Podcasts about competitive markets

Your first hires can build momentum—or create problems that slow your business down for years.  In this episode, you'll learn who your first three hires should be, the order to hire them in, and the costly hiring mistakes most business owners make early on.   Next Steps: ·     

In this insightful interview, mortgage expert Sol Skolnick shares his journey from book publishing to becoming a mortgage professional, emphasizing the importance of education, communication, and strategic planning in real estate. Discover practical tips on mortgage processes, the value of pre-approvals, and how storytelling can empower your homeownership journey.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

Ted speaks with Greg Forest, Director of Luxury Sales at Serhant, about his journey from professional golf to building a successful real estate career in Palm Beach. He shares how the discipline, preparation, and competitive mindset developed in sports have shaped his approach to business, emphasizing consistency, teamwork, and a genuine love for the process as key drivers of long-term success. The conversation also explores what it takes to win in competitive markets, including creative deal-making, strategic negotiation, and staying focused while avoiding complacency. Greg offers insight into the Palm Beach luxury real estate boom and shares his perspective on where the market is headed, highlighting how agents can position themselves to succeed in a fast-moving, high-stakes environment. TOPICS DISCUSSED 01:10 The Journey from Golf to Real Estate 05:30 The Importance of Preparation and Teamwork 10:00 Creative Strategies in Competitive Markets 12:15 Lessons from Successful People 16:45 Avoiding Complacency and Staying Focused 20:00 Finding Motivation and Accountability 22:35 The Palm Beach Real Estate Boom 26:15 The Luxury Market Dynamics 31:30 Future of Real Estate in Palm Beach CONNECT WITH GUEST Greg Forest Website LinkedIn Instagram KEY QUOTES FROM EPISODE "Small wins every day build big success." "Serve your clients first, then earn." "Creativity can help you win tough deals."

Alex shares how he and his wife launched a beverage brand on the side while he continued working as a firefighter, and what it really took to figure out the product, branding, distribution, and legal side as they went. He also talks about pushing through uncertainty, making smart investments, and staying resilient when the business nearly got wiped out before it had a real chance to grow.

Roku now reaches 100 million households, but is far from owning the US market. New Hub data shows Roku and Amazon's growing role in SVOD aggregation and the messy world of over-the-air TV.

Bad job descriptions don't just look silly, they cost you great candidates. In this episode, we react to some of the most ridiculous, overstuffed postings out there and show you how to write clear, honest job descriptions that actually attract the right people.    Next Steps:

What if the real secret to business growth is not creativity but competition? I sat down with Chris Dreyer, founder of Rankings.io, who built one of the fastest-growing legal marketing companies by mastering SEO, niche focus, and relentless execution. Chris shares how his early work ethic shaped his path, why he chose the highly competitive personal injury space, and how treating business like a math-based game helped him scale. You will hear how content, reviews, and authority drive Google rankings, why most lawyers misunderstand marketing, and how narrowing your focus can actually expand your results. I believe you will find this useful as Chris shows how discipline, data, and consistency can turn any business into an unstoppable force. Highlights: 00:56 – How early work and family habits built a strong work ethic05:00 – Why taking the hardest job created resilience and grit12:12 – How serving people helped develop communication and confidence24:22 – Why choosing a competitive niche leads to greater success37:08 – What it takes to rank at the top of Google consistently51:16 – How doing free work early builds skill and long-term growth Bottom of Form About the Guest: Chris Dreyer is the CEO and Founder of Rankings.io, the category-defining SEO agency built exclusively to help elite law firms and personal injury lawyers dominate Google's organic search results. Under his leadership, Rankings.io has become synonymous with measurable results, helping attorneys secure life-changing cases through visibility at the exact moment potential clients are searching for help. The company has achieved what few in the legal marketing space ever have, earning a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies for eight consecutive years, proof of both sustained growth and relentless execution. Beyond Rankings, Chris is a builder of platforms and a voice of authority in legal marketing and entrepreneurship. He is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author of Niching Up: The Narrower the Market, the Bigger the Prize, where he details how focus creates outsized impact. He is also a seasoned real estate investor and the host of the Personal Injury Mastermind podcast, where he interviews top attorneys and business leaders shaping the future of law. His influence extends across respected councils and networks, including the Forbes Agency Council, Rolling Stone Culture Council, Business Journals Leadership Trust, Fast Company Executive Board, and Newsweek Expert Forum, cementing his reputation as both a practitioner and thought leader. Chris's path to entrepreneurship has been unconventional yet relentlessly instructive. Once a world-ranked collectible card game competitor, he carried that same strategic mindset into business. After earning a History Education degree, his first professional role was as a detention room supervisor, hardly glamorous, but it provided the unstructured time that sparked his obsession with digital marketing. He began experimenting with affiliate sites and, at his peak, managed more than 100 properties simultaneously. This side hustle soon eclipsed his day job, propelling him into full-time entrepreneurship. When affiliate marketing's golden age waned, Chris pivoted into legal SEO and quickly carved out a niche. Along the way, he also became a top-ranked online poker player, honing skills in risk management and probability that would serve him well in scaling his companies. Today, Chris runs Rankings.io with the same competitive fire he once brought to cards and poker, driven to outthink, outwork, and outlast the competition. His mission is simple: help the best personal injury law firms win more cases, build enduring legacies, and dominate their markets. Ways to connect with Chris**:** website: rankings.io https://x.com/chrisdreyerco https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdreyerco/ https://www.facebook.com/chrisdreyerco https://www.instagram.com/chrisdreyerco/ About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson  00:04 What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't what's in front of you, but rather what you believe Welcome to unstoppable mindset where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. I'm your host. Michael Hingson, speaker, author and advocate for inclusion and possibilities. This podcast explores how the beliefs we carry shape the way we live, lead and connect with others. Each week, I talk with people who challenge assumptions, face adversity head on and show what's possible when we choose curiosity over fear, together, we focus on mindset resilience and the small shifts that lead to meaningful change. Let's get started. Hi everyone, and welcome to another edition of unstoppable mindset. Today, our guest is Chris Dreyer. Chris, Chris has formed a company called rankings.ai. And I'm going to let him describe what all that is about. And he's done some pretty interesting things with it. It has been on inks top 5000 companies, growing companies for the past eight years. Eight years is a long time, which is pretty cool. So I'm sure he's got lots of adventures and lots of stories to talk about. So Chris, welcome to unstoppable mindset. We're glad you're Chris Dreyer  01:35 here. Yeah, thanks for having me, Michael. I'm excited to chat. Michael Hingson  01:39 Well, let's start with kind of the early Chris growing up and all that, and see where we go from there. It sounds Chris Dreyer  01:45 good to me. So yeah, Michael Hingson  01:46 let's go. Why don't you tell us a little bit about Yeah, school and all that stuff. Chris Dreyer  01:51 Okay, yeah, let me, let me, and then you just cut me off at any point, because I can be a long Michael Hingson  01:55 talker the so can I? I Chris Dreyer  01:56 know what you mean. I, I grew up in a very small city, elkville, Illinois, my high school had 100 people in it. I was a graduating class of 28 I grew up, I would say it's kind of weird. My mom and dad, if they heard me say poor, would not love me saying poor, but I we weren't. We were certainly at the bottom of middle class or the upper or poor. I had a lot of chores. I every single weekend, I cleaned a law office with my mom or did something at the farmers market. So and at the time, it wasn't work. It was just what we did as a family, right? I didn't even understand it. We had, we didn't have city water. We had to get a truck and bring in our water, and we had well water, right? And in my family, and that was, that was early on, right? My dad was a milk carrier. My mom was a cook and and ultimately, they did better over the years and made more money. But it started off, it was a lot, a lot of grit, perseverance, working hard. And I like to share that, because my parents work ethic is very strong, very dependable, very consistent. And that's kind of where I got my drive. But that's, that's kind of how I grew up, small, small town, you know, a lot of side hustles with the parents. And once I went to college, I got that, that shock of, oh, here's a whole bunch of go from 100 to, you know, 20,000 Yeah, it's a bit of a shock there. 03:35 Where'd you go to college? Chris Dreyer  03:36 Yeah, I went to SIU, Southern Illinois University. There in Carbondale, Illinois. I actually live in Carbondale today. And, you know, I went to college. I was always had that entrepreneurial bug, and, but I went to college, it was kind of to make mom and dad happy to get that degree and, but I just knew that I was going to own my own business. And I kind of had that conversation with them out of the gate, but so I was a terrible student. Partied a lot, you know, chase the women, so to speak, and but somehow, ended up with a degree, got a job at a high school as their JV basketball coach, and I started doing internet marketing on the side to make a little extra money because I had some downtime. And by the end of my second year teaching, I was making about four times the amount doing that that I was teaching. So that was kind of my sign, and to go pursue that full time, and that's what I did. That's when I left to do affiliate marketing and digital marketing full time was after Michael Hingson  04:41 that second year, of course. Now the real question is, you were chasing the women? Did any of them 04:44 chase you? Oh yeah, oh yeah. Just Michael Hingson  04:49 want to make sure it's reciprocal here. Yeah, that's that's pretty cool, though. And I was going to ask you, and you sort of answered it, about your workout. Ethic and so on. I find that if people do grow up in an environment where they're working and they appreciate what they do get and the amount of work that they do, and they develop a strong work ethic, or their parents have it, they generally do as well, although sometimes there's some rebellions, but still, ultimately, the right stuff shows through. Chris Dreyer  05:24 Can I tell just a brief story about that? My mom, when I turned 16, it was like, you're getting a job, son, right? And it was not, we had, we were fine without, but it was like, so she took me to this place. It was called Ken's antiques, and they used to do the semi truck deliveries of aluminum, and I used to go to auctions and unload furniture. And I asked her, I was like, Why did you take me there? Well, you know, why didn't you take me to the mall? Why didn't you know to go work at a the buckle or the gap or something, you know, why did you take me? There she goes. Well, I knew if you could, if you could succeed here, you'd be fine anywhere, because it was the hardest job that I could think of. And I was like, Oh, really, thanks, Mom. Like, send me to the to the hardest job that you could think of and see if I could thrive. And I did well there. But that just kind of goes to show you the mindset that my mom had racing me, which also kind of, you know, attached to me as well. Michael Hingson  06:26 Yeah, well, and I can appreciate course, now looking back on it, of course, but I can appreciate what she said, because if you can survive in one place, and you can if it's if it is a tough job and you approach it the right way, then you'll probably be good anywhere, and there you go. Chris Dreyer  06:47 Yep, yep, to her credit, it was a very tough job. It is as still to this day, the hardest job from a physically demanding perspective that I had, but, but yeah, and it was good. It built resilience, you know, kind of helped me get that that put that true grit on and yeah, so that's kind of my background. Michael Hingson  07:08 I never did really work at a job growing up, my brother did. He worked at a restaurant and so on and bus tables and did other things. But I remember, when he got his first job, he went and applied at a at a restaurant, and the owner or manager, I guess probably both said, so, you know, we'll, we'll consider you. Would you do us a favor? There's some weeds out in the in the front, would you go pull those? And he said, within about a half hour, he got the whole place completely cleaned up of weeds. And the boss came out and said, You did all of that. And my brother said, Yeah. And guy said, You're hired. You know, amazing, you know, because my brother didn't even realize, I think at first, that that was really a test, but it was, and of course, he passed, which was cool. That's a great story, but I never got really to do much work. I kind of was more the intellectual guy in the family, and finding jobs would have been a little bit more of a challenge for me. I did do some babysitting, but that was about all I could do. I've been blind my whole life, and a lot of the jobs that were available in Palmdale, where I grew up in Southern California, were not jobs I was going to realistically be able to do anyway, but I could babysit, and that worked out pretty well. Yeah, yeah. So I mainly studied, Chris Dreyer  08:41 love it. So So studied. Can I? Can I do the reverse interview? What's some of your your top motivational books, business books? Because I'm sure you've got some that just pop top of the dome. Well, sort of, kind Michael Hingson  08:55 of, I really have a slightly different idea about that, but I'll tell you, I've read a number of the main books in the whole motivational and and management world. One Minute Manager is a book I appreciate a great deal. And I also like Dale Carnegie books like How to Win Friends and Influence People. But for me, I point out, and even to this day point out that I've learned more about teamwork and trust and leadership from working with eight Guide Dogs for the last 61 years than I ever learned from all the management and leadership books and everything else that's out there, mainly because working with dogs, you have several things that are An issue, first of all, respecting them and the job that they do, knowing that you're really forming a team with a guide dog, where each member of the team has a job to do. So in my case, the dog, and the case of people who use guide dogs, the purpose of the dog is to make sure that we walk safely as. We're walking somewhere, but my job is to know where to go and how to get there, and then I have to learn how to communicate that to the dog, and also be the leader of the pack in the truest sense of the word, which also means that if the dog is upset, or there is any kind of an issue with the dog, I have to figure out what that is, and I have to read what is going on so that I understand that and can then figure out what is occurring and make sure that the dog stays happy so it's you. There's so much to learn about trust, and one of the main things I've learned over the years is while dogs do, I think love unconditionally, unless they're just so badly traumatized by somebody for some reason they don't trust unconditionally. But the difference between dogs and people is that dogs are open to trust a whole lot more than we are. We have just had so many things go on. We read we bought them in the newspapers, we see it on the news and so on. Nobody trusts anyone. The feeling is basically everyone has their own hidden agenda, and so you can't trust anyone. And so there's very little communications today. There's very little real interaction. And people, by definition, don't trust. Dogs are open to trust, and you can earn their trust, and likewise, they get to and can earn your trust, and it is a it is a combination and kind of thing. So what I really learn when I go to get a new guide dog every time is I'm learning how to form a team with this other dog who doesn't speak the same language I do, who doesn't think the way I do. But I have to figure out what this dog does, what this dog is all about, and I'm the one that has to become the leader of the of the team and make things work. So I think that working with a dog is a lot more of a practical experience kind of thing than just reading about whatever there is to read about in books and so on. So that's why I say that. I think I've learned a lot more by working with dogs than I ever got from all the management books in the world, any of the Tony Robbins books, or any Chris Dreyer  12:07 of those. I love, every bit of that I just I was on x the other day, and it was talking about the the new CEO for Starbucks, right? Because the former CEO was McKinsey trained, right, but didn't have any actual experience at the helm. And then they brought back the former CEO of Taco Bell over to Starbucks, and the stock immediately shot up because of the application aspect of it. He had, he had done the job and been in the grind. So it's kind of interesting, kind of corollary there. But yeah, thank you for sharing. I was really intrigued, and I had to jump in and and ask, Michael Hingson  12:45 Oh, fair question, and then this is a conversation, so nothing wrong with asking questions on either side. So it's perfectly fine to to be able to do that well, so what did you do right out of college? Chris Dreyer  12:59 Right out of college, the one thing I'll tell you that I still to this day, I call myself an introvert. I don't think that, you know, introvert, extrovert. I think we have the tendencies at all times to be either one, right? But I think for me, I was more shy, but I built a lot of friends because I played sports and I knew them in college, and then they met, they introduced me to their friends. Because you got to imagine, when I had a class of 28 kids, it's like super small community versus, you know, everybody I'm interacting through their connections and their extended connections. So through college, I'd say the main education thing I got was, I did get a job waiting tables for three years, and so I got a lot of client service training, dealing with people having a ton of conversations through that, through my through my job, and also through my personal relationships with my friends and and other, you know, Students at the University, but so I think that kind of helped, helped me succeed afterwards, but afterwards, really, when I student taught at Heron, they saw my work ethic. They saw a shoe up, that I showed up, that I listened and I took action. So they, they hired me immediately, and I did the same when I was a JV basketball coach. I never missed a practice. Was always on time. Really tried to develop the kids and bring the most out of them, treated the parents well, and so I think that's what I did well, and it kind of put me in the position to have time to learn internet marketing. So I think that's kind of how it all started, Michael Hingson  14:47 when I was getting my teaching credential at UC Irvine, and I also got my master's degree in physics from there. But I student taught at the local high school, at University High School, and I student. Taught two classes. One was a physics class, and it was kind of for they called it dumbbell physics, but you know, it was kids who were sort of interested in science, but really didn't know where they wanted to go. But the other class was algebra one, and I remember one day I was teaching, and one of the students asked a question, and I didn't know the answer to it, and I probably should have, but I didn't. But what I said was, I don't know the answer right off, tell you, what do you mind if I look at it tonight, get you the answer and bring it back tomorrow. And the kid who was an eighth grader, actually accelerated, so it was high school algebra one, but he was from the eighth grade. He said, Sure, so I went home and found the answer in the book, when I should have known that, but anyway, came back in the next day, and even before I could say anything, he said, Mr. Hingson, I went home and got the answer, and I said, Well, come up and write it on the board. And one of the things that I did with with all of my classes when, of course, we had blackboards and all that, back in those days, I would want a student to come up and be the board writer, because they write a lot better than I do. And so we, we had pretty good competitions of people who wanted to write on the board. They all thought it was kind of fun, and I did spread that wealth around, but Marty came up and I said, now you got to explain what you're writing. And he had actually found the answer, which was cool, but my master teacher was also the football coach, and when I first told Marty and the rest of the class, I don't know the answer, but I will get it after class was over, Mr. Redmond said you did something that's absolutely amazing and was absolutely the right thing to do, and most people wouldn't do it. And that was you admitted you didn't know the answer, but you would go get it rather than trying to blow smoke, because these kids can see through that in a second. And he said, So you did the right thing, and I've always felt that's the way to do it. If I don't know the answer, I'll go figure it out, but I will also tell you that I don't know the answer, and you can decide whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, but I think it's a good thing, to be honest, Chris Dreyer  17:22 I couldn't agree more. Michael Hingson  17:25 And so it was fun. And and what the the other part of the story, and I think I've told it a couple times on the podcast, is 10 years later, I was at the Orange County Fairgrounds, and this kid comes up to me, Well, he was, he didn't sound like a kid anymore. And he said, Mr. Hingson, do you know who this is? Deep voice. And I went, No, not right off. And he said, I'm Marty. I'm the guy that was in your algebra class 10 years ago. Nice to be remembered, but, but he he also just remembered what happened. And I think he even said it was so cool that I was honest with him about it, which was, you know, a life lesson anybody should learn. Chris Dreyer  18:09 That's incredible. That's incredible. So Michael Hingson  18:10 it was a lot of fun. Well, so you student taught and so on, but eventually you ended up deciding to go into the entrepreneur world. But you also were a card collector, right? A game collector, yeah. Chris Dreyer  18:25 And in high school, I played this collectible card game. I played a combination of two. I mean, most people are familiar with Magic, The Gathering, but I also played this other game called Legend of five rings. And both, you know, the collectible card games, but they're really math based games based upon advantage and and, you know, you so now it's applicable to today. I can look at any whether it's Pokemon or whatever card game there is. It's, it was very, you know, it's force based, you know, benefits to attack and things like that. It attributes everything. But anyways, I played it competitively, and I was a top I was a world ranked player at one time. I won four state championships or CO days. No one had done that at the time in a two consecutive years, and it was just a top player, and when you get to the top, you become friends with the other top players, and then you talk strategy and and that even takes you to an even higher level. And so I did that, you know, for many years, competed all over the country. It was a great experience. And so, yeah, that in my house. My dad very so he had, he was a civil engineer. He has an engineer degree, but he was traveling. He was on the railroad at all times, and he wanted to stop traveling, so he accepted this job as a mail carrier so he could stay put. And. Yeah, and that's what he did. He retired as a mail carrier, but, you know, a top math expert to the to the point where there would be conversations where you could, like, I couldn't understand him, right? He couldn't understand himself, right? And, and, and there's many conversations in different aspects of this. But when we played games, whether it was Yahtzee or monopoly or whatever, every game, there was a math based lesson to it, like, which dice you rolled for advantage at Yahtzee, which ones to hold after the first roll. Poker games, pitch games, Rummy, every single game it was, it was game theory. It was math on what was the precise the best role, like Monopoly, the best properties and the probability to get an orange property over other properties and and how much you should spend at certain points of the game. And I realized saying that outline that's that that's not normal. Some people just play yatse and roll the dice and they roll what they want, and some people play Monopoly and just buy the properties they want. That was not how games were played in my household, and it was very applicable to poker and to the collectible card games. Michael Hingson  21:22 Yeah. So how often did you want to buy Boardwalk and Park Place? Chris Dreyer  21:28 Not often. But I mean, so there. That was just how I was brought up. And yeah, and it turned into a lot of what I do today. Michael Hingson  21:42 Actually, I always like free parking. We had a thing where any money and and any kind of thing that you had to pay on all went into the free parking pot. So getting free parking was always fun. Oh yeah, but yeah, I hear what you're saying. I love monopoly and love to even play it against the computer, which was always a kind of a neat thing to do, but played Monopoly against other members of my family. Some we actually made a Well, we took a regular Monopoly board, and I think my father outlined the entire board and all the squares using elmer's glue so that we had raised lines for me to look at. Then we also did things to mark the paper money so I could tell what bills I had and and so on, and even Braille the cards. And I still have that game to this day, very neat, which is kind of cool, but monopoly spun. Chris Dreyer  22:36 Yeah, there's a lot of games that you know, there's no winner. You take my wife wants to play Scrabble all the time, and I'm like, there's just not a winner in Scrabble. Because if I challenge you on a word, and I'm right, you're wrong. You're mad if I beat you, you know, and then if I lose, it's not fulfilling for me. That's one of those games. There's no winner. Michael Hingson  23:02 I have a friend who plays Scrabble with his mother all the time, and and he, I think he loses more than he wins, but he's always proud when he beats her. And he's almost 60, so you know, she's, she's older than he is, but they, they play and have a lot of fun with Scrabble. Chris Dreyer  23:21 That's incredible. That's Michael Hingson  23:22 great. Yeah, it is kind of cool. But anyway, so you eventually decided to go off and go into the entrepreneurial world, and you started your company, or went well, when did you actually start the company? Chris Dreyer  23:37 Started the company officially in 2013 it was attorney rankings.org, that was the original name. Now it's rankings.io, I worked at a few agencies previously, while I was also doing the affiliate marketing, and kind of got to see the agency world of providing, you know, the professional services space. And after working at a few agencies. Thought that I could do it right. I got the confidence from the competence, and that's when I launched it. 2013 we've always been focused on legal. The difference today is primarily, we're focused on a sub niche of legal for personal injury law. And, you know, we work with other practice areas, criminal defense, family law, etc. But really personal injury is the is 85% of our business. Michael Hingson  24:27 So what is it that rankings.io? Does, Chris Dreyer  24:31 yeah, we do digital marketing. We do search engine optimization now, AI search, we do pay per click paid social web design. A lot of performance marketing, I would say more performance, less creative and branding. And that's what we do. We work with the top, the biggest pi firms, personal injury law firms in the country. We're in chiefs, I think every state we work with about. 250 law firms across the country. Michael Hingson  25:03 What made you decide to focus on law in the beginning? Chris Dreyer  25:09 Yeah, I'll say a few reasons. One, I had an experience working with attorneys, and I liked working with them. So there was the like component when I worked at an agency, I had a few firms that would I spoke with, and I enjoyed it. The second thing was, if I'm being honest, the status like I wanted to tell my parents that I did marketing for lawyers, and not just, you know, any industry. And then the other thing is, is I'm very, very, very competitive, and I kept seeing and hearing these reports about more and more attorneys going to law school and and just all this competition for legal and the thing that I differ you hear a lot of coaches and mentors. They'll say, hey, go to the blue ocean. You know, everyone's read the blue ocean book, or, you know, Peter thiel's zero to one, and everyone thinks so, go where there's no competition. And I'm like, That's fine if you're Elon or Peter Thiel or Zuckerberg creating something new, but if you're going into an existing category, you want to go where there is competition, because it demands expertise, and that's the way that I've looked at it. Like, you take the agency perspective, I don't want to go to, you know, lawn care, SEO like, do they really want to do search engine optimization? Do they really have a ton of competition? Maybe that's not a great example. But you get my point where, if you go into the city, there's a ton of personal injury law firms, but there's only a few that can rank at the top. And there's, they're all trying to gather cases from one another, so they want an expert to help them, you know, get that visibility. And that's, that's the mindset that Michael Hingson  26:58 went into it. What strikes me is interesting, though, is that with all of that, you bring a very competitive level to what you do. And I'm not sure that I find that a lot of people necessarily even do that, so you consider even search engine optimization to be a very competitive thing, I don't want to say sport, but you consider it all about competition, and you want to really bring the best and the most significant aspects of it to what you do. And that clearly has to show up when you're talking about Inc ranking you in the top companies for eight years in a row. Chris Dreyer  27:47 Yeah, it's very status orientation. You know, that's why I like working with trial attorneys. There's a winner and loser in court, and there's only one top position in Google or on these llms, and it's, who's gonna win, who's the best? Yeah, and it's right there for everyone. Here's here's the tally. Everyone can see who's the best. And I've always loved that. I think I heard a podcast recently by John Morgan. He's the founder of Morgan, Morgan, right? Of course. And you know, he's always a character and funny to listen to, but, yeah, he talks about being insatiable. Like, how did you grow this? He's like, Well, I'm insatiable. I I want to continue to grow. And for me, it's, it's the exact same thing. It's like, I'm insatiable. We hit a milestone. I want the next milestone. It is the game that I'm playing. I am playing like my hobby is my business. I enjoy it. I look forward to a Monday. It rewards me mentally. I enjoy the people I work with. And that's that's how we're at you know, Inc, 5008 years in a row, we'll definitely be on the ninth year next year, due to our growth this year. And it's that's just, that's just how I treat it. It's just a big game. And, you know, like any game, you play Sim City, whatever, you get a little bit more money, you get a little bit more buildings, right? You do a little bit better, you hire more talent, you expand your capabilities, and you just, if you don't stop, you're going to Michael Hingson  29:22 continue to grow. But it's a game in the mathematical sense, and it's it's a game in the the productive sense of what you're trying to do is, isn't the game just, although you obviously have to have fun in what you do, otherwise you wouldn't enjoy doing it. But it's a game in the mathematical sense of the word, oh, 100% Chris Dreyer  29:44 and so many people don't understand what I'm about to say. But like, every move that you make is a move based upon leverage in some capacity, yeah, and you take, because our time is all limited. You take. I'll give you some examples, like from a from a distribution perspective, hosting my podcast or being on your podcast is going to have more listeners than if I go speak on stage, if I go speak on stage now that that has its own benefits of authority and and different you know, belly to belly relationships from a trust perspective, but from a distribution perspective, I would be better off doing more podcasts than I would speaking on stage, sure. So there's an advantage there, right? And then there's also advantages through pricing arbitrage, and it's if, if I hire labor and talent in in the Midwest, and I pay them above average fees and salaries, and I pay my employees well, but compare that to New York or California. And I think some people, you know, these are things that they don't talk about, but when you start to look at leverage closely, it's everywhere. Capital, economies of scale, if I you know, there's leverage based upon my my buying power in certain areas, and that's what I look for. It's an interesting way to make decisions. Is based upon that leverage component. Michael Hingson  31:20 Do you think that that works in other kinds of arenas, other than just what you do? Chris Dreyer  31:27 Oh, I won 1,000% yes, yeah. It works in you could see it. You know, the closest would be, closest arena would be sports. There's so many, whether it's the salary caps or the talent of one person's labor based, you know, what they can do from a utilization or capacity versus another one's people talk about it on the business side of like, you know, You have one software programmer is worth, potentially 1,000x another one just because of that individual's capabilities. So it's literally everywhere, and it's also dissecting different scenarios into fractional leverage. So I'll take give you a different way of thinking about this. Is like, you take a an SEO specialist, a top tier SEO specialist might be 100 200 grand, right, technician, right? But you you break down their capabilities into the smaller parts. You know someone that just writes, someone that just does the title tags and the website, and someone that just does the links and that, like you can assemble, that individuals that that superstars talent through the FRAC breaking it down from a fractional perspective. It's just a big game of puzzles and how you get there and you look at like what your competitors are doing and how you can, I wouldn't say, exploit in a negative way, but, but what I mean is how you can take advantage in a positive way to to help your business succeed, right? Michael Hingson  33:15 Well, do you so if, if you're playing a game like football, of course, everybody, every team, wants to crush the other team, and it's all about winning and beating the heck out of the other guy. Is that really the way you view it, in terms of the game, as you play it, and do you enjoy being able to just crush the competition? Or is it a different mindset than that? Chris Dreyer  33:42 That's a really good question, because I am an abundance mindset. I don't think everything is a zero sum game. It's, I'll tell you something super nerdy. I was talking to my chief of staff the other day that he's we're big gamers, big nerds. And he, we were talking about Warhammer 40k and the dwarves in that game have a book of grudges. So anybody that that goes against the dwarves, they they're listed in the book of grudges, right? Yeah. And it's like all the dwarves are trying to, you know, right? This wrong. And I kind of look like that. I'm like, treat people respect like, you know, abundance zero, you know, like, abundance mentality. Do the referral thing until it's like, okay, you've done X, Y and Z, and I could give you examples of x, y, z, and it's like, okay, well, you're not my friend. You're not my ally, so now you are a true competitor by all since you know, by all definitions, right? That's how I've treated it. Michael Hingson  34:48 And so it isn't the joy of just beating everybody in sight. No, which is different, which is cool, because certainly. I would, I would also bet, though, that you have people who are competitors, but they're not unfriendly, so you can absolutely, yeah, you can develop Chris Dreyer  35:10 working relationships. Rattle off, and we have great conversations. We're friends, and people are surprised when they see us, and we're friendly, and it's like, no, it's like, we have families, we have life. We want to do good work. We want to and it's so you can absolutely have that too. Yeah. Michael Hingson  35:27 Why did you decide to specifically choose personal injury Chris Dreyer  35:33 for me? And it's this is turning into the math conversation. But really, I looked at our revenue, and it was like over 70% of our revenue. Was from less than 50% of our clientele. And it was a clear directional signal to pursue this area. And that's it was the math like, these are our best clients. They pay the most, they stay the longest we could do the best work. Also the PI space is the Super Bowl. Is the major leagues. In the legal arena, it's, it's very difficult to rank. There's a lot of competition versus, you know, I get a family law attorney. I don't care what market you're in, Los Angeles, it's like a sneeze to get them the number one or two? Yeah, it's and I like that. I like the competition. I like having to work at it and be creative and think about different things to try to obtain that top position. Michael Hingson  36:33 Yeah, well, so I would, I would presume that John Morgan's happy with you. Chris Dreyer  36:40 I, you know, I had Dan Morgan as a keynote for my 2024 conference, his son. And I haven't personally talked to John. I think he's well, he says he's retired, but he's not really retired, yeah, right. The I couldn't work with Morgan and Morgan, I can have a great relationship with them, but I can't work with them because they're in every market, and my I would, they would be my only client, so that's why, but certainly have a great relationship. I've got a text relationship with Dan, but yeah, they, I think they do everything in house. Michael Hingson  37:20 Anyways, you don't want to be the consularity for Morgan and Morgan, in other words, Chris Dreyer  37:25 your only client, right, right? That would put a lot of risk on the old client concentration problem, Michael Hingson  37:33 and it would, but still. So what does it mean for a law firm to dominate Google's organic search. And I guess the other question is, why is that the legal battleground that personal injury lawyers can't really ignore? Chris Dreyer  37:53 There's, there's so much here. Okay, where do I go? That's a lot of take. You take any channel, broadcast television has been the main vehicle for channel for distribution. It's the lowest CPMs cost per 1000. The distribution is very wide, because an individual doesn't know typically, when they're going to be in an accident, right? So you got to have a lot of reach and touch a lot of individuals. There's also radio and billboards. But typically, even if they watch you on television or hear you on the radio or what have you, they still convert. They go to Google to make that conversion that go to the website. Typically, it's not always and and things are changing due to these llms and the native experiences on platform. But even today, it's still the final destination before they contact a firm. So it's really important that you show up at the top of Google to capture all of those opportunities that you've advertised for in other mediums. Michael Hingson  39:09 How do you do that? Chris Dreyer  39:12 Well, so you know, I'll say, I'll try to simplify for the audience. Let's just keep it really, think of like a Venn diagram of, you know, the three circles overlaying and you've got the middle. You have to do all three. The first one is you have to have excellent content. You have to have, you know, if you're an auto accident attorney, you have to have content about auto accidents. You have to have, you know, you have to have content that targets phrases and words that consumers will search for, right? It starts with the content. It has to be thematically and topically relevant. Has to be excellent content. The second component would be related to. Views. You got to get Google reviews to show up on in the LSA, the local services ads location, you have to get reviews to show up in Google Map Pack. You need reviews now on Yelp to show up on and be discovered on these different llms, particularly a chat GPT. And just due to how okay for the SEO nerds listening, let me explain, because typically when you get reviews on Yelp and when you get reviews or recommendations on Facebook, they aggregate that information to other sites, which is then the listicles that form the basis of discovery for these llms. So you got to have a review background. So content reviews and then links. Google, the way that they differentiated, again, way against lo AOL was they use links as a categorization method. So if you're trying to win an election, you want to get as many votes as possible. If you're trying to win the first page of Google, you want to get as many high quality links as possible. High quality being authoritative, relevant, trustworthy, you know, sites that get a lot of traffic, so you need great content, lot of reviews and links. That is the very 8020, high end summer summary of of how to rank in Google search and on the llms, yeah. Michael Hingson  41:24 Well, and how does LinkedIn fit into what you do? Chris Dreyer  41:29 LinkedIn is a bit different. I you know LinkedIn more B to B platform. I think if you're a business attorney or a B to B firm, it's an excellent channel. I use it from a distribution perspective. I get a lot of reach. I get a lot of followers on there. A lot of attorneys congregate on there. And it's a great, you know, channel for recruiting talent, and it's cited frequently if you have some type of reputation perspective that you want to control around your name. LinkedIn typically ranks in one of the top three positions for your name if you have your profile set up properly. So yeah, it's, it's, it's got great distribution from a leverage perspective, and, you know, has other applications as well. Michael Hingson  42:15 If you were starting a law firm today, or you were advising someone who's starting a law firm, how would you deal with and start their marketing efforts? How would you organize marketing for them? Chris Dreyer  42:28 Yeah, in the beginning I would, I would do almost all performance marketing. I would not do. I would do very little with brands, because you need to get on your your cash acceleration cycle is very poor. From a PI perspective. I'm always thinking from an injury law firm perspective, because, you know, if you get an auto accident case by the time they get treatment and go through the whole process, you know, it could be 12 to 18 months before you get paid. So you know, I would think about performance marketing, Facebook ads, Google ads, LSA, SEO, a lot of the ads platforms that are, you know, very performance driven. That would be the majority of my investment. Facebook ads. So in a vacuum, you know, different markets are, there's different channels that are more effective. But in a vacuum, I would say today, right now, Facebook ads would be the best platform, the best channel for that, Michael Hingson  43:29 because so many, because it has such a high volume of viewers, or what Chris Dreyer  43:34 they're well, it's just the cost per lead. The amount that you pay on that platform to reach your target prospect is going to be cheaper than say, you go to Google ads and you're paying $600 a click for a phrase, or, you know, it's just now, there's, again, this is in a vacuum. There's very effective Google Ad strategies you can get, you know, creative with performance, Max campaigns and and different strategies. But I would say just in general, Facebook ads out of the gate would be one that I would start with, and I would start the SEO early, just because it takes time to develop. Michael Hingson  44:14 Yeah, well, that makes sense, and it does take a long time, and I think a lot of people don't necessarily understand how all of that works, but it's still something that they should, should deal with Chris Dreyer  44:28 1,000% and, you know, it's, it's a game of, it's a long game, but it, you know, even SEO can be on a shorter time horizon, if, if You're, like, if you target Car Accident Lawyer in that phrase and that segment, then sure, yeah, 12 to 18 months is, you know, you know, even two years before you start to get some visibility. But you target dog bites, you target, you know, some other case types that aren't as competitive like you can get traction sooner. Michael Hingson  45:00 Hmm, well, and that kind of brings up the question you You talk a lot about, and you wrote a book about niche. Why is it that going into like a smaller niche can yield sort of a greater opportunity, or by narrowing focus, you're creating bigger opportunities? Why is that? So? Chris Dreyer  45:22 What comes top of mind? Some of the biggest, the most important reason is it all centers around this word focus. When you focus in a single area, you become better. Well, because you were better, you can you can at your you can charge more because you're worth it. The other thing is, is when you focus on a single area, you you can create, create repeatable processes, and everything is not bespoke when it comes in. So you can set up your internal productization of a certain area. You it makes training easier by immersion. So there's a lot of benefits, even even the perception aspect of it, right? So when you think of like, who's better, a generalist versus a brain surgeon, you think a brain surgeon is a specialist. And you think, Well, who do you think, just offhand, whose fees would be higher? Well, you think the brain surgeon would would charge higher fees. And so from a perception perspective, and when you're thinking about trust, the that's the other one, right? You would think from a trust perspective, they would be more qualified because they're in this certain area. So, and when we're trying to convert someone in sales, it's always a conversation based upon trust. So those are some of the main advantages, the one heavy, heavy disadvantage. Disadvantage is Tam, total addressable market. It's you focus on personal injury. You're at 50, 60,000 firms. You focus on all law firms. United States, you're at 400,000 law firms. So there's trade offs for you know, there's pros and cons on both sides well Michael Hingson  47:03 and and that makes sense, but there is a lot of merit to the to the whole concept of specializing, and you've proven it with what you do, and you continue to be pretty successful about it. And then that makes a lot of sense, but you also do something else that I think is interesting. You've written a book, niching up, you've got a podcast, you have other things that you do, and, of course, just the company itself, but you put all of that together, and all of that not only has to help your brand, but it makes you more visible in the marketplace overall. Don't you think? Chris Dreyer  47:42 Yeah, it certainly does, and it is our flywheel, right? It's somebody that's on my podcast could be a potential quote in my book, and I have a personal injury lawyer marketing book, right? And there's quotes from the pod. I have now a quarterly magazine that goes out. We could cherry pick a couple episodes, you know, to include in the magazine. We have retreats that are quarterly. They're, they're in person that, because we have a community, they're easier to to fill. We have a yearly event for personal injury law firms called, you know, Pim con. So it's all this, this flywheel that kind of compounds over time due to the community aspect, Michael Hingson  48:25 but people obviously react well to it, because you continue to be successful. Chris Dreyer  48:32 Yeah, and I think the biggest thing for me is I am I am not the the expert. I am bringing on the experts in their field, the people that are eating their own dog food, so to speak, right? They're practicing what they preach. It is, I can orchestrate a great conversation because I know the space and can ask very specific questions based upon my knowledge. But I'm bringing on, you know, Dan Morgan's on the pod. I've had, let's see Morris Bart. You know, I've had frank Azar in Colorado. I've had the biggest of the big pi attorneys on sharing what works for them, which, which is very valuable, because it's not, you know, some, you know, a consultant or me or whoever, speaking about like, Oh, this is how you can grow a law firm. It's no this is the owner of a law firm explaining how he or she is growing their law firm right, Michael Hingson  49:31 and providing that advice for other people, which also helps you gain trust, which is pretty cool. What's the best way for an attorney who wants to stand out to truly build authority in the market? Chris Dreyer  49:50 Well, if you're if you're b Look, okay, so there's a couple types of firms. If you're a trial attorney and you want to get peer referrals, I would say. See, I would say start a podcast would be one of the best ways, you know, interview your peer, interview other attorneys around the country, talk shop, you know, speak at C les. You know, do the those types of aspects it, you know, a podcast. I'm not saying it's not good for B to C, but it's, it has to be a different type of podcast. So I think, I think B to B, if you're a litigation attorney, a podcast would be great if it's B to C. That's, that's tricky. I think I think probably social media in some capacity, but really it's just sharing your knowledge on a platform and being consistent. Michael Hingson  50:51 Yeah, consistency counts for a lot, and it is something you can you can show is being relevant in almost any kind of business. I mean, look at McDonald's. One thing you can generally tell about McDonald's is that their quarter pounder is going to taste the same everywhere, and it's going to be the same and, and, and companies and people can learn a lot by seeing a company that truly develops that level of trust, 51:24 yeah, couldn't agree more. Michael Hingson  51:26 And that's pretty important to do, to be able to get someone who is going to earn that trust by vigorously working to earn that trust. And so there's something to be said for that, needless to say, so you've built a very large company. What would you say are some of the pivotal moments that sort of helped shape your trajectory? I know you've talked about some things, but what, what kind of really, are the things that stand out that really helped you create all of that? Chris Dreyer  52:00 I think in the beginning, I did a lot of free work, and had to prove my work, prove my abilities. I think so many people just want to charge a lot out of the gate. And I think there's when you do things for people, they're more willing to reciprocate. And it from an application perspective, it makes you better. So I did a lot of free work early, a ton of free work. I took a lot of jobs or contracts that maybe not, maybe for certain, that I wouldn't take today, that were just not perfect, but like they were my opportunities that I didn't, you know, let them pass by. I think hiring the right people, having super high standards is incredibly important, people that share your values. In the beginning, I used to, every time I heard a speech or taught speech speaker talk about culture values, I used to kind of roll my eyes and say I just didn't get to get to work, right? But now I know it's more important than ever that they share my values, right? Because they're important to me, and that's how you move forward. And I think the other one, if I had to say, the bigger I get, the more important good data, is to make decisions like, if I just don't have good data, it's very difficult. I'm just guessing and and the better the data, the better decisions well. Michael Hingson  53:32 So the the other thing that comes to mind when you talked about doing a lot of free work and jobs that you wouldn't necessarily take today, I don't know how much it really entered into your mindset, but think of all the knowledge you gathered by doing that that you might not have ever gotten. Yeah. Chris Dreyer  53:49 I mean, that's true, and a lot of other people wouldn't have done those jobs, so that's kind of some unique perspectives. Michael Hingson  53:56 Yeah, I when I hired sales people, one of the first things I always told them was, you're coming into this be a student for at least the first year. Don't hesitate to ask questions of your customers, because they're not if you gain their trust at all. They're not in it to see you fail. They want you to succeed, but they want to be able to trust you. And so there's a lot to be said for being a student, asking questions and learning from that. I agree. I agree, which makes a lot of sense. What's the biggest misconception that lawyers typically have about marketing? Chris Dreyer  54:33 They underestimate how many dollars and what it takes for someone to actually be memorable or build a brand. I talked to, I heard Alex hermosi talking recently about, you know, no one really knew who Jennifer Lawrence was before the mockingbird movie, and they spent $50 million on advertising for that movie. And then, oh, suddenly, everyone knows who she is. But it took $50 million To do so. I think a lot of times people think they oversaturate a channel when they haven't even scratched the possibilities or the capabilities of a particular channel. Michael Hingson  55:10 How do you help lawyers break through that misconception? I agree with what you're saying. I hear it a lot, in so many ways, but how do you break through that and get them to understand the value. Chris Dreyer  55:22 It's a dance, yeah, you know, I try to get them to look at the blended cost to acquire a case, as opposed to, you know, the CAC to LTV ratio, versus trying to pinpoint each individual channel and but it is try to try to solve with data and proof over, you know, guesses, but or promises, but it is always a song and dance. Michael Hingson  55:52 The data and proof is out there. If people can learn to look for it, it's, it's, the reality is, mostly it's not a guess, but you have to know where to look or learn how to find the data to be able to get the answers that you need to demonstrate that marketing is just as valuable as anything else. I mean, there's so many strong lessons about marketing. We talked about Morgan and Morgan, but think about it, he's out there doing TV commercials all the time, and I'm sure that that's helping his company. He and Ultima continuing to to grow, and now they got the boys all in it. And the reality is they've demonstrated that they understand something about what marketing is all about. I remember back a long time ago when it was taboo for lawyers to even advertise. And then a couple of companies out here started to do it. And finally, people realized there's a lot of value in marketing. Chris Dreyer  56:50 Absolutely. And Michael, I should have said this in advance. I've got a I got a hard stop, I got a I got a hat, I got a client call here in two minutes. Michael Hingson  56:59 Well, then let me just ask, is there anything else that you want to add? Or how can people reach out to you if they'd like to do that? Chris Dreyer  57:06 Well, first of all, I really enjoyed our conversation, so thank you for having me. Yeah, you know, for anybody that has a question or wants to connect with me, the best way to get in touch with me is by email. I'm an inbox zero guy. It's Chris, C, H, R, i s@rankings.io I'm most active on LinkedIn. You'll just do a search for Chris Dreyer, and you'll find me cool. Michael Hingson  57:29 Well, I want to thank you for being here, and I want to thank all of you for tuning in today, wherever you are, I'd love to hear from you. Love your thoughts on the podcast. Give us an email at Michael h i at accessibe, A, C, C, E, S, S, i, b, e.com, also, you can listen to any of our podcasts. They're all available. And you can find us at Michael hingson.com/podcast and you can see and hear all the episodes that you want from there. Please give us a five star review and great rating wherever you're listening and watching us, we value it a lot. And if you know anyone who you think might be able to be a good guest, love to hear from you. Chris, you as well. If you know anybody else who you think ought to be a guest, I'd love to definitely get your help to bring them on, because we're looking for all the people who want to come on and show that we're all more unstoppable than we think. But again, I want to just thank you for being here today. Chris Dreyer  58:20 Thank you, Michael. I really enjoyed it. Michael Hingson  58:26 Thank you for being here with me on unstoppable mindset. I hope today's conversation left you with a fresh perspective, a new insight, or at least something worth thinking about if you're ready to go deeper into the ideas that shape how we see ourselves and others. I have a free gift for you. Head over to Michael hingson.com and download my free ebook, blinded by fear. It explores the invisible beliefs that hold us back and shows you how to reframe them so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast, leave a review and share this show with someone who can use a reminder that growth starts with mindset. When people think differently, we all move forward together. Thanks again for listening, keep learning, keep questioning and keep choosing to live with an unstoppable mindset you.

Key Takeaways Smart friction: AI prioritizes speed and efficiency, but in retail experiences where shoppers value engagement, intentional friction can enhance customer satisfaction and ultimately drive better returns, giving rise to the idea of "smart friction." Use case: Trader Joe's, for example, deliberately avoids self-checkout to create smart friction, using wait time to immerse customers in design, promote product discovery, and foster interactions with staff that enhance the overall brand experience. By preserving the elements that make its brand special rather than blindly automating for speed, the grocery retailer has been able to stay competitive despite having fewer locations than many rivals. Don't over-automate: While many AI solutions will benefit enterprises, organizations should be careful not to automate away the core elements that define and differentiate their brand. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

In this episode, Kyle Hunt talks with Scott Collins of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Lake Norman about his journey from a 25 year corporate career into launching a design build remodeling business with his wife. They discuss the realities of making the leap into entrepreneurship, the lessons Scott brought from corporate leadership, and how focusing on team empowerment, clear standards, and strong communication helps create a better experience for both employees and homeowners. Scott also shares how their goal is simple but powerful: take the chaos out of construction and replace it with a smoother, more thoughtful remodeling process for their clients. ----- Today's episode is sponsored by Builder Funnel! Click here to learn more about how Builder Funnel helps remodelers and home builders grow through strategic digital marketing. ----- Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights! -----  Takeaways Celebrating wins is crucial in business. Transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship can be challenging yet rewarding. Building a strong team is essential for success. Empowering employees leads to better accountability and motivation. Understanding customer needs through storytelling enhances sales. Differentiating in a competitive market requires a focus on client experience. A well-designed showroom can significantly impact customer perception. Franchise support can help shorten the learning curve for new business owners. Effective communication is key to customer satisfaction. Networking with other professionals can provide valuable insights and support. ----- Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Scott Collins and His Journey 06:20 - Challenges and Rewards of Starting a Business 11:51 - Building a Strong Team and Company Culture 17:03 - Early Wins and Challenges in the Remodeling Business 23:30 - Understanding Client Needs and Experiences 31:21 - Differentiating in a Competitive Market 36:48 - The Importance of a Showroom 43:22 - The Impact of Dream Maker Franchise

In this episode of Pathmonk Presents, Philip Aguib, VP of Sales and Marketing at Vantree Systems, breaks down how electronic data interchange (EDI) powers global supply chains—and why a human approach wins complex B2B deals. Vantree Systems delivers integrated EDI solutions that connect ERPs like SAP, Microsoft, and NetSuite across manufacturing, distribution, logistics, and CPG industries. Philip shares how referrals, trade shows, and partner ecosystems drive growth, and why outbound sales is becoming essential in an AI-shaped buying landscape. He also dives into accelerating long sales cycles, leveraging CRM data segmentation, and building trust through empathy. A practical conversation for growth leaders navigating technical markets.

Welcome to Your Real Estate Voice with Barb Schlinker, your trusted source for all things real estate. Whether you're considering a move or just curious about the market, Barb is here to provide expert guidance and invaluable insights. With years of experience and a commitment to delivering results, Barb Schlinker and her team at Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty – Barb Has The Buyers Team is dedicated to helping you achieve your real estate goals. Don't hesitate to contact Barb directly at 719-301-3900 or visit BarbHasTheBuyers.com to tap into her extensive network of buyers and sellers. Get ready to experience a seamless and successful real estate journey with Your Real Estate Voice and Barb Schlinker by your side.Segment 1 – What is the Government Doing About Housing AffordabilitySegment 2 – How to Buy Your Dream Home Without Selling First – Even in Today's Competitive MarketSegment 3 – How to Avoid Contract Failures on a Home Inspection When Selling Your HomeSegment 4 – The Best Way to Sell a House Fast in Colorado's Market & Hot New ListingsYou are listening to the Real Estate Voice with Barb Schlinker of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty. If you are thinking of making a move, call Barb at 719-301-3900 or visit BarbHasTheBuyers.com#yourrealestatevoice #barbschlinker #coloradosprings #yourhomesoldguaranteedrealtycolorado #barbhasthebuyers

In this conversation, Tommy Mello and Brian Sooy discuss the critical aspects of branding, marketing, and leadership in the home services industry. They explore the importance of clarity in branding, the need for differentiation in a competitive market, and the balance between branding and direct response marketing. Brian shares insights on creating memorable customer experiences, the role of storytelling in branding, and the significance of data-driven decision-making. They also touch on building a strong company culture and the mindset of ownership that can drive success in business. 00:00 The Importance of Branding and Leadership 05:52 Clarity in Branding and Customer Connection 12:04 Specialization in Home Services Marketing 17:50 Differentiation in a Competitive Market 23:56 The Balance of Branding and Direct Response 30:07 Creating Memorable Customer Experiences 35:53 The Role of Storytelling in Branding 42:04 Data-Driven Decision Making in Marketing 47:54 Building a Strong Company Culture 53:55 The Mindset of Ownership in Business

In this episode of the Real Estate Pros Podcast, host Michelle Kesil sits down with Christine Palm, a real estate wholesaler and licensed realtor operating in Central Kentucky and Little Rock, Arkansas. Christine shares her journey from discovering wholesaling through a Rich Dad Poor Dad conference to building a full-time business focused on helping distressed homeowners. She explains how wholesaling works, the types of properties she targets, and how adding a realtor license has allowed her to better serve sellers while maximizing opportunities. Christine also dives into marketing strategies, challenges in today's competitive wholesaling landscape, and why taking action is the most important step for anyone looking to get started in real estate investing.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

Send us a textIn this dynamic episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we dive into the booming world of supplements with industry expert John Smiddy, founder of Nutra Marketers. With over 200 products launched across various platforms, John shares his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the critical factors that separate successful supplement brands from the rest. From his early beginnings selling rocks as a child to navigating the complexities of the supplement industry, he reveals the importance of mindset, market research, and compliance in building a brand. John discusses innovative trends like nanotechnology and personalized supplementation that are reshaping the market, and how to monetize trust while maintaining credibility. He also provides invaluable insights into customer acquisition, retention strategies, and the common pitfalls new founders face. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or simply curious about the supplement landscape, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration. Explore more about John's work and Nutra Marketers at nutramarketers.commosaic: Exploring Jewish Issuesmosaic is Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's news magazine show, exploring Jewish...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show

In this episode of The Free Lawyer podcast, the host interviews Anthonia Berry, a seasoned legal marketing and business development strategist. Anthonia shares her journey into legal marketing, clarifies the difference between marketing and business development, and offers practical tips for attorneys to build sustainable client relationships. She discusses the impact of technology on legal business growth, the enduring importance of human connection, and the value of personalized coaching. Anthonia emphasizes aligning one's legal practice with personal passion and invites listeners to connect for further guidance on intentional business development.At the helm of Strategy Academy is Anthonia Berry, a seasoned legal marketing and business development strategist with over 19 years of experience working with international and national law firms across the world. With deep industry expertise, she understands the unique challenges attorneys and law firms face in developing and sustaining client relationships in an increasingly competitive market.Anthonia is known for her tailored, action-oriented approach, crafting custom business development strategies that align with each firm's unique objectives and market position. Her proven track record includes successfully guiding law firms of all sizes in implementing growth-driven initiatives that yield measurable results.Under her leadership, Strategy Academy provides a holistic business development framework, from one-on-one advisement for attorneys to firm-wide strategy development, ensuring both short-term success and long-term sustainability. Committed to helping law firms not just compete—but lead, Anthonia continues to empower legal professionals with the insights, tools, and strategies needed to thrive in today's legal marketplace.Anthonia's Journey into Legal Marketing (00:01:33)Innate Talent vs. Learned Skills (00:03:24)Business Development vs. Marketing (00:05:07)Why Established Lawyers Need Business Development (00:06:17).Anthonia's Unique Approach at Strategy Academy (00:09:13)Tailoring Strategies for Different Law Firms (00:11:24)Three Immediate Business Development Actions (00:12:54)Building Organic, Not Salesy, Relationships (00:16:39)Recent Shifts in Legal Marketing (00:20:02)The Future: AI and Digital Trends (00:22:48)The Value of Outside Coaching (00:24:20)Choosing the Right Support Model (00:27:03)Advice for Building an Aligned Practice (00:29:12)You can find The Free Lawyer Assessment here- https://www.garymiles.net/the-free-lawyer-assessmentWould you like to learn what it looks like to become a truly Free Lawyer? You can schedule a complimentary call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-callWould you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free

In this episode, we examine what actually happens when crypto markets break — how leverage builds beneath the surface, liquidity disappears, and liquidation cascades turn volatility into systemic failure. Doug Colkitt, a quantitative trader and DeFi builder whose experience spans both traditional finance and crypto market structure. Doug began his career on Wall Street at Citigroup before moving into high-frequency trading at Citadel during the 2008 financial crisis. He later built and traded his own systems across futures, volatility products, and international equities, including running a major market-making operation in Turkish stocks. Today, Doug focuses on crypto and DeFi infrastructure, working with perpetual futures, liquidation mechanics, and exchange design. We discuss why traders still get wiped out when they think they're hedged, how liquidation cascades accelerate, and what recent market failures reveal about leverage and market structure under stress. Links +Resources: Ambient Finance on X (Twitter): @AmbientFinance Website: https://ambient.finance Sponsor of Chat With Traders Podcast: ●       Trade The Pool:  ⁠⁠http://www.tradethepool.com⁠⁠    Time Stamps: Please note: Exact times will vary depending on current ads. 00:00:00  Intro and Background 00:03:43  Starting Individual Trading and High Frequency Systems 00:04:09  Focus on Index Futures and Competitive Markets 00:06:15  Michael Lewis's 'Flash Boys' and HFT Accuracy 00:07:00  Impact of HFT on Smaller Traders 00:09:13  Market Makers and Price Competition 00:09:37  HFT Evolution and Market Dynamics 00:11:24  Trading VIX Futures and Market Inefficiencies 00:13:08  Transitioning to Medium Frequency Trading 00:13:34  Trading Turkish Equities and Market Makings 00:15:35  Exploring Cryptocurrency Trading 00:18:32  Diving into Decentralized Finance (DeFi) 00:20:06  Arbitrage Opportunities in Crypto Markets 00:22:00  Flash Loans and Risk-Free Trading 00:22:48  Adjustments to Trading Bots Over Time 00:25:11  Criteria for Trusting Decentralized Exchanges 00:28:46  Liquidity Providing and Yield Opportunities 00:29:16  Volatility and Risks in Liquidity Provisioning 00:31:47  Understanding Perpetual Contracts in Crypto 00:36:04  October 10, 2025 Crypto Massacre Overview 00:37:36  Leverage and Market Dynamics 00:41:23  Impact of Liquidations on Market Sentiment 00:41:43  Market Maker Behavior During Crises 00:43:45  Liquidity Issues in Centralized Exchanges 00:44:53 Hyper Liquid Vault and Liquidation Dynamics 00:45:55 Market Making Strategies and Risk Management 00:49:15 Insurance Fund Models in DeFi 00:51:43 Ambient Finance Project Overview 00:53:08 Separation of Exchange and Clearinghouse 00:54:14 Innovations in Perpetual Trading 00:55:46 Takeaways from the October 10th Massacre 00:57:03 Future Plans for Insurance Fund Integration 00:58:28 Real World Assets and Crypto Integration Trading Disclaimer:  Trading in the financial markets involves a risk of loss. Podcast episodes and other content produced by Chat With Traders are for informational or educational purposes only and do not constitute trading or investment recommendations or advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we sit down with Brent Daniels to unpack what it really takes to stay in the wholesaling game when most people burn out or disappear. Brent shares how a single line on a settlement statement (“assignment fee”) changed his entire path, how he rebuilt after losing everything in 2008, and why he now keeps his model simple: fast assignments, strong systems, and no shiny-object chasing. We also dig into what happened to wholesaling after the boom — from text blasting getting shut down, to interest rates wiping out hobby investors, to new regulations forcing people to either get serious or get out. Brent explains why compliance and transparency are now an advantage, what his typical sellers really look like today, and the only three ways deals actually come in: paid marketing, outbound hustle, or referrals.To close, Brent zooms out and gets real about money and lifestyle. He talks about using 0% business credit for runway, keeping a few key properties free and clear, and putting most of his wealth into simple market vehicles instead of chasing “1,000 doors” for social media. His message is clear: invest in yourself, tell the truth even when people want a dream, and build a business that lets you sleep at night and be present with your family. If you care about staying in real estate for the long term — not just making a quick score — this conversation will give you a more grounded way to think about deals, marketing, and wealth.===Key Topics:• The one insight that flips your whole real estate strategy• Why 90,000 wholesalers vanished almost overnight• The inbound lead system top operators use to win every deal• The seller types quietly producing the most profitable opportunities• The wealth play smart investors trust over rentals and “1,000 doors”===

In this episode of the REB Podcast, Liam Garman, editor of Real Estate Business, sits down with Arjun Paliwal from InvestorKit to explore the innovative strategies driving success in the Australian real estate market. Paliwal reflects on his team's approach to innovation, explaining how doing things differently and focusing on strategies that deliver results has driven record-breaking growth and a surge in referrals. He highlights the central role of customer satisfaction, showing how creating "raving fans" fuels organic growth more than advertising ever could. The conversation delves into InvestorKit's use of specialisation and technology, demonstrating how focused teams and automation streamline processes and enhance service delivery. InvestorKit recently won the REB Innovator of the Year – Residential Buyer's Agency award. Paliwal also emphasises the importance of adaptability and continuous improvement, explaining how a culture of learning from mistakes keeps the business ahead of industry changes. The discussion touches on broader market trends, including the influence of macroeconomic factors, interest rates, and the ongoing shortage of established property supply on buyer behaviour. Paliwal also explores the evolving buyer's agent industry, advocating for higher standards and professionalism to ensure quality service as the sector grows. Did you like this episode? Show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (REB Podcast Network) and by liking and following Real Estate Business on social media: Facebook, X and LinkedIn. If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend a voice to the show, email editor@realestatebusiness.com.au for more insights.

Britain's antitrust watchdog labeled Google a “strategic” player in the online search advertising market, paving the way for regulators to force the company to change its business practices to ensure more competition in that market. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said its investigation found that the U.S. tech giant has “strategic market status” because it has “substantial and entrenched market power” in general search and search advertising. It marks the first time the watchdog has issued the designation since the new U.K. digital rules took effect at the start of the year. The label doesn't imply any wrongdoing. But the regulator said it means it has the power to consider using “proportionate, targeted" measures to make sure “general search services are open to effective competition” and that consumers and businesses are treated fairly. Online search ads appear alongside results from Google's search engine, usually tagged as “Ad” or “Sponsored"—versus online display ads, which appear on a company's website. The CMA says Google accounts for more than 90% of the U.K.'s online searches, and more than 200,000 of the country's businesses rely on Google search ads to reach customers. Google said it expects to face new rules and regulations on how its search service works. The CMA didn't announce any immediate fixes, saying it plans to begin discussions later this year. The watchdog has previously outlined possible remedies, including giving users “choice screens” for rival search services when they use products like the Chrome browser and Android mobile operating system. Another proposal is forcing Google to make search results ranking and presentation fair and non-discriminatory, and give businesses an effective way to complain if they've been treated unfairly. “Many of the ideas for interventions that have been raised in this process would inhibit UK innovation and growth, potentially slowing product launches at a time of profound AI-based innovation,” Google's senior director for competition, Oliver Bethell, said in a blog post. “Others pose direct harm to businesses, with some warning that they may be forced to raise prices for customers.” This article was provided by The Associated Press.

Nicolas Breedlove is a visionary entrepreneur and the CEO of NVB Playgrounds, a company dedicated to creating safe, engaging, and inclusive play spaces that bring communities together. With over a decade of experience in the playground industry, Nic has revolutionized how schools, parks, and organizations approach play design by offering innovative solutions that combine creativity, safety, and durability. Under Nic's leadership, NVB Playgrounds has become a trusted partner for clients across the country, helping them navigate the challenges of planning, budgeting, and building exceptional play areas.   CONNECT WITH Nicolas Breedlove Website: https://www.playgroundequipment.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-breedlove/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolas.breedlove     JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST FOOD INSECURITY   Join the fight against food insecurity here in the U.S. DONATE TODAY at Meet the Streets Outreach, INC. to fight hunger!    Meet the Streets Outreach provides essential support to Houston's food-insecure communities by offering over 2,100 hot meals each month. With your help, we can continue to serve those in need. Your support ensures that we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Houston's most vulnerable residents. Thank you for considering this opportunity to invest in the well-being of our community.   Food Insecure Households For many families in the U.S., the past several years have been difficult. Higher food prices, economic instability, and other factors have made providing for a family even harder. 1 in 8 households in the U.S. is food insecure. That means these families don't have enough money or resources to buy enough food for everyone in their household. As recently as 2022, 7.3 million children lived in food insecure households. Also, 16.9% of children live in poverty.   SNAP Benefits More than 22 million U.S. households use SNAP benefits to help with food costs, as of April 2023. Sometimes known as “food stamps,” SNAP is the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. People who receive SNAP benefits can use it to buy groceries, seeds, and plants for food. SNAP cannot be used to purchase hot food or household items like cleaning supplies, vitamins, or diapers.   CONNECT WITH Cedric Francis Website: https://www.lead2greatness.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cedricbfrancis X: https://twitter.com/cedricbfrancis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedricbfrancis/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedric-b-francis-a0544037/

Two of the more common questions, especially from stores that are new to the Workstand platform, are ‘what are the keys to selling more?' and ‘what are the really successful stores doing to grow?'. Generally speaking, a shop needs to have four elements to generate revenue.  These four elements work together, and missing just one can kill growth.Products that are in demand - Shops need to have products that customers are searching for.  That can be 'the next cool gadget', the hot color way of a bike or helmet, or simply the right size.  Supplier Sync items are great, but having products in stock will lead to more sales. I would encourage stores to have a strong representation of a brand instead of 4 headlights from 4 different brands. Watch our recent inventory tips episode for more details on stocking and merchandising strategies and tacticsCompetitive pricing -  To have competitive pricing doesn't necessarily mean to have to beat the lowest price on the market, but at least match the lowest price.  Online shoppers are inherently looking for deals, so by not being competitive, you are removing your shop from a sales opportunity. Understand when/where you have pricing power and when you don't Competitive shipping - Nobody wants to pay for shipping.  If your shipping rates are not competitive, especially for an item that can be generally purchased from 20 other shops, then you will most likely lose that opportunity. Shipping rates and rules can easily be changed, so take some risk and get a good feel of what works.Leverage Supplier FulfillmentListen to the recent episode where we discuss shipping as a marketing toolGoogle Ads - You can have the above 3 elements covered, but without ads, your products are less likely to be seen.  However, without all 3 elements mentioned above, your ads can be ineffective.  Bonus - have all of the payment options for customers, Stripe/CCs, PayPal, FinancingFinally, don't forget the basics. Merchandising matters in the store and on the website. Keep it updated, keep it fresh, keep it seasonally relevant. Most of all, keep it accurate. Provide clear calls to action, focus on providing value and actionable information to your customers/the customers you want.Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.Find Us on LinkedInRyan Atkinson, President + Co-OwnerMark Still, Business DevelopmentWe also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.

Chris Degnan is the former Chief Revenue Officer at Snowflake, where he was instrumental in scaling the company from less than $1M in ARR to over $3B in annual revenue. He joined as the first sales hires and built Snowflake's go-to-market engine from scratch, growing the team from to more than 6,000 globally. Under his leadership, Snowflake became one of the fastest-growing enterprise software companies in history, achieving a record-breaking IPO in 2020. AGENDA: 04:34 How to Build a Sales Team from Scratch 07:49 How to Hire and Evaluate Sales Leaders 15:23 Four Big Lessons Scaling Snowflake to $3BN ARR 31:30 Comparing Snowflake and Databricks: What Databricks Did Better? 35:26 How to Manage Sales Team Morale in Competitive Markets 43:53 Why Customer Success is BS and What To Do With It 48:31 How Every Sales Leader Needs to Change in An AI World 49:37 Biggest Reflections on Sales Leadership 54:38 Quick Fire Questions and Final Thoughts   20Sales: Scaling Snowflake from $0-$3BN in ARR | Snowflake vs Databricks: My Biggest Lessons | Why Customer Success is BS and What Replaces It with Chris Chris Degnan

My guest today is Jesse Zhang. Jesse is the co-founder and CEO of Decagon, one of the fastest-growing AI customer service companies. Decagon provides a centralized AI engine to auto-resolve issues at any time, in every language, and across every channel. Jesse shares his systematic approach to finding product-market fit by asking potential customers exactly how much they'd pay for solutions. We explore why customer service and coding have emerged as the two clearest AI use cases for enterprises, and the key business and technical factors behind Decagon's momentum. We discuss the intense competitive dynamics of building in AI today, strategic decisions around building proprietary models, and deploying AI agents at enterprise scale. Please enjoy my conversation with Jesse Zhang. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ramp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ramp.com/invest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ridgeline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ridgelineapps.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the platform. – This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlphaSense⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alpha-Sense.com/Invest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:05:49) Building a Company in a Competitive Market (00:07:26) Personal Background and Competitive Upbringing (00:10:32) Challenges and Lessons from Previous Ventures (00:12:21) Ideation and Customer Discovery Process (00:19:31) Developing and Refining AI Customer Service Agents (00:32:26) Voice AI and Future Prospects (00:38:20) Utilizing Customer Interaction Data (00:39:59) Frameworks for Implementing AI in Business (00:41:48) Evaluating the ROI of Coding Agents (00:42:53) The Future of Company Agents (00:45:15) Brand Personality in AI Agents (00:47:48) Investor Interest in AI Companies (00:54:32) The Competitive Landscape of AI Talent (00:57:21) Building Proprietary AI Models (01:10:36) Customer Qualification and Engagement (01:17:27) The Kindest Thing

Discover how to grow an app from zero to $200K/month without outside funding. Today's guest is Desmond Ho, founder of LifeReset.com. He bootstrapped his app from $0 to $200K/month by mastering marketing strategies, Meta ads, and high-converting creatives — all while competing in a crowded market.He'll also share how to learn marketing strategies by analyzing competitors, run profitable Meta ads, and create high-performing creatives that convert.If you're just starting out or stuck trying to grow your app in a competitive category, this episode could be your stepping stone to success.You will discover:✅ How to bootstrap an app from $0 to $200K/month✅ Finding product–market fit in a competitive niche✅ How to learn marketing strategies by analyzing competitors✅ Real-world lessons from Desmond's growth journeyLearn More:Check out the app:www.lifereset.comYou can also watch this video here: https://www.youtube.com/live/aGgFkAAnZFsWant expert guidance to grow your app? Book a quick call with App Masters:https://appmasters.com/contact-us/Indie App Santa: https://www.indieappsanta.comGet training, coaching, and community: ⁠https://appmastersacademy.com/*********************************************SPONSORSArcads is the fastest and best indie-friendly platform to create authentic, AI-powered UGC-style video ads — all from just text input.- Emotionally resonant, human-like videos- Perfect for app demos, testimonials, and paid social creatives- Built for speed, built to convertWhether you're launching or scaling, Arcads makes it easy to test and iterate video ads.Try it now: https://www.arcads.ai/?comet_custom=appmasters*********************************************Everyone's talking about web2app funnels - the breakthrough strategy maximizing mobile revenue. But building them in-house takes months of development. web2wave eliminates the complexity with their innovative all-in-one platform✅ AI funnel generator✅ powerful drag-and-drop quiz builder✅ streamlined payments✅ comprehensive analytics✅ smart A/B testing✅ and moreLaunch high-performing web2app funnels in days, not months.Visit https://web2wave.com/ to create your web2app funnel for free.*********************************************Follow us:YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠*********************************************

The modern market is designed to crush the independent agency. For many, the goal is no longer to thrive; it's just to survive in an increasingly hostile environment.But you don't have to go it alone. My guest, Pam Schlotzhauer of United Benefit Advisors (UBA), is here with the game plan for how independent agencies can fight back, thrive, and scale. In this conversation, we break down the UBA model of collaboration over competition, a framework that gives members the collective buying power, shared expertise, and cutting-edge tools to compete with the giants.▶▶ Sign Up For Your Free Discovery Callhttps://calendly.com/aneary/strategy-sessionKEY MOMENTS(00:00:00) How to Compete With National Firms (Without Selling Out) (00:00:42) The UBA Model: Gaining Scale While Staying Independent (00:04:06) The Power of the Collective: Buying Power, Bonuses & AI (00:05:51) You Don't Know What You Don't Know: The Value of Shared Expertise (00:10:00) The Application Process: Who is a Good Fit for UBA?CONNECT WITH ANDY NEARY

In this episode of Finding Discounted Property, host Michael Pinter chats with Arthur Kirakosyan, a seasoned real estate investor from Phoenix, Arizona. Arthur shares how he started his investing journey in 2014, lessons learned along the way, and strategies that helped him succeed in one of the most competitive real estate markets in the country. 

Nicole Handy is a chemical engineer turned real estate powerhouse and co-owner of Braden Real Estate Group. After more than a decade in corporate America, she transitioned into full-time real estate, where she has become one of Houston's top-producing agents. Today she leads a brokerage of 75 agents across Houston and Dallas while investing in residential and commercial real estate, building generational wealth, and mentoring the next wave of agents.     Make sure to download our free guide, 7 Questions Every Passive Investor Should Ask, here.     Key Takeaways Nicole leveraged her corporate income to build her real estate business before transitioning full-time. Real estate investing runs deep in her family, shaping her views on generational wealth and long-term ownership. Building a personal brand through consistency and education has helped her stand out in a competitive market. Even during downturns, she has achieved her best years by focusing on adding value and solving client needs. Scaling from agent to brokerage owner requires documented systems and processes.     Topics From Corporate Engineer to Real Estate Entrepreneur Nicole's early real estate exposure through her grandparents' investments. Buying her first property out of college and realizing the power of appreciation. Using corporate income as a foundation before leaving to grow her brokerage. Building a Personal Brand Established her presence through consistent education and social media. Focused on being the most valuable resource to her audience, not just following trends. Braden Real Estate Group is rooted in excellence, values, and polished presentation. Navigating Market Shifts 62% of agents may have exited in 2023, but Nicole had her best year. Positioned herself as a trusted expert during slower markets. Duplexes in Houston are currently trading at discounts, providing investor opportunities. Giving Back Through Nonprofits Active supporter of Move-In Day Mafia, a nonprofit helping foster children transition into college. Provides dorm essentials, monthly care packages, and mentorship to set students up for success.    

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16295&preview=true)  The job market feels tighter than ever, but according to Find Your Dream Job guest Scott Thompson, you can still get hired faster by avoiding common mistakes and making strategic choices that help you stand out from the competition. Scott shares that today's hiring takes nearly two weeks longer than during 2022's peak, with available jobs dropping 40% as quit rates have plummeted to one-third of Great Resignation levels. While healthcare, accounting, and finance continue growing, HR, marketing, and IT have pulled back significantly. Most job seekers respond by sending more applications, but Scott argues this "spaghetti at the wall" approach backfires. His strategy centers on a powerful statistic: 86% of job seekers land positions through networking and referrals, while only 14% succeed through blind applications. Scott recommends aligning your LinkedIn profile with your resume since recruiters search there first, customizing summaries and cover letters for specific roles, and demonstrating both competence and genuine enthusiasm in interviews by answering two key questions: "Can you do the job?" and "Will you do the job?" About Our Guest: Scott Thompson is the managing director of Lexicon Solutions. Resources in This Episode: Connect with Scott on LinkedIn Lexicon Solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Check out the podcast on Macslist here: (https://www.macslist.org/?post_type=podcasts&p=16295&preview=true)  The job market feels tighter than ever, but according to Find Your Dream Job guest Scott Thompson, you can still get hired faster by avoiding common mistakes and making strategic choices that help you stand out from the competition. Scott shares that today's hiring takes nearly two weeks longer than during 2022's peak, with available jobs dropping 40% as quit rates have plummeted to one-third of Great Resignation levels. While healthcare, accounting, and finance continue growing, HR, marketing, and IT have pulled back significantly. Most job seekers respond by sending more applications, but Scott argues this "spaghetti at the wall" approach backfires. His strategy centers on a powerful statistic: 86% of job seekers land positions through networking and referrals, while only 14% succeed through blind applications. Scott recommends aligning your LinkedIn profile with your resume since recruiters search there first, customizing summaries and cover letters for specific roles, and demonstrating both competence and genuine enthusiasm in interviews by answering two key questions: "Can you do the job?" and "Will you do the job?" About Our Guest: Scott Thompson is the managing director of Lexicon Solutions. Resources in This Episode: Connect with Scott on LinkedIn Lexicon Solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch the YouTube version of this episode HEREAre you looking for help on how to grow and market your firm? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer, Tyson interviews Travis Hoechlin and Vaidas Cikotas about how law firms can grow beyond referrals by embracing modern marketing strategies. They highlight the risks of relying solely on referrals, the need for a strong online presence, and the importance of effective intake processes. Solely relying on referrals can limit the growth of a law firm. It is important to diversify clientele and how you get revenue. For some, relying on referrals means a firm doesn't need to take time to update their website or care about how they are perceived to people trying to figure out more. This can really become problematic because referrals are not always guaranteed and you are missing out on a large portion of people who you could engage with.Though marketing is an important aspect of a firm, poor processes can make efforts useless. You can market your firm to the point where you are getting a lot of calls and interest. But, if your intake process is not good or your staff are not on top of the phone line, you are losing interest from people who are going off of first impressions. It is important to establish good intake processes to ensure your firm can flourish.Take a listen to learn more!05:41 Risks of Referral-Only Growth09:22 Catching Up After Neglecting Marketing 12:56 Short-Term vs. Long-Term Marketing Strategies17:58 Why Marketing Efforts Sometimes Fail24:20 Improving Intake and Staff Training 27:51 Website Conversion Optimization TipsTune in to today's episode and checkout the full show notes here. Connect with RizeUp Media:Website  Instagram  Facebook  LinkedinX 

In this episode, Lady Landlords founder, Becky Nova sits down with Inner Circle Member, Daphney, a nurse from Connecticut, to share her inspiring journey from buying her first duplex while working night shifts.Daphney reveals how she found cash flow even in a competitive market.She also shares how she leaned on community support and made smart moves to grow her portfolio===

Stop chasing “one big marketing trick.” If SEO is the only lever you're pulling, you're leaving money on the table—and patients on page two. In this episode, we break down how premium practices win with a whole-practice approach: brand, systems, and a memorable new-patient experience that starts before the first visit. In this episode, I talk with Jackie Ulasewicz-Cullen about moving beyond “rank-at-all-costs” thinking to a comprehensive, measurable growth system. We break down why there's no silver bullet in dental marketing and how an omnichannel mix—reviews, humanized social, targeted Google Ads with single-focus landing pages, and a conversion-ready website—works together. We zoom in on the new-patient experience: rapid responses, pre-visit doctor touchpoints, clear expectations, and thoughtful follow-ups that turn inquiries into trust and treatment. We also spotlight the most neglected profit center in dentistry—retention—and the metrics that reveal whether you're quietly shrinking or sustainably growing. Here's what we talked about in this episode: No silver bullet: SEO is a channel, not a strategy; build a portfolio of levers. Compete smart: In dense markets, SEO is long-term—pair it with Google Ads → single-focus landing pages to capture demand now. Speed-to-lead wins: Reply to forms/chats within minutes; slow responses kill conversion. Doctor touch = trust: A brief pre-visit call/text from the dentist lifts show rate and acceptance. Reviews with heart: Automate requests; dentist closes the loop on negatives—solve first, never ask for removal. Human social > generic posts: Short, educational team videos build connection and assist conversion. Retention is revenue: Track lost/inactive vs new, run reactivation, and educate existing patients on services (“Did you know we offer…?”). Measure what matters: Time-to-response, show rate, case acceptance, production per lead, and churn—not just clicks or calls. — Key Takeaways 00:47 Introduction and Event Announcement 02:10 Meet Jackie Cullen: A Marketing Expert 04:00 Understanding Comprehensive Marketing Strategies 05:30 Misconceptions in Dental Marketing 08:00 SEO in Competitive Markets                                                                                                    11:33 Omnichannel Marketing Approach 14:00 Enhancing the New Patient Experience 17:14 The Importance of Human Connection 19:34 Retention, Relationships, and Reputation 22:35 The Value of Patient Retention 25:50 Social Media and Advertising Strategies 29:50 Building Trust with Marketing Agencies 32:17 The Importance of Agency Involvement 34:15 Lightning Round Q&A 37:55 Conclusion and Resources — Connect with Jackie You can connect with Jackie Ulasewicz-Cullen and her agency through: Website: mydentalagency.com — click the “Schedule a Call” button right on the homepage. Free Book Offer: Elite Dentistry — elitedentistrybook.com/ravingpatients (includes free shipping + 3 exclusive bonuses).   — Learn proven dental marketing strategies and online reputation management techniques at DrLenTau.com. This podcast is sponsored by Dental Intelligence. Learn more here. This podcast is sponsored by CallRail, call tracking & lead conversion software for dentists. Find out more here. Raving Patients Podcast is your go-to place for the latest and best dental marketing strategies that will help you skyrocket your practice. Follow us for more!

Confusing messaging costs more clients than you realize. In a crowded gym market, clarity is what cuts through the noise.Welcome to Gym Marketing Made Simple, the go-to podcast for gym owners who want to attract clients and grow revenue with clear, effective marketing that actually works.Episode HighlightsIn this episode, we break down how to differentiate a gym in a saturated market by narrowing your focus, defining a one-line message, and building presence that makes people stop and pay attention.Key InsightsWhy targeting a specific demographic like busy professionals or former athletes creates stronger client loyalty.How to communicate what makes a gym unique in a single sentence.The essential marketing tools every gym should use: a strong website, active social media, and a CRM system.Why simplicity in messaging outperforms long lists of programs or benefits.The role of community visibility and consistent content in building market authority.Episode Chapters00:00 Intro00:05 Standing Out in a Competitive Market03:26 Clear and Concise Messaging04:43 Building Community Presence and AuthorityCall to ActionAudit your marketing, refine your one-liner, and take one step today to make your gym stand out. Share this episode with a fellow gym owner who's working to cut through the competition.Supporting Information

In this episode of the Real Estate Pro Show, host Erika interviews Jonathan Jossen, a prominent figure in Manhattan's real estate market. Jonathan shares his journey from Wall Street to real estate, his insights on the current market dynamics, and the importance of being prepared and knowledgeable in the industry. He discusses the challenges of navigating a competitive market, balancing quality and speed in transactions, and the significance of networking and relationships in real estate. Jonathan also offers valuable advice for newcomers and shares his future aspirations in the industry.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true ‘white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a “mini-mastermind” with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming “Retreat”, either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas “Big H Ranch”? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

In this episode of the Predictable Revenue Podcast, our host Collin Stewart, sat down with Chris Brunner to unpack what it really took to build Authvia in a complex industry. The slow work of building relationships, the discipline of not solving the wrong problems, and why product-market fit isn't a milestone. It's a moving target. For founders navigating distribution, defensibility, or channel strategy, this one's full of quiet, hard-earned lessons. Highlights include: The Journey of Validation and Market Research (03:32), Product Development and Initial Launch (11:28), Navigating Early Challenges in Customer Acquisition (12:53), Establishing Defensibility in a Competitive Market (15:04), Defining Product-Market Fit in a Complex Landscape (15:18), And more... Stay updated with our podcast and the latest insights in Outbound Sales and Go-to-Market Strategies!

Over the past decade, electricity prices for consumers have risen by more than 22% on average. At the same time, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)—the international body responsible for setting reliability and security standards for the North American power grid—has issued increasingly urgent warnings about the growing risks to the U.S. electric power […]

Today I'm joined by Richard Lupo, Fixed Operations Director at Apple Tree Automotive. We dig into why he's training master techs from the ground up, how streamlining the online service flow drove a 10x jump in appointments, and how Apple Tree goes toe-to-toe with powerhouse neighbors — and more. This episode is brought to you by: 1. CDK Global - CDK SimplePay is the only payment solution that's built into CDK solutions for unrivaled reliability and financial efficiency. To learn more or schedule a demo visit @ http://www.CDK.com/simplepay 2. OPENLANE - The world's best online dealer marketplace for used cars, bringing you exclusive inventory, simple transactions, and better outcomes. Learn more @ https://www.openlane.com 3. Nomad Content Studio - Most dealerships still get social media wrong—ignoring it, posting boring inventory photos, or handing it off to someone without a plan. Meanwhile, the dealer down the street is pulling millions of views and closing real car deals. That's where Nomad Content Studio comes in. They're the team behind dealers like Paragon Honda, Benzs & Bowties, and EV Auto. Nomad trains your videographer, guides what to film, then edits and posts across every platform for you. Want your dealership to be next? Head to http://www.trynomad.co Need help finding top automotive talent? Get started here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in advertising with Car Dealership Guy? Drop us a line here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cdgpartner.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Interested in being considered as a guest on the podcast? Add your name here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3Suismu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Topics: 00:07 Competing in bigger markets 01:43 How do disasters impact dealerships? 04:09 What inspired Apple Tree? 06:11 Richard Lupo's role at the dealership 07:21 Best growth strategies for dealers today 10:10 How to train technicians effectively 21:55 Biggest auto industry challenges? 34:54 Used car reconditioning standards? 37:58 AI's future in dealerships? Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: CDG News ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://news.dealershipguy.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CDG Jobs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CDG Recruiting ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My Socials: X ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠x.com/GuyDealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/cardealershipguy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@guydealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠threads.net/@cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Everything else ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.

Over the past decade, electricity prices for consumers have risen by more than 22% on average. At the same time, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)—the international body responsible for setting reliability and security standards for the North American power grid—has issued increasingly urgent warnings about the growing risks to the U.S. electric power system's reliability.The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), an independent agency established by Congress, plays a central role in this space. Under the Federal Power Act, FERC oversees the interstate transmission and wholesale sale of electricity and is responsible for reviewing, approving, and enforcing NERC’s reliability standards.Nearly 30 years ago, FERC fundamentally changed how it regulates the electric power industry. Did those changes contribute to the growing risks to the future reliability of the U.S. electric power system we now face? Or have they helped prevent even greater problems? Most importantly, what should federal electric regulation look like going forward?Join us for a dynamic and in-depth conversation with two seasoned experts as they explore these critical questions about the future of electricity regulation in the United States.Featuring:John Kennerly Davis, Jr., Senior Attorney, Former Deputy Attorney General of VirginiaAri Peskoe, Director, Electricity Law Initiative, Harvard Law School(Moderator) Robert T. Carney, Senior Counsel, Caplin & Drysdale; Adjunct Professor of Law, Georgetown Law

In this episode, Stephen Schmidt interviews Mark Keene, a seasoned real estate agent specializing in working with investors. Mark shares his journey into real estate, the importance of understanding investor clients, and the common mistakes new investors make. He emphasizes the role of a great investor agent, the significance of evaluating investment opportunities, and how to navigate competitive markets. Mark also discusses building long-term relationships with clients and his commitment to giving back to the community through the Homes for Heroes program.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true ‘white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a “mini-mastermind” with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming “Retreat”, either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas “Big H Ranch”? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

This week on The Real Escape Investing Podcast, we're sharing top takeaways from the June 16th Equity Builders Club webinar—designed to help you find and win more deals, both on and off market. In a city where good properties get snapped up fast, you need more than luck. You need systems. We cover how to build a deal pipeline, how to stand out to brokers and sellers, and how to get into position to say “no” more often—because you're seeing more than enough opportunities.Terrie Schauer's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrieschauer/ Terrie Schauer's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terrieschauer/ Check out all the other MPI Podcast Network Shows: https://masterpassiveincome.com/network

On this episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, the boys lasso CNET money maestro Katherine Watt to dissect the job market's wild west. Watt spills the beans on why unemployment stats are about as reliable as a weather app in a hurricane, exposing the gritty reality job seekers face. They wrangle topics like the “Great Stay” snoozefest, where workers cling to jobs like life rafts, and the economic data that's got everyone scratching their heads. Watt drops gold nuggets on crafting resumes that dodge AI gatekeepers, urging quality over spamming applications like a bot gone rogue. She also tackles AI's takeover, ghosting recruiters who vanish faster than a magician's rabbit, and the gig economy's rise that's got job seekers hustling like Uber drivers on a Friday night. With networking as the secret sauce and upskilling as the new black, Watt's tips are your ticket to standing out in a job market more crowded than a Black Friday sale. Get ready for laughs and wisdom in this no-BS job hunt showdown. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Catherine Watt and Her Background 02:56 - Understanding the Job Market Disconnect06:14The Reality of Job Searching Today 08:51 - The Impact of Economic Data on Job Seekers11:46The Perfect Storm in the Labor Market15:05The Great Stay and Its Implications 18:06 - Optimizing Resumes for the Modern Job Market 18:54 - Navigating Job Applications in the AI Era 24:47 - Generational Perspectives on Job Seeking 30:11 - The Shift to Gig Economy and Side Hustles 36:32 - Upskilling and Employee Development 39:43 - Strategies for Job Seekers in a Competitive Market

In this conversation, Jesse Welch, an investment banker in the real estate space, shares his unique journey from film production to investment banking. He discusses his experiences in various industries, the importance of building relationships, and the grit required to succeed in the competitive world of investment banking. Jesse also highlights the growth opportunities at MidCap Global, particularly in the equities and medical investment sectors, while emphasizing the need for adaptability and understanding different business cultures.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true ‘white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a “mini-mastermind” with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming “Retreat”, either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas “Big H Ranch”? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3165: Mike Ballew shares practical, strategic guidance for navigating a hyper-competitive housing market, where hesitation can cost you your dream home. His five-step plan empowers buyers to act quickly and confidently, arming themselves with neighborhood knowledge, financial readiness, and negotiation flexibility, to avoid common regrets and make smarter, long-term decisions. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://eggstack.com/blog/2022-02-13-5-Tips-for-Buying-a-Home-in-a-Competitive-Market/ Quotes to ponder: "Every home you consider must be viewed through the eyes of other buyers." "Sellers prefer to hitch their wagons to buyers who are able to prove they can afford a home versus someone who hopes they can." "You need to be hungry like the wolf, laser-focused, and ready to pounce on a moment's notice." Episode references: WAV Group: https://www.wavgroup.com Zillow: https://www.zillow.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Brandon Turner shares his journey from a blue-collar background to becoming a successful real estate investor and entrepreneur. He discusses the importance of focusing on one's primary business before diversifying into real estate, the various ways to make money in real estate, and the significance of personal branding. Turner also highlights the challenges faced by many real estate educators who may not actively invest anymore and emphasizes the importance of trust and commitment in both personal and professional relationships. The discussion touches on the mindset of wealthy individuals and their desire to give back to the community, as well as the need for entrepreneurs to stay focused on their business growth and stability.    Don't forget to register for Tommy's event, Freedom 2025! This is the event where Tommy's billion-dollar network will break down exactly how to accelerate your business and dominate your market in 2025.   For more details visit freedomevent.com   00:00 The Real Estate Dilemma   02:54 Brandon Turner's Journey into Real Estate   06:06 Understanding Real Estate Investment Strategies   08:59 The Mechanics of Real Estate Profitability   11:57 The Role of Personal Branding in Real Estate   14:51 The Guru Cycle in Real Estate Education   18:09 The Importance of Trust and Commitment   21:06 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship   23:51 The Mindset of Wealth and Giving Back   26:56 The Power of Focus in Business   30:07 The Importance of Business Growth and Stability   33:22 The Plague of Mediocrity   37:17 Building a Personal Brand to Attract Talent   39:28 Hiring Strategies for Success   42:02 Navigating Entrepreneurial Challenges in Hiring   44:31 Investment Strategies and ROI   48:12 Raising Capital in a Competitive Market   51:08 Leveraging Personal Branding for Growth   53:38 Common Pitfalls in Building a Personal Brand   58:23 The Key to Consistency and Success    

Ready to grow your clientele & revenue? Download "The 20 Client Generators" PDF now and get instant access to strategies that will fill your calendar with potential clients. No complicated tech, no lengthy processes—just real strategies that work. https://info.patrigsby.com/20-client-generators Do you want to stop chasing leads and start attracting them instead? Get Instant Access To The Weekly Client Machine For Just $5.00! https://patrigsby.com/weeklyclientmachine Get Your FREE Copy of Pat's Fitness Entrepreneur Handbook! https://patrigsby.com/feh  --- Building Strong Client Relationships: The Key to Successful Coaching In this video, we dive into the often-overlooked experiential side of coaching. Learn how forming meaningful relationships with your clients can set you apart in the industry. We'll discuss the importance of making clients feel valued, understood, and supported throughout their journey. Discover why focusing solely on the nuts and bolts of program design isn't enough and why creating a positive and engaging experience is essential for client retention and long-term success. 00:00 Introduction to Coaching Beyond X's and O's 00:41 The Experiential Side of Coaching 02:09 Creating Enjoyable Processes for Clients 02:50 Building Long-Term Relationships 03:43 Standing Out in a Competitive Market 04:14 Importance of Individual Attention 05:03 Maximizing Relationship Value 06:20 Conclusion: Connect, Convert, and Coach

Hiring great recruiters should be second nature for recruitment business owners—after all, it's what we do for clients daily. But when it comes to growing your own team, the stakes are higher, the risks are real, and the margin for error is razor-thin. In today's episode, we dive into what it really takes to attract, hire, and retain high-performing recruiters—especially in a competitive market where top talent has options. You'll hear the inside story of how one firm scaled from 7 to 50 people and 7X'd its revenue in just five years—not by chance but by building a values-driven hiring and retention strategy. Whether you're hiring your first or your fiftieth recruiter, this episode will give you the mindset, methods, and metrics to do it right. Episode Outline and Highlights [03:21] From psychology to recruitment - Andy shares how he started his recruitment career, leading to the foundation of Brainworks. [07:34] How making and learning from many mistakes are key to Andy's success. [10:20] Factors that lead to growth and scaling. [20:05] What can help you decide when considering investing in a high-compensation recruiter joining your team? [26:17] Andy reveals their hiring process when recruiting a recruiter. [31:32] How to retain top recruitment talent. [35:49] Fostering a collaborative and supportive culture - Andy elaborates on their specific action points. [43:50] Thoughts on remote work and performance management. [48:34] What the next five years look like for Brainworks. [50:53] Andy shares their tech stack that paid off. Andy Miller Bio and Contact Info Andy Miller started BrainWorks in 1991 and continues to lead the Consumer Products practice, placing talent ranging from mid level to general management and presidents, with an eye for impacting the business regardless of the level or function. Andy's client roster ranges from large Fortune 50 companies to smaller entrepreneurial organizations that are looking to grow and believe that finding the right talent makes a difference. Andy received a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology and spent 3 years in social services settings. After transitioning to business, Andy spent 10 years in the Telecommunications field, winning numerous sales awards including 5 consecutive years in the Gold Club and Salesman of the Year in 1987 and 1988. His passion and experience from competitive sports in addition to his psychology background provides a unique blend of competitiveness and people skills which has influenced how he works with both clients and candidates. This background is the basis of his philosophy -- to help clients win the competitive wars for talent by assessing, training and developing people towards greater productivity. Andy on LinkedIn Brainworks website link DRM Foundation Pinnacle Society Connect with Mark Whitby Get your FREE 30-minute strategy call Mark on LinkedIn Mark on Twitter: @MarkWhitby Mark on Facebook Mark on Instagram: @RecruitmentCoach Subscribe to The Resilient Recruiter

Send us a textWelcome back to the Laundromat Resource Podcast! In today's episode, host Jordan Berry is joined by John Simerson, the founder of Drop Mint Laundry Services in San Diego. John is absolutely crushing the pickup and delivery niche in one of the most competitive markets out there—and he's here to break down exactly how he's doing it. From his early days bootstrapping the business with nothing more than a second washer and dryer in his garage, to building a tech-driven laundry service, John discusses the challenges, lessons, and strategies behind his rapid growth. Whether you're thinking about launching your own pickup and delivery service, expanding your current operations, or just looking for some practical business wisdom, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways. John's approach to building systems, focusing relentlessly on product quality, and leveraging word-of-mouth instead of paid marketing will inspire anyone looking to dominate their market—even if laundry isn't your primary focus. Get ready to hear the real story of entrepreneurial grit, creative problem-solving, and building a business that's tough to beat!In this episode, Jordan and John discuss:00:00 "Encourage Engagement and Appreciation"07:56 App Development Success in One Year16:02 Surprised by Rental Linen Industry21:28 App-Based Laundry Credibility Challenge23:34 Laundry Business Beginnings30:50 Entrepreneur's Goal: Match Previous Income37:00 "Dropman: Custom Solutions Success"39:00 Optimizing Tech for Business Efficiency43:22 Custom Business Solutions Success51:50 Marketing as Whipped Cream55:31 Value Negative Feedback01:03:42 Prioritizing Employees Over Price Competition01:07:43 Invest in Retaining Quality Employees01:14:25 Mentorship and Flexibility Crucial01:19:50 Invest in Business Growth Programs01:26:02 "Embrace a 'Yes' Culture"01:31:08 Stay Involved in Your Business01:32:27 Stay Involved, Audit RegularlyShow Noteshttps://laundromatresource.com/show192ResourcesEmail: johnsimerson@gmail.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsimerson/Drop Mint: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dropmint-llc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.simerson.58/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_simerson/Connect With UsYouTubeInstagramFacebookLinkedInTwitterTikTok

In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael Mogill interviews Sofia K. Miguel, the 2024 ELITE Firm of the Year winner. Sofia shares her journey from the Army Reserve to leading a successful personal injury firm, offering practical insights into the challenges and successes of running a law practice. You will learn:  How to embrace marketing to enhance visibility and success in a competitive landscape How personal growth builds resilience, vital for leading a successful firm And how a high-performing team and top-tier client experience differentiate your firm Ready to transform your firm's future with proven growth and leadership strategies? Tune in to hear Sofia's impactful journey and discover how you can apply these lessons to your own practice. ---- Show Notes: 00:00 – Introduction: From Army Reserve to Elite Firm of the Year 03:24 – Why Sofia Chose Law: Autonomy, Self-Reliance, and Fulfillment 09:19 – Building the Firm From Scratch: Early Challenges and Vision 14:10 – Standing Out in a Competitive Market as a Woman-Owned Firm 18:47 – From Solo to Team: The Shift to Scaling and Hiring Attorneys 24:36 – Establishing Culture: High Standards and Collaborative Growth 32:55 – Making Unpopular Decisions for Long-Term Success 39:40 – Personal Growth, Professional Evolution, and Resilience 48:18 – What Being a Game Changer Means to Sofia Miguel ---- Links & Resources: Sofia K. Miguel Kolbe Index ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O'Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: Episode 346. James Amaro — Why Losing Everything Was the Best Thing That Happened  251. Alex Hormozi — The Power of Humility in Achieving Entrepreneurial Success 279. AMMA — Building Trust Through Authentic Leadership

In this episode, Chris Davey discusses his journey in e-commerce, the growth of his networking event at the Canton Fair, and insights into navigating the complexities of sourcing from China. We share our experiences about the safety concerns in China, travel challenges, and the importance of thorough research when attending trade shows.    We also talk about the networking opportunities going to China provides for Amazon sellers. We delve into the intricacies of product sourcing and development in the e-commerce space, particularly focusing on the advantages of Chinese manufacturing. We discuss strategies for identifying niche markets, the importance of building strong relationships with suppliers, and the rapid product development process that allows sellers to capitalize on emerging trends. The conversation also highlights the significance of differentiation in a competitive market and the benefits of being a first mover. The Big Takeaway Chris's product sourcing strategy involves developing accessories for popular products. The Canton Fair is divided into three phases, each focusing on different product categories. Networking is a key benefit of attending the Canton Fair. Post-COVID, there are fewer American attendees at the Canton Fair. Visa regulations for entering China can be complex and vary by nationality. Chris emphasizes how important of visiting suppliers' factories in China. Attendees should plan for at least 10 days to fully experience the Canton Fair. Designing accessories around popular products is effective. Predictive keyword popularity can lead to successful products. Niche markets can provide significant opportunities. Building relationships with factories is crucial for success. Rapid product development is key to staying competitive. Differentiation is essential in a crowded market. First-mover advantage can lead to increased sales. Networking events like FBA for You foster community among sellers. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to FBA4U and Chris Davey 01:57 - Chris's Journey to E-commerce and Canton Fair 06:02 - Growth of FBA4U and Networking Opportunities 09:56 - Safety and Visa Concerns in China 15:54 - Canton Fair Insights and Supplier Strategies 23:32 - The Speed of Chinese Manufacturing 24:15 - Innovative Product Sourcing Strategies 27:15 - Niche Markets and Competitive Advantages 30:02 - Building Relationships with Factories 32:10 - Rapid Product Development Process 35:13 - The Importance of CAD in Product Design 39:11 - Differentiation in a Competitive Market 43:24 - Leveraging First-Mover Advantage 44:55 - Managing Minimum Order Quantities 46:51 - Building Strong Supplier Relationships 50:18 - FBA for You: Networking and Community Thanks for listening! Until next time, happy selling!