money, right? Sometimes we need to invest in ourselves. We can go the next level to be it till I see it. All right you guys, thank you so much. I hope you are loving these episodes. Please share them with a friend, or share our interviews with a friend. That's how we get this podcast to go. Leave a review if you haven't already. That would mean the world to me, and until next time, Be It Till You See It. Lesley Logan 7:27  That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It Podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review and follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the Be It Pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others Be It Till You See It. Have an awesome day. Be It Till You See It is a production of The Bloom Podcast Network. If you want to leave us a message or a question that we might read on another episode, you can text us at +1-310-905-5534 or send a DM on Instagram @BeItPod.Brad Crowell 7:27  It's written, filmed, and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan, and me, Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan 7:56  It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co.Brad Crowell 8:05  Our theme music is by Ali at Apex Production Music and our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.Lesley Logan 8:16  Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals.Brad Crowell 8:21  Also to Angelina Herico for adding all of our content to our website. And finally to Meridith Root for keeping us all on point and on time.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/be-it-till-you-see-it/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

With the U.S. Agency for International Development officially ceasing operations as the main U.S. foreign aid agency on July 1, the State Department now faces the daunting task of spending an estimated $20 billion before the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30 — without the 10,000 staff members who previously managed such distributions. The administration is legally required to spend money appropriated by Congress, or find legal justification for not spending it, as seen in earlier rescission efforts that returned $9 billion to the U.S. Treasury. Meanwhile, USAID Deputy Administrator for Management and Resources Ken Jackson's recent tour of nine countries — including Belgium, Kenya, and the Philippines — to oversee mission closures, has drawn criticism from displaced staff who view the visits as poorly timed during their difficult transitions. With many NGOs forced to restructure or face closure, some organizations are exploring mergers and partnerships to survive, with a new initiative led by Accountability Lab helping them pivot. Devex Business Editor David Ainsworth discusses the latest developments in these stories with reporters Michael Igoe and Elissa Miolene. Sign up to the Devex Newswire and our other newsletters.

Send us a textFeeling overworked, under-inspired, or stuck rewriting the same proposals on repeat? You're not lacking time — you may be underleveraging your creative edge.In this episode, I'm joined by Brad Ball, co-founder of Ardent Creative, Verity Software, and Committed Mastermind, to reframe creativity as a business advantage — especially when combined with AI for agency owners.Brad shares how his team used AI to shrink 60 hours of proposal work down to 1 hour, while improving personalization, speed, and accuracy. But the real insight? Creativity isn't just for designers — it's a mindset. A muscle. And every entrepreneur scaling past 7 figures needs it firing on all cylinders.We'll explore the four-part framework from his book Art of Entrepreneurs, how automation enhances—not replaces—creativity, and why agency owners must shift from overworking to orchestrating.If you've ever thought, “I'm just not creative,” this one's for you.

In this episode of Confessions of a B2B Entrepreneur, host Jamie Pagan, from the Revenue Career Ladder podcast, speaks with Tom Hunt, founder of the B2B podcasting agency Fame. They discuss Tom's unconventional career journey, beginning with early jobs frying chips and washing dishes, which instilled a strong work ethic. The conversation traces his path through large consulting firms like Ernst & Young, and Accenture, where he learned invaluable soft skills and remote management. It then covers his entrepreneurial ventures, from a failed male leggings company to a successful SaaS business, before he finally doubled down on his passion for marketing and audience building to create Fame. This episode provides an honest and tactical look at how a non-linear career path can lead to entrepreneurial success.

Ohio's gambling oversight agency says it is working with MLB on its investigation of two Guardians pitchers. Correspondent Gethin Coolbaugh reports.

In a fast-paced fall event season, where overlapping trade shows can overwhelm even seasoned marketers, Sam Littlefield, President and CEO of Littlefield Agency, joins Technology Reseller News Publisher Doug Green to share fresh strategies for cutting through the noise. Founded in 1980 and based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Littlefield Agency specializes in complex B2B manufacturer and financial institution marketing, earning recognition as a Top 25 B2B agency in the U.S. Littlefield stresses that while many companies lead with features, real engagement starts by identifying and communicating the customer's pain points and high-level benefits. At trade shows and in campaigns, simplification is key—one clear message beats a crowded wall of technical specs. Once prospects are deeper in the sales funnel, feature details have their place, but early messaging should focus on the “problem solved” for the buyer. The discussion dives into AI's role in modern storytelling, citing a striking example of an entirely AI-generated “Liquid Death” commercial that captured national attention. For Littlefield, AI isn't replacing agencies but is expanding creative possibilities—allowing brands to produce more content, faster, at lower cost, while still requiring human insight for strategy and authenticity. He advises companies to experiment widely with AI and digital platforms, from connected TV campaigns to imperfect but relatable social videos, in order to adapt to shifting buyer expectations, especially from millennials and Gen Z. Whether it's using AI to refine creative ideas, producing authentic short-form videos, or tightening messaging for the trade show floor, Littlefield's advice is clear: test, learn, and embrace new tools while keeping storytelling grounded in the real customer experience. For more insights, visit littlefieldagency.com.

SummaryIn this episode of the Inorganic Podcast, hosts Ayelet Shipley and Christian Hassold, co-hosts of the In/organic Podcast, discuss the current state of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the agency sector, focusing on Q2 activity. They explore market trends, deal multiples, notable acquisitions, and the importance of strategic fit in the current M&A landscape. The conversation also touches on the valuation of tech-enabled agencies, the luxury market's unique characteristics, and expectations for future market activity in Q3 and Q4.TakeawaysDeals still happening, but the market is pickier.Timing exits for the next 2021-2022 won't workSeller valuation expectations still mixed bagDigital services continue to grow in demand.Strategic buyers are looking for very specific needs (culture fit, capabilities, clients, and case studies)Q3 and Q4 should see more deal activity based on deal flow signalsChapters02:25 Q2 Market Trends & Valuation Multiples06:24 What Makes a Deal Stand Out in Q209:16 Media, AI, and Buyer Control Strategies11:29 Captiv8 and the SaaS-Driven Valuation Uplift14:24 Should Agencies Rebrand Themselves as SaaS?17:35 Luxury Roll-Ups and the Together Group Model20:29 Market Shift: From Roll-Up Volume to Strategic Fit24:39 Resetting Expectations Around Multiples28:33 Q3 & Q4 Deal Flow Outlook30:45 Previewing Themes for the Next EpisodeConnect with Christian and AyeletAyelet's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-shipley-b16330149/Christian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hassold/Web: https://www.inorganicpodcast.coIn/organic on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InorganicPodcast/featured Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part 2 of this electrifying episode, Tom, Andrew, and Jihi Bustamante journey even deeper into the modern intelligence labyrinth—where fact, fiction, and agenda collide. The Bustamantes not only expose sobering truths about personal privacy, data, and AI, but also provide an insider look at how CIA tradecraft and manipulation work at both the institutional and personal level. This half opens with practical spy tactics for processing information and protecting yourself in an age where digital privacy is vanishing. The conversation then pivots, as Jihi joins, to reveal how real-world targeting and psychological profiling unfolds inside the Agency. Together, they share the wild intricacies and emotional costs of undercover work—especially as a married couple raising kids, forced to navigate secrets and moral ambiguity both in the field and at home. Riveting stories from their new book, "Shadow Cell," bring espionage's personal toll to life, from perilous captures to the difficulty of reentering “normal life.” SHOWNOTES 45:07 - Building an ACH (Analysis of Competing Hypotheses) and Thinking in Threes1:05:18 - American Mythology and the Cold Reality of Global Competition1:18:43 - Why You Always Have the Option to Leave1:26:11 - Real-Life Espionage: Uncovering Leverage, Risks, and Moral Dilemmas1:49:07 - High-Risk Missions & The Toll on Family1:55:26 - Gender, Manipulation, and Cultural Profiling in Espionage2:03:12 - Shadow Cell: From Book to Screen (What's Next for the Bustamantes?) FOLLOW ANDREW & JIHI BUSTAMANTE:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayspy/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EverydaySpyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EverydaySpyWebsite: https://www.everydayspy.com/ Want to learn more from Andrew? Find your Spy Superpower: ⁠⁠https://yt.everydayspy.com/4l9HmlM⁠ Read Andrew's CIA book ‘Shadow Cell': ⁠https://geni.us/ShadowCellBook ⁠ Follow Andy on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@Andrew-Bustamante⁠ Explore Spy School: ⁠⁠https://everydayspy.com/ ⁠ Support Andy's sponsor Axolt Brain: ⁠⁠https://axoltbrain.com/andy⁠ Listen to the podcast: ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/ ⁨@EverydaySpyPodcast⁩  ⁠ CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ and entering promo code IMPACT at check out Allio Capital: Macro investing for people who want to understand the big picture. Download their app in the App Store or at Google Play, or text my name “TOM” to 511511. SleepMe: Visit ⁠https://sleep.me/impact⁠ to get your Chilipad and save 20% with code IMPACT. Try it risk-free with their 30-night sleep trial and free shipping. ButcherBox: Ready to level up your meals? Go to ⁠https://butcherbox.com/impact⁠ to get $20 off your first box and FREE bacon for life with the Bilyeu Box! Netsuite: Download the new e-book Navigating Global Trade: 3 Insights for Leaders at ⁠http://NetSuite.com/Theory⁠Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠https://shopify.com/impact⁠Hims: Start your free online visit today at ⁠https://hims.com/IMPACT⁠. ********************************************************************** What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... STARTING a business:⁠ join me here at ZERO TO FOUNDER⁠:  ⁠https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder?utm_campaign=Podcast%20Offer&utm_source=podca[%E2%80%A6]d%20end%20of%20show&utm_content=podcast%20ad%20end%20of%20show⁠ SCALING a business:⁠ see if you qualify here.⁠:  ⁠https://tombilyeu.com/call⁠ Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox:⁠ sign up here.⁠: ⁠https://tombilyeu.com/⁠ ********************************************************************** FOLLOW TOM: Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/⁠ Tik Tok:⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en⁠ Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/tombilyeu⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Purple Patch Podcast! On this episode, IRONMAN Master Coach Matt Dixon introduces the Purple Patch Marathon Special program, offering personalized coaching for $99/month with a 25% discount on the first month. The program includes live education, race strategy support, and on-site coaching. Dixon emphasizes the importance of balancing pressure with support to enhance performance, using examples like Sami Inkinen's success in IRONMAN and business leadership. He explains that pressure is a privilege when met with the right support system, advocating for high expectations and intentional recovery. Dixon encourages athletes and leaders to set high standards and provide a supportive environment to achieve sustained high performance. If you have any questions about the Purple Patch program, feel free to reach out at info@purplepatchfitness.com.    Purple Patch and Episode Resources Fast Track Run Squad: purplepatchfitness.com/fasttrackmarathon Check out our world-class coaching and training options: Tri Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/squad 1:1 Coaching: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/11-coached Run Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness/com/run-squad Strength Squad: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/strength-1 Live & On-Demand Bike Sessions: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/bike Explore our training options in detail: https://bit.ly/3XBo1Pi Live in San Francisco? Explore the Purple Patch Performance Center: https://center.purplepatchfitness.com Everything you need to know about our methodology: https://www.purplepatchfitness.com/our-methodology Amplify your approach to nutrition with Purple Patch + Fuelin https://www.fuelin.com/purplepatch Get access to our free training resources, insight-packed newsletter and more at purplepatchfitness.com  

#540 Is AI helping or hurting your creativity and intuition? In this insightful episode hosted by Kirsten Tyrrel, we sit down with Hannah Ryu, co-founder of Oak Theory, a creative tech studio pushing boundaries in branding, UX/UI, and web development. Hannah shares her entrepreneurial journey from immigrant roots to agency ownership, the power of partnership, and how AI is transforming the way we work — both for better and for worse. We explore healthy ways to integrate AI into your workflow without sacrificing human insight, how intuition and analog practices are making a comeback, and why creativity and execution — not just automation — still win in business. This is a must-listen for founders navigating the fast-evolving world of entrepreneurship in the age of AI! What we discuss with Hannah: + Hannah's journey to entrepreneurship + Building Oak Theory and Under the Oak + UX/UI explained through real-world examples + Impact of AI on creative industries + Healthy vs. harmful AI usage + Importance of intuition and analog practices + Benefits of business partnerships + Using AI for operations and proposals + Avoiding overdependence on tools + Seasonality of tech exploration in business Thank you, Hannah! Check out Oak Theory at OakTheory.co. Check out Under the Oak at UndertheOak.co. To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MillionaireUniversity.com/training⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sat down with the Happy Clients Podcast to talk about what's working in agency sales right now, without the cringe, without the outdated playbooks, and without turning you into a full-time cold caller.Most agencies can sell for their clients all day, but when it comes to their growth, things can get messy.I've spent the better part of a decade helping agencies stop relying on “hope and referrals” and start building sales systems that work.⏱ Timestamps00:00 – The “spare-time sales” trap00:29 – Why this matters for client-facing pros01:19 – My path into agency sales02:20 – The scaling pain you don't see coming04:41 – When referrals run dry06:10 – Inbound vs outbound today07:04 – The trust-first approach09:23 – Making referrals predictable11:48 – Why cold outreach is harder now14:13 – Accountability in sales16:32 – Quick wins with clarity and focus18:53 – Opportunities hiding in plain sight20:10 – Where to find me + my book✨ Key PointsWhy loading sales onto busy account managers fails.How to turn your network into a steady pipeline.The simple way to make introductions effortless.Why agencies should own sales instead of outsourcing it.How clarity on your ideal client changes everything.

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Are you stuck chasing new clients while ignoring the goldmine in your past customer list? Does your agency feast on projects but starve for predictable revenue? Today's featured guest knows what it's like to hit a growth ceiling and being tired of the one-and-done client hamster wheel. He shares how he pivoted his agency after becoming a HubSpot partner, why he turned to project-based work after customer habits changed following the pandemic, and how he got out of the dreaded “no man's land”. Eric Baum is the CEO and founder of Bluleadz, a HubSpot Onboarding and Implementation Agency dedicated to transforming the way companies market, sell, and service their customers through the power of the HubSpot platform. He'll discuss his cash flow challenges, pricing mistakes that almost tanked the business, and how EOS helped him escape “no man's land.” If you're stuck in the fulfillment hamster wheel or scaling past $5M feels like pushing a boulder uphill... listen up. In this episode, we'll discuss: Reinventing his agency as a HubSpot partner. The real scaling struggle: cash flow. Why project-based doesn't mean profitless. Strategic partnerships are the future. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources E2M Solutions: Today's episode of the Smart Agency Masterclass is sponsored by E2M Solutions, a web design, and development agency that has provided white-label services for the past 10 years to agencies all over the world. Check out e2msolutions.com/smartagency and get 10% off for the first three months of service. Accidental Founder, Intentional CEO Back in the Yellow Pages era, Eric was running two service-based franchises and needed a better way to market them. He brought marketing in-house for PPC, SEO, web dev, and that hire didn't just turn things around. It turned into a new business. Fast-forward a few months, and other franchise owners across the country started asking for help. Eric spun that in-house team into an agency, and had 50 clients out of the gate. As many owners before have admitted to, Eric started out charging way too low—$250 to $500/month. “I don't know how I didn't go broke right out of the gate,” he laughs. And if you've ever undercharged in the early days, you'll feel that one deep in your soul. Reinventing the Agency (and Himself) Around HubSpot The turning point came when Eric discovered HubSpot and pivoted Bluleadz to become a certified partner. That's when the “real” agency began, as he started to study the industry and figure out what he had to do to be profitable, take care of his team, and do it without necessarily doing all the sales work all the time. From there, Eric leaned into strategy, profitability, and systems. He stopped trying to be the everything guy and started building an agency that didn't need him in the trenches every day. Fifteen years later, his agency isn't just thriving. It's structured, profitable, and on track to hit 8 figures. Life in “No Man's Land” – The $1M to $5M Plateau After fifteen years in the industry and getting closer to the eight-figure mark, one of the things that most surprised Eric was getting stuck in the ugly middle: the zone between $1M and $5M where a lot of agency dreams go to die. Many call it “no man's land,” and if you've been there, you know the pain. “It was up, down, up, down,” he says. “I'd grow, then lose key employees. Revenue would spike, then tank. I kept asking, ‘What am I doing wrong?'” The answer: a lack of structure. So about nine years ago, Eric implemented EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System). That gave his agency the foundation it needed—vision, accountability, and a cadence to scale. It didn't fix everything overnight, but it got the business out of reaction mode and into growth mode. The Real Scaling Struggle: Cash Flow Even with all that success, Eric's biggest constraint today isn't clients or talent. It's cash. In the agency world, sometimes you can grow so fast that you can actually outpace your ability to fund it. As Eric explains, “Receivables stack up. You can't hire, build, or invest without the cash reserves in place to hit the down terms.” For instance, just this year his agency was down 20% compared to last year because of all the uncertainty for businesses. Sound familiar? So far, Eric's solution has been airtight payment terms. They moved away from waiting on client deliverables and toward milestone-based billing. They typically charge: 50% upfront 25% after month one 25% at month two or fixed date Not based on deliverables. Based on time. Why? Because waiting on clients kills momentum (and your margin). “We used to wait months to get that final 50%. Now we're often 100% paid before a project is even done.” Moral of the story? Set clear terms and stop letting clients hold your agency hostage. Project-Based Doesn't Mean Profitless If You Structure It Right Five years ago, 85% of Bluleadz's revenue came from retainers. Then COVID hit. Buying behavior shifted fast. Clients wanted results without long-term commitments. So Eric pivoted hard into project work—today, 80–85% of their revenue comes from one-off HubSpot onboarding and implementation projects. That means 50–75 new customers per month, each on 30 to 90-day timelines. The lesson: project-based doesn't have to mean chaos - if you systemize delivery and payment. However, Eric does admit he and his team had been failing to recapture clients for a second or third project. “We were just focused on getting new clients through the door.” Instead of nurturing clients post-delivery, they handed off the project and moved on. Meanwhile, past clients drifted—only to come back a year or two later in total chaos saying, “We lost our HubSpot guy. Can you help?” The opportunity cost was massive. They are currently working on recapturing these relationships. By reselling past clients, his agency could double or triple revenue in a year. The Triple-Team Model: Sales, CSM, Implementation In their efforts to start creating more lifetime value for customers, Eric's agency introduced Customer Success Managers (CSMs)—not just to check in, but to hunt for value. CSMs dig into each client's needs post-project, surface upsell or cross-sell opportunities, and feed them back to the sales team. Now they're farming the base, increasing LTV, and stacking wins without chasing cold leads. This third new role adds a new layer to his team's structure, which he now breaks down as: Salespeople close net-new deals and join key milestone calls.           Implementation Specialists own delivery and are the client's main point of contact. CSMs sit above delivery, watching for success gaps, retention issues, and upsell opportunities. “Salespeople are hunters, not farmers. Trying to make them farm didn't work. So we changed the model.” This layered structure gives clients clarity, keeps teams focused, and ensures no growth opportunity slips through the cracks. Strategic Partnerships Are the Future Another key reason Bluleadz is scaling so quickly is partnerships. They're one of HubSpot's top onboarding partners, and at one point this partnership drove most of his agency's net new leads. More recently, however, as they start to expand their efforts to engage past clients, only 40% of their leads come from HubSpot, while 30% comes from existing customers, and another 30% from their inbound marketing efforts, other strategic partners, and referrals. This makes for a more balanced pipeline: “Inbound, outbound, and strategic partnerships”. Those are the three pillars in the Playbook. You've got ‘em dialed in. As for Eric, he's all in on strategic partnerships, which he considers to be the way of the future. The One Thing Eric Would Do Differently If he could go back and give his younger self advice on agency ownership, Eric would say “Let go faster.” He held on too long to sales, finance, client services… all of it. And every time he finally let go, the agency grew again. Today, Eric has zero departmental responsibilities. His job is vision, strategy, and leadership—and it's paying off. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

In this powerful episode, former pro golfer and podcast executive Matt Cook takes us inside The 5 A.M. Comeback—his personal journey to return to competitive golf while undergoing a full-body transformation: physically, mentally, and spiritually. But this is about more than the game. It's about redefining what's possible, even when life is full, careers are demanding, and doubts try to take hold.Matt shares how podcasting has become a tool for amplifying purpose, deepening self-awareness, and building discipline. His story is a call to anyone wondering if their best days are behind them—because they're not. From the greens to the mic, Matt is leading by example.

Today's guest is someone who helps changemakers not just find their voice, but amplify it with impact. Samantha Kris is an award-winning speaker, a best-selling author and an executive coach who guides people through meaningful transformation using storytelling, goal setting and the power of what she calls liminal space—that in-between period when you've left what was but haven't yet arrived at what's next. Whether you're navigating personal reinvention, preparing for a big moment, or looking to elevate your message, Samantha's insights will transform how you approach storytelling, goal setting, and periods of transition. Welcome to the Agency for Change podcast.Connect with Samantha and Stride Solutions at: ·       https://www.samanthakris.com/·       https://www.gowithstride.com/

Points of Interest0:00 – 0:17 – Opening: Marcel reflects on building production-level software using low-code tools without prior coding experience, setting the stage for a discussion on rapid change in the agency landscape.1:01 – 3:40 – Conference Context & Audience: Marcel shares his experience at Web Summer Camp in Opatija, Croatia, hosted by Netgen, describing its highly technical European attendee base and collaborative environment.5:03 – 7:18 – European Agency Realities: The conversation explores regulated salaries, generous benefits, and extended vacation policies in markets like North Macedonia, and how these shape agency cost structures compared to North America.7:18 – 11:16 – Local vs. Export Markets: Many Eastern European agencies balance serving lower-rate local clients with the opportunity and challenges of selling into higher-priced North American and UK markets.11:16 – 14:22 – Trust and Positioning Across Borders: Marcel emphasizes that weak positioning, not geography, is often the real barrier to winning high-value international work and urges agencies to invest in thought leadership.16:19 – 18:20 – AI as a Global Equalizer: They discuss how AI is redefining “geo-arbitrage” by giving agencies worldwide access to powerful, low-cost capabilities, eroding traditional labor-cost advantages.19:09 – 21:05 – Universal Agency Benchmarks: Marcel notes that delivery margin targets above 50% and overhead at 20–30% apply globally, though currency differences can magnify software cost burdens in some regions.22:24 – 25:26 – Retaining Talent in a Global Market: Agencies face competition from multinational firms and startups for top talent, leading many to adopt flexible, growth-oriented cultures to keep their teams engaged.26:29 – 28:19 – Collaboration as Competitive Advantage: The cooperative nature of the agency community, in both Europe and North America, is positioned as key to navigating future M&A activity and industry shifts.29:17 – 31:35 – The Power of Networking: Marcel highlights the role of trusted peer relationships in unlocking referrals, partnerships, and acquisition opportunities during both strong and challenging economic cycles.32:05 – 36:18 – Positioning for the North American Market: Competing solely on technical capability is becoming harder; agencies must lean into operational excellence or deep specialization to sustain premium pricing.37:00 – 40:19 – Final Take on Adaptability: Marcel closes by underscoring the importance of solving specific, high-value problems better than anyone else, with specialization and clarity as enduring competitive levers.Show NotesConnect with Carson via LinkedInFree Agency ToolkitParakeeto Foundations CourseFree access to our Model PlatformLove the PodcastLeave us a review here.

Episode E71 – DistancingIn this episode, we dive into one of creativity and leadership's most overlooked superpowers: the ability to distance ourselves from our own immediate experience. We explore why our best work rarely happens by accident—it's a result of disciplined, intentional decisions made from a broader perspective.We sit down with former nuclear submarine commander and bestselling author L. David Marquet, whose latest book, Distancing, unpacks the science and practice of decision-making from outside the narrow lens of our “immersed self.” Together, we examine why it's so difficult to see beyond our own biases, emotional investments, and routines, and what it looks like to make choices for the legacy we actually want.Through practical stories—from creative team roadblocks to how Jeff Bezos made his leap away from Wall Street—we learn tactical ways to step outside ourselves and consider decisions from our future self's vantage point. Marquet explains how to escape the trap of defending past choices and why adopting the perspective of someone else, somewhere else, or sometime else can unlock breakthrough clarity—especially under pressure.Five key learnings from the episode:Your Default Perspective Is Limiting: Our natural state is to experience life “locked behind our own eyeballs,” which distorts decision-making and binds us to short-term thinking.Distancing Is a Learnable Skill: By shifting perspective—adopting the point of view of our future self, a replacement, or a distant observer—we can challenge the baggage of our past choices and see new possibilities.Regret as a Catalyst: Imagining what your 80-year-old self will wish you had done can help you minimize regret and act courageously in the present, rather than succumbing to inertia or short-term relief.Warning Signs You're Too Immersed: Moments of feedback, unexpected events, or high pressure can signal you're making decisions from a defensive and self-centered state—when you're most likely to prioritize safety over boldness.Simple Tactics Drive Distancing: Whether it's journaling as your future self, asking what advice you'd give a friend, or physically changing your environment, even small shifts can provide the clarity to lead with intention rather than urgency.Get full interviews and bonus content for free! Just join the list at DailyCreativePlus.com.Mentioned in this episode:To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.The Brave Habit is available nowMy new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

Scott welcomes Belal El-Harazin, founder of Automato AI, to discuss how AI is transforming Amazon content creation, keyword strategy, and catalog management.

 Belal shares Automato AI's mission to help sellers scale with automated content refreshes, brand voice integration, and powerful keyword discovery. Also highlighting fun.com's AI-generated listings outperforming human copy.

 The conversation covers the shift from manual listing updates to autonomous optimization, Amazon's evolving search from keyword-driven to intent-based, and best practices for updating listings without losing relevance.

 Belal also explains how Automato AI serves as an “operating system” for large catalogs, complete with analytics, segmentation, and price monitoring. Episode Notes: 00:38 -  Belal El-Harazin Introduction 01:55 - Automato AI's mission 03:06 - The Evolution of Amazon Content Creation 04:59 - Founding Story and Company Background 06:26 - Agency vs SaaS 08:50 - Analysis of Amazon Search Today 10:53 - The Power of Brand Voice in Amazon Content 12:24 - Intent vs Keyword Search 13:58 - Best Practices for Updating Amazon Listings 16:50 - Keyword Rotation and Relevance 19:17 - Discovering the Right Keywords 21:57 - Catalog Management for Scale 24:50 - Adoption and Getting Started with Automato AI Related Post: The Ultimate Amazon Repricing Strategies: AI-Powered Price Optimization How to Reach Belal: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/belharazin Website: maverickdigital.com | automatoai.com Scott's Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

When I started my entrepreneurial journey, I failed over and over again. I was stuck in a cycle of landing a client, scrambling for the next one, and never breaking the $10,000/month mark. My agency was a job disguised as a business, and I was working 60–70 hours a week with almost nothing to show [...] The post I Removed My Limiting Beliefs — Now My Agency Makes $500K/Month appeared first on Seven Figure Agency.

Ever wondered what really goes into running a high-performing host agency? Keith Walden, founder of Departure Lounge, shares how he built a values-driven agency that empowers over 320 advisors across 13 countries and why mentorship, collaboration, and kindness are non-negotiables. With nearly four decades of experience, Keith reveals the secrets behind Departure Lounge's explosive growth, what he looks for in advisors and partners, and how he's blending innovation with human connection to build a business on track to exceed $500 million in annual sales. About Keith Waldon: A native Texan, Keith Waldon began his career in luxury travel while still in college in Dallas as an intern for Rosewood Hotels, where he continued his career as a marketing manager after graduating from Southern Methodist University. Keith later spent 16 years as a senior executive for the international luxury travel network Virtuoso, where creating the Virtuoso brand and elevating the awareness of travel advisors were among his accomplishments. With 27 years in the luxury travel industry, Keith launched Departure Lounge in 2013, first as a specialty retail storefront travel agency. Since then, the agency has organically grown into an international luxury host travel agency with more than 320 travel advisors reaching more than $340 million in annual sales in 2024. Keith was voted Most Innovative Travel Advisor by the Virtuoso network in 2019. He is honored to be featured on Travel+Leisure Magazine's A-List of travel experts as a family and Italy travel specialist, and he serves on the magazine's Advisory Board. He also serves on advisory boards for Marriott luxury brands, Hilton luxury brands, IHG luxury brands, Corinthia Hotels, Lindblad Expeditions, Truevail and the British Virgin Islands. Keith now calls northwest Tuscany home, where he is renovating an old estate built between 1550 and 1700. kwaldon@departurelounge.com DepartureLounge.com Download the Launch Checklist: http://www.tiquehq.com/launch?utm_source=Podcast+Episode+40&utm_medium=Podcast+Shownotes&utm_campaign=Launch+Checklist Today we will cover: (02:00) Keith's journey from college internship to luxury travel leader (04:30) The birth of Departure Lounge and the innovative model behind its success (14:20) Keith's approach to mentorship, community building, and advisor empowerment (22:30) How to grow a host agency without losing the human touch (30:15) How transparency and trust drive long-term success (36:20) How Departure Lounge structures earnings and supports advisor success (44:35) Why education and mentorship are the core business strategies (51:45) Keith's board involvement; advocating for advisors on a global level JOIN THE NICHE COMMUNITY VISIT THE TEMPLATE SHOP EXPLORE THE PROGRAMS FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @TiqueHQ Thanks to Our Tique Talks Sponsors: Check out Moxie & Fourth: Email marketing for travel advisors

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we answer a listener's question about the watches new collectors should consider when entering the hobby. It's a question that has been asked many times, but, frankly, it's been a while since we've tackled it. For our listeners, the watch talk begins after 23 minutes.Years ago, when we were new collectors, the Seiko SKX007 was the natural response when someone asked about the best first watch. It was affordable, tough, and had enough chops to be taken somewhat seriously. However, that watch is long gone, which leaves an opportunity for a new answer. Well, as it turns out, there are plenty of answers.HandgelenkskontrolleBefore providing thoughts for new collectors, we discuss some recent TV shows. The White Lotus, MobLand, Gangs of London, and The Agency are some of the series we've been watching. Balazs is wearing his newest acquisition, the Ming 22.01 GMT Kyoto. Mike has dusted off a vintage Seiko 6215-7000 diver. Both pieces are working well in the summer heat!Watches for new collectorsA great deal has changed in the watch hobby over the past decade. Microbrands were still relatively new, and the selection was limited. Now, there are scores of brands offering fantastic pieces at affordable prices. Names like Baltic, Lorier, Christopher Ward, and others have great watches with respectable movements. Plus, some of these companies have existed for long enough that they've become globally recognizable. The traditional brands are also offering some fantastic options. The Seiko 5 GMT, the Swatch Group with its bevy of brands, and even Timex have created some fantastic timepieces for new collectors. When it comes to used watches at the top end of our fictional €2,500 price cap, it's hard to overlook the Tudor Black Bay 58.We hope you enjoy today's episode. Feel free to let us know about the first watch you bought when you began collecting. As always, if you have ideas for new shows, please contact us.

On today's Q&A episode, let's talk about money. Exactly how much should you save before you can start your agency? We do our best to answer this question, and it got us wondering: What in the world are we spending all of our money on these days in our own businesses? So, as a bonus, we break down our finances a bit more to round out the episode.  It all starts right now on this episode of Freelance to Founder. Here we go. This Q&A episode was originally aired on March 5, 2024. To submit your question, visit ⁠FreelanceToFounder.com/ASK⁠, and we'll feature you on an upcoming episode. Listen to our full-length coaching calls: ⁠http://freelancetofounder.com⁠ Support our Sponsors Our generous sponsors make this show 100% free to you. Support them at the link below. ⁠https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we feature a conversation with conversation with Lydia Owiti -Otienoh, a Kenyan-Born lawyer, project management and international development consultant, and the Founder & CEO of the Foreign‐Born Military Spouse Network (FMSN).  Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today's GuestLydiah Owiti is a Kenyan‐born lawyer, project management and international development consultant, and the Founder & CEO of the Foreign‐Born Military Spouse Network (FMSN).Confronting the hurdles of new cultures, unrecognized credentials, and limited job opportunities as a foreign‐born military spouse, Lydiah carried out a research to understand better and learn how best to support, she launched a peer support group, now having over 6,000 foreign-born military spouses, and the Foreign‐Born Military Spouse Playbook, a comprehensive guide to navigating military life, American culture, career readiness, immigration, among other things.Drawing on her personal experience, policy expertise and immigrant‐focused work, she now leads FMSN in outreach, advocacy, and empowerment, including shaping inclusive employment solutions and resource pathways for foreign‐born spouses.She is now part of President George W. Bush's Stand to Veteran Leadership Program (2025 cohort). The program is aimed at leaders from across the nation, including civilians, veterans, military spouses, and active military, who are addressing the most challenging issues facing the military-connected community.Links Mentioned During the EpisodeForeign Born Military Spouse Network Web siteForeign Born Military Spouse Network on FacebookPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course Interviewing and Telling Your Story for Military Spouses. Taking the time to recollect your own story will help you to figure out the best way to position yourself with a potential employer and be able to edit it down to your ‘elevator pitch.'You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Interviewing-and-Telling-Your-Story-for-Military-Spouses Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Ethan Hochberg and his partner have built three AI-powered X personas that rack up 200 million views annually—all while running a lean creative agency for AI and tech brands. These aren't just vanity accounts; they're distribution engines that feed into their core business.In this episode, Ethan walks us through:- How they blend AI content generation with a human touch to keep posts authentic and engaging.- The Grok Deep Search workflow they use to find and validate influencers in minutes (a task that used to take days).- A multi-step outreach strategy that personalizes every message for higher response rates.- How to brainstorm and produce short-form video content with V GPT for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts—without a production studio.- This is a masterclass in using AI tools not just to save time, but to elevate the quality of your marketing while running a “tiny team.”Timestamps02:45 – From AI Marketing Directory to running a creative agency04:48 – Tiny teams, big results with AI workflows06:25 – Demo 1: Grok Deep Search for influencer discovery08:15 – Why influencer marketing is more relevant than ever12:29 – Grok's validation process: avoiding fake engagement15:25 – Applying the workflow beyond influencers (newsletters, blogs, PR)17:51 – Using AI to think strategically, not just automate22:09 – The output: influencer tables in minutes24:01 – Demo 2: Personalized outreach angle generator28:01 – Applying this to PR and content partnerships32:00 – Demo 3: V GPT for short-form AI video creation37:40 – How much of your feed is already AI-generated?40:00 – Matching viral templates to your niche for higher watch time41:50 – Using AI video tools mainly for brainstorming content ideas42:56 – How to connect with EthanTools & Technologies MentionedGrok – AI chatbot from X with live access to the Twitter feed; ideal for influencer discovery and current-event research.Grok Deep Search – Paid Grok feature ($8/mo with X Premium) that crawls hundreds of live sources for validated results.ChatGPT + GPT Store – OpenAI's platform for custom GPTs, used here to integrate with video creation tools.V GPT – AI video generator with realistic avatars, captions, and voiceover.CapCut (mentioned) – Popular editing tool; V GPT is positioned as a more advanced alternative for avatar-driven content.Subscribe at⁠ thisnewway.com⁠ to get the step-by-step playbooks, tools, and workflows.Ethan's website: https://marketingguys.co/

Antoniette Roze, CEO of WPC Speakers Global and host of the SPEAKPact Podcast, transforms experts into sought-after speakers with her proven system for securing consistent, high-value engagements. What strategies can leaders use to enhance their influence in today's global marketplace? What are the biggest challenges when building a personal brand, and how can they overcome them? How can speakers craft messages that resonate with diverse, global audiences and drive engagement? How can consistency help secure high-value opportunities and foster long-term growth? How do you help clients? Antoniette Roze Antoniette Roze, CEO of WPC Speakers Global and host of the SPEAKPact Podcast, transforms experts into sought-after speakers with her proven system for securing consistent, high-value engagements. With 30+ years of industry experience, Antoniette and her Agency ensures that her speakers exponentially increase their impact, income, and influence with her innovative 3.0 Agency model that moves speakers from the bench to the stage. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching that helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching a company that specializes in leadership development.

AP correspondent Marcela Sanchez reports on President Trump nominating a conservative economist to handle the nation's labor statistics. (PRONOUNCED ahn-TOH'-nee)

What if one bill could change how you do business overnight? Shane and Tonya discuss the Insurance Regulatory Reform Act, federal legislation that has very real consequences for independent agents. From the threat of dual regulation to the risk of losing speed and flexibility, this episode dives into why the fight to keep insurance oversight at the state level (and out of Washington) matters now more than ever. They explore the politics, the ripple effects, and break it all down in a way that makes sense (and maybe even makes you want to pick up the phone and call your senator). IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Your marketing agency is bleeding you dry... and you know it.While you're paying thousands for campaigns you can't understand, former executives turned coaches like you are getting left behind by marketers with half your expertise.Sara Nay, CEO of Duct Tape Marketing, reveals why the traditional agency model is broken... and what smart business owners are doing instead.In this episode, you'll discover:• The "Anti-Agency Model" that puts YOU back in control of your marketing• Why AI changes everything about building your marketing team (it's not what you think)• The 3-phase strategy framework that stops the guessing game with your marketing budget• How fractional CMOs are giving small businesses access to C-level marketing strategy at a fraction of the cost• The exact questions to ask any marketing partner to avoid getting burned againThis isn't about doing more marketing – it's about doing marketing strategically so it actually works.Sara shares real transformation stories from executives who went from "marketing doesn't work" to scaling beyond 1:1 work with confidence.Ready to take back control? This episode shows you how.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.strategyactionshow.com/102

In the Summer of 2020, I made a huge decision…to sell my agency In Transit Studios and go full-time into web design online education.In this episode, I'm reflecting (5 years later) and sharing some lessons learned on the things I would do again and things I'd do differently.Head to the show notes to get all links and resources we mentioned, along with a full transcription of this episode at joshhall.co/391

This episode summarizing what I and Gary's Gulch podcast are about was inspired by my client and friend Glenn. Inspired by Chat GPT's feedback on what Agency and Gary's Gulch are all about, I discuss in detail what agency is and how to stop denying yourself today to save out of fear of retirement. I'm certain God thinks you can do both, and it is my life's mission to be the guide that helps you achieve a life of prosperity both today and in retirement.   Highlights Strategy for minimizing taxes. Balance between present living and future savings. Animal instincts and financial strategy. Learning and living guided by Gandhi's wisdom. Importance of financial control and agency. How agency impacts financial opportunities. Building financial agency through whole life insurance. Concepts of wealth tiers for financial stability. Tax strategies beneficial to the private economy. Advantages of revocable and irrevocable trusts. Caution against financial strategies that limit present living. The importance of financial knowledge and agency.   Links and Resources from this Episode Connect with Gary Pinkerton https://www.paradigmlife.net/  gpinkerton@paradigmlife.net https://garypinkerton.com/  https://clientportal.paradigmlife.net/WealthView360    Review, Subscribe and Share If you like what you hear please leave a review by clicking here   Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so you get the latest episodes. Subscribe with Apple Podcasts Follow on Audible Subscribe with Listen Notes Subscribe with RSS  

Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani wants to create a new city agency to handle mental health and violence prevention work currently overseen by the NYPD funded with more than a billion dollars in re-allocated and new money. Meanwhile, environmental justice groups are rallying Monday against Governor Hochul's plan to build a temporary replacement for the Cross Bronx Expressway. Plus, after a series of recent earthquakes in the tri-state area, we turn to fault analyst Alexander Gates to help us understand what's really going on and whether we should be concerned.

The EPA is terminating contracts with its union. Also, a plan to shift some NYPD responsibilities to a new agency is drawing both praise and skepticism. Plus, New York state is marking Harlem Week with new laws honoring the neighborhood's legacy. And finally, former Gov. and mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo is going viral for a series of social media posts attacking his rival Zohran Mamdani over housing policy.

In this conversation, Professor Nick Chater discusses the concept of a 'flat mind' and how it relates to our understanding of decision-making, storytelling, language, and the nature of human thought.Chapters00:00 The Concept of a Flat Mind02:55 Improvisation in a Complex World05:23 The Shift from Depth to Flatness08:17 The Nature of Human Decision Making11:11 The Role of Storytelling in Identity13:58 Navigating the Complexity of Life16:29 Reinterpreting Negative Patterns19:22 The Balance of Agency and Randomness22:19 Cynicism vs. Optimism in Human Nature25:10 Free Will and Practical Decision Making27:28 Exploring the Nature of Free Will29:50 Chomsky, Language and Its Complexities36:23 Challenging Chomsky: A New Perspective on Language37:09 AI and the Quest for Artificial General Intelligence45:01 The Intersection of AI and Human CreativityGrab your copy of The Time is Now and start your journey toward living a more intentional and fulfilling life -⁠⁠ https://a.co/d/aDYCQ9oJoin this channel to get access to exclusive perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl67XqJVdVtBqiCWahS776g/join// Connect With Me //ORDER MY BOOK, THE TIME IS NOW: A GUIDE TO HONOR YOUR TIME ON EARTH: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.timeisnowbook.comWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠https://throughconversations.com⁠⁠Substack - https://throughconversations.substack.comYouTube community -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl67XqJVdVtBqiCWahS776g/join// Social //X: ⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/ThruConvPodcast⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thruconvpodcast/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠https:⁠//www.youtube.com/channel/UCl67XqJVdVtBqiCWahS776g

AI is now at the leading edge of value creation, where creativity, innovation and new business thinking will exercise great leverage. Entrepreneurs - and especially young entrepreneurs unburdened with the baggage of old business models - will lead the value creation revolution. Dr. Raushan Gross is a professor, author, and expert in AI, in business systems, and in entrepreneurship, all of which he is teaching to students in preparing them to enter a rapidly evolving marketplace. With Hunter Hastings, he explores how AI can empower these young entrepreneurs, and why agency—not technology—is the driver of progress, especially for new startups and small businesses who embrace technology and automation without losing their human advantage.Dr. Gross shares how entrepreneurial thinking must evolve in a world of predictive algorithms, and how leaders can build businesses that remain adaptive, authentic, and focused on value creation.Key insights include:Why entrepreneurs must focus on agency over automation—and how to stay proactive in a reactive world.How small businesses can leverage AI as a strategic collaborator, not just a productivity tool.Why the new economic advantage isn't size, but speed, flexibility, and intentionality.If you want to lead with clarity in an AI-enabled world, this episode offers the mindset shift and tools to help you do it.Resources:Raushan Gross AI Articles Archive➡️ Learn What They Didn't Teach You In Business School: The Value Creators Online Business CourseConnect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedInSubscribe to The Value Creators on Substack

Ever wondered if calling an agent is a smart move - or a fast track to getting blacklisted?Many actors struggle to get noticed after submitting materials. And when there's no response, the big question becomes: Should you pick up the phone?In this episode, you'll discover:A little-known reason why calls sometimes work better than emailsThe only situation when calling an acting agent actually makes senseExactly what to say so you come off as professional - not pushyLearn how to follow up without sounding desperate. Play this episode now and get one step closer to landing the acting agent you've been hoping for.Contact Info and ResourcesMartin's Email: martin@cityheadshots.comMartin's Website: https://www.martinbentsen.comHeadshots: https://www.cityheadshots.comShoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.comEdit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.comThis podcast dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Business owners and residents will go to court this week over an explosion that happened in Capitola Village in December. Plus, the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency celebrates the completion of the College Lake Integrated Resources Management Project, which will supply water to coastal farms from La Selva Beach to Moss Landing.

In this thought-provoking message, Ps. Jared teaches on Kingdom agency and the example set by Christ in the book of Luke. We will learn how the average Christian can break free from average and step into the fullness of God's calling on our lives through taking agency in everyday situations and circumstances.

Welcome to episode #996 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Christie Smith is a former senior executive at Apple, Deloitte and Accenture with over three decades of leadership experience across industries including life sciences, consumer goods and finance. She holds a doctorate in Social Work and Organizational Psychology and now leads The Humanity Studio, a leadership advisory firm focused on redefining the future of work. In her new book, Essential - How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Global Shifts Are Creating a New Human-Powered Leadership (along with her co-author Kelly Monahan), Christie outlines a bold new framework for leaders navigating a post-pandemic, AI-driven, decentralized world. This episode explores the urgent need for management transformation - from command-and-control to people-centered leadership - and how today's leaders must adapt to rising expectations around purpose, trust and equity. Topics include the power shift from corporations to individuals, the cultural cost of distributed work, and why organizations must stop measuring productivity and start cultivating human energy. The discussion also unpacks the psychological strain of "always-on" work cultures, the promise and peril of generative AI, and how leaders can build communities, not just companies. At its core, this conversation is about what comes after burnout… what it means to lead with humanity, design systems that elevate people, and use power responsibly in a time of profound disruption. For anyone rethinking what it means to lead, build and belong in the modern workplace, this episode offers a timely and hopeful reframing of what's possible. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 56:23. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation. Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook. Check out ThinkersOne. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on X. Here is my conversation with Christie Smith. Essential - How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Global Shifts Are Creating a New Human-Powered Leadership. The Humanity Studio. Follow Christie on Instagram. Follow Christie on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - The Evolving Role of Leadership. (03:06) - Emotional Maturity in Leadership. (05:51) - The Impact of the Pandemic on Leadership. (08:55) - Employee Expectations and Organizational Change. (11:54) - The Shift Towards Purpose-Driven Leadership. (15:05) - Navigating Challenges in Large Organizations. (18:11) - The Rise of Entrepreneurship and New Work Models. (21:03) - Community and Connection in the Digital Age. (33:24) - The Human Element in AI and Workplaces. (39:10) - Agency and Connection in Leadership. (45:51) - Legacy and Leadership in a Changing World. (52:10) - Building a New Organization: Culture and Purpose. (58:28) - Curiosity and Hope in the Face of Challenges.

Send us a textIn this thought-provoking conversation, Ruth Lorensson and Thomas Pals welcome back Scott Turner, author of Purpose and Desire, to explore the fascinating intersections of niche construction theory, homeostasis, and human wellness. Together, they unpack how living systems—down to the cellular level—act with agency, intentionally shaping and being shaped by their environments.From Walter Cannon's classic definition of homeostasis to Aristotle's ideas on purposefulness, the discussion bridges evolutionary biology, biophysics, and wellness science. Scott Turner explains why adaptation is more than mechanistic feedback loops—it's about purposeful striving at every level, from microbiomes to ecosystems. The trio dives deep into the “many little lives” metaphor, revealing how cellular conversations influence our overall health, vitality, and resilience—and how disruption in those conversations can lead to illness, cancer, and even addiction.Key topics include:The agency of living systems and its role in adaptation and wellnessHow niche construction theory challenges modern DarwinismWhy homeostasis is misunderstood and how it truly operatesThe parallels between ecosystem health and human healthThe role of interoception in restoring balance and fostering well-beingWhether you're a wellness professional, leader, or simply curious about the science of thriving, this episode offers a fresh lens on what it means to be well—and how to consciously participate in the adaptive conversations that sustain life.Support the showThanks for listening!You can follow us onFacebook Instagram Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Check out the Autonomic Healing Website & InnerWorkings WebsiteEmail Tom thomasjpals@innerworkings.orgEmail Ruth ruth@bridgeandrhino.comSupport usWe appreciate you!

Feeling trapped in agency work because of the benefits?   In today's Ask Allison, I'm breaking down what it really looks like to leave an agency job for private practice when health insurance, PTO, and retirement plans feel like the golden handcuffs.   We'll look at the actual numbers—using conservative national averages—so you can see how your take-home pay, time off, and quality of life can change when you're in control. I'll also cover how to replace your benefits, what an S Corp can save you in taxes, and why “free” perks at your agency might be costing you more than you think.   By the end, you'll have a clear picture of what's possible—and the steps you can take right now to get there.   Sponsored by TherapyNotes®: Use promo code Abundant for 2 months free    Grab our free tools to grow your practice—weekly worksheets, the Tasky Checklist, and more: www.abundancepracticebuilding.com/links   Ready to fill your practice faster? Join the Abundance Party today and get 75% off your first month with promo code ASK: www.abundancepracticebuilding.com/abundanceparty  Have a question for me about practice building? Submit it via our Ask Allison form, and I'll add it to the queue: https://www.abundancepracticebuilding.com/ask_allison ▶️ Prefer video? This episode is also available to stream on our YouTube channel!

I've known Jason Benedict for over a decade.He's a smart entrepreneur and marketing agency owner who understands the transformative impact of AI on sales and business operations. We get into the evolution of AI tools, the benefits of automation, and how you can implement AI solutions to streamline processes and make mo' money. We touch on the costs associated with setting up AI systems, the importance of multi-channel communication—multi-media, multi-step—and I get him to give a live demonstration of an AI agent in action. Connect With Jason to See This In Action:Text: Agency to 947.777.7332 or call or visit:Automation.AgencyTakeawaysAI is revolutionizing the sales process.Automation can save businesses significant time and money.Voice AI can operate 24/7, enhancing customer service.Understanding your data is crucial for effective AI implementation.AI can outperform traditional sales methods by a large margin.Small businesses can benefit greatly from AI solutions.The setup of AI agents can be quick and efficient.AI can capture customer information in real-time.Multi-channel communication is essential for modern marketing.Businesses should start with simple tasks to integrate AI.Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI in Sales02:41 The Evolution of AI and Its Impact05:26 Utilizing AI for Outbound Strategies08:07 Legal Considerations in AI Communication10:50 Cost-Effectiveness of AI Solutions13:38 Building and Training AI Agents16:14 Subscription Models and Maintenance of AI18:58 Scalability and Suitability of AI for Businesses23:28 Managing AI Updates and Knowledge Bases25:44 The Role of AI in Business Automation29:01 Multi-Channel AI Communication Strategies31:45 Live Demo with AI Agent Ava35:58 Implementing AI for Business GrowthNeed help with sales, marketing, systems, keeping humanity in all of the above?Text or call me: (7 ONE 4) 369-8004 or schedule some time here.Unlock the secrets of sales success by understanding what makes people do the things they do—access your free training: https://wesschaeffer.com/dailyBecome unstoppable in 12 weeks for free, with the 12 Weeks To Peak™ habit tracker: https://wesschaeffer.com/12wConnect with me:X -- https://X.com/saleswhispererInstagram -- https://instagram.com/saleswhispererLinkedIn -- http://www.linkedin.com/in/thesaleswhisperer/#12WeeksToPeak #SalesTraining #GoalSetting #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset

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Ralph and Lauren sit down with Corey Quinn, Agency Growth Advisor and former CMO of Scorpion, to uncover the exact strategies that took a stalled $10–$20M agency and propelled it to over $100M in revenue. Corey reveals his “Dream 100” inspired outreach strategy, why DS (Dream Segment) and GBO (Greatest Business Outcome) are essential to focus, and how to build a repeatable system for landing high-value clients. If you run an agency, consultancy, or service business, this conversation will challenge the way you think about lead generation, positioning, and scaling — and give you the tactical blueprint to make your growth goals inevitable.Chapters:00:00:00 - Cliff jumps, private jets, and setting the stage for big growth00:01:51 - Meet Corey Quinn: the agency growth strategist Ralph swears by00:04:31 - From CMO to 10X revenue: the Scorpion success story00:07:05 - The real challenges (and winning moves) behind a $100M leap00:12:42 - Why deep specialization is your ultimate growth accelerator00:18:09 - Building a culture that fuels operational excellence00:20:50 - How the Deep Specialization Flywheel keeps momentum spinning00:22:42 - Turning gifts into client magnets with outbound marketing00:23:35 - From surprise packages to strategic outreach00:23:58 - The secret psychology behind sending gifts that convert00:26:28 - Reinventing outreach in a remote-first world00:27:20 - Scaling your gift game without losing the personal touch00:30:33 - Crafting irresistible, personalized gifts for dream clients00:34:54 - Why relentless follow-up wins the biggest deals00:40:07 - Wrapping up with a special offer you can't ignoreLINKS AND RESOURCES:WebsiteAnyone, Not EveryoneGet Your Marketing Performance IndicatorsTM Checklist Now!Get Your nCAC Calculator Now!Make Data Driven Marketing Decisions with ConfidenceTier 11 JobsPerpetual Traffic on YouTubeTiereleven.comMongoose MediaPerpetual Traffic SurveyPerpetual Traffic WebsiteFollow Perpetual Traffic on TwitterConnect with Lauren on Instagram and Connect with Ralph on LinkedInThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Perpetual Traffic? Have some feedback you'd like to share? Connect with us on

Dr. Marty Makary has criticized the Food and Drug Administration for being "captured" by Big Food and Big Pharma. Now, the surgeon and former professor is in charge. In an interview with host Jessica Mendoza, the new FDA head talks about food dyes, AI, vaccines and the big changes he has in store for an agency that regulates one-fifth of consumer spending. Further Listening:  Why Coke Isn't Getting Rid of High-Fructose Corn Syrup MAHA Influencers Go to Washington Sign up for WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices