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#703 Thinking about turning your passion into a franchise or buying into a proven brand? In this episode, host Brien Gearin sits down with Jami Stigliano, founder of Diva Dance — a fun, confidence-building dance concept for adults with 50+ franchise locations across North America. Jami shares how a disappointing dance class in New York City led her to create Diva Dance, grow it through partner studios and memberships, and ultimately scale via franchising. She breaks down the difference between being a founder and an entrepreneur, what makes a great franchisee (follow the system, build culture, stay consistent), the real costs behind franchising, and the step-by-step process someone goes through when they raise their hand and say, “I want in!” What we discuss with Jami: + Origin of Diva Dance + Solving a bad class experience + Community-driven class model + Choreography vs. follow-the-leader + Partner studios vs. brick-and-mortar + Membership-based revenue + Why she chose franchising + Founder vs. entrepreneur mindset + What makes a great franchisee + Steps to becoming a franchise owner Thank you, Jami! Check out Diva Dance at DivaDance.com. Schedule a 15 minute connection call with Jami. Follow Jami on all social platforms @divadancehq. To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training. And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Some hauntings don't cling to houses — they cling to people. They slip into a life quietly, rearranging objects, bending routines, and whispering their presence into the smallest moments… until years later, you realize they never left. What began in a simple Iowa City apartment surrounded by headstones evolved into something far more personal: a force that followed him through duty stations, breakups, new homes, and even fatherhood. It learned him. Adjusted to him. Grew bolder with every move. And no matter how many miles he put between himself and the past, the past kept finding him — opening doors, rearranging belongings, speaking in empty houses, and watching his loved ones in the dark. This is not the story of a place. It is the story of an attachment. One that has waited decades. One that has grown patient. One that still isn't finished. #paranormalattachment #hauntedlife #entityfollows #unexplainedactivity #darkpresence #lifelonghaunting #shadowwatcher #paranormalstories #thegravetalks #hauntingsurvivor Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:
Some hauntings don't cling to houses — they cling to people. They slip into a life quietly, rearranging objects, bending routines, and whispering their presence into the smallest moments… until years later, you realize they never left. What began in a simple Iowa City apartment surrounded by headstones evolved into something far more personal: a force that followed him through duty stations, breakups, new homes, and even fatherhood. It learned him. Adjusted to him. Grew bolder with every move. And no matter how many miles he put between himself and the past, the past kept finding him — opening doors, rearranging belongings, speaking in empty houses, and watching his loved ones in the dark. This is not the story of a place. It is the story of an attachment. One that has waited decades. One that has grown patient. One that still isn't finished. #paranormalattachment #hauntedlife #entityfollows #unexplainedactivity #darkpresence #lifelonghaunting #shadowwatcher #paranormalstories #thegravetalks #hauntingsurvivor Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
Taza Chocolate didn't follow trends—it built a lasting brand by doubling down on its differences. Founders Alex Whitmore and Kathleen Fulton share how staying true to their product, owning their manufacturing, and leading with purpose helped them weather crises and grow a resilient business.For more on Taza Chocolate and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.
In this episode, John Wilson is on-site in Chicago with Aizik Zimerman, owner of J.Blanton Plumbing, to break down how one of the fastest-growing plumbing companies in the country built a sewer and drain growth engine. Since buying the $6M Jay Blanton business at the end of 2022, Aizik has scaled it to ~$25M this year and a $30M run rate — and nearly half that growth is coming from sewers. They unpack the investments, the operational build-out, and the marketing + sales system that turned trenchless lining into a repeatable, high-volume profit center. Aizik shares the exact playbook behind his “Unclogs for Dogs” offer, why they send salespeople with cameras first (no junior drain tech flip), and how they price lining as the cheaper alternative to excavation to beat inertia and win the market. If you're trying to add $5–$10M of revenue through drains, improve close rates, or build a trenchless division that actually scales, this episode is a must-listen.What You'll LearnThe 2022 → 2025 growth story: $6M to $25M+ and what changed operationallyWhy Aizik bet big on sewers while competitors stayed HVAC-heavyThe economics of lining vs. digging: pricing, margins, and why “cheaper lining” winsHow a $1M+ CapEx investment (UV curing trailers, jetting, prep teams) unlocked volume
What's on your mind? Let CX Passport know...Charging more… and growing because of it? Dom Hodgson shows exactly how that works. Recorded in person as a CX Passport Live episode at The Alliance Mastermind hosted by Vance Morris, Dom brings a fresh pet-industry lens to universal business truths. He gets practical… pricing, differentiation, customer magic, and how to run a business that doesn't steal your weekends. Dog adventures, Disney-fied touches, and straight-talk guidance make this conversation fun and genuinely useful for any business.5 Insights From This EpisodeWhy most businesses… including pet businesses… undercharge and how to confidently raise pricesHow a simple language shift created a premium service categoryWhy sending physical newsletters still drives retentionA low cost way to Disney-fy your customer experienceHow the right butts in the right seats transforms family-run operationsCHAPTERS0:00 Welcome to CX Passport Live with Dom Hodgson 1:25 Dom's background and how he entered the pet world 2:21 The fastest place he spots money leaks 3:30 Why owners fear raising prices 5:51 The power of physical newsletters 7:33 How the dog adventure business started 9:03 Differentiating through language and experience 10:31 First Class Lounge 13:08 A practical Disney-fy move any business can use 15:03 Simple automation that boosts retention 17:46 Running a family business without chaos 20:41 How to reach DomGuest LinksDom Website: https://www.petbusinessmarketing.com/How to Disnify Your Pet Business book: https://www.petbusinessmarketing.com/magicbookBring CX Passport Live to your event: https://www.cxpassportlive.com/ Listen: https://www.cxpassport.com Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@cxpassport Newsletter: https://cxpassport.kit.com/signupI'm Rick Denton and I believe the best meals are served outside and require a passport.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).
Best Of 2GG: Jay's Heart Grew 3 Sizes Putting Up The Christmas Tree by Two Girls and a Guy
Send us a textThis week kicks off my December reflection series, and I'm sharing a few things that helped me feel more confident and more “me” this year — from figuring out my personal style to simplifying movement and getting closer to God.✨ LINKS + MENTIONED:♡ Save $10 on Brick (my favorite screentime saving tool!)♡ My study Bible♡ Henry Rose (favorite non-tox brand for signature scents!)♡ My Shopmy storefront (links!!)♡ Instagram: @karsenmurray
Eric spent 30 years in cybersecurity. Built and sold an MSSP to private equity for hundreds of millions. Then he started Tenex and hit $43 million in revenue in ONE YEAR. This isn't theory. This is a founder who's done it multiple times breaking down exactly how AI-native companies are about to eat every services industry alive. If you're building anything that touches AI, services, or enterprise sales, this is the episode.Why You Should ListenWhy selling outcomes beats selling products every timeHow to close enterprise deals in 60 days instead of 12 monthsThe difference between AI-native and AI-bolted-on companiesWhy founder-led sales is non-negotiable in the early daysHow to build for IPO from day one without slowing downKeywordsstartup podcast, startup podcast for founders, AI startup growth, founder-led sales, zero to one startup, enterprise sales strategy, AI native company, managed services startup, cybersecurity startup, product market fit00:00:00 Intro00:10:29 Selling His Last Company for $100Ms00:15:10 The Origin Story of TENEX00:36:47 How They Hit $43M ARR in Year One00:43:27 The 30 Second Demo That Closes Enterprise Deals00:47:10 Why Selling Outcomes Beats Selling Products00:51:29 The Mechanics of Going From Zero to $40M ARR01:01:09 Go to Market and Founder Led Sales01:05:32 When He Knew He Had Product Market FitRetrySend me a message to let me know what you think!
From $179K to $820K in One Year: The Transformation You Didn't See ComingJames Mitchell was on the verge of giving up. Despite working harder than ever, his painting business had hit $179,000 in revenue last year, and he wasn't taking home any profit. Today? He's on track to hit $1 million, a 400%+ increase, and everything has changed.But this isn't your typical business growth story.In this profound episode, Jesse Tarrin (Head Coach & COO at Painter Growth) sits down with James to explore the hidden dimension of business success that nobody talks about: the inner work that creates outer transformation.What You'll Discover:How James went from struggling with 5-minute meditations to doing 65-minute sessions that literally changed his realityThe "Intuition Accelerator" method (HAPP: Heal, Align, Power, Prosperity) and how it unlocks exponential growthWhy James had 20 estimates per week "magically" appear once he started this practiceThe difference between running your business from ego vs. intuition (and why it matters more than your marketing strategy)How addressing subconscious wounds from the inside out transformed his relationships, team culture, and bottom lineThe breathwork session that helped James release generational trauma and self-sabotage patternsWhy meditation isn't about stopping thoughts—and what it actually does for your businessHow being present and "slowing down" time creates competitive advantages others can't replicateThe Vulnerable Truth:James shares the darkest moments, the three days he almost walked away from everything, the struggles with profitability while paying his team well, and how the support of the Intuitive Advantage community pulled him through.This Episode Is For You If:You're working incredibly hard but not seeing the financial results you deserveYou feel stuck at a revenue ceiling and don't know whyYou're curious about the connection between personal development and business growthYou're a "personal development junkie" who consumes content but struggles with implementationYou want to understand how successful entrepreneurs are using meditation, breathwork, and intuitive practices to scaleKey Themes Explored:Meditation as a business tool, not just a wellness practiceThe concept of "higher selfishness"—serving your higher self to serve others betterRunning your business from love instead of fearThe universal law of "as above, so below"—how your internal state creates your external realityWhy the present moment is the only place miracles happenBuilding a team culture when you're in alignment with yourselfFair Warning:This episode goes deep. We're talking about subconscious healing, spiritual development, divine flow, and concepts that might sound "woo woo" to traditional business owners. But the results speak for themselves: 400% revenue growth, stronger relationships, better team culture, and a founder who's no longer on the edge of burnout.If you've been doing all the "right" business things but still feel like something's missing, this conversation might change everything.About the Intuitive Advantage:The program James completed combines business strategy with deep subconscious work, including guided meditation, breathwork, trauma healing, and intuitive coaching. It's designed for entrepreneurs ready to break through invisible ceilings by doing the inner work that creates outer transformation.Resources Mentioned:Intuitive Advantage ProgramHAPP Method (Heal, Align, Power, Prosperity)65-Minute Meditation PracticeBreathwork Sessions
Becoming a successful flower farmer and seed breeder takes not only a keen business sense but also creativity and resourcefulness, two traits that my guest this week has in spades. Erin Benzakein of Floret Flower Farm and the Magnolia Network series "Growing Floret" joins me to share how she cultivates her creative streak to get more flowers out into the world. Podcast Links for Show Notes Download my free eBook 5 Steps to Your Best Garden Ever - the 5 most important steps anyone can do to have a thriving garden or landscape. It's what I still do today, without exception to get incredible results, even in the most challenging conditions. Subscribe to the joegardener® email list to receive weekly updates about new podcast episodes, seasonal gardening tips, and online gardening course announcements. Check out The joegardener® Online Gardening Academy for our growing library of organic gardening courses. Follow joegardener® on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter, and subscribe to The joegardenerTV YouTube channel.
Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. We're talking with Tensley Almand, President and CEO of Atlanta Mission, the largest and longest-running provider of services for people experiencing homelessness in the Atlanta metro area. Founded in 1938 as a soup kitchen during the Great Depression, Atlanta Mission now operates four campuses, serving over 800 men, women, and children nightly through programs that provide housing, recovery support, and Christ-centered transformation. How do you lead through complexity while staying true to your calling? Tensley shares leadership lessons from his transition from church ministry to leading a $20 million nonprofit—insights that apply to every pastor or church leader navigating growth, complexity, or change. Moving beyond shelter to transformation. // While many think of Atlanta Mission as only an emergency shelter, over 60% of its beds are dedicated to long-term transformational programs that address root causes of homelessness. The yearlong program includes counseling, trauma recovery, life skills, and vocational training. Clients complete a four-week “Next Steps” program focused on relational, emotional, and workplace health. The results are remarkable: 70% of graduates maintain stable housing and employment a year later. Learning to lead by listening. // When Tensley stepped into his CEO role, he faced the challenge of succeeding a leader who had guided the organization from crisis to stability. Rather than arriving as the expert, Tensley began as what he calls the “Chief Question Officer.” He met with every employee to ask four key questions: What's right? What's wrong? What's missing? What's confusing? The responses revealed a clear need for strategic focus. Building clarity and focus. // Using that input, Tensley led a yearlong process to create a strategic roadmap—a seven-year plan that defines the organization's mission, values, and measurable outcomes. When there's clarity in an organization, saying ‘no' becomes easy and saying ‘yes' becomes difficult. The new strategy gave Atlanta Mission a unified framework for decision-making, with every initiative measured against the same mission. Measuring what matters. // Data fuels care. In order to better track client progress, the team at Atlanta Mission built dashboards, measuring not only how many people they serve but how lives are changing. When graduation rates dipped from 70% to 45%, they discovered the cause wasn't program failure but economic change. That same approach can transform church leadership. Churches measure nickels and noses, but what if we measured progression—how many first-time guests become group members, or how many volunteers grow into leaders? Partnership through presence. // Atlanta Mission thrives through partnerships with churches across the city. Tensley explains that relational poverty—people lacking healthy connections—is as debilitating as material poverty. Rather than only focusing on “do for” service projects, he encourages churches to create “be with” opportunities: hosting birthday parties, sharing meals, or building relationships with families at Atlanta Mission. Encouragement for leaders. // Reflecting on his own journey, Tensley reminds church leaders who feel stretched or uncertain that often you’ll overestimate what you can accomplish in 90 days, but underestimate what you can do in a year or two. Take time to listen, build unity, and stay faithful in the process. Over time, that faithfulness becomes transformation—both in the people you lead and in yourself. To learn more about Atlanta Mission, visit atlantamission.org or email to connect or schedule a visit. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. I am so glad that you have decided to tune in. We’ve got a real honored to have an incredible guest on today’s episode. We’ve got Tensley Almand with us. He is the president and CEO of Atlanta Mission. Rich Birch — Now, if you don’t know Atlanta Mission, I’m not sure where you’ve been. You really should know. This organization was founded in 1938 as a soup kitchen to feed men who were displaced by the Great Depression. And they just keep chugging along. They do incredible work. They now serve Metro Atlanta’s largest homeless population and bring hope in the face of homelessness, poverty, and addiction. Rich Birch — Prior to serving at Atlanta Mission, he was in vocational ministry for 20 plus years, the last 12 of those, as we were just saying in the pre-call. He said, felt like he had the the best job in the world, was a lead pastor at Decatur City Church, one of the eight Atlanta City, Atlanta area campuses of North Point Ministries. Tensley, welcome. So glad you’re here. Tensley Almand — Man, so good to be here. Thanks so much for having me. I’ve been looking forward to this conversation. Rich Birch — No, this is going to be good. I’m excited. Why don’t you kind of fill in the picture? Tell us a little bit more of your background and tell us a bit more about Atlanta Mission, that kind of thing. Just help set the table. Tensley Almand — Yeah, so I’m a native Atlantan. I grew up here, born and raised just north of the city. Yeah. Only child. Parents still live north of the city in the same town that I grew up in. Rich Birch — Nice. Tensley Almand — My wife and I, we have four kids. We have been married now, just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary… Rich Birch — Congratulations. That’s great. Tensley Almand — …which makes me feel old, but it’s it’s it’s all good. So four kids, three boys, little girl, they’re all just amazing, doing great things and in their worlds. We live over in city of Decatur. So ah for those that don’t know, just kind of just right outside of downtown Atlanta. So we feel like we’re living in the heart of the city. Rich Birch — Cool. Tensley Almand — Like you said, I spent 20 plus years on the church side of ministry, which you had told younger me that that was going to be my future, I probably would have laughed at you. Grew up in a family that church just frankly, wasn’t that important to us. My mom gets mad if I say I didn’t grow up in a Christian home, um, which, you know, looking back, I think is really true. I just grew up in a home that we didn’t feel like the church was for us. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And so, um, after, you know, meeting Jesus in college, giving my life to him, which is a whole nother really cool story, started down the path towards ministry. And eventually several years into that kind of looked up and thought, I don’t know what I’m doing. Like I’m working at these churches that I don’t even want to attend. Tensley Almand — Like remember this very pivotal meeting in my life where our pastor asked us, he’s like, if I didn’t pay you to go to church here, is this the church you would attend? Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — And every one of us said no. Rich Birch — Oh, gosh. Oh, my goodness. Tensley Almand — And they were all okay with it. Rich Birch — Oh, no. Tensley Almand — And I just like something broke in me. Rich Birch — Oh, no. Oh, no. Yeah. Tensley Almand — And I remember going home and I told my wife, I was like, I can’t do this anymore. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And so I started the process of just trying to find a job. But the problem is I’ve genuinely felt called by God to ministry. And so God used that to, to lead us down the path of starting Decatur City Church. And, um, our whole dream was just to create a church that people who didn’t like church would love to attend. Tensley Almand — And so, which is really cool. Again, it’s probably a whole other episode, but really cool because we got to do that in one of the most unchurched cities in Atlanta. 70% of the people who live in Decatur ah don’t go to a church. And Decatur, for those who don’t know, small little town right outside of a big city. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — But literally, there’s over 600 churches in that town. So we used to say all the time, nobody wakes up on Sunday wondering where a church is. They just wake up wondering if church is for them. Rich Birch — Right, right. Tensley Almand — And so that’s, that’s the thing we tried to solve. Right. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And so did that for 12 years, thought I would do that with my whole life. Just an amazing season. And then God called me out of there to Atlanta Mission. And so for those who don’t know, and we can get into that story here if you want to, but, for those who don’t know, Atlanta mission, like you said, it’s the largest and longest running provider of services… Rich Birch — Wow. Tensley Almand — …for men, women, and children experiencing homelessness in our city. So for perspective, what that means is on any given night, we’ll have about 800 men, women, or children who are staying with us. Rich Birch — Wow. Wow. That’s a significant operation. That’s, that’s incredible. Tensley Almand — It’s a significant operation. Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — It represents that in our city, that represents about 35 to 40% of all the shelter beds in Atlanta. Rich Birch — Wow. Wow. Tensley Almand — So that’s, it’s a, it’s pretty remarkable opportunity that we do that across three campuses in downtown Atlanta. Rich Birch — Okay. Tensley Almand — One for men, two for women and children. Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — And then we have this really cool drug and alcohol addiction facility out near Athens, which is about an hour outside of town, on 550 acre farm that is just beautiful ah for men who are in recovery from addiction. Rich Birch — Wow. Oh my goodness. Huh. Tensley Almand — So yeah. Rich Birch — Yeah. That’s, that’s incredible. i’m I’m glad you started with the kind of community size that you’re you’re serving. That’s, that’s amazing. Give me a sense of the operation from like a, you know, total number of staff, other kinds of metrics. Like I’m just trying to, I know, you know, you’re not a kind of person that’s going to brag about that kind of stuff, but just trying to help people kind of place, because this is a significant operation, friends. Atlanta Mission is it’s a world-class organization doing great work and honored to have you on this the show. But people might not be ah kind of aware of the the scale of it. Give us a bit more sense of that. Tensley Almand — Yeah, no, it’s a, it’s a good question. I appreciate you asking. Cause yeah, I definitely don’t, I don’t want to, I don’t like going there, but… Rich Birch — Yes. And it’s even just, it’s a funny thing to, it’s a funny thing to even like, it’s like, well, we’re really good. It’s like, it’s like, well, yeah, it’s a tough thing you’re doing. So it’s like, man, it’s a weird thing to kind of try to but get ah your arms around. How, how do we talk about this? Yeah. Tensley Almand — Yeah. So let me kind of give you scope and then let me talk a little bit about what we’re doing. So scope is ah we’re we’re about a $20 million dollars a year organization. Rich Birch — Yep. Yep. Tensley Almand — And so just like every church out there, that means, you know, we start July as the start of our fiscal year and we start at zero… Rich Birch — Yep. Tensley Almand — …and then we go and raise $20 million dollars… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — …to meet the need of our expenses. And we do that through mainly private and and corporate donations. And so… Rich Birch — Yep. Tensley Almand — …we’re almost a hundred percent privately funded this year. Rich Birch — Oh, wow. Tensley Almand — We, we, we took our very first government grant. Rich Birch — Huh. Tensley Almand — But I mean, it’s a $250,000 grant, which is not insignificant, but on the scope of 20 million. So that kind of gives everybody an idea. So you’re talking about, uh, you know, thousands of donors who come alongside of us to partner with us, which is just amazing. Rich Birch — Yeah. Amazing. Yeah. Tensley Almand — We serve about 800 men, women, and children, like I said, Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — And we have right at about 180 staff… Rich Birch — Wow. Tensley Almand — …who are who are either you know full-time equivalents basically here with us. And that’s across four different campuses. So we’re essentially like a multi-site operation. So I’m sitting here at my office today, which is basically our mission support center. Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — So your accounting, HR, development team, all of your infrastructure, and we support the work that’s happening all over our city. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And then we also have three thrift stores across Northeast Georgia that’s included in that head count. Rich Birch — Wow. Tensley Almand — And so a little bit of that 20 million that I was telling you about that that revenue comes from sales as well. And so, so yeah, it’s pretty broad organization. And then what we do, a lot of people think about you know Atlanta Mission, especially here in our city, and they just think emergency shelter. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — Certainly what we do. But of those 800 beds, roughly only 40% of those go towards emergency shelter. And so if you… Rich Birch — Oh, really? OK. Tensley Almand — Yeah. And so if you show up at our door and you just need safety, security, stability, um, you’re just trying to like get off the street… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — …we have a program called Find Hope… Rich Birch — Yep. Tensley Almand — …and it’s a 30-day program. You can stay with us rent free 30 days. You know, bed meals, showers, really, really, really, really low expectation on those clients. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — It’s just like, hey, we’re here to meet your needs. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s cool. Tensley Almand — The other 60% of our beds go towards what we call our transformational model… Rich Birch — Okay. Tensley Almand — …where we provide complete wraparound services. It’s about a year long program. Rich Birch — Wow. Tensley Almand — You show up and we’re going to try to help you get healthy relationally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, vocationally. We’ve got counselors, we’ve got advocates, we’ve got social workers. You have a whole team… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — …that works with you, walks with you for a year… Rich Birch — Wow. Tensley Almand — …depending on really your core traumas, what’s caused your homelessness. And our main goal, our mission is to transform through Christ the lives of those who are experiencing homelessness, poverty, and addiction. Tensley Almand — And so what we want to do, what that means to us is over the course of that year, Um, we want to give you the tools to identify your traumas, understand those traumas and ultimately break the cycles so that you don’t ever have to come back to our doors again. We we tell our clients, we love you, but we don’t ever want to see you again. Like this is just like, like, how do we… Rich Birch — Yes. Yes. This was a phase of your life, hopefully, right? Tensley Almand — Yeah. Rich Birch — That’s the goal. Tensley Almand — How do we end that for you? And so our program goes through all the counseling, all the services, and it wraps up in a vocational training program we call Next Steps that… Rich Birch — Wow. That’s amazing. Tensley Almand — …that gives our clients the soft skills they need to not just get a job. Because here’s here’s what’s really cool. You you would get this. Our clients are really good at getting jobs. But like so many people out there, we’re terrible at keeping a job. Rich Birch — Right. Right. Right. Yes. Tensley Almand — Like people don’t know the skills needed to like keep a job. Like how do you manage conflict? Rich Birch — Right, right. Tensley Almand — What do you do with that boss who’s just overbearing? How do you have normal workplace conversations? Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — And so we have a ah four week training program that gives our clients those skills. And what we’re finding is that for the clients who go all the way through our program, 70% of those who graduate our program, they still have a house or a living situation a year later. Rich Birch — Wow. Tensley Almand — And they are maintaining that job a year later. Rich Birch — Wow. That’s incredible. Tensley Almand — And so it’s just been a remarkable, remarkable journey. And so we’ve got some transitional housing in there… Rich Birch — Yep. Tensley Almand — …where you graduate our program, you stay with us, we help you save up and and we help you find an apartment. And then when you’re ready financially and you’re you’re stable, we help you move into that that apartment. Tensley Almand — And what’s really cool, probably one of my favorite things is for alumni is that year after you graduate, you get a retention coach with us and they walk with you. And they just help you navigate life because, man, when you’ve stayed somewhere for a year and then you kind of come back in and you’re like, oooh, the pressures of the world are on me. That first year is so tough. Rich Birch — So hard. Yeah. Tensley Almand — Yeah. Yeah. Rich Birch — Well, that’s cool. I appreciate you sharing that. and And yeah, even church leaders that are listening in, um man, ah there whether if you’re in the Atlanta area, you definitely should reach out to Atlanta Mission. Rich Birch — But even in your neighborhood, like there are, this is why you shouldn’t be trying to invent this yourself as a church. There are these are incredibly complex issues that you know when I heard all of the the different things you’re doing to surround people, try to help them, um that’s that’s inspiring. That’s amazing. Rich Birch — Well, I’d love to pivot and talk about kind of your experience as you’ve transitioned in, like some try to extract some leadership lessons. It’s been said that one of the first things that leaders do is define reality or gain clarity for their for their organization. Rich Birch — When you first started early on in your role, what were you listening for or look for that told you, maybe there’s some areas here that just aren’t very clear? What did you see as you were, you know, we got to bring some more clarity in the organization? Were there things you kind of saw that that made you think, oh, we maybe this is some areas we need to gain some better clarity as an organization? Tensley Almand — Yeah, no, absolutely. And I think, you know, every leadership transition is different. One of the advantages I had is that what my predecessor was leaving me was so much different than what he inherited. Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — And so he inherited an organization that was in crisis. He handed me an organization that was thriving. But, that organization really was, and he was, and it’s it’s all kind of wrapped up in our story, is that it was time for him to retire. It was time for him to move on. And so the whole organization was asking what’s next. And so that’s, that’s one advantage I had is that there was this collective, like, well, like what what is next for us? That was helpful. Tensley Almand — The other advantage I had, and I did not think this was an advantage. But, you know, I, I came out of church ministry. I didn’t know how to lead a nonprofit. I didn’t know anything about homelessness. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — Tensley Almand — I didn’t know much about social services. And so, yeah I truly believe God called me into this, but I couldn’t come in like an expert. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And so I literally was forced to, my I tell people my door said CEO, but I think I was really the chief question officer. I mean, my my first year… Rich Birch — Help me understand. Help me understand. Tensley Almand — …was, yeah, asking questions. I can I can vividly remember our clinical director coming into my office and saying, hey, we’ve got this massive clinical decision that we need to make and there’s this and this and this. And you know and then like trying to leave that way. What do you think we should do? And I’m like… you’re the clinical director. Like, what do what do you mean? Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — But that was again, and this is and he would say this if he was sitting here, my predecessor had an organization that was in crisis. And so every decision had to center on him. And I needed to come in and teach our team how to have a decentralized leadership. How like, hey, look you’re the clinical director I’m going to support you, I’m to remove obstacles for you. But if I have to make clinical decisions, we’re we’ve got a really big problem because I’m not qualified to make that decision. Tensley Almand — And so um really pushing leadership down… Rich Birch — yeah Tensley Almand — …asking a lot of questions, understanding what we do. And so that was that was a huge advantage that that i think a lot of people probably, they can like I did, they they think about the things that are stacked against them. To me, it’s like you don’t know anything about the space. That’s a big obstacle. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — Well, maybe lean into those obstacles because it’s a really good way to to get underneath the hood. And so it forced me to ask questions, forced me to listen. And then what I did is I I truly went on a just a listening tour. Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — I set up a meeting, I think, with every employee of our organization. Rich Birch — Wow. Wow. Tensley Almand — And I asked everybody what’s right, what’s wrong, what’s missing and what’s confusing. Rich Birch — Huh. Tensley Almand — And I still have that notebook. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — I mean, my assistant like cataloged answers for days. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And what was so cool to me was that without having the same language, almost everybody in the organization identified the same rights, wrongs, missings and confusions. And so I was able to then take that and really come back to our senior team and say, hey, what should we do about this? Like we all… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — We all agree this is a problem. like What should we do do? And I think a colleague of mine, I remember walking into his office and he had this drawing on his board. I’m like, what is what is that? He’s like, well, is how I feel about our organization. I remember it was ah it was a circle. Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — And all the arrows were pointed in every direction around the circle. And he’s like, that’s us. Like, we’ve got the right idea… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — …but everybody’s pulling in a hundred directions to try to figure out how to do that idea. Rich Birch — Wow. Tensley Almand — and I said, man, we need to take that circle and get all those arrows on one side. Cause if we can collectively pull… and that just kind of became our quest. And so we took all those answers and, you know, basically the the big thing was, um you know, and I don’t know where I learned this, but I feel like when there’s clarity in an organization, ‘no’ is really easy and ‘yes’ is is really difficult. It’s like really easy to say no. Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — And what I found at Atlanta Mission was we were just saying yes to everything. And the reason we were saying yes to everything is because there was no strategy, there was no clarity. Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — And so we took that first year and a half, wrote our strategic plan, identified who we want to be and why we want to be that. And then what would it look like to be that organization? And so we just kind of built it backwards. And that’s the journey we’ve been on now for the last four years since I’ve been here. Rich Birch — Wow. That’s, ah yeah, that’s incredible. I love that that feeling. In fact, i I took over a nonprofit ah kids camp and much smaller scale than what you’re running. But I remember those early days where there yeah people are looking at you and and and there is this sense of like, okay, so like you got to tell us where we’re going. What is the thing we’re doing next? Like and it’s easy to like… the easy thing is, let’s try this. Let’s try that. Let’s do a bunch of different things. And that can lead to that pulling, those hundred different, you know, it’s lots of activity, but it’s not focused. Tensley Almand — Yeah. Rich Birch — And trying to get everybody on a kind of a shared page of or shared picture of what the future looks like, man, that’s great through this, this process of kind of we’re going to do a strategic plan over a year. What, what would you, what would you say to a leader that is feeling the pressure of like, Hey, I want to define the future now, as opposed to that feels like a step back. We’re going to year and a half and define this stuff. What would you say to a leader? Why should we slow down? Talk us through why that, how that benefited now that you’re on the other side of all that. Tensley Almand — Yeah, I think the first thing I would say is it’s it’s totally worth it. I mean, it it was hard. It was challenging. It it does feel like a step back. But I don’t know how to step forward without without clarity, you know. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And that’s, you said at the beginning, I got to ah got to be one of the campus pastors at North Point Community Church for years. I can remember Andy always saying, The beauty of North Point wasn’t that we got to start with a blank page, just that we started on the same page. Rich Birch — That’s good Tensley Almand — And I just think that like that, that is always set with me. And so when I when I started here, I realized like, hey, I don’t I don’t get the luxury of a blank page. I mean, this organization has been around since 1938. You know, when I when I started Decatur City, it was so easy because I just told everybody what we were doing and why we were doing it and there was nothing else we were doing. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And so it was just like… But here it’s like, OK, if I can’t get to a blank page, the best thing I can do is we’ve got to get on the same page… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — …or else we’re just we’re going to spin our tires. And, and you know, I think I’ll I’ll this story probably sums it up and maybe somebody can relate to this. I have a monthly breakfast with our board chair and our vice chair. And the very first breakfast I went to in this role, it was my predecessor’s last breakfast and my first. And so we’re all so it’s him, it’s me and it’s a board chair a vice chair, all of which have been around this organization 3x the amount of time I had at that point, I had been there like three days. Rich Birch — Yes. Yes. Couple weeks. Tensley Almand — And and we got this email the night before the breakfast, and it was from a developer. And they were offering $14 million dollars for the piece of property that my office sits on, which is a widely underused piece of property… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — …that we’ve always kind of wrestled with, like, what do we do with this thing? Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — $14 million dollars. Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — That’s almost our entire year’s budget. Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — And I remember showing up to this breakfast with this LOI and I asked the question, should we take it or should we not? Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And nobody could answer my question. Rich Birch — Wow. Wow. Tensley Almand — Nobody knew if it was a good idea to take $14 million dollars or to walk away from $14 million dollars Rich Birch — And if that group doesn’t know, nobody else in the organization is going to know, right? Tensley Almand — And that’s exactly what I said. I was like, if you don’t know, and I don’t know… Rich Birch — Yeah. Yes, exactly. Tensley Almand — …nobody knows. Rich Birch — Yes, yes, yes. Tensley Almand — And so I started with that small group and I said, hey, would you give me the freedom to to take however long it takes for us to make sure we can answer that question? Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. Tensley Almand — And so in our first board meeting, I raised my hand and I just said, hey guys, I know I’m new, I know I just started. But I shared the story and I said, hey, we have to be able to answer questions like this. Or we’re never going to get anywhere. We may do a lot of good things, but we are going to have no idea if we did the best thing. Rich Birch — Right, right. That’s good. That’s good. So kind of double clicking on that, continuing to kind of focus in on this. You know, there are churches, organizations that will do the strat plan or roll. We go away for the big retreat. We come up with the new value statements. It’s got great strategy on paper. But it doesn’t end up translating into practice. What are you doing at the mission to try to make sure that we’re going from that wasn’t just a great document that’s like in a nice book somewhere, but it’s actually rolling out. Maybe give us some examples of that. And what are those kind of rhythms, cadences, all that? How how are you making that happen? Tensley Almand — Yeah, it’s wish I could really tell you we’re crushing it in this area. It’s this is a new habit for us. Rich Birch — Sure. Sure. Good. Tensley Almand — And so we’re I’m four years in. We just finished our first full fiscal year under our new strategy. And so I can tell you what we’ve learned. Rich Birch — Hey, that’s good. Yeah, good. Tensley Almand — One, once you get it built you have to start small. We, I wish I could remember the exact number, I think as a senior team we committed and told our board we were going to do 392 new initiatives or something in year one, you know. Rich Birch — Wow. Right. Tensley Almand — And this is a seven-year plan… Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — …we’re like we got almost for it and I think we got 100 through of the 392. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And we celebrated like crazy at the end of the year because it was like, that’s 100 things that were all in alignment that we’d never done before. We learned so much. So, start small. Tensley Almand — The other thing is we built our plan. And I was I was very intentional about this because of what you just said. I did not want another notebook that was going to sit on my shelf. And so our strategic plan is really a strategic roadmap. And what I have told our board, what I’ve told our staff is I want an organization that knows how to think. Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — And our our plan is really a roadmap for how we should think. It’s not overly prescriptive in necessarily what that means. Because it’s it’s designed to take us all the way through 2030. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — Well, I have no idea what’s going to happen between now and 2030. Rich Birch — Right. Right. Tensley Almand — But I do know that if what we said we want to accomplish, we’re accomplishing, however that looks, by 2030, we’re on the right track. And so that would be the other thing is just like, I would build, I wouldn’t make it so prescriptive that it tells you like, Hey, next week you’re doing this. And the week after… It needs to teach the organization how to think, how to act so that the person who’s brand new on the front line, if I’m not in the room, they don’t need to spend any time going like what, what would Tensley want me to do? They just, this is who we are as an organization. It’s how we think. Tensley Almand — And then we at a senior level and then we pushed it all the way down to our organization. We built a meeting cadence around it. Rich Birch — Nice. Tensley Almand — And so we have our senior team meets once a week. Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — That’s my six direct reports and plus my admin. Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — And we, one, so we do that on Tuesday morning, one, the first Tuesday of the month is a strategy meeting. We talk all about the strategic plan. That’s like a, how how are you doing and your department doing towards what you said you were gonna do? Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — And we have a dashboard to measure that against. And then the next Tuesday is an operations meeting. And it’s just like, hey, what are what are we working on? We can’t live at 50,000 feet all the time. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — Let’s get down to 1,000 feet or whatever it is. Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — And so we have that operations cadence. And then the third meeting is kind of like a catch-all, like, hey, what you know what needs to happen? And then our last meeting of the month is a monthly ministry review with the entire, not just my direct reports, but all the managers that sit under my direct reports. Rich Birch — Oh, that’s cool. Tensley Almand — And they lead that meeting. I listen in that meeting. And I get to hear what’s happening at every campus, what’s going on. And I get to hear how people are implementing or not implementing the strategy. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And then the very next meeting, if you’re keeping up, is then our strategy meeting. Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — So then I’m like, hey… Rich Birch — Here’s some stuff I heard. Tensley Almand — …tell me more about this. Rich Birch — Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Tensley Almand — Or I didn’t hear like, Hey, I thought we were working on this. Why is that not happening? And so we have dashboards. Rich Birch — Yeah, yeah. Tensley Almand — We’ve never had those before. We have data that we can follow. We have metrics we’ve identified as a, as a team, our wins. And so it’s like, Hey, how are we tracking towards those wins and just have created a layer of accountability that didn’t exist probably three years ago. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. Let’s talk a little bit more about the data thing. I’ve, or data thing. We, I’ve, I’ve said with younger leaders, you know, spreadsheets are the language of leadership. Like you’re going to have to get used to this stuff. This is just… Tensley Almand — Yep. Rich Birch — …this is how we care for people at scale is, is that is what it looks like. So data can either inspire or intimidate. How do you track outcomes? How do you, how do you how have you seen, you know, data over this last year actually change behavior and move things, improve care, better outcomes, all that kind of stuff. Talk us through what, cause you know, what we measure can get, can, you know, steer us in the wrong direction or steer us in the right direction. Help, help us think through that. As we’re thinking about what numbers should we pay attention to? Tensley Almand — Yeah. So again, when I started, that was a big question I had. So if you were to look at our numbers, you would see that we serve, you know, let’s, these are rough, but right at about 3000 people a year come through our doors. Rich Birch — Okay. Tensley Almand — Right. Which is huge. Rich Birch — Yep. Tensley Almand — You’re like, man, that’s amazing. Well, then I, as I walk you through that, by the time you get to the end of our vocational training a year later, we may graduate like 400. And then 70% of those 400 are still doing well the the next year. And so, you know, on paper, you’re like, man, is that good? Rich Birch — Right. Yes. Tensley Almand — Like that, that there’s a lot of attrition there. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — Like should, is, is, are we fail… And that was, again, when I started, that was a question nobody could answer for me is, Hey, is that good? Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And so even backing up before we built our strategy, our senior team spent so much time defining our outcomes. And we had all of these statements, you know, but it was like we want somebody to be healthy vocationally. Tensley Almand — It’s like, okay, what does that mean? Crickets in the room. Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — Wait, if you don’t know what it means and I don’t know what it means, does the person who’s leading that program know what it means? Better question: does the person who’s receiving our services know if they’ve actually achieved help in that area? Tensley Almand — And so we went through, defined all of those terms so that there was a clear outcome to it… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — …so that we could then measure it. And then we built both a one-page dashboard that our senior team could look at at a high level. So I could I can open this dashboard on any Monday morning. It’s just in Tableau, so nothing super you know exciting. Rich Birch — Yep. Yep. Tensley Almand — And I can just see, i can see progression through our program. I can see healthy exits. We’ve defined what are healthy exits. I can see, ah you know, are people getting stuck? That was a big thing we were we were learning is like, people are just getting stuck in our program and we’re committing to somebody. You’re going to be at this phase of the program 30 days. Well, then they spend 60 days. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And what we were finding. We were, so this, this probably long winded way of saying this, but what we, we didn’t know what was happening or why it was happening and it felt good. But you know, you’re like, I don’t know. Tensley Almand — And so what we were finding is it’s like, Hey, so that’s an example. Like, somebody gets stuck in our program. We promised them 30. It takes 60. All of a sudden, we were able to track that, hey, there’s a certain amount of fallout rate at this stage of the program. Why is that happening? Oh, people are stuck. They’ve been here too long. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — We got to fix that. And so it it enabled us to know what needed to be fixed and and not fixed. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. Tensley Almand — And probably the the best real-time example of that is just recently. So I keep telling you the 70% number of graduates are successful. That’s kind of our historical data. Rich Birch — Yep. Yep. Tensley Almand — Well, this year, that number fell for the first time ever. It’s gotten better every year. Rich Birch — Wow. Tensley Almand — This year it fell and it fell like dramatically. And this is one of those I don’t like to talk about it because it doesn’t look good. Rich Birch — Interesting. Yes. Tensley Almand — I mean, like it fell down to almost like 45, 50 percent. Rich Birch — Oh, wow. Tensley Almand — You’re like, what’s happening? Rich Birch — Almost inverse. Yeah, yeah. Wow. Tensley Almand — Exactly. And so at first, you’re like, our program is no good. We got rewrite our program. Well, thankfully, we had been tracking all of the kind of whys and we understood what was happening in people’s lives. And what we have found out is no, like the economy shifted. You can’t get a job in 30 to 60 days anymore. Rich Birch — Interesting. Tensley Almand — And so a gate in our program is when you graduate, you have 60 days to get a job. If you don’t get a job, you can’t move into our transitional housing because if we just allow you to stay, beds back up and then more people can’t get in. Tensley Almand — Well, our clients then would stop taking our advice and stop waiting for a good job. And at day like 50, they would just go get that job that doesn’t pay well. Rich Birch — Ohhh. Tensley Almand — And they knew it wasn’t going to be a career builder job. It was just going to keep them sheltered. Rich Birch — Right, right. Tensley Almand — And so it was our our like metrics were actually driving a behavior we didn’t like. Rich Birch — That’s interesting. Tensley Almand — And so we’re in the process now of like, hey, we’ve got to change this. The length of time it takes to get a job now takes longer. and Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — The job market’s more you know fierce right now. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And so we don’t want nothing against these types of jobs. We don’t necessarily want our client leaving to go get a job at McDonald’s Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — But for them, leaving it to go get a job at McDonald’s versus not having a place to stay, I’ll take the McDonald’s job… Rich Birch — Right. Yes. Tensley Almand — …even though I know I’m only going to be there three months. Rich Birch — Right. Right. Tensley Almand — And so it was throwing off all of our numbers and it’s because we were incorrectly driving a behavior that we don’t want to drive. So. Rich Birch — Wow. That’s cool. That’s a great, very vivid example. And there’s lots of that in the church world. I know you I know you know that. There was a church I was doing some work with last year, large church, 10,000-person church. And they were we were talking one of the numbers I obsess with my clients over is documented first-time guests, the actual number of people that come every single weekend. And I was convinced that this church was just was missing a whole bunch of first time guests. And so they were telling me about how great their, their, their assimilation numbers were. They were like, Oh, this is so great. And I was like, I just don’t believe it. I’m like, because, because if you are not capturing the number of, of documented first time guests, then yeah and you’re comparing against half of what you probably actually have coming into your church, then then every number be below that, all your integration stuff looks twice as good as it actually is. Tensley Almand — Yeah. Rich Birch — And you know that that happens in lots of places across our numbers. We’ve got to get real clear and benchmark against other people. Tensley Almand — If I could go back and if I could go back, no, no, it’s just, like I’ve often thought like, what would I do different if I was a church leader now? Rich Birch — Yeah, yeah, yeah. That’s a good question. Tensley Almand — And I would I would measure so much differently. Rich Birch — Yeah, interesting. Tensley Almand — You know, historically we’ve measured nickels and noses, right? Like how much money’s coming in and how many people are sitting in the pews. But it’s like, those are important. Rich Birch — Yeah. Tensley Almand — I wouldn’t stop measuring them, but I would pay attention to like this. I would try to find a way to measure progression, you know. Rich Birch — Yes, 100%. Tensley Almand — It’s like to your point how many first-time guests are you having okay well then of those first-time guests how many of them are actually moving to your small groups. Rich Birch — Yeah, 100%. Tensley Almand — Of those who moved your small groups do any of them ever volunteer like and and really understand the behaviors you want. And then measure to those behaviors and i think especially in a world where just church attendance looks so much so much different, we could gauge health of our churches so much more effectively if we were Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s so true. I’d love to I’d love to kind of pivot for a few minutes in a slightly different direction. Tensley Almand — Okay. Rich Birch — So we have a lot of church leaders that are listening in and I’d love to understand how Atlanta Mission partners with churches. What does that look like? How do you work together? So specifically at Atlanta misha, and then what would you, Mission, and then what would you say to churches in general? Hey, um what advice would you give now that you’re on this side of the equation of actually partnering with an organization like Atlanta Mission? How can you be kind of the best partner? How do we what are what are people on your side of the table actually looking for from a church like ours? Because I’m sure there’s all kinds of stories of like, yeah, that didn’t work well. Talk us through what that looks like, partnerships specifically, and then kind of in general, how can we be better at that? Tensley Almand — Yeah, and partnership is one of our pillars of our strategic plan. I think I think for nonprofits, especially when you’re large and you’re self-funded, you can it’s easy to get siloed. And we we fell into that category, not just with outside partners that wanted to come in and help us, but also with other service providers across the the, you know, continuum of care in our city. is It’s just it’s easy to kind of put your head down and do your own thing. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And so this is a huge emphasis for us, mainly because it’s really woven into the vision of our organization. Our organization is a community that’s united to end homelessness one person at a time. Well, I mean, it’s like partnership has to be built into that. Rich Birch — Right. Yes, baked into it. Yeah. Tensley Almand — So what who are we to then go get siloed? Like, that’s like, wow, you can’t even accomplish what you said you wanted to do. And so um we… I’ll back into this answer by telling you one of the things we’ve discovered at Atlanta Mission is that this isn’t this, you know, this isn’t novel, but, you know, material poverty, we all know is debilitating. Relational poverty is just as debilitating as material poverty. Rich Birch — That’s so true. Tensley Almand — And what we find with our clients is that almost 100 percent obviously are struggling with some version of material poverty, but they are just relationally broken and poor. They are void of healthy relationships. And so this is this is so much where partnership comes in, because we we literally have a metric that we track of how many healthy contacts does a client have in their phone before they graduate our program. And what we were finding is I mean we were their only healthy contact. Rich Birch — Oh, wow. Tensley Almand — And it’s wait this is this is not good. And this is such a great place for churches to partner with us because we have so many opportunities that we just call we call them “be with” opportunities there’s like there’s “do for” service projects but there’s also “be with” service projects. And they’re just designed for you to establish healthy community with our clients, build relationships, throw a birthday party for somebody… Rich Birch — That’s so good. Right. Tensley Almand — …have a Christmas party at one of our shelters. Come, you know, we’re moving into the holiday season, you know, come and build gingerbread houses together with our kids who are staying with us and just create an hour in somebody’s life that’s normal. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — And I feel like churches are better at this than anybody. Our corporate partners are fantastic at the “do for” projects. They can then come in and beautify our campuses in 30 minutes in a way that none of us can. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — You know, Home Depot comes in and it’s like, we’re going to transform your landscape. Great. This is awesome. Rich Birch — Yeah, yeah. Tensley Almand — I love it. But a church can come in and just be authentic and be real and be with our clients. Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — And you would be amazed at how different somebody’s life looks after just that hour. And so, and I think that’s a huge thing. And then what I would tell churches, I think even as a church leader, I I probably overlooked how vital we were to nonprofits. You just you know, you think it’s an hour, but you know, even the day of, you know, you wake up that morning and you’re like, they don’t really need me. Like, I don’t know. Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — This is, am I not really going to make a difference? Yes, you are. Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — You are going to make a huge difference. It is worth the hour. It is worth the drive. Tensley Almand — And we we tell people all the time, and I’ve seen this in my own life. The thing that happens at Atlanta Mission is there’s always two stories of transformation happening. There’s the story of transformation that’s happening in a client’s life. But God transforms my life every day. Rich Birch — That’s so true. Tensley Almand — And it’s that’s the part I didn’t expect, Rich, is that… Rich Birch — Right. Tensley Almand — …my life is being changed as much as anybody else’s. And so I would, I would tell a church, Hey, our clients need you. But you need this as well. Rich Birch — Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Tensley Almand — Like God’s going to do something in your life. Tensley Almand — And then the other is just, um I think, especially for really big churches, it’s easy to think like, I bet they need my expertise. It’s like, actually, that’s not like. We need your partnership. Rich Birch — Yes. Yes. Tensley Almand — You know, we, we know how to do this. Come put wind in our sails. Rich Birch — Yeah. Yeah, Tensley Almand — Come just serve, be a part of what we’re doing. Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s so good. That’s super helpful. Love love that. Well, just as we’re coming to land, any kind of final words or encouragement you’d you’d say to church leaders that are listening in today that are, you know, wrestling with maybe clarity or wrestling with some of the stuff we’ve talked about today? This has been a really fruitful conversation. Thank you for it. Tensley Almand — Yeah, I think the, you know, probably the biggest thing I would say, and I have to tell myself this all the time. I mean, I’m an entrepreneurial type A. I’m going to like, you know, go conquer the world in a day is that, you know, remind yourself, you know, more than likely what you can accomplish in 90 days is nowhere near what you think it is, you know. But what you can accomplish in a year or two years is probably way more than you ever imagined you could. Rich Birch — Right. So true Yeah, that’s good. Tensley Almand — And so just again, kind of back to the strategy thing, it takes time. It’s messy. You know, you’re going to feel like, is this worth it? It creates conflict on your team. It feels uncomfortable. We were, we were joking as a senior team the other day. There was, it was about a year where I just, every Tuesday morning, I thought I want to cancel this meeting because I just didn’t enjoy, like we were just, we were at conflict because we were… Rich Birch — Right. Yes. Tensley Almand — …hashing out who we are and why we exist and what are we going to do and why are we going to do it? Rich Birch — Yes. Tensley Almand — But now it’s my favorite hour of the week. Like, I just love it. And so, you know, I would say that… Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — …you know, and I think, yeah, I don’t know that I have anything, you know, much more. Rich Birch — That’s good. Tensley Almand — Yeah. Rich Birch — No, that’s good. Well, I really appreciate being on the show today. Where do we want to send people if they want to connect with you or with Atlanta Mission? Where are the best places for us to send people online? Tensley Almand — Probably the easiest place is just our website, atlantamission.org. You can find everything you want to about us. If you want to know more, you can email info@atlantamission.org. And that actually goes right to my assistant and we’ll get you connected to the right person. And you can, you know, next time you’re in town, you partner with us. You can help us. You can be happy to give you a tour, show you what we do. Rich Birch — That’s great. Thanks so much, Tensley. Appreciate you being here today. Tensley Almand — Thanks.
Krijn Schuitemaker en Myrthe Schoot gingen deze aflevering in gesprek met para-atleet Noah Mbuyamba, wiens bijnaam 'The Boy that Grew from Concrete' is. Ze bespraken diverse dilemma's en zijn bewogen carrière: van het dramatische ongeluk in Indonesië waarbij hij een been verloor, tot het moment dat hij brons won op de Paralympische Spelen in Parijs. Noah vertelde openhartig hoe hij omgaat met tegenslagen (zoals een teleurstellend WK en de onzekerheid over zijn klasse in 2028) en over zijn inspirerende rol als ambassadeur voor Fonds Gehandicaptensport. In Dromen over Topsport geven verschillende topsporters een kijkje in hun sportieve leven. Ze nemen de luisteraar mee in hun dagelijkse routine en laten zien wat ze doen en vooral ook moeten laten om hun droom waar te maken. Deze podcastreeks wordt gepresenteerd door Krijn Schuitemaker en voormalig topvolleybalster Myrthe Schoot. De podcast is na afloop te beluisteren via de bekende podcast platforms (onder meer Spotify en Apple Podcasts). Dromen over Topsport wordt gemaakt in samenwerking met M line - Sleep well. Move better.
“We Laughed, We Broke Cars, We Grew: A Year of Ridiculous Racing Stories”Welcome back to Everyone Racers — the podcast built for every wrench-turner, garage philosopher, track-rat, Lemons lifer, and endurance racing addict out there. Whether you're wrenching on a hopeless Craigslist find or prepping for ChampCar, Lucky Dog, SCCA, NASA, or Lemons, you're in good company here.In this Wedge Ep 413 Tim sees his ENTIRE family and makes memories, Chris tells you how to destroy a bridge in Kansas and Chrissy likes people in CO while Mental rejects a meeting with F1 star Alex AlbonReally it's our annual hippie thankful episode as we reminisce on great and cool people, places and experiences we had this year! Come with us as we take a deep dive into a full season of amateur racing: the victories, the disasters, the questionable decisions, the creative themes, the friendships, and the laughs that made 2025 unforgettable.We open with the classic E1R humor and Mopar nerdiness: the legendary 413 Max Wedge engine and why “the wedgie wins again” still makes us giggle Then we jump into a whirlwind of stories from the road and the paddock:F1 qualifying in Las Vegas and sneaking into better seats because track workers weren't enforcing anything Judging at Road America, NOLA, Buttonwillow, New Hampshire, and more, including Barbie-themed chaos, airplane costumes, and the infamous “...just $30 a day will keep Greg drunk…” signs Being part of a massive amateur-racing community where listeners reach out for help with everything from roll-cage builders in DFW to Mazda3 parts lists, and how this community of listeners has grown enough that we can connect racers across the country We also reflect on:Seat time wins, broken flip flops, and hobby-horsing through the paddock at Pitt RaceOff-the-grid trips to remote campsites, ghost towns, and the “tippy-top” of Maine where even Starlink barely kept us alive How aging racers adapt — glasses, hearing aids, sensible eating, and the humbling moment when Mental was reminded he can't keep up with Tim all weekend anymore This episode is a celebration of what makes grassroots motorsport magical:
In a recent interview with Seven Figure Agency, Erik Huberman opened up about the mindset and structure behind Hawke Media's rise to more than 621 million dollars in gross revenue and hundreds of active clients. What stood out most was not a single tactic, but a set of principles that shaped how he leads, scales, [...] The post How Hawke Media Grew Past 600M, Insights From Erik Huberman appeared first on Seven Figure Agency.
In this episode, I sit down with Jasmine from UBC — the woman who built one of the most powerful creator communities in the industry — to break down how she grew 55,000+ members by leading from her feminine.This is not the typical “strategy talk.”This is the identity, embodiment, and nervous system behind exponential community growth.We dive into:✨ How Jasmine scaled UBC to tens of thousands of members with energy first, tactics second✨ The feminine leadership codes that created loyalty, retention, and cult-like community activation✨ Why most people overthink visibility — and how she holds massive audience growth with ease✨ The moment she stopped forcing her strategy and her movement exploded✨ Her exact mindset for building a global creator brand while staying grounded in her body✨ The new era of community: content + feminine power + nervous system capacityWhether you're a business owner, creator, or community builder — this conversation will flip your understanding of growth, identity, and feminine leadership.
Text me Your email for my Booking Link“We built this studio by staying intentional with our teaching, our sequencing, and our community — one relationship at a time.” — Sam MegrawIn this episode, I'm joined by Sam Megraw, the co-owner of Easy Tiger Yoga KC, a fast-growing Yoga Studio in Kansas City built on thoughtful sequencing, strong partnerships, and a real commitment to community. Sam shares how she went from teaching to running a thriving two-studio operation — and how listening to this podcast helped shape her founders presale before she even opened.We talk about what actually matters when you're launching or growing a Yoga Studio: great teaching, consistency, simple systems, and serving the people right in front of you.In This Episode We Cover:• Sam's journey from teacher to studio owner• The early days of Easy Tiger Yoga and how they grew quickly• Why intelligent sequencing has become their signature• How Sam and her partner Emily balance strengths to lead the studio• What makes a truly great yoga teacher in 2025– Building community through personal connection, names, and follow-up• How thoughtful onboarding sets students up for long-term success• Why authenticity and patience matter more than hype– Sam's current plans for studio growth and teacher developmentConnect With Easy Tiger Yoga KC:Website: https://www.easytigeryogakc.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/easytigeryogakcWork With Michael Jay – Yoga Biz ChampI'm opening December appointments for studio owners who want to start a 6-month Start-A-Studio or Grow-A-Studio coaching package in January.If you want 2026 to feel strategic, supported, and profitable — this is your window.
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupConnor Swegle co-founded Priority Bicycles to build bikes that look good, ride great, and don't require you to be a mechanic. From a Kickstarter that sold 1,500 bikes to 25,000/year today, he's grown a DTC brand that rides differently — literally and strategically.For DTC founders scaling from ~$5–50M looking to tighten marketing funnels, reduce wasted spend, and build real community.Launched with a $565K Kickstarter campaign that validated product and storyBuilt a brand around low-maintenance belt drive bikes — a real differentiator in a crowded marketWhy they ignore most attribution data and focus on 3 things: product views → add to cart → purchasesSlimmed down Meta spend and saw ROAS increase by tightening targetingHow community-led R&D helped launch the Bruiser with built-in demandWho this is for: founders and marketers growing DTC product brands with real AOVWhat to steal:Don't run campaigns unless your audience is already in a buying mindsetMeasure funnel performance with just 3 steps: view → add → buyInvolve customers in product development, but don't let them pick the color Timestamps00:00 Why Priority Cycles was created03:00 Launching on Kickstarter and early traction06:00 The low-maintenance bike differentiator09:00 Building DTC trust through customer service12:00 Simplifying brand positioning and wayfinding15:00 Crowdsourcing product ideas and community involvement18:00 Using customer insight vs platform data21:00 Meta downshifts and rethinking paid efficiency24:00 Incrementality, ROAS traps, and smarter funnel design27:00 Understanding real customer motivations and tradeoffs30:00 Entering the mountain bike market33:00 Working with creators to co-develop products35:00 Growth outlook and category expansionHashtags#dtcpodcast #prioritybicycles #ecommercegrowth #marketingstrategy #dtcbrands #digitalmarketing #customeracquisition #growthmarketing #brandstrategy #directtoconsumer #bicycleindustry Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video
Our very first Investing Diary has landed, and she is the perfect reminder that investing is absolutely for women like us. Before she ever opened an app, she genuinely believed investing was a world reserved for men on Wall Street. Then lockdown hit, the algorithm gods did their thing, and suddenly she was seeing finance content from women who actually looked and sounded like her. One rabbit hole later… her entire money story flipped. What started as curiosity turned into a full investing era. She binged podcasts, graduated from micro investing, and built herself a portfolio with a set-and-forget energy. Then life did what life does. First home. Wedding. New job. So she stepped back from investing and honestly forgot about her portfolio altogether. Two years later she logs back in… and realises it has grown by $20,000 while she invested exactly nothing. Inside this ep, Victoria gets pervy about it all: the ETFs doing the heavy lifting, the direct shares she bought because she could see their value, and the “accidental strategy” that is actually outperforming her partners. This one is proof that you do not need to be a man in a suit on Wall Street to grow your money in the sharemarket. You just need to start. LEARN TO INVEST (& GET VICTORIA'S BUDGETING SYSTEM) FOR UP TO 30% IN OUR BUNDLE SALE. Ready to binge more relatable, inspiring, and downright juicy money stories? Check out our ultimate Money Diaries playlist. Listen now Join our Facebook Group AKA the ultimate support network for money advice and inspiration. Ask questions, share tips, and celebrate your wins with a like-minded crew of 300,000+. And follow us on Instagram for Q&As, bite-sized tips, daily money inspo... and relatable money memes that just get you. Acknowledgement of Country By Nartarsha Bamblett aka Queen Acknowledgements. The advice shared on She's On The Money is general in nature and does not consider your individual circumstances. She's On The Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product, read the PDS, TMD and obtain appropriate financial advice tailored towards your needs. Victoria Devine and She's On The Money are authorised representatives of Money Sherpa PTY LTD ABN - 321649 27708, AFSL - 451289.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Collin Stewart is one of my FAVORITE entreprenuers and is back for his second episode with us - talking about how he scaled to $5 million ARR and then shut down the business after losing passion - and how he's rebuilding smarter. He also talks through his view on product market fit and four funnels that helped fuel his growth at Predictable RevenueConnect with Collin here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/collinstewart/Get Collins New Book - The Terrifying Art of Finding New Customershttps://www.amazon.com/Terrifying-Art-Finding-Customers-Sleep-Deprived/dp/1774586134>>>Did you know we just released a 5 Hour Masterclass on How To Get Your Next 5 Clients with Cold Email? Grab it herehttps://promotion.revenueboost.net/mini-course-group-join-5926Thanks again for listening! Please give us a review - it helps support the show and we LOVE reading your feedback! >>>Want to connect with me? Email - aj@revenueboost.net Facebook – https://m.me/ajcassata1 Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajcassata/ Community members also get a free course on Agency growth and how to land your next 3 Whale clients using only Cold email.
Want to Start or Grow a Successful Business? Schedule a FREE 13-Point Assessment with Clay Clark Today At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com Join Clay Clark's Thrivetime Show Business Workshop!!! Learn Branding, Marketing, SEO, Sales, Workflow Design, Accounting & More. **Request Tickets & See Testimonials At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com **Request Tickets Via Text At (918) 851-0102 See the Thousands of Success Stories and Millionaires That Clay Clark Has Helped to Produce HERE: https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/testimonials/ Download A Millionaire's Guide to Become Sustainably Rich: A Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Successful Money-Generating and Time-Freedom Creating Business HERE: www.ThrivetimeShow.com/Millionaire See Thousands of Case Studies Today HERE: www.thrivetimeshow.com/does-it-work/
In this episode, Jo and Zoe condense two decades of bookkeeping wisdom into just 29 minutes. They reflect on their biggest lessons, from pricing and mindset to boundaries and burnout, revealing the truths that transformed their businesses from £0 to six figures. They discuss why qualification is only the beginning, how to think like a business owner instead of a freelancer, and why value-based pricing is essential to scale sustainably. You'll also hear their honest take on overcoming imposter syndrome, setting meaningful goals, and learning to take care of yourself while running a successful bookkeeping practice. 2. Show Notes In this episode, you'll learn: How to avoid common mistakes when starting your bookkeeping practice. The truth about pricing — and why it should reflect value, not hours. How to shift from “doing the work” to owning a business. The power of goal setting and mapping your perfect profit & loss. Why self-care is part of your business strategy. ----------------------------------------------- About us We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective ----------------------------------------------- About our Sponsor This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper ----------------------------------------------- Promotion This video contains paid promotion. ----------------------------------------------- Disclaimer The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.
Steve's journey was marked by sheer graft and some brutal personal blows. His first five years were, in his own words, madness. Eighteen to twenty hour days, six days a week. Then came a messy divorce, COVID and throat cancer. The Founder Dependency Trap Like many founders, Steve found himself in the classic trap. Everyone relied on him to make every decision. He sought help because his sales team was struggling and he realised he needed to learn how to step out of the way so his business could run without him. The Uncomfortable Mentorship: Facing the Tormentor Steve brought in Marcus and very quickly discovered this was not a cosy training course. He describes it as counselling for sales, full of uncomfortable moments, direct questions, and role plays that forced him to confront his own habits. The turning point came when he learned to challenge and filter prospects properly. At first he thought it was rude to push back or walk away. In reality, detaching from the outcome stopped him wasting hours on buyers who were never going to buy. The Measurable Transformation The discomfort paid off. In spades. Efficiency: He went from putting in 100 percent effort to about 25 percent, yet was selling four times as much. Asset Growth: Between 2020 and 2024, while battling both COVID and cancer, the company's net worth grew from £750k to £2.5m. Profitability: Pre tax profit rose from nearly £200k to just under £500k. Final Win: He closed his career with a £1.7m order. As he puts it, he started selling paper yachts and ended selling a battleship. Personal Return: The negotiation skills he picked up even saved him hundreds of thousands in his divorce settlement. The Outcome: Freedom When he sold in February 2025, Steve felt absolutely floating. The win was not just financial. He had finally proved the business could run without him. If you are a founder trying to build a saleable asset and escape founder dependency, Steve's story is well worth your time. It is honest, hard won, and full of lessons for anyone walking a similar path. Contact Steve on Linkedin
Continuum is solving the multi-party return problem in B2B supply chain—a transaction involving distributors, manufacturers, and end users that previously took 30-45 days and now completes in 30-45 seconds. In this episode of Category Visionaries, we sat down with Alex Witcpalek, CEO and Founder of Continuum, to unpack how he's building what he calls "reverse EDI" in a market of 1.5 million distribution and manufacturing companies across North America. After 13 years selling technology into this space, Alex is now growing 8x year-over-year by turning customers into the primary acquisition channel through network effects. Topics Discussed: Why multi-party returns require replicating order management, warehouse management, and procurement systems simultaneously The tactical sequencing of building network businesses: solving for independent value, achieving critical mass, then activating network effects How Continuum navigates deep ERP integrations (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Epicor) plus bespoke business logic across multiple supply chain tiers Facebook retargeting, BDR outbound, events, and customer referrals as the four channels driving growth in a non-PLG market Why business model differentiation is the only remaining moat when technical barriers collapse Building domain expertise distribution systems using AI-powered LMS fed by sales call recordings GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Choose problems where you can capture 100% of addressable market, not fractional share: Alex deliberately avoided competing in CRM, sales order automation, or accounts payable—categories where even dominant players cap at 25-30% market penetration. Instead, he targeted multi-party reverse logistics, a greenfield problem no one else was solving. This strategic choice eliminates competitive displacement risk and allows every prospect conversation to focus on change management rather than competitive differentiation. Founders should map their TAM against competitive saturation: markets where you can own the entire category create fundamentally different growth trajectories than fighting for fragments. Sequence network businesses: independent value → critical mass → network activation: Alex was told by investors 18 months in that network effects "weren't going to work." His insight: "When you don't have a network, you don't sell the network. It's just in your plans and how you're building." Continuum sold P&L impact, manual labor reduction, and customer experience improvements to early adopters while building network infrastructure invisibly. Only after achieving density in specific verticals (HVAC, electrical, plumbing) did they surface the network value proposition. This sequencing prevents the cold-start problem—founders building marketplace or network businesses must design standalone value that makes the first 100 customers successful independent of network density. Exploit high pain thresholds in legacy industries as competitive barriers: Supply chain companies accept 30-45 day return cycles, manual warranty claims on paper, and playing "guess who" by phone to find inventory across distributor branches. Alex notes they have "extremely high pain threshold" from living with broken systems for decades. While this creates longer education cycles, it also means competitors won't enter (too hard) and once you prove ROI, switching costs become prohibitive. Founders should reframe customer inertia: industries tolerating obvious inefficiencies offer category creation opportunities with built-in moats, not just sales friction. Business model architecture is the only defensible moat—technical differentiation is dead: Alex is building his own e-signature platform (Continue Sign) and AI LMS using vibe coding to prove technical moats no longer exist. Continuum's defensibility comes entirely from network lock-in: displacing them requires disconnecting manufacturers like Carrier, Daikin, and Bosch plus their entire distributor ecosystems simultaneously. He references EDI (1960s technology still dominant today) as proof that network effects create permanent advantages. Founders must architect switching costs, network density, or proprietary data advantages into their business model—technology alone provides zero protection in the AI era. Match channel strategy to actual ICP behavior, not SaaS conventions: Continuum's top lead source is customer-driven network growth—distributors recruiting manufacturers and vice versa. Facebook retargeting works because their 50+ year-old supply chain buyers "are trying to comment on their grandkids' pictures," not scrolling LinkedIn. BDR outbound still delivers high win rates in an industry where business happens on handshakes, making events critical. This channel mix would fail for PLG products but works perfectly for enterprise cycles with $40K ACVs and 90-day sales processes. Founders should ethnographically research where their specific buyers actually spend attention rather than defaulting to LinkedIn, content marketing, or PLG based on what works in adjacent categories. Use 90-day enterprise cycles and multi-stakeholder complexity as qualification, not friction: Continuum runs enterprise sales motions for $40K deals because multi-party returns touch 16 constituents across sales, customer service, fleet, supply chain, warehouse, purchasing, and finance. Rather than trying to simplify buying, Alex uses this complexity as a filter—companies willing to coordinate VP of Supply Chain, COO, and CFO alignment are serious buyers. He layers three value propositions (P&L impact, labor reduction, customer experience) knowing different stakeholders weight them differently. Founders selling into complex environments should embrace multi-threading as a qualification mechanism that improves win rates and reduces churn, not overhead to eliminate. // Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co // Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM
#676 Are you overcomplicating your marketing? In this episode hosted by Kirsten Tyrrel, we're joined by Alban Brooke, Head of Marketing at Buzzsprout, who helped grow the company from just 2,000 customers to over 120,000 active podcasts. Alban shares why so many marketing efforts fail — not because of bad tactics, but because of a lack of clarity around who you're speaking to and what message you're delivering. We explore the fundamentals of effective marketing, how to identify your ideal customer, and why chasing every new platform or funnel often leads to burnout. Alban also opens up about his unconventional journey from law school to software, how homeschooling shaped his approach to work, and the power of following your energy instead of forcing strategies that don't align. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by all the marketing noise, this episode will help you refocus on what actually works — so you can build a business that's both effective and sustainable! (Original Air Date - 4/14/25) What we discuss with Alban: + Why most marketing efforts fail + The three core marketing questions + Alban's journey from law to software + How homeschooling shaped his work style + The power of following your energy + Why podcasting is a nurture channel + Content marketing that actually converts + The myth of podcast SEO + Growing Buzzsprout without paid ads + Doing what doesn't scale — on purpose Thank you, Alban! Check out Alban Brooke at AlbanBrooke.com. Check out Buzzsprout at Buzzsprout.com. Follow Alban on Twitter. Watch the video podcast of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training. And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"The Church That Grew Lukewarm" (Revelation 3:14-22)
In this episode, I break down exactly how I increased the reach of my private practice audience by 460% in just four weeks — without ads, without fancy funnels and without being everywhere online. I share the behind-the-scenes data from my own experiment on Facebook, what I changed, what failed, what finally worked, and why understanding your numbers is the quickest way to create momentum in your private practice. This episode is perfect for women counsellors, psychologists, social workers and play therapists who feel like they're posting into the void and wondering how to actually get found by more of their ideal clients. private practice social media strategy facebook business page reach I walk you through how I used storytelling, data, insights and weekly refinement to turn a barely-seen Facebook business page into a powerful visibility engine that now brings new people into my funnel every single day. You'll hear the real numbers, what Facebook actually prioritises, what surprised me, how I began monetising content, and how one simple freebie created hundreds of new leads. I explain the mindset shifts I needed to make, the emotional rollercoaster behind the scenes, and why you don't need to create endless freebies — you only need to fix the ones you already have. content marketing for therapists audience growth for private practice data informed marketing If you've been feeling defeated, stuck, or like your content doesn't matter, this episode will give you proof that it does — and the exact steps to take next. You'll discover how to look at your numbers without spiralling, how to understand what your audience actually wants, and how to use small, strategic changes that create big results. Your quick action step is to review the performance of your last three posts or freebies and identify one simple change you can make today — because tiny refinements compound fast. business growth for counsellors private practice marketing strategies Here's the link to the Website Wellness Check so you can finally understand why your website isn't converting and what to fix first: https://sales.brooklynstorme.com/website-wellness-check-up-aud/ Get your freebies for private practice here: https://www.facebook.com/brooklynstormephd/ Mini FAQ What is the fastest way to grow my private practice audience? The fastest way to grow your audience is to look at your data, refine what isn't working, and make small adjustments instead of creating new content every week. In the episode, I explain exactly how I increased my reach by 460% in four weeks using this approach. Do Facebook business pages still work for therapists? Yes, but only when you use story, connection, consistent testing and data to guide what you post. In this episode, I share why most posts don't get shown and what I changed to finally get traction. How do I know if my freebie is working? Track your downloads, comments, reach and actions taken. If it isn't converting, it doesn't mean it's bad — it usually means it needs a tweak. I walk through how I improved my freebie results each week. How do I get more clients from social media? Build rapport, tell stories, and talk directly to the vulnerability of the people you support. This approach creates trust, which leads to bookings. I explain the steps I used to bring hundreds of new people into my funnel. Why is the Website Wellness Check recommended in this episode? Because your website is where more than 80% of potential clients decide whether or not to work with you. The Website Wellness Check helps you understand what's not converting and gives you a clear plan to fix it. private practice marketing, grow your private practice, marketing for counsellors, marketing for psychologists, marketing for social workers, facebook tips for therapists, how to get clients in private practice, private practice visibility, freebie strategy for therapists, audience growth private practice, storytelling marketing, data informed practice marketing, facebook business page tips, refining your freebie, therapist business growth, ethical marketing for therapists, content that converts private practice, private practice funnel, online marketing for therapists, website wellness check
Matt sold his first company at 19 and made $100K. He sold his second at 21 and made $800K. A couple years later, he launched Clover and grew it to $8M ARR in 6 months. His secret? Insane distribution. His formula is to ignore quality—and engineer quantity instead. While everyone obsesses over viral content, Matt posts 1,000 videos across 333 accounts daily, guaranteeing a million views through pure math. No luck required. He applies the same "volume negates luck" philosophy to everything: 15,000 cold emails daily, thousands of Reddit posts to dominate SEO rankings. Matt reveals the exact Reddit hack to guarantee #1 Google rankings, how AI agents automate everything from account creation to content generation, and why he purposely changes video metadata to trick algorithms at scale. At 23, he's cracked distribution so thoroughly that he can now incubate any business and guarantee its growth.Why You Should Listen:How posting 1,000 videos daily GUARANTEES 1M views The Reddit hack that guarantees #1 Google rankings in 7 daysWhy referral revenue is the only true sign of product-market fitThe "volume negates luck" framework that beats any growth strategyKeywords:startup podcast, startup podcast for founders, Matt Everett, Clover, growth hacking, viral marketing, SEO hacking, distribution strategy, AI automation, bootstrappingChapters:00:00:00 Intro00:01:31 Selling first company at 2000:03:54 Selling second company for $800K in 3 months00:06:37 The 1000 videos per day distribution hack00:24:39 How to guarantee #1 on Google with Reddit posts00:30:52 15,000 cold emails daily—the outbound machine00:47:27 Why 30% referral revenue is true product-market fitSend me a message to let me know what you think!
What does it really take to grow a recruiting business to $300M, scale contract staffing revenue, and execute a profitable exit—while keeping your team together? In this high-impact episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with industry veteran Jon Davis, who reveals the exact strategies that turned his firm into one of the most successful staffing organizations in the country. Whether you're running a solo desk or scaling an agency, this episode is your roadmap to recurring revenue, massive valuation, and building a business buyers fight to acquire.
Hello Redlo Women!It has been a year incredible personal and professional growth!Every year I do a birthday episode and this year I am celebrating eight things that have propelled my business forward - from embracing AI to the power of a supportive sisterhood. My entpreneurial journey through the "messy middle" of this online business offers inspiration and practical insights to midlife female entrepreneurs everywhere and those aspiring to be! Discover how to step into your full potential and make a meaningful impact and income now!Click here to connect with me on FacebookClick here to get on the waitlist for the Redlo Women CircleClick here to get my book Step ForwardClick here to reach out and ask me anything. I am here for you!Let's keep stepping forward!Terri
Want to start making money on socials — but have no idea when to pitch, what to charge, or how to grow?In this mini episode, we break down the real strategy behind how we landed our first brand deals, grew our socials, and turned content into income. We cover everything from when to start charging, UGC vs influencer work, how to send a media kit or pitch confidently in the DMs, and why shooting high might be the game-changer you need.We also talk about working with management (when to start, what to look for) — and why you don't need a manager to be successful. Whether you're just starting out or ready to monetise, this episode is packed with honest advice, personal experience, and zero gatekeeping.Thank you for listening. Don't forget to share with your besties & tag us in your stories.Love Tori & Lily xRaw Reality https://rawreality.com.au/2025 Notion template: https://rawreality.com.au/products/your-year-notion-templateFind us below:@rawreallity https://www.instagram.com/rawreallity?igsh=cjZlMzZsM2lva3hw@ttorisstory https://www.instagram.com/ttorisstory/@fitwithlilyy https://www.instagram.com/fitwithlilyy/Community Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/share/v3sbEonnywyvp1h7/Recording Studio @zonegym_ https://www.instagram.com/zonegym_/
What happens when you take your art business seriously on social media? In this episode of The Art Coaching Club, Hayley sits down with Maddie Grace Maierhofer— a Savannah-based artist whose joyful, colorful paintings and daily social media presence have transformed her creative career. In just one year, she skyrocketed from 40K to over 160K Instagram followers, grew consistent monthly sales, and even landed a dream collaboration with SMEG USA. They dive into: How posting one reel a day changed Maddie's business Tips for balancing growth, commissions, and creative energy What to do when shows don't go as planned Navigating clients, boundaries, and burnout Why consistency matters more than perfection Building brand collaborations as an artist If you've been wondering how to grow your art business online or find your rhythm on social media, this conversation is full of honest, practical inspiration straight from someone who's done it. Listen now and learn how to turn your creative momentum into real results. Follow along @maddiegraceart Also - listen to our last episode (episode 126) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews John D. Marvin, former President and CEO of Texas State Optical, shares his 25-year journey leading one of America's most iconic optical brands. He talks about growing the company from 100 to 130 locations and over $130 million in annual revenue, adapting to major industry disruptions, and mentoring the next generation of optometrists. John also dives into lessons on leadership, faith over fear, and the power of listening to customers. His story is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and building purpose-driven growth in a changing marketplace. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to John D. Marvin, the hardest thing about growing a small business is implementing change. He explains that it's easy to keep doing what's familiar, but real growth requires the courage to challenge old habits and adapt to new realities. Marvin points out that while individuals struggle with personal change, organizational change is even tougher—because it involves employees, resistance, and the fear of losing people. Yet, without embracing change, he says, a business risks becoming irrelevant. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? John D. Marvin's favorite business book is Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. He says it has helped him the most because it lays out the 13 core principles of success, not just for making money but for living a rich and meaningful life. For Marvin, the biggest lesson from the book is that success begins with mastering your thoughts — what you focus on and believe ultimately shapes the results you achieve. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? John D. Marvin, former President and CEO of Texas State Optical, recommends continuously learning from great resources to grow a small business. He often listens to John Maxwell's Leadership Podcast for insights on personal and team development, and explores podcasts or materials by authors whose books he's currently reading to deepen his understanding. Marvin emphasizes the value of ongoing education through audiobooks and practical leadership content, believing that consistent learning, reflection, and application are key to adapting and thriving in business. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? John D. Marvin recommends using strong time management and scheduling tools to grow a small business. He believes that success often comes down to discipline — keeping promises, managing priorities, and staying organized. Marvin emphasizes using a reliable calendar or planner, whether digital (like Apple Calendar) or traditional (such as Franklin Covey or Day-Timer systems), to plan ahead and follow through on commitments. For him, effective scheduling isn't just about productivity — it's about building trust, consistency, and professionalism, which are the real foundations of sustainable business growth. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? John D. Marvin says the advice he'd give himself on day one of starting out in business is simple but powerful — just start. He admits that in his early years, he often delayed taking action because he felt he needed to study more or perfect his plan first. Over time, he realized that true learning and progress only happen through doing, not waiting. Marvin compares it to climbing mountains — you build the skills and confidence to tackle bigger challenges by starting with smaller ones. His message to new entrepreneurs: don't wait for perfect conditions — take the first step, learn along the way, and keep climbing. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Replace fear with faith, and you'll start seeing opportunities where others see obstacles — John D. Marvin The only way to learn how to climb mountains is by climbing mountains — start small, but start now — John D. Marvin Success begins with mastering your thoughts; what you focus on is what you create — John D. Marvin
City Geek creator Brady Bagley returns to share how he grew from 4K to 55K subs on fewer than 90 videos by leaning into searchable content, strong opinions, and better audio. We break down thumbnails, engagement strategy, sponsorship mindset, and how to outlast imposter syndrome. A masterclass in thoughtful, sustainable YouTube growth. What We Offer Creators Join Creator Communities. A place to gather with other creators every single day. This provides access to Our Private Discord Server, Monthly Mastermind Group, and MORE! Hire Dusty To Be Your YouTube Coach YouTube Channel Reviews (Audit): Get a 7-10 minute personalized video review of your YouTube channel with honest, actionable feedback for just $50. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: Each week I document what I'm doing in my business and creative journey, share new things I've discovered, mistakes I've made, and much more! All Tools Mentioned On The Show: The Ultimate Entrepreneurs Resource. This is the spreadsheet where I keep all of the tools mentioned by all the guests on the podcast. BEST TOOLS FOR CREATORS and ENTREPRENEURS: YouTube Optimization (Creative Fuel): https://geni.us/oPCt7Cf Hire Freelancers and Artists (Fiverr): https://geni.us/h4zMWAP Podcast Hosting (Libsyn): https://geni.us/TrpwY0 GeniusLink Link Shortener: https://geni.us/fHPAe Stock Assets For Creators (Envato): https://geni.us/rlEKkLB E-commerce (Shopify): https://geni.us/m9ctWwe Podcast Recording and Editing (Riverside.FM) https://geni.us/PLlt1M My YouTube Film Gear:
Harish spent 9 months building Deliver and could barely get 10 customers. The product worked. Merchants liked the fast delivery promise. But nobody was signing up.Then he made two changes—and scaled to $100M in revenue in 2 years. Shopify acquired them for over $2B.Harish says it wasn't about finding product-market fit. It was about finding product-PRICE-market fit. The product was fine. The pricing model was killing them. This episode breaks down why pricing often isn't just a business decision—it's part of your product, how to build self-serve systems that scale to thousands of customers without talking to anyone, and why you must obsess about end users AND economic buyers if you actually want adoption.Harish is now building Augment, an AI company for logistics that just raised an $85M Series A. He shares what he learned shadow-sitting operators for 60 days and why demos mean nothing in the AI era.Why You Should Listen:Why PMF is often not enough—you need product-price-market fitWhy subtle changes can have huge resultsWhy you need both users AND buyers to love your productHow to master self-serve Keywords:startup podcast, startup podcast for founders, product market fit, pricing strategy, $2B exit, Shopify acquisition, product-price fit, logistics startup, self-serve systems, Amazon fulfillment00:00:00 Intro00:07:06 Starting Deliver in 201700:14:24 Struggling with only 10 customers after 9 months00:19:53 The two changes that changed everything00:23:43 Zero to $100M in 2 years and product-price-market fit00:29:32 How the $2B+ Shopify acquisition happened00:32:07 Starting Augment AI for logistics00:47:35 PMF moments and top advice Send me a message to let me know what you think!
We're back with Part 2 of the podcast! In this episode, we continue the conversation around the podcasting journey — the trials, triumphs, and everything in between. Joined again by Kristina Nalbandian from Check The Pulse Podcast, we dive deep into the hidden jealousy that can surface in the podcasting world, the importance of consistency, and what's next for the show. This episode is packed with value and thought-provoking insights to help you strengthen and grow your own podcast.Follow Kristina Nalbandian INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/krixnalbandian/CHECK THE PULSE PODCAST INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/checkthepulsepodcast/ TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@checkthepulsepodcast?utm_source=hoobe&utm_medium=social→ CONTACT ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA ← 1:1 CONSULTING CALL: https://calendly.com/rorymitchell-biz/15-minute-discovery-call?month=2025-02 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/officially.rory/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@officiallyroryX/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/officiallyroryHOO.BE: https://hoo.be/officiallyroryPAYPAL DONATIONS: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/rorymitch
Today Colorado Sun business reporter Tamara Chuang about the evolution of Colorado Gives Day, why it’s more than a day and how it went from $8 million in 2010 to nearly $55 million last year. Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2025/11/01/colorado-gives-day-lasts-39-days-food-bank-snap/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of Secrets of a Bridal Seamstress, we're flipping the script to “secrets of a bridal shop owner.” I sit down with Courtney Foreman, owner of Weddings With Joy in Olympia, WA, who just hit 10 years in business and is leveling up by buying a building.Courtney shares how she went from banking to bridal, what she wishes she'd known before her first market buy, why appointments over walk-ins changed everything, and how COVID became the unexpected catalyst that led to profitability, coaching, team growth, and a healthier owner role. We also get into hiring, training, culture, consistency, and delegation—plus the real talk on financing and finding the right property for expansion.In this episode:The messy truth of an accidental acquisition: buying a bridal shop with no industry experienceMarket buying 101: knowing your customer, sizes, colors, and how not to overbuyWhy appointment-only improves client experience and owner sanityHow coaching and community shortened the learning curveBuilding a team and culture (and why experience isn't always an advantage)Systems, automation, handbooks, and consistent client messagingThe building buy: appraisals, banks, deal breakers, and finding a space that supports growth (hello, separate menswear entrance!)Mindset for the long game: staying even-keeled through highs and lowsConnect with Courtney:Website: https://weddingswithjoy.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingswithjoy/Connect with me:Join the membership here: https://secretsofabridalseamstress.com/Learn more about the retreats here: https://secretsofabridalseamstress.squarespace.com/new-page
Money Files is back with another client check-in!In this episode, I reconnect with my former client Ellie, who first appeared on the show two years ago. Since our time working together, Ellie's net worth has grown by over $100K, she's traveled the world, and she's continued to use the budgeting framework I helped her create.But as Ellie shares, financial growth doesn't mean every month feels perfect. From revisiting credit card debt to navigating lifestyle changes and dating expenses, she opens up about what it looks like to sustain progress even when new challenges appear.Tune in as Ellie and I discuss how financial coaching helped her develop awareness, systems, and confidence, tools that continue to serve her through each new season of life. Together, we explore how to approach money with curiosity instead of shame, identify patterns that need adjustment, and celebrate the long-term wins that make lasting financial transformation possible.Listen in to learn:[01:25] How Ellie's net worth grew by six figures in two years[03:40] The truth about “financial backslides” and how to recover without guilt[07:10] How to handle lifestyle shifts like dating and higher living costs[10:50] Why perfection isn't the goal, but awareness and consistency are[18:35] The power of weekly money dates and how to bring them back[23:45] Building an emergency fund without the overwhelm[30:40] The mindset shift from fear to trust with your finances[44:30] Why financial coaching creates sustainable results years laterTune into this episode of Money Files to hear the real-life impact of financial coaching and how to keep growing your confidence and your bank account, even when things get messy.Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://wealthovernow.com/how-ellie-grew-her-net-worth-by-100k-and-still-traveled/Links mentioned in this episode…Set up a call | Financial Coach Washington, DC | Wealth Over NowDownload my FREE spending plan
The Siege, Starvation, and the Start of the Communard Revolt. Sebastian Smee discusses how during the Prussian siege of Paris, Parisians suffered terribly in the coldest winter on record. Radical Republicans grew furious at the moderate government's failure to defeat the Prussians. When the government surrendered and accepted severe conditions, the radicals decided to revolt. The revolutionaries, gathering in March 1871, seized cannons and established the Commune. The Communards were more libertarian than communist, aiming to democratize society. They were violent immediately, and the government forces retreated to Versailles. Paris found itself besieged again by French government forces directed by Adolphe Thiers.
Breaking Free from Shame, Codependency, and Toxic Family Systems Growing up in a toxic family system wires you to live in shame and codependency—and often leads you to attract narcissists or relationships that repeat the cycle. In this episode, Lisa A. Romano explains how childhood trauma programs your brain and nervous system for survival, and how you can begin breaking free from people-pleasing, guilt, and self-abandonment. If you're ready to reclaim your self-worth and step out of survival mode, this is your wake-up call. ✨ This episode is a must-listen if you: Grew up with alcoholism, narcissism, or neglect in your family system Feel stuck in codependent patterns and toxic relationships Struggle with guilt, shame, or saying "no" Long to reclaim your self-worth and live authentically
Shaun Stimpson had worked for two decades before pivoting to buying businesses in a different industry. He's moved fast.Register for the webinar: Tax Issues: Entity and Deal Structuring - TODAY! - http://bit.ly/47CVZuiTopics in Shaun's interview:Staying in corporate was the riskier choiceCalling 1200 businesses during his searchGoing back to school to learn more about acquisitionAcquiring with his partner, Robert WolfRaising $6m from outside investorsLeaning on his professional networkChoosing his investors carefullyAcquiring in his mid-40'sLong-term hold strategyAcquiring 3 businesses in successionReferences and how to contact Shaun:LinkedInMitten FluidpowerFLN-MARFrank Murken ProductsWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherDownload the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.comConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron
She didn't start a brand to go viral. She started it to find herself again. At 47, Caroline Baudino thought life had passed her by. Her father was sick, her confidence was gone, and her reflection felt like a stranger's. But instead of breaking down, she gave herself a simple assignment: Get up. Get dressed. And what began as one woman's daily act of courage evolved into Shop with Caroline, a brand that now inspires nearly a million women to rediscover their worth and their voice. In this episode, Emily and Caroline unpack the blueprint behind her personal brand - the habits, systems, and mindset shifts that turned authenticity into influence, and influence into impact, because every brand begins with a belief…that who you are is worth being seen. What You'll Learn: Why it's never too late to rise, rebuild, and be seen How to turn your real life into your most powerful brand story Habits that turn visibility into genuine connection The secret to creating a community that feels like family How to build a brand that doesn't burn you out, but brings you alive Timestamps: (04:28) - The mirror moment that changed everything (12:19) - The mantra that rebuilt Caroline's life (15:01) - Caroline's Happy Tools: Simple acts of joy that became the seed of influence (18:19) - Turning ordinary moments into meaningful content (21:44) - Why generosity is the secret to longevity and loyalty (26:01) - The real work behind influence (31:56) - Your business is not a hobby (33:35) - The discipline and heart behind Caroline's content rhythm (37:07) - Stop overthinking. Start creating. (40:37) - Taking the filter off: Why authenticity is the real glow-up (43:46) - Nothing to hide, nothing to prove (47:11) - Love over money Shop With Caroline Amazon Shop | https://www.amazon.com/shop/shop.with.caroline LTK | https://www.shopltk.com/explore/shop.with.caroline Shop my | https://shopmy.us/shop/shop.with.caroline Celebrity Owned | https://celebrityowned.com/collections/shop-caroline-baudinos-closet Connect with Caroline: Website | https://being-caroline.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/shop.with.caroline/ Facebook | https://links.being-caroline.com/facebook/beingcaroline TikTok | https://links.being-caroline.com/tiktok/beingcaroline YouTube | https://links.being-caroline.com/youtube/channel/beingcaroline Coming in Hot Podcast | https://dearmedia.com/shows/coming-in-hot/ More from Emily & FORDIVINE: Website | https://meetemilyford.com Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/itsemily Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/itsemilymethod YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/c/ITSEMILYFORD Called & Crowned Podcast | https://www.instagram.com/calledandcrowned/ FORDIVINE | https://www.fordivine.com/
We used a content ecosystem to grow this client's email list by 78% before her course launch without spending a dime on advertising. That's right. 78% fully organic growth – […] The post How We Created a Content Ecosystem that Grew This Client's Email List appeared first on Amanda Warfield.
Tyler Forbes got into hunting just 5 years ago and is the best example of shortening the learning curve by putting in tons of hard work. In just 5 years he's turned into a highly knowledgeable and successful hunter which culminated in him killing a World Class 180+ inch buck this season in a hard state to do so. Seeing proof of a buck jumping from 100 inches to 135, then to possibly 185 is proof of what passing younger deer can lead to. We believe that each person's individual hunting journey is unique and don't advocate for everyone to pass deer in all circumstances. We think that everyone should do what their heart desires and make the choice that makes them happy! TO SUPPORT OUR SHOW Come to Huntstock! Check www.huntstockevents.com often for when tickets will go on sale or purchase an exhibitor booth! Email huntsuburbia@gmail.com Download the onX Hunt App - Use code HS20 for 20% off your membership!
www.patreon.com/dopeypodcast This week on Dopey! Dave opens the episode feeling sick, dreading his upcoming dental implants, and joking about painkillers, nitrous, and Tylenol PM. He congratulates longtime dopes Margaret Hernandez (36 years sober) and Mattie Veach (recovering from cancer surgery), prays for the Knicks, and introduces guest RJ Elizarraz, co-host of Against All Odds with Rachel Slocum and founder of Oak Forest Recovery.Before diving in, Dave reads Spotify comments from the Brace Belden episode — about therapy, high memories, Suboxone, and more — gives shoutouts to listeners, and pushes the legendary Dopey socks. He jokes about how each platform reacts differently: Patreon loves him, Reddit hates him, Facebook doesn't care.He plays an old Miles Davis clip about Charlie Parker doing drugs and sex in a taxi while eating fried chicken, and finds the recovery moral in it — acceptance is the key. A listener named Nathan from San Francisco sends a disgusting classic: at 12 he cooked and ate his own poop hoping it would make DMT. It didn't. He puked, got bullied, overdosed, and finally got sober. Dave laughs, calls it top-notch Dopey storytelling, and awards him socks. Then comes the main interview with RJ Elizares. They record in RJ's Westlake Village home — complete with an infrared sauna, cold plunge, and jade crystal massage bed. RJ also runs a marketing agency for medical clients and has a 13-year-old daughter.RJ tells his story:Grew up in Westlake, straight-edge nerd playing video games and paintball.Swore he'd never do drugs, then caved at 15 after a best-friend betrayal.Smoked weed with his stepbrother, laughed hysterically at Maury Povich, devoured frozen peas, and instantly became “the stoner.”Started selling weed and stealing paintball gear; pulled off a heist from an optometrist's back-room store until his stepbrother turned him in for the reward.Skipped school, bribed attendance clerks with weed, got caught high at a parent meeting, expelled.At continuation school, excelled while high, manipulated teachers, and got expelled again for lying.Ran away on a dirt bike, sold weed full-time, then transferred to another continuation school where a rival stabbed him in the arm with a pencil for “selling on his turf.”Graduated early by testing out, kept selling, moved out, and lived off weed money.With his girlfriend (later the mother of his daughter) did ecstasy, coke, Xanax, mushrooms, pills — everything but heroin.She overdosed on ecstasy and stopped breathing before being revived — a turning point moment.
It is estimated that there are at least 28 million adult children of alcoholics in the United States alone. The statistics are staggering. Combine those numbers with a deep understanding of the impact of growing up in an alcoholic home, and it becomes easy to understand why so many adult children struggle with emotional regulation, telling the truth, setting boundaries and with emotional dependencies that result in seeking approval and validation in order to feel somewhat 'normal'. Many adult children of alcoholics do not even know their parents or grandparents were alcoholics. Toxic family systems are enmeshed and shrouded in denial. When the adults in the family are not addressing their trauma, they inadvertently pass that trauma down to their children. Listen in as Lisa A. Romano offers adult children across the globe an opportunity to better understand themselves, how they process their emotions and perceive themselves and the world through a trauma lens, offering all those who are willing and ready an opportunity to live above the veil of consciousness, the only place where true transformation can occur. This episode is a must-listen if you: Grew up with a parent who struggle with addiction. You are the grandchild of an alcoholic. Recognize that you struggle to know what you want or need. Identify as a cyclebreaker, who is ready to speak the truth and end generational trauma with you! ✨ Pro tip: Understanding your parent's trauma is often a key in recovering from subconscious faulty, negative childhood survival patterns. Begin Your Healing Journey: Lisa introduces her signature 12 Week Breakthrough Method—a trauma-informed, neuroscience-based coaching program designed for adult children of narcissistic, neglectful, or emotionally immature parents. Inside the program, you'll discover: Brain retraining techniques rooted in neuroscience. Inner child healing and self-concept reorganization. Journaling prompts and assessments to increase self-awareness. Tools to stop subconscious self-abandonment and live authentically. How to integrate shadow work and break toxic generational patterns. Thousands have transformed their lives with this method—learning to step out of survival mode and into authentic, empowered living.
Brian Windhorst is joined by ESPN's Anthony Slater and new member of the Hoop family Vincent Goodwill to talk the latest on the Steve Kerr's future with the Warriors, how to end a dynasty and some possible locations for a theoretical Giannis trade. Then, the guys discuss Cooper Flagg playing point guard in Dallas, Victor Wembanyama's growth spurt and the amount of size across the league. Plus, some bonus storytime's with Windy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
When identical twins Mike and Alex Faherty launched their clothing brand, they made a daring move– launching wholesale, retail, and online, pretty much at the same time. Investors said it was outdated, maybe even doomed.But that contrarian bet helped grow Faherty into a hugely popular brand, built on family, ingenuity, and obsession with detail.The two brothers spent 12 years preparing for launch—Mike at Ralph Lauren learning the craft of fashion, Alex in finance learning the mechanics of business. In the early days they traveled the country in a beach house on wheels, pulling over on the PCH to sell bathing suits and board shorts. Mike's designs—surf culture meets big-city chic—took hold online, in department stores, and even swanky boutiques in Japan, giving Faherty the momentum it needed to eventually grew to $250 million in sales. What You'll Learn:Why the “all channels” strategy (wholesale + retail + online) can actually be a competitive advantage.The power of 12 years of preparation prior to launch.How to leverage factory relationships and suppliers as true partners.Why old-school, in-person sales can be a killer marketing tool How family, trust, and resilience became a core advantage of the Faherty brand.Timestamps:(05:41) Mike discovers Bergdorf's, cashmere, and fashion inspiration as a teenager in NYC(08:19) Mike gets grief from his basketball teammates for studying fashion at Wash U(13:38) Mike lands a job at Ralph Lauren to learn fashion from the inside(21:28) The moment Alex's mentor tells him that starting a clothing brand is “the dumbest idea I've ever heard”(31:41) The brothers launch Faherty online from a borrowed apartment in Puerto Rico(35:00) Roaming the country in a mobile beach house that doubles as their first store(41:34) Early wins with specialty shops(59:14) The brand nearly runs out of money and gets rescued by a man from Nantucket (1:07:14) A Covid-era gamble that pays off in massive growth (1:15:04) How the identical-twin bond became a superpower for the brandFollow How I Built This:Instagram → @howibuiltthisX → @HowIBuiltThisFacebook → How I Built ThisFollow Guy Raz:Instagram → @guy.razYoutube → guy_razX → @guyrazSubstack → guyraz.substack.comWebsite → guyraz.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.