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The conversation explores how AI and automation are reshaping the marketing landscape, emphasizing the importance of not seeking 100% automation but instead aiming for impactful, sustainable 80% solutions. Joining the show is Dale Bertrand, founder and CEO of Fire and Spark, who brings over 17 years of expertise in SEO and a unique perspective rooted in computer engineering. The episode confronts anxieties around AI replacing human jobs, advocating for a focus on expertise amplification and the development of critical thinking skills in the AI era. It also highlights the importance for marketers to communicate value to business leaders in financial terms rather than just traditional marketing metrics.⏰ Timecodes ⏰0:00 - The 80/20 Rule of AI Automation1:27 - The Next Generation Growing Up with AI2:21 - Students' Approaches to AI: Learning vs. Cheating4:23 - Introducing Dale Bertrand: SEO, AI, and Content Discoverability5:55 - Smallest, Most Impactful AI Automation for B2B Marketers10:13 - The ROI of Building Context for AI Workflows13:05 - AI Agents, Job Security, and the Human Element in Marketing17:20 - Higher Education, AI, and Preparing for a New Job Market23:19 - AI Lifting Creative Bottlenecks: What Changes for SEOs & Marketers25:59 - Translating SEO Metrics into Business Growth Language33:43 - Contribution vs. Attribution: Measuring Marketing's Real Impact A. Lee Judge is the creator and host of The Business of Marketing podcast.Please follow the podcast on your favorite podcast listening platform.This podcast is produced by Content Monsta - A leading producer of B2B Content.
Read the unfiltered memos I send my team as we scale Acquisition.com to $1B+:https://leilahormozi.com/subscribe AI isn't the problem. Using it to avoid thinking is. In this episode, Leila shares the memo she was forced to write after watching her own team misuse AI to the point it became a problem. She shares the three mistakes that make people using AI look worse, not better, and the one thing she'd beg anyone to start doing instead.In this episode00:00 Why AI makes you worse if you outsource your thinking03:33 How to spot and correct AI-generated writing 06:13 Pattern-matching vs clear writing from clear thinking07:40 Using voice dictation tools instead of writing with AI10:11 Leverage AI to test for clarity, logic, and emotional impact12:38 Step-by-step framework for using AI correctlyMore Value:Get your personalized $100m scaling roadmap: https://www.acquisition.com/roadmap Read the unfiltered memos I send my team as we scale Acquisition.com to $1B+: https://leilahormozi.com/subscribeReceive a curated set of internal memos from the past year at Acquisition.com: https://leilahormozi.com/acq Watch my latest YouTube videos: https://www.youtube.com/@leilahormozi/featuredLearn how to scale your business to millions of dollars in annual revenue: https://www.acquisition.com/ DISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary. Copyright © 2026.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Gregory Richardson. A cybersecurity expert and AI consultant. The conversation explores cybersecurity best practices, the rise of AI, and how Gregory is helping churches and nonprofits leverage technology to spread the gospel.
Are you still carrying your business entirely in your head?If you have been watching other online coaches grow faster and wondering what you are missing, a lot of it comes down to one shift that most people keep putting off.In this episode, I share the ai for small business tools I use in my day to day workflows as a busy mom in the ai renaissance who does not spend all her time at a laptop. I talk about what using ai in business has actually changed for me, the time freedom it gave me, and what I wish I had known sooner.In this episode, you'll discover:How to work smarter with workflows that keep you focused on the work only you can doWhat business automation actually looks like inside a coaching business that is actively growingHow ai productivity can give you back hours without adding more to your plateHow to use Claude as a beginner, including the simple starting point that made everything click for meWhich ai tools for coaches I actually use for content creation, SOPs, CRM, and podcast planningIf you're ready to stop doing everything on your own, this episode will give you a tangible starting point and a clearer picture of what your business can look like on the other side of that decision. Pull up your notes app because you are going to want to write this down.To being heard and seen, CarlyJoin the FREE 5-Day Workshop | JUNE 22-26 (Live Experience) | Escape the Therapy Grind & Build Your Coaching Business Resources from this episode:Therapreneur: A Therapist's Guide to 3x Your Therapy IncomeThe Coach IntensiveListener Giveaway!If you've been loving the podcast, this is the best way to support it and get something amazing back. Visit carlyhillcoaching.com/podcast, scroll down, fill out the 3-question form, and unlock Social Media Mastery instantly.Get 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes and streamline your notes, scheduling, and billing.Use promo code: CarlyExplore More SupportCarly AILooking for more support? Click here to explore different options to work with CarlyWant to start a podcast or grow your existing one? Visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you!What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? Drop me a DM on Instagram - I'd love to hear from you!
Join our Facebook Groupfacebook.com/addednutritionStephen Martin shares his journey of creating a sleep supplement tailored for neurodiverse entrepreneurs, highlighting the challenges, learnings, and strategies for building a scalable product business while managing ADHD and dyslexia. TakeawaysAllow two to three times the expected timeline for neurodiverse entrepreneurs.Leverage AI and expert input to streamline product formulation.Consistency in social media efforts builds long-term brand growth.Expect delays and supply chain issues in physical product launches.Focus on scalable product models to grow beyond service-based businesses.Entrepreneurship, neurodiversity, ADHD, sleep supplement, product development, scaling business, social media marketing, case study, business journey, supplement formulation, adults with dyslexia, support for adults.Join the clubrightbrainresetters.comGet 20% off your first orderaddednutrition.comIf you want to find out more visit:truthaboutdyslexia.comJoin our Facebook Groupfacebook.com/groups/adultdyslexia
In today's episode, I sat down with AI strategist and systems expert Tate to talk about what it really looks like to use AI strategically as a nine-to-five founder building a business on the side.And no, we're not talking about typing one sentence into ChatGPT and hoping for the best.We're talking about:✨ buying your time back✨ automating repetitive business tasks✨ using AI as a strategist, thought partner, and operator✨ building systems that help you scale without hiring a huge team✨ and learning how to actually become AI literate in a world that is rapidly changingThis conversation honestly blew my mind because even though I already use AI heavily in my business, Tate introduced me to tools and systems that completely changed how I think about productivity, delegation, and scaling sustainably.Inside this episode, we talk about:Why most people are still getting mediocre results from AIThe biggest mistake beginners make when using ChatGPT and ClaudeThe difference between “playing around” with AI vs. strategically implementing itHow I use AI to manage my full-time job, podcast, membership, and skincare brand simultaneouslyWhy Claude has become my favorite AI tool for businessHow to automate repetitive tasks in your businessUsing AI for content planning, client communication, and marketing strategyWhat AI literacy actually means (even if you don't consider yourself “techy”)How to scale your business with AI without burning yourself outThe tools Tate swears by for founders and entrepreneursSome of the tools we mentioned:Claude AIChatGPTClaude ConnectorsClaude CodeWhisper FlowNotionGoogle Workspace IntegrationsIf you want access to the full workshop, live Q&A, expert trainings, masterclasses, and support inside the Reset Room community
Most physicians spend decades mastering medicine, but very little time building their visibility. In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I sit down with digital strategist and entrepreneur Roy Abdo, founder and CEO of Digital Revamp, to discuss how physicians can use storytelling, LinkedIn, AI, and social media to establish authority, grow their reputation, and unlock new opportunities. Roy shares practical strategies for doctors to: Build a compelling personal brand Create meaningful content without spending hours online Use LinkedIn to attract speaking, consulting, and career opportunities Leverage AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity to streamline content creation Communicate complex medical topics in simple, patient-friendly language Build a lasting digital legacy that extends far beyond clinical practice Whether you are a physician, healthcare leader, researcher, or entrepreneur, this episode offers a practical roadmap to becoming more visible, influential, and impactful in today's digital world.
In this episode, Kandace Hudspeth shares insights on coaching, marketing strategies, and the impact of AI on the fitness industry. We explore how coaches can leverage content, build authentic brands, and adapt to technological shifts to grow their influence and business. Key Topics Content strategy and mastery practice AI integration in coaching and marketing Niche definition and audience targeting Takeaways Focus on depth over volume in content to build trust. Leverage AI tools like Claude and RxBot for efficiency and insights. Define your niche around your unique perspective and experience. Guest Name Kandace Hudspeth Topics Mastering Content Strategy for Coaches: The 3 Pillars of Impact How AI Will Transform Coaching and Marketing in 2024 Sound Bites "Keep it simple and effective.""Get clear on who you serve and what you want to say." "Build trust through content minutes, not just views." Chapters 00:00 CrossFit's New Leadership and Community Impact 02:39 Reflections on the CrossFit Games and Coaching Dynamics 05:19 Challenges in Competition Programming and Judging 08:00 The Future of Fitness Competitions and Athlete Opportunities 10:31 Marketing Strategies for Coaches in a Mature Market 13:13 Building a Unique Coaching Voice and Content Strategy 15:49 The Importance of Depth Over Volume in Content Creation 18:32 Navigating Niche and Audience Engagement 21:11 The Shift from Social Media to Interest Media 24:08 Creating Authentic Content and Building Trust 28:29 Navigating the Chaos of Online Marketing 30:42 The Importance of Content Repurposing 33:26 Finding Your Niche as a Coach 35:20 The Role of Aesthetics in Content Creation 38:35 Leveraging AI in Coaching 43:43 Embracing Change in the Coaching Landscape
Previous episode How to use AI for connecting, prospecting, and saving time with Earl Waud AI Prompts for Profit bookFree Magic Words for Prospecting audios Master the Four Core Skills
Get free access to the full course + companion workbook (50+ pages of frameworks, templates, and AI prompts): https://masterclass.outboundsquad.com/ --- Outbound isn't dead, but it's broken. Reply rates are below 2%. Connect rates are below 4%. The irony? The tools designed to make outbound easier have made it exponentially harder. But the top 25% of reps are booking 4.3x more meetings than everyone else. This course teaches you exactly what they do differently. The Outbound Masterclass is a free, 3-hour course covering the complete methodology we've used to train 20,000+ reps at companies like Shopify, Gong, Zoom, Rippling, and iHeartMedia. Here's what's inside: 1) Disqualify and avoid wasting hours pursuing bad-fit accounts 2) Leverage AI as your personal assistant to eliminate most busywork 3) Control the Conversation with prospects on cold calls and secure the meeting 4) Own the inbox with best practices from 85M+ cold emails we studied with Gong 5) Handle nearly any objection prospects throw at you 6) Build offers prospective buyers feel stupid for ignoring This is the live premiere of the Outbound Masterclass. It's also available on-demand at the link below. Get free access to the full course + companion workbook (50+ pages of frameworks, templates, and AI prompts): https://masterclass.outboundsquad.com/
How to Leverage AI for Career Growth: 5 Essential Insights Learn how to navigate AI in your career with insights from industry leader Monica Marquez. Discover practical tips for maximizing your potential in the evolving job market. In a world where AI is rapidly changing our work environments, many professionals find themselves grappling with how to adapt. This blog post will provide you with essential insights from Monica Marquez, a leader in workforce reinvention, on how to effectively leverage AI for career advancement. You'll learn about the evolving landscape and how to position yourself for success in this new era. About Monica Marquez Monica Marquez is the co-founder and workforce reinvention leader at Flipwork. With an impressive background that includes roles at Goldman Sachs and Texas Tech University, she is committed to helping individuals maximize their potential in the ever-evolving workplace. Her work focuses on demystifying AI and empowering professionals to embrace technology as a tool for growth. Understanding the Current AI Landscape AI is no longer just a buzzword; it's a reality that is reshaping industries and job roles. In a conversation with Rod Berger, Monica emphasized that while the advent of AI has created fear and uncertainty, it also presents unprecedented opportunities. The Fear of AI: Many people fear that AI will replace their jobs or diminish their value in the workplace. This apprehension is understandable given the rapid pace of AI technology's evolution. AI as a Tool: Instead of viewing AI as a threat, it's essential to see it as a powerful tool that can enhance human capabilities. Monica notes that AI is akin to other tools we've used throughout history, but it's evolving at an unprecedented pace. How to Embrace AI in Your Career To leverage AI effectively, it's crucial to shift your mindset and approach. Here are five actionable strategies: 1. Cultivate Curiosity: Stay informed about AI trends and developments. Monica suggests that curiosity is key; by continually seeking knowledge, you can better understand how to apply AI in your work. Common Mistake: Many professionals avoid AI out of fear or misunderstanding. Embrace a learning mindset instead. 2. Reinvent Your Playbook: The traditional success playbook has changed. Post-AI, focus on how to use AI to augment your strengths rather than viewing it as a replacement for your skills. 3. Access Information: AI democratizes access to information. Utilize AI tools to gain insights and knowledge that were previously only available to a select few. This is particularly beneficial for underrepresented groups in tech. Cultural Insight: Many people still believe that AI is only for tech-savvy individuals, but this is a myth. Anyone can learn to use AI tools with the right guidance. 4. Focus on Impact: Shift your focus from effort to impact. The goal should be to create more value in your work, not just to put in more hours. Mindset Shift: Understand that using AI to produce faster results can lead to greater overall impact, which is now the new measure of success. 5. Educate Others: As you learn to leverage AI, share your knowledge with colleagues and peers. This not only reinforces your own understanding but also helps build a more AI-literate workforce. Community Building: Create or join groups that focus on AI education and collaboration, fostering an environment of shared learning. Key Takeaways - AI is not a threat but a tool that can enhance your career. - Curiosity and continuous learning are essential. - Reinvent your approach to success by focusing on impact rather than effort. - Educate yourself and others about AI to foster a collaborative learning environment. Navigating the world of AI can be daunting, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can not only survive but thrive in this new landscape. Embrace the changes, leverage AI to your advantage, and focus on the impact you can create in your career.
How to leverage AI with your PPC campaignsWelcome to the eCommerce Lab Podcast! In this episode, we feature a special guest: Cameron Scot, founder of Merch Jar. He shares practical, up-to-date strategies on how to leverage AI to optimize your advertising campaigns, reduce costs, and boost your results.We'll discuss automation, data analysis, intelligent decision-making, and the key tools that are transforming the way brands scale on platforms like Amazon and beyond.If you're looking to improve your ad performance and stay competitive in an increasingly technology-driven landscape, this video is for you.
Holly Clark is the author of "The AI Infused Classroom," and a leading global strategist for AI in education, guiding schools and districts through the integration of AI best practices and policies. As an acclaimed international speaker, bestselling author, and co-host of The Digital Learning Podcast, she draws on her trailblazing experience in one of the first 1:1 classrooms in the nation, to empower educators to adopt AI-enhanced blended learning. Holly's influence on the educational landscape echoes in her other acclaimed books, "The Google Infused Classroom", "Chromebook Infused Classroom", and “The AI Infused Classroom”, which are esteemed resources for educators globally. She is a Google Certified Innovator, a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, and a National Board Certified Teacher. Her passion is for helping teachers find their blended learning and AI genius and learn to create and design unforgettable learning experiences. Connect with Holly on all social media via @HollyClarkEdu or visit her blog at hollyclark.org ______________________________________________________________________ The Edupreneur: Your Blueprint To Jumpstart And Scale Your Education BusinessYou've spent years in the classroom, leading PD, designing curriculum, and transforming how students learn. Now, it's time to leverage that experience and build something for yourself. The Edupreneur isn't just another book; it's the playbook for educators who want to take their knowledge beyond the school walls and into a thriving business.I wrote this book because I've been where you are. I know what it's like to have the skills, the passion, and the drive but not know where to start. I break it all down: the mindset shifts, the business models, the pricing strategies, and the branding moves that will help you position yourself as a leader in this space.Inside, you'll learn how to:✅ Turn your expertise into income streams, without feeling like a sellout✅ Build a personal brand that commands respect (and top dollar)✅ Market your work in a way that feels natural and impactful✅ Navigate the business side of edupreneurship, from pricing to partnershipsWhether you want to consult, create courses, write books, or launch a podcast, this book will help you get there. Stop waiting for permission. Start building your own table.Grab your copy today and take control of your future.Buy it from EduMatch Publishing https://edumatch-publishing.myshopify.com/collections/new-releases/products/the-edupreneur-by-dr-will
In this episode of the Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast, Sean V. Bradley sits down with Tianna Mick, aka "T Got Your Keys," to challenge how most salespeople think about internet leads… and why that mindset is costing them deals. "To be effective in this digital age, it's about turning that first lead into a relationship among many within their network." - Tianna Mick What if one lead wasn't just one opportunity? What if it was five… seven… even ten? This conversation dives into a smarter, more strategic way of approaching today's digital buyer, one that goes beyond basic follow-up and into something far more powerful. Sean and Tianna unpack the difference between chasing deals and building a pipeline, and why the highest performers aren't waiting for opportunities… they're multiplying them. "People want more than a car deal. They want a connection, someone who understands their wants and needs beyond the sale." - Tianna Mick From modern communication tactics to leveraging relationships, technology, and timing, this episode explores how small shifts in approach can completely change your results. If you're in automotive sales and feel like you're working hard but not maximizing your opportunities, this episode will make you rethink what's actually possible from the leads you already have. "This industry is not about hard selling; it's about building relationships from each opportunity." - Tianna Mick Because in today's market, it's not about getting more leads… it's about doing more with the ones in front of you. Key Takeaways: ✅ Maximize Relationships: Viewing leads as ongoing relationships rather than single transactions is crucial. Ask the right questions early to identify additional sales opportunities within the customer's circle. ✅ Leverage AI and Technology: Utilizing AI tools like ChatGPT and Podium helps analyze customer interactions for better, personalized follow-ups which can lead to increased conversion rates. ✅ Use Video Effectively: Implementing videos in the sales process boosts engagement by providing a visual and emotive connection with clients. ✅ Effective Social Media Engagement: Engage with prospects on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn for additional insights and staying top-of-mind through direct messages and timely postings. ✅ Consistent Follow-Up Strategy: Daily and weekly tailored follow-ups that deliver value, resonate best with leads ensuring these interactions aren't perceived as intrusive. About Tianna Mick (T Got Your Keys) Tianna Mick, also known as T Got Your Keys, is a distinguished automotive sales professional and content creator. Recognized for her ability to consistently convert opportunities into production, she rose to become a top-performing salesperson by building strong relationships and brand loyalty within her dealership. Tianna is known for her innovative use of video in sales, her emphasis on relationship-building within the automotive industry, and her contributions to the Millionaire Car Salesman community as a co-host. How to Transform Internet Leads Into Golden Opportunities: Insights from Automotive Experts Key Takeaways View every internet lead as a potential relationship, not just a one-time sale. Use technology, especially AI and social media strategies, to enhance engagement and conversion rates. Persistent, tailored follow-up and leveraging video communications can drastically improve closing ratios. In the ever-evolving world of automotive sales, the gap between traditional sales techniques and modern, technology-driven strategies are widening. The central challenge—maximizing the potential of every internet lead—is discussed in-depth by Sean V. Bradley and Tianna Mick in a recent conversation. The discussion emphasizes transforming these digital interactions into meaningful relationships and long-term opportunities. Understanding the True Value of an Internet Lead From Leads to Relationships: A Mindset Shift One of the biggest mistakes salespeople make is perceiving internet leads merely as potential single transactions. As highlighted by Sean V. Bradley, "If you think of these people like a lead, then you're never going to treat them like a person or a relationship." The conversation delves into the necessity of treating each lead as the beginning of a lasting relationship. Tianna Mick underscores this by demonstrating how asking the right questions from the start can unveil multiple opportunities within one lead. Specifically, Tianna mentions, "I asked those questions in the very beginning. Hey, who's in the household? Who's driving what?" This approach not only sets the stage for the immediate sale but also opens the door to future sales within the customer's social circle, emphasizing the importance of understanding the customer's entire ecosystem, not just their immediate needs. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Social Media The digital age offers incredible tools that can exponentially increase a salesperson's efficiency if utilized correctly. Sean V. Bradley brings attention to the role of AI in modern sales techniques. "Using intelligent responses, using AI artificial intelligence to strategically stack the deck for you," is how AI becomes an assistant, helping analyze and respond to leads with customized strategies. This underscores the point that modern technology tools, like AI, should be as essential in a sales professional's toolkit as a phone or a computer. Tianna Mick also highlights the effective use of social media to gather intelligence ethically. By engaging with prospects on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn, salespeople can learn more about their prospects' personal preferences and needs. She advises, "So as soon as you get a new lead in… especially if they have that email address, you can actually copy that email address, drop it into Google." Engaging with Personalized Follow-Up and Video Content Engagement doesn't end once the first conversation has been had; in fact, it's just beginning. Tianna emphasizes the power of video as a communication tool in automotive sales, pointing out that it's "the second best thing than being in front of your customer at the dealership." Videos offer sight, sound, motion, and emotion, thus connecting with potential customers on a deeper level than text alone. The discussion also covers the importance of personalized follow-up. Instead of sending generic messages like "Are you still in the market?", Tianna advocates for follow-up that provides value and relevance, such as event invitations or tailored service promotions. This reinforces the need for salespeople to understand their customers better, offering them tailored solutions instead of one-size-fits-all responses. Crafting a 360-Degree Sales Strategy In this dialogue, the integration of personal attention, technological enhancement, and innovative communication is crucial in redefining the traditional sales approach. For sales teams, this means breaking down silos—combining the use of AI, social media, and video to not just nurture prospects but to truly understand and meet their needs. Every interaction becomes a chance to build a rapport and pave the way for a successful transaction and beyond. Ultimately, the session between Sean V. Bradley and Tianna Mick serves as a masterclass in modern sales strategies. Their insights shine a light on the enormous potential lying in every lead, waiting to be transformed into long-term, profitable relationships with the right mix of technology, strategy, and genuine human connection. By embracing these insights, automotive professionals can dramatically increase their sales effectiveness and customer loyalty. Resources + Our Proud Sponsors: ➼ The Millionaire Car Salesman Facebook Group: Join the #1 Automotive Sales Mastermind Facebook Group with over 29,000 automotive professionals worldwide. The Millionaire Car Salesman Facebook Group is the go-to community for car salespeople, BDC agents, sales managers, general managers, and dealer principals looking to increase performance, income, and leadership skills. Inside the group, members collaborate daily on automotive sales strategies, lead handling, phone scripts, closing techniques, CRM best practices, dealership leadership, and accountability systems. Learn directly from top automotive trainers, industry mentors, and high-performing sales leaders who are actively winning in today's market. If you're serious about growing your automotive career, increasing car sales, and building long-term success, join The Millionaire Car Salesman Facebook Group today! ➼ Dealer Synergy: Dealer Synergy is the automotive industry's #1 Sales Training, Consulting, and Accountability Firm, with over 20 years of proven dealership success nationwide. We specialize in helping car dealerships increase sales, improve processes, and build high-performing Sales, Internet, and BDC departments from the ground up. Our expertise includes automotive phone scripts, rebuttals, CRM action plans, lead handling strategies, BDC workflows, Internet sales processes, management training, and accountability systems. Dealer Synergy partners directly with dealership leadership to align people, process, and technology, ensuring consistent results and scalable growth. From independent dealers to large dealer groups and OEM partnerships, Dealer Synergy delivers measurable performance improvements, stronger teams, and sustainable profitability. ➼ Bradley On Demand: Bradley On Demand is the automotive industry's most advanced interactive training, tracking, testing, and certification platform for car dealerships — built to develop top-performing teams across Sales, Internet Sales, BDC, CRM, Phone Skills, Leadership, and Management. In addition to LIVE virtual automotive training classes and a library of 9,000+ on-demand dealership training modules, Bradley On Demand now includes AI Phone Roleplaying and Coaching to help salespeople and BDC agents practice real dealership conversations before they ever get on the phone with customers. This AI-powered roleplay technology strengthens phone scripts, objection handling, appointment setting, lead follow-up, and closing skills, while providing measurable coaching feedback for continuous improvement. Bradley On Demand empowers dealerships to train faster, coach smarter, improve call performance, increase closing ratios, and sell more cars more profitably — all through structured, trackable, modern automotive training.
Aicha Bascaro, CEO and Founder of the American Franchise Academy, joins host Brendon Dennewill to challenge the assumption that a successful single-unit operator is ready to scale. Drawing on 35+ years across Domino's, Popeyes, and Olive Garden, Aicha breaks down the four business systems every franchisee must build before adding a second location, and why skipping them creates what she calls "the hell zone." From unit economics and P&L literacy to the pod-based growth model and the CRM gap in service-based franchises, this conversation is a masterclass in operational architecture for anyone building a multi-unit enterprise.What You'll LearnTransition from operator "doer" to visionary "leader" skills.Navigate the "Hell Zone" of multi-unit scaling successfully.Master the four critical buckets of business systems.Understand joint employer liability's impact on franchise training.Optimize unit economics through rigorous weekly KPI dashboards.Leverage AI agents to enhance 24/7 lead management.Resources MentionedThe Franchise Fix by Aicha BascaroAmerican Franchise Academy (AFA) International Franchise Association (IFA) HubSpot CRMIs your business ready to scale? Take the Growth Readiness Score to find out. In 5 minutes, you'll see: Benchmark data showing how you stack up to other organizationsA clear view of your operational maturity Whether your business is ready to scale (and what to do next if it's not)Let's ConnectSubscribe to the RevOps Champions NewsletterLinkedInYouTubeExplore the show at revopschampions.com. Ready to unite your teams with RevOps strategies that eliminate costly silos and drive growth? Let's talk!
Growth gets a lot harder when every customer call, text, and follow-up depends on one person. Erica Krupin and Daryna Kulya from QUO break down what it takes to build a more professional communication system so your business can scale without sacrificing responsiveness or client experience. Their conversation explores how small business owners can move away from relying on a personal cell phone and start creating systems their team can actually manage. From call recording and collaboration tools to AI-powered customer service and automated texts, the focus stays on one thing: making sure no lead slips through the cracks. Covered in this episode: Transition away from using a personal cell phone for business to allow your team to manage customer communications effectively. Use call recordings and transcripts as training tools to establish a high standard for customer service and sales. Leverage AI agents and automated text responses to ensure every lead is captured even when you are busy or closed. Invest in business systems and SOPs before you reach a breaking point to ensure a smoother scaling process. Prioritize rapid response times and personalized service to build customer loyalty and maintain premium pricing. This is a practical look at how better systems can reduce chaos, strengthen your team, and create a smoother client journey as your business grows. Comments and Questions are welcome. Send to: thescooppodcast22@gmail.com
Netflix to Introduce Vertical Video Feed, Leverage AI for Recommendations, Google’s ‘Personal Intelligence’ Integrates Gemini AI with Google Photos, and Apple Defies Chinese Smartphone Market Downturn with 20% Shipment Growth. MP3 Please SUBSCRIBE HERE for free or get DTNS Live ad-free. A special thanks to all our supporters–without you, none of this would be possible.Continue reading "Anthropic CEO to Meet White House Chief of Staff Over AI Blacklisting Legal Battle – DTH"
Careers are evolving faster than ever and artificial intelligence is accelerating the shift.In this Career Coaching episode of Coaching In Session, Michael Rearden speaks with career strategist and Overqualified™ founder Isaiah Hankel about how AI is reshaping the job market and what professionals must do to stay competitive.Isaiah breaks down how careers have evolved over the decades and why adaptability is now the most valuable professional skill. He explains the real impact of AI on hiring, job structures, and long-term employability and why professionals must understand market needs rather than rely solely on credentials.The conversation focuses on practical strategies for leveraging AI tools, shifting your mindset toward continuous evolution, and positioning yourself strategically in a rapidly changing workforce. Isaiah also shares insights from working with thousands of senior-level and advanced-degree professionals navigating major career transitions.If you're an ambitious professional looking to future-proof your career, strengthen your positioning, and thrive in the age of AI, this episode delivers practical, forward-thinking guidance.What You'll LearnHow careers have evolved over the past decadesThe real impact of AI on today's job marketWhy adaptability is essential for professional growthHow to leverage AI tools to increase productivity and positioningThe importance of understanding market demandWhy credentials alone no longer guarantee opportunityHow to shift your mindset for long-term successStrategies for navigating hiring biasPractical steps to future-proof your professional lifeKey Takeaways✅ Careers are constantly evolving, adaptability is critical✅ AI is changing how companies hire and operate✅ Skills and positioning matter more than credentials alone✅ Understanding market needs increases career leverage✅ Leveraging AI tools creates competitive advantage✅ Hiring systems often overlook highly qualified professionals✅ Mindset shifts are required for long-term career security
Inside Modular: The Podcast of Commercial Modular Construction
Send us Fan MailFinancing can kill a great modular project long before the first module is built. That's exactly where AI is starting to change the game. Jim Park, founder of Park Place Lending, talks about how AI is impacting financing for commercial modular construction, and the real-world bottlenecks that keep good ideas from turning into funded projects.Jim digs into how AI helps with early feasibility: faster budgets, tighter schedules, cleaner pro formas, and clearer comparisons between modular vs conventional construction. Jim shares how developers can use data to identify true demand pockets, even down to ZIP codes, and why the “obvious” markets are not always the best markets. We also talk about the bigger shift most builders miss: you don't just need a better build method, you need a scalable system that connects marketing, qualification, financing, and delivery.Support the showListen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/
What if you could step into a high-stakes sales conversation, test your instincts, refine your message, and even “clone” your best leadership coaching moments—without ever risking a real deal? Let's explore how AI-powered roleplay simulations are redefining sales enablement, giving leaders a scalable way to coach, develop, and empower their teams. At a time when pipeline management, forecasting, hiring, and customer demands are all competing for attention, the traditional coaching model is breaking under pressure. AI roleplay offers a new path forward—one that reduces overwhelm, removes coaching bottlenecks, and enables consistent, high-impact development across every rep on the team. Key Highlights: How AI roleplay eliminates the coaching bottleneck and scales leadership impact. Why simulation-based learning drives faster onboarding, higher retention, and stronger confidence. The connection between AI enablement and revenue acceleration—not just training efficiency. How “failing safely” in simulations leads to better real-world sales conversations. Why consistency in coaching is critical for maintaining authenticity and driving results. Embrace AI roleplay as a revenue operations strategy, and ensure your teams aren't improvising—but are fully prepared to win. Visit AppMeetup.com for more information about our customizable AI simulation resources and tools. Timestamps: What AI Can Do For Your Team 7:25 Managing Diverse Teams & Statistics 9:36 AI LMS Resource 13:51 Real-world Examples 18:01
The Authority Operating System: Turn Your CEPA Credential Into Deal FlowYou earned your CEPA credential. You know how to help business owners navigate the biggest financial decision of their life.But the business owners who need you most don't know you exist.Right now, someone in your market is asking ChatGPT who they should trust with the sale of their company. They're searching Google. They're listening to podcasts. They're forming opinions about who the expert is long before they ever pick up the phone. By the time they're ready to talk, they've already chosen someone.The question is whether that someone is you.You can read or listen to this entire book in about an hour. By the time you're done, you'll have the complete system.The Authority Operating System is a five-pillar framework designed specifically for Certified Exit Planning Advisors who want to turn their credential into consistent, high-quality deal flow. Paul G. McManus has spent the past decade working with more than 500 financial professionals, many of them CEPAs, helping them write and publish books and then leverage those books to grow their practices. That work has helped generate over $100 million in combined revenue. This book lays out the exact system that separates advisors who get found from advisors who get overlooked.The five pillars work together as a system, not as five separate marketing tactics. The real power shows up when all five are running at once.The Book puts your thinking, your frameworks, and your client stories into a business owner's hands before you ever meet them. Business owners who read it show up to the first meeting pre-sold, with specific questions, ready to work together.Referrals and Centers of Influence. Your clients and your COIs want to refer you. They just don't have a natural way to do it. The book becomes the vehicle. When a CPA hands your book to a business owner, the dynamic shifts from "call my guy" to "read this, I think it's exactly what you need."The Virtual Speaking Tour. Guest podcasting puts you in front of audiences that already trust the host, and that trust extends to you the moment you're introduced. Every episode is a permanent, indexed asset that works for you long after the recording ends.Search Everywhere Optimization. Google now accounts for less than 20% of daily searches. Business owners are asking ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other AI tools who they should work with, and those tools are answering with names. This pillar covers SEO, AEO (answer engine optimization), and GEO (generative engine optimization) so your name shows up wherever your ideal clients are looking.Leverage AI. What used to require a marketing team and months of effort can now be executed by one motivated advisor with the right tools. From AI-powered meeting prep to turning a single podcast appearance into months of content, this pillar shows you how to build in a year what used to take a decade.One financial advisor published his book and, within months, landed a recurring role as the financial expert on NBC 5 Chicago, leapfrogging advisors with decades more experience. Another advisor tripled his revenue in a single year after publishing and is now writing his fourth book. A CPA firm distributed 500 copies of an advisor's book to their entire client base, on their own letterhead, without being asked twice. A five-person RIA is using AI to build fully interactive, custom-branded client proposals that no competitor in their market can match. And one CEPA is building a practice with so much transferable value that he's selling equity in it repeatedly, living the same methodology he teaches his clients.Every advisor in this book did it. The system works. Somewhere in your market, a business owner is sSupport the show
Industrial Talk is onsite at Xcelerate 2026 and talking to Julian Knabe, Senior Director with Fluke about "Leverage AI and Technology to adapt and evolve to market demands". The conversation features Scott Mackenzie from the Industrial Talk podcast discussing the Fluke Xcelerate event in Austin, Texas, with Julian Knabe, a finance professional at Fluke. Julian shares his experience transitioning from cost-cutting to strategic finance, focusing on growth and customer impact. He highlights Fluke's extensive product portfolio, including over 50,000 SKUs, and identifies high-growth markets like data centers, distributed energy, renewables, and defense. The discussion emphasizes the importance of AI and technology in enhancing efficiency and customer workflows, and the need for companies to adapt and innovate to meet evolving market demands. Outline Fluke Xcelerate Event Overview Scott introduces the Industrial Talk podcast, highlighting the Fluke Xcelerate event in Austin, Texas.The event focused on reliability, predictive maintenance tools, and AI diagnostics.Fluke's commitment to smarter, faster, and reliable operations was emphasized.Listeners are encouraged to visit fluke.com for more information. Introduction to Julian Knabe Scott welcomes listeners to the Industrial Talk podcast and celebrates industry professionals.Julian Knabe, a finance professional from Fluke, is introduced as the guest for the podcast.Julian shares his background, including his recent move to Fluke and his previous roles in Europe and the US.Julian discusses his transition from cost-cutting to strategic finance at Fluke. Market Landscape and Growth Areas Julian explains Fluke's extensive product portfolio with over 50,000 SKUs.He identifies high-growth markets such as data centers, distributed energy, renewables, and defense.The importance of innovation and the need for fast customer support in these markets are discussed.Julian highlights the role of Fluke's tools in helping customers maintain smooth operations. Challenges and Solutions in Data Center Maintenance Scott and Julian discuss the challenges of maintaining data centers, including power needs and cooling capabilities.Julian emphasizes the importance of preventing disruptions to ensure smooth operations.Fluke's portfolio of devices and solutions play a crucial role in maintaining data center reliability.The conversation touches on the evolving nature of the data center market and the need for continuous innovation. Fluke's Adaptability and Innovation Julian credits Fluke's teams for their ability to adapt to rapid changes and maintain high operational speed.The company's flexibility and adaptability, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, are highlighted.Fluke's brand recognition and reputation for reliability are discussed.The increasing role of software in Fluke's product offerings is noted. AI and Technology Integration Scott and Julian discuss the integration of AI and technology in Fluke's solutions.The importance of understanding customer workflows and simplifying their processes is emphasized.Fluke's AI innovations, including AR and AI offerings, are mentioned.The conversation highlights the role of AI in enhancing efficiency and learning within the industry. Future of Work and Talent Retention Julian discusses the importance of attracting and retaining talent in the industry.The role of technology in making work more efficient and accessible for younger professionals is highlighted.The conversation touches on the need for companies to invest in and support the development of new skills.The potential for AI to bridge the knowledge gap between older and younger technicians is discussed. Distributed Energy and Market Trends Julian shares insights on the growth and challenges of the distributed energy market.The importance of flexibility and competitive advantages in the energy market are discussed.The conversation touches on the impact of global events, such as the crisis in the Gulf region, on the energy market.The role of new technologies, such as small nuclear power plants and fusion energy, in the future of energy is highlighted. Fluke's Market Presence and Customer Satisfaction Julian discusses Fluke's presence in various markets, including oil and gas, manufacturing, and defense.The company's reputation for reliable products and customer satisfaction is emphasized.The conversation highlights the importance of listening to market needs and continuously innovating.Julian shares his pride in working for a company that makes customers happy and proud of their products. Closing Remarks and Future Plans Scott and Julian discuss the importance of inspiring the next generation of industrial leaders.The conversation emphasizes the need for consistent communication and storytelling within the industry.Julian shares his excitement about the future and the potential for exponential growth in technology.The podcast concludes with a call to action for listeners to connect with Julian and stay tuned for future updates from Fluke. If interested in being on the Industrial Talk show, simply contact us and let's have a quick conversation. Finally, get your exclusive free access to the Industrial Academy and a series on “Why You Need To Podcast” for Greater Success in 2026. All links designed for keeping you current in this rapidly changing Industrial Market. Learn! Grow! Enjoy! JULIAN KNABE'S CONTACT INFORMATION: Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianknabe/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fluke-corporation/ Company Website: https://www.fluke.com/ PODCAST VIDEO: https://youtu.be/0-3D18QPJpA THE STRATEGIC REASON "WHY YOU NEED TO PODCAST": OTHER GREAT INDUSTRIAL RESOURCES: NEOM: https://www.neom.com/en-us Hexagon: https://hexagon.com/ Arduino: https://www.arduino.cc/ Fictiv: https://www.fictiv.com/ Hitachi Vantara: https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/home.html Industrial Marketing Solutions: https://industrialtalk.com/industrial-marketing/ Industrial Academy: https://industrialtalk.com/industrial-academy/ Industrial Dojo: https://industrialtalk.com/industrial_dojo/ We the 15: https://www.wethe15.org/ YOUR INDUSTRIAL DIGITAL TOOLBOX: LifterLMS: Get One Month Free for $1 – https://lifterlms.com/ Active Campaign: Active Campaign Link Social Jukebox: https://www.socialjukebox.com/ Industrial Academy (One Month Free Access And One Free License For Future Industrial Leader): Business Beatitude the Book Do you desire a more joy-filled, deeply-enduring sense of accomplishment and success? 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In this solo episode, Travis Chappell breaks down a simple, actionable framework for making your first $10,000 online. Drawing from his own journey through masterminds, courses, software, and even brick-and-mortar businesses, Travis shares hard-earned lessons on why online business is not only “real,” but one of the fastest paths to income and freedom. This episode is a practical guide for anyone looking to start from scratch and build momentum quickly in the digital economy. On this episode we talk about: Why online businesses are just as “real” (and often more flexible) than traditional ones How to choose a specific, profitable market using the “aim small, miss small” strategy The importance of crafting an irresistible offer that solves real pain points Why outreach and volume (50 contacts/day) are key to getting your first customers How to deliver services efficiently using AI tools and low-cost VAs Top 3 Takeaways Specificity wins—clearly define your ideal customer and their exact problems before creating anything. You don't need a perfect product to start—you need conversations, feedback, and your first paying client. Leverage AI and outsourcing to maximize profit and scale faster without getting stuck in operations. Notable Quotes "If the income is real and the impact is real, then the business is real." "Aim small, miss small—specificity is what actually gets results." "Reach out to 50 people a day for 90 days, and it's impossible not to make money." Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
DJ is an entrepreneur, real estate investor, author, and business strategist. He is the Chairman of Silver C International where he structures real estate opportunities across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean, and the Founder of VIPER Financial Group, a real estate backed investment firm focused on stable fixed return investments. He is also the President of EasyPro Property Services, which he has grown more than 400 percent across multiple markets. DJ is the author of Hunter Head Game and the host of The Sales Factory Podcast, where he shares insights on sales, business growth, and leadership. Here's some of the topics we covered: How DJ Carroll Went From Entrepreneur to Building AI Powered Businesses Why Smart Entrepreneurs Are Turning to AI to Scale Faster Than Ever The Massive AI Disruption That's Forcing More People Into Entrepreneurship The Powerful Mindset Shifts From DJ's Book That Separate Winners From Everyone Else The Brutal Failures That Taught DJ Carroll His Biggest Business Lessons How Entrepreneurs Are Using AI to Run Faster, Smarter, and More Efficient Businesses The Strategic Framework DJ Uses to Execute Big Ideas and Leverage AI for Growth To find out more about partnering or investing in a multifamily deal: Text Partner to 72345 or email Partner@RodKhleif.com For more about Rod and his real estate investing journey go to www.rodkhleif.com
Thank you for joining us for another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm. In today's episode, Roger Knecht and guest Nathan Whittacre discuss the ever-evolving landscape of technology, cybersecurity, and AI in the accounting industry. They offer practical advice for accounting professionals on how to navigate digital threats and leverage new technologies for business growth. In This Episode: 00:00 Introduction & Guest Background 01:28 Evolution of Business Technology 05:57 Embracing Technological Change 09:49 Data Security & Compliance 14:45 Evaluating New Technologies 19:03 AI: Misconceptions and Tools 24:29 Leveraging AI in Platforms 27:19 Cybersecurity Threats & Mitigation 36:37 Family Business Dynamics 39:02 Conclusion & Final Thoughts 43:50 Outro & Resources Key Takeaways: Embrace technological change to stay competitive and efficient in your accounting firm. Prioritize data security and compliance with regulations to protect client information from evolving cyber threats. Evaluate new technologies based on their ability to improve internal processes or enhance the client experience, rather than chasing "shiny new objects." Leverage AI integration within existing software platforms to boost efficiency and profitability, understanding that AI is a tool, not a job replacement. Conduct annual reviews of your software vendors to ensure they are investing in current technologies and incorporating AI for future development. Featured Quotes: "If you look at any of the charts of, you know, how change happens with technology, it just is exponentially accelerating." - Nathan Whittacre "The goal is to do more work with less errors with less people." - Nathan Whittacre "People want a personal touch still. They want, you know, that relationship with their professionals that they have." - Nathan Whittacre Behind the Story: Nathan Whittacre recounts starting Stimulus Technologies with his family at just 17, driven by a passion for technology. This early start provided a unique perspective on the evolution of computing from DOS to cloud-based AI. He shares a sobering story of a client firm that lost hundreds of thousands of dollars due to a sophisticated cyber attack, underscoring the constant threat small businesses face. Conclusion: Thank you for joining us for another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm with Roger Knecht. For more information on how you can establish your own accounting firm and take control of your time and income, call 435-344-2060 or schedule an appointment to connect with Roger's team here. Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth. Offers: Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn and get a copy of his book, "The CEO's Digital Survival Guide". www.StimulusTech.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanwhittacre/ Are you ready for a change, both personally and professionally? Then accept and participate in the Accountrepreneurs Challenge. This is a FREE opportunity to apply best practices and make this the best year yet in your career. Be sure to join us for GrowCon, the LIVE event for accounting professionals to work ON their business. This conference is one you don't want to miss. Get a FREE copy of these books all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable. These are a must-have addition to every accountant's library to provide quality CFO & Advisory services as a Profit & Growth Expert today: "Red to BLACK in 30 days – A small business accountant's guide to QUICK turnarounds" – This is a how-to guide on how to turn around a struggling business into a more sustainable model. Each chapter focuses on a crucial aspect of the turnaround process - from cash flow management to strategies for improving revenue. This book will teach you everything you need to become a turnaround expert for small businesses. "in the BLACK, nine principles to make your business profitable" – Nine Principles to Make Your Business Profitable – Discover what you need to know to run the premier accounting firm and get paid what you are worth in this book, by the same author as Red to Black – CPA Allen B. Bostrom. Bostrom teaches the three major functions of business (marketing, production and accounting) as well as strategies for maximizing profitability for your clients by creating actionable plans to implement the nine principles. "Your Strategic Accountant" - Understand the 3 Core Accounting Services (CAS - Client Accounting Services) you should offer as you run your business. Help your clients understand which numbers they need to know to make more informed business decisions. "Your Profit & Growth Expert" - Your business is an asset. You should know its value and understand how to maximize it. Beginning with the end in mind helps you work ON your business to build a company you can leave so that it can continue to exist in your absence or build wealth as you retire and enjoy the time, freedom, and life you want and deserve. Follow the Turnkey Business plan for accounting professionals. This is the proven process to start and build the premier accounting firm in your area. After more than 40 years we've identified the best practices of successful accountants and this is a presentation we are happy to share. Also learn the best practices to automate and nurture your lead generation process allowing you to get the bookkeeping, accounting and tax clients you deserve. GO HERE to see this presentation and learn what you can do today to identify and engage with your ideal clients. Check it out and see what you can do to be in business for yourself but not by yourself with Universal Accounting Center. It's here you can become a: Professional Bookkeeper, PB Professional Tax Preparer, PTP Profit & Growth Expert, PGE Next, join a group of like-minded professionals within the accounting community. Register to attend GrowCon and Stay up-to-date on current topics and trends and see what you can do to also give back, participating in relevant conversations as they relate to offering quality accounting services and building your bookkeeping, accounting & tax business. The Accounting & Bookkeeping Tips Facebook Group The Universal Accounting Fanpage Topical Newsletters: Universal Accounting Success The Universal Newsletter Lastly, get your Business Score to see what you can do to work ON your business and have the Premier Accounting Firm. Join over 70,000 business owners and get your score on the 8 Factors That Drive Your Company's Value. For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals check out this collection HERE! Be sure to join us for GrowCon, the LIVE event for accounting professionals to work ON their business. This is a conference you don't want to miss. Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal. Listen to our next episode and be sure to subscribe. Also, let us know what you think of the podcast and please share any suggestions you may have. We look forward to your input: Podcast Feedback For more information on how you can apply these principles to start and build your accounting, bookkeeping & tax business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 8012653777
Today, I'm thrilled to finally welcome my friend, Geoff Woods, to the podcast. Geoff is the founder of AI Leadership and The AI-Driven Leadership Collective, the author of The AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions, and a leading expert on AI. He previously served as Chief Growth Officer of Jindal Steel & Power, where he played a key role in scaling the company from a $750 million market cap to over $12 billion in just four years. He also co-founded the company behind The ONE Thing, advising organizations with revenue ranging from $10 million to $60 billion. In our conversation, Geoff doesn't just explain what AI does in theory—he'll walk you through a live demonstration of how to use it as a thought partner to help navigate the transition into retirement with greater clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. Geoff introduces his CRIT framework for prompting AI more effectively and shares practical strategies for using AI to identify purpose, strengthen daily habits, and avoid common pitfalls. Geoff also shares his insights on how AI is rapidly shaping the world we live in, addresses concerns about job disruption for the next generation, and explains why learning to use it now will give you an advantage over those who choose to live in fear of it. GET A FREE COPY OF GEOFF'S BOOK, THE AI-DRIVEN LEADER: HARNESSING AI TO MAKE FASTER, SMARTER DECISIONS Here's how: Step 1: Subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review on iTunes. Step 2: Text the word BOOK to 888-599-4491, and we'll send you a link to claim your free copy! In this podcast interview, you'll learn: A simple explanation of AI and how it differs from machine learning and generative AI. Why AI will impact retirees even if it wasn't specifically designed for them. How AI can support better daily decisions around health, habits, and planning. The simplest way to manage privacy settings and reduce concerns about personal data with ChatGPT. Why AI should be treated as a thought partner, not a replacement for your thinking. How the CRIT framework helps generate deeper, more customized responses. Three strategies for transitioning into retirement with more structure and purpose. Why technological change shifts skill value rather than simply eliminating opportunity. Show Notes: HowardBailey.com/553
What if AI engines could drive 10–15x more traffic to your online store—and most businesses don't even realize it's happening yet? If you run an online store or sell products through e-commerce channels, AI engines are quickly becoming the new gateway to customer discovery. Instead of relying solely on traditional search or marketplaces, companies are now seeing massive traffic surges simply by optimizing their sites for how AI answers questions and recommends products. In this episode, you'll hear how one e-commerce CEO is leveraging AI engines to dramatically increase visibility—and how you can apply the same ideas to grow your own online store. By listening, you'll discover how to: Position your website so AI engines recommend your products when customers ask buying questions. Use simple AI-driven content strategies—like FAQs and structured answers—to dramatically increase organic traffic. Navigate the rapidly changing e-commerce landscape where AI, Amazon advertising, and global competition are reshaping growth. Play the episode now to learn how CEOs can tap into AI engines to unlock the next wave of online store growth. Check out: 03:45 – From One Used Book to a Global E-Commerce Business Rupesh shares how a single online sale sparked the idea that eventually grew into a company partnering with over 1,500 brands across 40+ countries. 10:40 – How AI Engines Are Driving Massive Website Traffic A deep dive into how optimizing websites for AI-driven questions—through FAQs and structured content—can generate dramatic traffic increases. 22:15 – The Two Big Changes Reshaping Amazon Sellers Rupesh explains how advertising and Amazon's AI tools are changing the rules of visibility—and why brands must adapt quickly to stay competitive. About Rupesh Sanghavi Rupesh Sanghavi is the founder and CEO of Ergode, an e-commerce-first, omni-channel brand growth company that has partnered with over 1,500 brands, expanded reach to 40+ countries, and acquired over 15 consumer brands. His entrepreneurial journey began with reselling a single used book and has since grown into leading a global portfolio of businesses across categories. Under his leadership, Ergode has scaled into a trusted name with 18+ years of experience, 96% lifetime positive feedback, and a 250+ member workforce worldwide. Twice a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Rupesh is known for blending resilience and vision with a hands-on, relatable style. Outside of business, he writes a blog called Cloverbites, where he shares reflections on leadership and life. An avid traveller who has visited 100+ countries, he draws inspiration from diverse cultures and experiences that shape both his business outlook and personal growth.
Target Market Insights: Multifamily Real Estate Marketing Tips
This week, learn three key takeaways from the Best Ever Conference that can shape how you approach multifamily investing in today's market. You'll hear why AI is becoming a competitive advantage for operators, what a 35% drop in multifamily values really means for buyers and sellers, and how the "thinning of the herd" is creating new opportunities for disciplined investors ready to act. Make sure to download our free guide, 7 Questions Every Passive Investor Should Ask, here. Key Takeaways Surround yourself with committed investors by attending paid conferences and high-level networking events Leverage AI tools to streamline underwriting, investor communications, and administrative workflows Recognize that multifamily values are down roughly 35% from peak levels, creating potential buying opportunities Understand that lenders are no longer extending and pretending, performance matters Take advantage of decreased competition as operators exit the space Topics Why Being in the Right Rooms Matters Paid conferences attract serious operators committed to growth The Best Ever Conference played a pivotal role in launching John's syndication journey Relationships built in high-level rooms can shape long-term portfolio growth The Power of AI in Multifamily AI tools can function like adding analysts or investor relations support to your team AI agents can assist with underwriting, broker follow-ups, reporting, and tracking Operators who integrate AI effectively position themselves to succeed in 2026 The State of Multifamily Today Multifamily values are down approximately 35% from peak levels Many believe the market is near a bottom and poised for recovery Now is the time to analyze deals, build broker relationships, and be opportunistic Lenders are no longer extending troubled loans, operators must perform The Thinning of the Herd Layoffs and operator exits have reduced competition Less competition creates room for disciplined investors to carve out space Success now depends on updated strategies and strong execution
In this episode of the Off the Clock Show, we're talking about what it takes to build a truly resilient business in today's fast-paced tech landscape. Shawn Gervais and Marshall Hill join the show for a lively conversation that bridges the gap between sports marketing and everyday business operations. From gearing up for massive events like the World Cup to reigning in your software subscriptions, this episode is packed with actionable advice for future-proofing your brand including:Impact of global sports events on local marketingUsing Luna AI for business automationThe importance of inventory management in service industries
The Ultimate Marketing Safety Net: Why You Don't Own Your AudienceIn the fast-paced world of 2026, many entrepreneurs are making a fatal mistake: they are building their entire business on "rented land". Whether you are a note investor, a realtor, or a fix-and-flipper, the reality is that we are all in the marketing business first. If your primary way of reaching clients is through a free platform like Facebook or LinkedIn, you are one algorithm change or account deletion away from having your business vanish overnight.I've seen it happen to the best of us. From podcasting experts losing 20-year-old accounts to major email services flagging databases, the message is urgent: you must own your data. Success in today's market isn't just about finding deals; it's about "carpet bombing" your message across multiple channels while funneling every lead into a database you actually control.5 Keys to Dominating Your Marketing in 2026Own the "Gold" (Name, Email, and Phone): Social media followers are great for presence, but the only true assets you own are your contacts' names, email addresses, and cell phone numbers. These three pieces of information are the most valuable resources in your business, allowing you to bypass platform gatekeepers and connect directly with your audience.The Power of the Weekly Drip: Consistency is the antidote to being forgotten. You should be sending at least one email per week to your database to stay top-of-mind. Frequent communication leads to lower opt-out rates because you are building a relationship rather than just asking for money when you have a deal.Leverage AI for Content Multiplicity: You don't need to spend hours writing from scratch. Use AI to take a single long-form video or podcast transcript and "chop" it into 30 short-form videos, blogs, and newsletters. This "multi-touch" approach ensures you are seen on every platform—from LinkedIn newsletters to YouTube—without doubling your workload.Implement "Mother Ship" Landing Pages: Every piece of content should lead back to your "mothership"—your website. Use simple one-page landing pages with "opt-ins" like free classes or case studies to capture lead information. Even if they don't buy immediately, you've captured the data necessary for future marketing.The "Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook" Philosophy: Most investors fail at raising capital because they only reach out when they are desperate for a deal. Instead, provide value through "edutainment"—sharing case studies, industry articles, and networking updates. By giving 75% of the time, your "ask" for funding will feel like a natural opportunity for your investors rather than a cold pitch.Conclusion: Take Action Before the "Fade"Don't let your business fade away like a character in a movie. If you aren't growing your database, you aren't growing your income. Start by exporting your contacts from LinkedIn or your calendar service and moving them into a dedicated CRM. Remember, email still provides the highest ROI in marketing—returning roughly $44 for every $1 spent. Stop being a "secret agent" and start sharing your journey consistently.Watch the Original Video of this Episode HERE!Book a Call With Scott HERE!Sign up for the next FREE One-Day Note Class HERE!Sign up for the WCN Membership HERE!Sign up for the next Note Buying For Dummies Workshop HERE!Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here's How »Join the Note Closers Show community today:WeCloseNotes.comThe Note Closers Show FacebookThe Note Closers Show TwitterScott Carson LinkedInThe Note Closers Show YouTubeThe Note Closers Show VimeoThe Note Closers Show InstagramWe Close Notes Pinterest
Self-determination throughout your team: it sounds simple, but implementing it effectively could give your startup a razor-sharp competitive edge.In this episode, Chris and Yaniv unpack the 'Recursive Principle of Self-Determination', a framework for designing autonomous startups that maximize agency at every layer of the business. They explore how high-agency decisions shape product strategy, engineering, go-to-market, fundraising, teams, and culture, and why AI is accelerating the shift toward founder empowerment. In this episode, you will:* Understand the concept of recursive self-determination and why it applies across the entire startup stack* Identify low-agency decisions that slow innovation (agencies, misaligned partners, restrictive funding)* Design products that increase customer empowerment by reducing friction, cost, and dependency* Evaluate tech stack and vendor choices based on incentive alignment and long-term control* Apply high-agency go-to-market strategies by selling directly to customers* Structure teams as cross-functional, autonomous squads that move fast and learn faster* Leverage AI as a force multiplier for founder and team agencyThe Pact Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/ Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media followingKey linksThis episode of the Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited time offer of US$1,000 off, go to https://www.vanta.com/tsp.This episode of the Startup Podcast is sponsored by .tech domains. Forget weird prefixes and creative misspellings; the availability for .tech domains is simply way better than .com. For a clean and memorable name, go to https://get.tech/tsp.Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurIntro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/
In this episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen sits down with Abdel Khawatmi, a top-producing mortgage loan officer based in New Jersey, for an in-depth conversation about success in the modern mortgage industry. Abdel shares his inspiring journey, detailing how he made the transition from a career in law to becoming a leading figure in the mortgage business. He explains the pivotal role that leveraging advanced systems, automation, and artificial intelligence played in rapidly scaling his business, resulting in a remarkable 30% increase in loan volume and an impressive 175% surge in overall profitability. Throughout the episode, Abdel provides valuable insights into his strategic approach to team management, emphasizing the importance of building a cohesive and motivated team to support growth. He discusses his methods for coaching and empowering real estate partners, fostering strong relationships that drive mutual success. The conversation delves into the practical aspects of integrating cutting-edge technology into daily operations, highlighting the efficiencies and competitive advantages gained through thoughtful implementation. Abdel also opens up about his personal life, sharing how he strives to maintain a healthy work-life balance while raising a family. He talks about the significance of providing financial education to his children, instilling in them the values of responsibility and long-term planning. Additionally, Abdel and Dustin explore the critical role that consistency, discipline, and accountability play in achieving sustained success in the mortgage industry. Listeners will gain actionable tips and inspiration for building a thriving, future-ready mortgage business while maintaining personal fulfillment and strong family connections. TLOP's Originator Coaching: https://tloponline.com/mlo-coaching-programs/?utm_source=TLOP&utm_medium=Description&utm_id=YouTube Loan officer looking for a new place to call home?
What if your team could get more done in less time? ⏳ In this Community Conversation, Nikki and Jason flip the traditional "hours worked" mindset on its head, championing the power of results over clock-watching. They share why it's time to ditch the outdated 9–5 mentality, how to unlearn habits that hold us back, and why role clarity + goals + KPIs are the secret trio for driving real impact.
This episode is a compilation of answers to YOUR questions that were asked directly from my listeners who attend my weekly business education YouTube live webcast. Topics covered include: Chall enge Clinic 1,2,3, How to leverage AI to become the best version of myself, What would you do if you had $50k today and more. Refer to chapter marks for a complete list of topics covered and to jump to a specific section. Download my free "Networking eBook": www.harouneducation.comAttend my weekly YouTube Live every Thursday's 8am-11am PT. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel to receive notifications. Learn more about my MBA Degree ProgramConnect with me: YouTube: ChrisHarounVenturesCompleteBusinessEducationInstagram @chrisharounLinkedIn: Chris HarounTwitter: @chris_harounFacebook: Haroun Education Ventures TikTok: @chrisharoun300How to forecast a P/E ratio
Summary:Bryan House, CEO of Elastic Path, shares his insights on the transformative role of AI in B2B ecommerce. Elastic Path is focused on B2B commerce, working with a wide range of B2B businesses across different verticals. Why listen:Get insights into the latest trends in B2B ecommerce and AI.Learn about the importance of structured product data and workflow automation.Understand how AI can enhance sales processes and customer relationships.Discover Elastic Path's innovative solutions for complex B2B scenarios.Hear predictions on the future of B2B commerce and AI's role in it.Discussion topics:Bryan explains how AI is reshaping the landscape, particularly through the shift from search-led buying to answer-led discovery. The podcast emphasises the importance of structured product data and workflow automation, which are crucial for enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction.The discussion also highlights Elastic Path's innovative approach, focusing on their flexible Product Experience Manager that supports complex catalogue scenarios. This makes it well-suited for mid-market B2B companies dealing with intricate product configurations and pricing models. The conversation also explores the impact of AI on sales processes, suggesting that AI can serve as a superpower for sales teams by automating routine tasks and allowing them to focus on building meaningful customer relationships.The podcast closes by considering the future of B2B commerce, with Bryan predicting that AI will compress the sales funnel, making discovery, comparison and configuration processes faster and more efficient. AI has the potential to disrupt traditional marketplaces by shifting loyalty from channels to outcomes, offering a significant opportunity for B2B companies to lead in AI adoption.Bryan's extensive experience and leadership at Elastic Path provide a valuable perspective on navigating the evolving landscape of B2B ecommerce.
Entrepreneurs keep asking the wrong question about AI.It's not “Can AI help me?”It's “Who owns the leverage?”In this high-impact return episode of Inside the Vault, Alicia Little breaks down why AI is no longer just a productivity tool — it's a business ownership system.From:Turning ideas into full courses in minutesReplacing entire workflows without firing your teamUsing AI as a business strategist, not just a chatbotFinding your ideal clients automaticallyBuilding leverage while reclaiming time, freedom, and lifestyleThis episode shows exactly how the next generation of high earners will separate themselves from everyone else.⚠️ If you're still “experimenting” with AI instead of monetizing it — you're already behind.
Welcome back to Snafu with Robin Zander. In this episode, I'm joined by Jeff Jaworsky, who shares his journey from a global role at Google to running his own business while prioritizing time with his children. We talk about the pivotal life and career decisions that shaped this transition, focusing on the importance of setting boundaries—both personally and professionally. Jeff shares insights on leaving a structured corporate world for entrepreneurship and the lessons learned along the way. We also explore the evolving landscape of sales and entrepreneurship, highlighting how integrating human connection and coaching skills is more important than ever in a tech-driven world. The conversation touches on the role of AI and technology, emphasizing how they can support—but not replace—essential human relationships. Jeff offers practical advice for coaches and salespeople on leveraging their natural skills and hints at a potential future book exploring the intersection of leadership, coaching, and sales. If you're curious about what's next for thoughtful leadership, entrepreneurship, and balancing work with life, this episode is for you. And for more conversations like this, get your tickets for Snafu Conference 2026 on March 5th here, where we'll continue exploring human connection, business, and the evolving role of AI. Start (0:00) Early life and first real boundary Jeff grew up up in a structured, linear environment Decisions largely made for you Clear expectations, predictable paths Post–high school as the first inflection point College chosen because it's "what you're supposed to do" Dream: ESPN sports anchor (explicit role model: Stuart Scott) Reality check through research Job placement rate: ~3% First moment of asking: Is this the best use of my time? Is this fair to the people investing in me (parents)? Boundary lesson #1 Letting go of a dream doesn't mean failure Boundaries can be about honesty, not limitation Choosing logic over fantasy can unlock unexpected paths Dropping out of college → accidental entry into sales Working frontline sales at Best Buy while in school Selling computers, service plans, handling customers daily Decision to leave college opens capacity Manager notices and offers leadership opportunity Takes on home office department Largest sales category in the store Youngest supervisor in the company (globally) at 19 Early leadership challenges Managing people much older Navigating credibility, age bias, exclusion Learning influence without authority Boundary insight Temporary decisions can become formative Saying "yes" doesn't mean you're locked in forever Second boundary: success without sustainability Rapid growth at Best Buy Promotions Increasing responsibility Observing manager life up close 60-hour weeks No real breaks Lunch from vending machines Internal checkpoint Is this the life I want long-term? Distinguishing: Liking the work Disliking the cost Boundary lesson #2 You can love a craft and still reject the lifestyle around it Boundaries protect the future version of you Returning to school with intention Decision to go back to college This time with clarity Sales and marketing degree by design, not default Accelerated path Graduates in three years Clear goal: catch up, not start over Internship at J. Walter Thompson Entry into agency world Launch of long-term sales and marketing career Pattern recognition: how boundaries actually work Ongoing self-check at every stage Have I learned what I came here to learn? Am I still growing? Is this experience still stretching me? Boundaries as timing, not rejection Experiences "run their course" Leaving doesn't invalidate what came before Non-linear growth Sometimes stepping down is strategic Demotion → education Senior role → frontline role (later at Google) Downward moves that enable a bigger climb later Shared reflection with Robin Sales as a foundational skill Comparable to: Surfing (handling forces bigger than you) Early exposure to asking, pitching, rejection Best Buy reframed Customer service under pressure Handling frustrated, misinformed, emotional people Humility + persuasion + resilience Parallel experiences Robin selling a restaurant after learning everything she could Knowing the next step (expansion) and choosing not to take it Walking away without knowing what's next Core philosophy: learning vs. maintaining "If I'm not learning, I'm dying" Builder mindset, not maintainer Growth as a non-negotiable Career decisions guided by curiosity, not status Titles are temporary Skills compound Ladders vs. experience stacks Rejecting the myth of linear progression Valuing breadth, depth, and contrast The bridge metaphor Advice for people stuck between "not this" and "not sure what next" Don't leap blindly Build a bridge Bridge components Low-risk experiments Skill development Small tests in parallel with current work Benefits Reduces panic Increases clarity Turns uncertainty into movement Framing the modern career question Referencing the "jungle gym, not a ladder" idea Careers as lateral, diagonal, looping — not linear Growth through range, not just depth Connecting to Range and creative longevity Diverse experiences as a competitive advantage Late bloomers as evidence that exploration compounds Naming the real fear beneath the metaphor What if exploration turns into repeated failure? What if the next five moves don't work? Risk of confusing experimentation with instability Adding today's pressure cooker Economic uncertainty AI and automation reshaping work faster than previous generations experienced The tension between adaptability and survival The core dilemma How do you pursue a non-linear path without tumbling back to zero? How do you "build the bridge" instead of jumping blindly? How do you keep earning while evolving? The two-year rule Treating commitments like a contract with yourself Two years as a meaningful unit of time Long enough to: Learn deeply Be challenged Experience failure and recovery Short enough to avoid stagnation Boundaries around optional exits Emergency ripcord exists But default posture is commitment, not escape Psychological benefit Reduces panic during hard moments Prevents constant second-guessing Encourages depth over novelty chasing The 18-month check-in Using the final stretch strategically Asking: Am I still learning? Am I still challenged? Does this align with my principles? Shifting from execution to reflection Early exploration of "what's next" Identifying gaps: Skills to acquire Experiences to test Regaining control External forces aren't always controllable Internal planning always is Why most people get stuck Planning too late Waiting until: Layoffs Burnout Forced transitions Trying to design the future in crisis Limited creativity Fear-based decisions Contrast with proactive planning Calm thinking Optionality Leverage Extending the contract Recognizing unfinished business Loving the work Still growing Still contributing meaningfully One-year extensions as intentional choices Not inertia Not fear Conscious recommitment A long career, one organization at a time Example: nearly 13 years at Google Six different roles Multiple reinventions inside one company Pattern over prestige Frontline sales Sales leadership Enablement Roles as chapters, not identities Staying while growing Leaving only when growth plateaus Experience stacking over ladder climbing Rejecting linear advancement Titles matter less than skills Accumulating perspective Execution Leadership Systems Transferable insight What works with customers What works internally What scales Sales enablement as an example of bridge-building Transition motivated by impact Desire to help at scale Supporting many sellers, not just personal results A natural evolution, not a pivot Built on prior sales experience Expanded influence Bridge logic in action Skills reused Scope widened Risk managed Zooming out: sales, stigma, and parenting Introducing the next lens: children Three boys: 13, 10, 7 Confronting sales stereotypes Slimy Manipulative Self-serving Tension between reputation and reality Loving sales Building a career around it Teaching it without replicating the worst versions Redefining sales as a helping profession Sales as service Primary orientation: benefit to the other person Compensation as a byproduct, not the driver Ethical center Believe in what you're recommending Stand behind its value Sleep well regardless of outcome Losses reframed Most deals don't close Failure as feedback Integrity as the constant Selling to kids (and being sold by them) Acknowledging reality Everyone sells, constantly Titles don't matter Teaching ethos, not tactics How you persuade matters more than whether you win Kindness Thoughtfulness Awareness of the other side Everyday negotiations Bedtime extensions Appeals to age, fairness, peer behavior Sales wins without good reasoning Learning opportunity Success ≠ good process Boundaries still matter Why sales gets a bad reputation Root cause: selfishness Focus on "what I get" Language centered on personal gain Misaligned value exchange Overselling Underdelivering The alternative Lead with value for the other side Hold mutual benefit in the background Make the exchange explicit and fair Boundaries as protection for both sides Clear scope What's included What's not Saying no as a service Preventing resentment Preserving trust Entrepreneurial lens Boundaries become essential Scope creep erodes value Clarity sustains long-term relationships Value exchange, scope, and boundaries Every request starts with discernment, not enthusiasm What value am I actually providing? What problem am I solving? How much time, energy, and attention will this really take? The goal isn't just a "yes" Both sides need to feel good about: What's being given What's being received What's being expected What's realistically deliverable Sales as a two-sided coin Mutual benefit matters Overselling creates future resentment Promising "the moon and the stars" is how trust breaks later Boundaries as self-respect Clear limits protect delivery quality Good boundaries prevent repeating bad sales dynamics Saying less upfront often enables better outcomes long-term Transitioning into coaching and the SNAFU Conference Context for the work today Speaking at the inaugural SNAFU Conference Focused on reluctant salespeople and non-sales roles Why coaching became the next chapter Sales is everywhere, regardless of title Coaching emerged as a natural extension of sales leadership The origin story at Google Transition from sales leadership to enablement Core question: how do we help sellers have better conversations? Result: building Google's global sales coaching program Grounded in practice and feedback Designed to prepare for high-stakes conversations The hidden overlap between sales and coaching Coaching as an underutilized advantage Especially powerful for sales leaders Shared core skills Deep curiosity Active listening Presence in conversation Reflecting back what's heard, not what you assume The co-creation mindset Not leading someone to your solution Guiding toward their desired outcome Why this changes everything Coaching improves leadership effectiveness Coaching improves sales outcomes Coaching reshapes how decisions get made A personal inflection point: learning to listen Feedback that lingered "Jeff is often the first and last to speak in meetings" The realization Seniority amplified his voice Being directive wasn't the same as being effective The shift Stop being the first to speak Invite more voices Lead with curiosity, not certainty The result More evolved perspectives Better decisions Sometimes realizing he was simply wrong The parallel to sales Talking at customers limits discovery Pre-built pitch decks obscure real needs The "right widget" only emerges through listening What the work looks like today A synthesis of experiences Buyer Seller Sales leader Enablement leader Executive coach How that shows up in practice Executive coaching for sales and revenue leaders Supporting decision-making Developing more coach-like leadership styles Workshops and trainings Helping managers coach more effectively Building durable sales skills Advisory work Supporting sales and enablement organizations at scale The motivation behind the shift Returning to the core questions: Am I learning? Am I growing? Am I challenged? A pull toward broader impact A desire to test whether this work could scale beyond one company Why some practices thrive and others stall Observing the difference Similar credentials Similar training Radically different outcomes The uncomfortable truth The difference is sales Entrepreneurship without romance Businesses don't "arrive" on their own Clients don't magically appear Visibility, rejection, iteration are unavoidable Core requirements Clear brand Defined ICP Articulated value Credibility to support the claim Debunking "overnight success" Success is cumulative Built on years of unseen experience Agency life + Google made entrepreneurship possible Sales as a universal survival skill Especially now Crowded markets Economic uncertainty Increased competition Sales isn't manipulation It's how value moves through the world Avoiding the unpersuadable Find people who already want what you offer Make it easier for them to say yes For those who "don't want to sell" Either learn it Or intentionally outsource it But you can't pretend it doesn't exist The vision board and the decision to leap December 18, 2023 45th birthday Chosen as a forcing function Purpose of the date Accountability, not destiny A moment to decide: stay or go Milestones on the back Coaching certification Experience thresholds Personal readiness Listening to the inner signal The repeated message: "It's time" The bridge was already built Skills stacked Experience earned Risk understood Stepping forward without full certainty You never know what's on the other side You only learn once you cross and look around Decision-making and vision boards Avoid forcing yourself to meet arbitrary deadlines Even if a date is set for accountability (e.g., a 45th birthday milestone), the real question is: When am I ready to act? Sometimes waiting isn't necessary; acting sooner can make sense Boundaries tie directly into these decisions They help you align personal priorities with professional moves Recognizing what matters most guides the "when" and "how" of major transitions Boundaries in the leap from corporate to entrepreneurship Biggest boundary: family and presence with children Managing a global team meant constant connectivity and messages across time zones Transitioning to your own business allowed more control over work hours, clients, and priorities The pro/con framework reinforced the choice Written lists can clarify trade-offs For this example, the deciding factor was: "They get their dad back" Boundaries in entrepreneurship are intertwined with opportunity More freedom comes with more responsibility You can choose your hours, clients, and areas of focus—but still must deliver results Preparing children for a rapidly changing world Skill priorities extend beyond AI and automation Technology literacy is essential, but kids will likely adapt faster than adults Focus on human skills Building networks Establishing credibility Navigating relationships and complex decisions Sales-related skills apply Curiosity, empathy, observation, and problem-solving help them adapt to change These skills are timeless, even as roles and tools evolve Human skills in an AI-driven world AI is additive, not replacement Leverage AI to complement work, not fear it Understand what AI does well and where human judgment is irreplaceable Coaching and other human-centered skills remain critical Lived experience, storytelling, and nuanced judgment cannot be fully replaced by AI Technology enables scale but doesn't replace complex human insight The SNAFU Conference embodies this principle Brings humans together to share experiences and learn Demonstrates that face-to-face interaction, stories, and mutual learning remain valuable Advice for coaches learning to sell Coaches already possess critical sales skills Curiosity, active listening, presence, problem identification, co-creating solutions These skills, when applied to sales, still fall within a helping profession Key approach Use your coaching skills to generate business ethically Reframe sales as an extension of support, not self-interest For salespeople Learn coaching skills to improve customer conversations Coaching strengthens empathy, listening, and problem-solving abilities, all core to effective selling Book and resource recommendations Non-classical sales books Setting the Table by Danny Meyer → emphasizes culture and service as a form of sales Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara → creating value through care for people Coaching-focused books Self as Coach, Self as Leader by Pam McLean Resources from the Hudson Institute of Coaching Gap in sales literature Few resources fully integrate coaching with sales Potential upcoming book: The Power of Coaching and Sales
Another year ends, and once more, it's time to reflect on our creative goals. I hope you can take the time to review your goals and you're welcome to leave a comment below about how the year went. Did you achieve everything you wanted to? Let me know in the comments. It's always interesting looking back at my goals from a year ago, because I don't even look at them in the months between, so sometimes it's a real surprise how much they've changed! You can read my 2025 goals here and I go through how things went below. In the intro, Written Word Media 2025 Indie Author Survey Results, TikTok deal goes through [BBC]; 2025 review [Wish I'd Known Then; Two Authors], Kickstarter year in review; Plus, Anthropic settlement, the continued rise of AI-narrated audiobooks, and thinking/reasoning models (plus my 2019 AI disruption episode). My Bones of the Deep thriller, pics here, and Business for Authors webinars, coming soon. If you'd like to join my community and support the show every month, you'll get access to my growing list of Patron videos and audio on all aspects of the author business — for the price of a black coffee (or two) a month. Join us at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn. Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author as J.F. Penn. She's also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. J.F. Penn books — Death Valley, The Buried and the Drowned, Blood Vintage Joanna Penn books — Successful Self-Publishing, 4th Edition The Creative Penn Podcast and my community on Patreon/thecreativepenn Unexpected addition: Masters in Death, Religion and Culture at the University of Winchester Book marketing. Not quite a fail but definitely lacklustre. Reflections on my 50th year Double down on being human. Travel and health. You can find all my books as J.F. Penn and Joanna Penn on your favourite online store in all the usual formats, or order from your local library or bookstore. You can also buy direct from me at CreativePennBooks.com and JFPennBooks.com. I'm not really active on social media, but you can always see my photos at Instagram @jfpennauthor. J.F. Penn — Death Valley. A Thriller. This was my ‘desert' book, partially inspired by visiting Death Valley, California in 2024. It's a stand-alone, high stakes survival thriller, with no supernatural elements, although there are ancient bones and a hidden crypt, as it wouldn't be me otherwise! The Kickstarter campaign in April had 231 Backers pledging £10,794 (~US$14,400) and the hardback is a gorgeous foiled edition with custom end papers and research photos as well as a ribbon. As an AI-Assisted Artisan Author, I used AI tools to help with the creative and business processes, including the background image of the cover design, the custom end papers, and the Death Valley book trailer, which I made with Midjourney and Runway ML. The audiobook is also narrated by my J.F. Penn voice clone, which took a while to get used to, but now I love it! You can listen to a sample here. I published Death Valley wide a few months later over the summer, so it is now out on all platforms. J.F. Penn — Blood Vintage. A Folk Horror Novel, and Catacomb audiobook I did a Kickstarter for the hardback edition of Blood Vintage in late 2024, and then in 2025, worked with a US agent to see if we could get a deal for it. That didn't happen, and although there were some nice rejections, mostly it was silence, and the waiting around really was a pain in the proverbial. So, after a year on submission, I published Blood Vintage wide, so it's available everywhere now. My voice clone narrated the audiobook, listen to a sample here. I also finally produced the audiobook for Catacomb, which is a stand-alone thriller inspired by the movie Taken and the legend of Beowulf set in the catacombs under Edinburgh. I used a male voice from ElevenLabs, and you can listen to a sample here. The book is also available everywhere in all formats. J.F. Penn — The Buried and the Drowned Short Story Collection One of my goals for 2025 was to get my existing short stories into print, mainly because they exist only as digital ebook and audiobook files, which in a way, feels like they almost don't exist! Plus, I wanted to write an extra two exclusive stories and launch the special edition collection on Kickstarter Collection and then publish wide. I wrote the two stories, The Black Church, inspired by my Iceland trip in March, and also Between Two Breaths, inspired by an experience scuba diving at the Poor Knights Islands in New Zealand almost two decades ago. There are personal author's notes accompanying every story, so it's part-short story fiction, part-memoir, and I human-narrated the audiobook. I achieved this goal with a Kickstarter in September, 2025, with 206 Backers pledging almost £8000 (~US$10,600) for the various editions. I also did my first patterned sprayed edges and I love the hardback. It has head and tail bands which make the hardback really strong, gorgeous paper, foiling, a ribbon, colour photos, and custom end papers. The Buried and the Drowned is now out everywhere in all editions. As ever, if you enjoy the stories, a review would be much appreciated! Joanna Penn Books for Authors Early in the year, How to Write Non-Fiction Second Edition launched wide as I only sold it through my store in 2024, so it's available everywhere in all formats including a special hardback and workbook at CreativePennBooks.com. While I didn't write it in 2025, I made the money on it this year, which is important! I also unexpectedly wrote the Fourth Edition of Successful Self-Publishing, mainly because I saw so much misinformation and hype around selling direct, and I also wanted to write about how many options there are for indie authors now. The ebook and audiobook (narrated by human me) are free on my store, CreativePennBooks.com and also available in print, in all the usual places. If you haven't revisited options for indie authors for a while, please have a read/listen, as the industry moves fast! All my fiction and non-fiction audiobooks are now on YouTube After an inspiring episode with Derek Slaton, I put all my audiobooks and short stories on YouTube. Firstly, my non-fiction channel is monetised so I get some income from that. It's not much, but it's something. More importantly, it's marketing for my books, and many audiobook listeners go on to buy other editions especially non-fiction listeners who will often buy print as well. I'm one of those listeners! It's also doubling down on being human, since I human narrate most of my audiobooks, including almost all of my non-fiction, as well as the memoir, and short stories. This helps bring people into my ecosystem and they may listen to the podcast as well and end up buying other books or joining the Patreon. Finally, in an age of generative AI assisted search recommendations, I want my books and content inside Gemini, which is Google's AI. I want my books surfaced in recommendations and YouTube is owned by Google, and their AI overviews often point to videos. Only you can decide what you want to do with your audiobooks, but if you want to listen to mine, they are on YouTube @thecreativepenn for non-fiction or YouTube @jfpennauthor for fiction and memoir. The Creative Penn Podcast and my Patreon Community It's been another full year of The Creative Penn Podcast and this is episode 842, which is kind of crazy. If you don't know the back story, I started podcasting in March 2009 on a sporadic schedule and then went to weekly about a decade ago in 2015 when I committed to making it a core part of my author business. Thanks to our wonderful corporate sponsors for the year, all services I personally use and recommend — ProWritingAid, Draft2Digital, Kobo Writing Life, Bookfunnel, Written Word Media, Publisher Rocket and Atticus. It's also been a fantastic year inside my Patreon Community at patreon.com/thecreativepenn so thanks to all Patrons! I love the community we have as I am able to share my unfiltered thoughts in a way that I have stopped doing in the wider community. Even a tiny paywall makes a big difference in keeping out the haters. I've done monthly audio Q&As which are extra solo shows answering patron questions. I've also done several live office hours on video, and shared content every week on AI tools, writing and author business tips. Patrons also get discounts on my webinars. I did two webinars on The AI-Assisted Artisan Author, which I am planning to run again sometime in 2026 as they were a lot of fun and so much continues to change. If you get value from the show and you want more, come on over and join us at patreon.com/thecreativepenn We have almost 1400 paying members now which is wonderful. Thanks for being part of the Community! Unexpected goal of the year: Masters in Death, Religion and Culture at the University of Winchester During the summer as I did my gothic research, I realised that I was feeling quite jaded about the publishing world and sick of the drama in the author community over AI. My top 5 Clifton Strengths are Learner, Intellection, Strategic, Input, and Futuristic — and I needed more Input and Learning. I usually get that from travel and book research, but I wasn't getting enough of that since Jonathan is busy finishing his MBA. So I decided to lean into the learning and asked ChatGPT to research some courses I could do that would suit me. It found the Masters in Death, Religion and Culture at the University of Winchester, which I could do full-time and online. It would be a year of reading quite different things, writing academic essays which is something I haven't done for decades, and hanging out with a new group of people who were just as fascinated with macabre topics as I am. I started in September and have now finished the first term, tackling topics around thanatology and death studies, hell and the afterlife in the Christian tradition, and the ethics of using human remains to inspire fiction, amongst other interesting things. It was a challenge to get back into the style of academic essay writing, but I'm enjoying the rigour of the research and the citations, which is something that the indie author community needs more of, a topic I will revisit in 2026. I have found the topics fascinating, and the degree is a great way to expand my mind in a new direction, and distract me from the dramas of the author community. I'll be back into it in mid-January and will finish in September 2026. Book marketing. Not quite a fail but definitely lacklustre. I said I would “Do a monthly book marketing plan and organise paid ad campaigns per month for revolving first books in series and my main earners.” I didn't do this! I also said I would organise my Shopify stores, CreativePennBooks.com and JFPennBooks.com into more collections to make it easier for readers to find things they might want to buy. While I did change the theme of CreativePennBooks.com over to Impulse to make it easier to find collections, I haven't done much to reorganise or add new pathways through the books. I'm rolling this part of the goal into 2026. I said I would reinvigorate my content marketing for JFPenn, and make more of BooksAndTravel.page with links back to my stores, and do fiction specific content marketing with the aim of surfacing more in the LLMs as generative search expands. I did a number of episodes on Books and Travel in 2025, but once I started the Masters, I had to leave that aside, and although I have started some extra content on JFPennBooks.com, I am not overly enthusiastic about it! I also said I would “Leverage AI tools to achieve more as a one-person business.” I use AI tools (mainly ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini) every day for different things but as ever, I am pretty scatter gun about what I do. I lean into intuition and I love research so I am more likely to ask the AI tools to do a deep research report on south Pacific merfolk mythology, or how gothic architecture impacted sacred music, or geology and deep time, rather than asking for marketing hooks. I intended to use more AI for book marketing, but as ever, I was too optimistic about the timeline of what might be possible. There's lots you can do with prompting, finessing things and then posting on various platforms, but I'm not interested in spending time doing that. My gold standard for an AI assistant is to feed it the finished book and then say, “Here's a budget. Go market this,” and not have to connect lots of things together into some Frankenstein-workflow. That's not available yet. Maybe in 2026 … Of course, I still do book marketing. I have to in order to sell any books and make money from book sales. We all have to do some kind of book marketing! I have my Kickstarter launches which I put effort into, as well as consistent backlist sales fed by the podcast, and my email newsletter (my combined list is around 60K). I have auto campaigns running on Amazon Ads, and I have used Written Word Media campaigns as well as BookBub throughout the year. This is basically the minimum, so as usual, must do better! I'm pretty sure I'm not the only author saying this! However, my business has multiple streams of income, and I have the podcast sponsorship revenue as well as the Patreon, plus sporadic webinars, which add to my bottom line and don't require paid advertising at all. Reflections on my 50th year I woke up on my 50th birthday in March in Iceland, by the Black Church of Budir out on the Skaefellsnes peninsula. As seals played in the sea and we walked in the snow over the ancient lava field under the gaze of the volcano that inspired Jules Verne Journey to the Centre of the Earth, and my short story, The Black Church, which you can find in my collection, The Buried and the Drowned. On that trip, we also saw the northern lights and had a memorable trip that marked a real shift for me. I've been told by lots of people that 50 is a ‘proper' birthday, as in one of those that makes you stop and reconsider things, and it has indeed been that, although I have also found the last few years of perimenopause to be a large part of the change as well. A big shift is around priorities and not caring so much what other people think, which is a relief in many ways. Also, I don't have the patience to do things that I don't think are worth doing for the longer term, and I am appreciating a quieter life. I'd rather lie in a sunbeam and read with Cashew and Noisette next to me then create marketing assets or spend time on social media. I'd rather go for a walk with Jonathan than go to a conference or networking event. In my Pilgrimage memoir, I quote an anonymous source, “Pilgrim, pass by that which you do not love.” It's a powerful message, and I take it to mean, stop listening to people who tell you what is important. Listen to yourself more and only pay attention to that which you feel drawn to explore. On pilgrimage, it might be turning away from the supposedly important shrine of a saint to go and sit in nature and feel closer to God that way. In our author lives, it might be turning away from the things that just feel wrong for us, and leaning into what is enjoyable, that which feels worthwhile, that which we want to keep doing for the long term. Let's face it, as always, that is the writing, the thinking, the imagination. As ever, I have this mantra on my wall: “Measure your life by what you create.” It's the creation side of things that we love and that's what we need to remember when everything else gets a little much. Many authors left social media in 2025, and while I haven't left it altogether, I don't use it much. I post pictures proving I am human on Instagram @jfpennauthor which automatically post to Facebook. I barely check my pages on Facebook though. I'm also still on X with a carefully curated feed that I mainly use to learn new cool AI things which I share with my Patreon Community. Double down on being human. Travel and health. Yes, I am a human author, and yes, I continue to age! When you've been publishing a while, you need to update your author photos periodically and I finally had a photoshoot I loved with Betty Bhandari Photography, which means I can add the new pics to my websites and the back of my books. Are you up to date with your author photos? (or at least within a decade of the last photoshoot?!) Here are a few of the pictures on Instagram @jfpennauthor. Healthwise, I gave up calisthenics as it was too much on top of the powerlifting and the amount of walking I do. I did another British Powerlifting competition in September in the M2 category (based on age) and 63kgs category (based on weight). Deadlift: 95kgs. Squat: 60kgs. BenchPress: 37.5kgs. While this is less overall than last year, I also weigh less, so I'm actually stronger based on lift to body weight percentage. I have also done a few pull-ups in the last week with no band, which I am thrilled with! On the travel side, Iceland was the big trip, and I also had a weekend in Berlin for the film festival, where I met up with a producer and a director around an adaptation of my Day of the Vikings thriller. That didn't pan out, as most of these things don't, but I certainly learned a lot about the industry — and why it doesn't suit me! Once again, I dipped my toe into screenwriting and then ran away, as has happened multiple times over the years. When will I learn? … Over the summer of 2025, I visited lots of gothic cathedrals including Lichfield, Rochester, Durham, York, and revisiting Canterbury, as part of my book research for the Gothic Cathedral book. I have tens of thousands of words on this project, but it isn't ready yet, so this is carried over into 2026 as it might happen then, depending on the Masters. I spoke at Author Nation in Las Vegas in November 2025, and before it started, I visited (Lower) Antelope Canyon, one of the places on my bucket list, and it did not disappoint. What a special place and no doubt it will appear in a story at some point! How did your 2025 go? I hope your 2025 had some wonderful times as well as no doubt some challenges — and that you have time for reflection as the year turns once more. Let me know in the comments whether you achieved your creative goals and any other reflections you'd like to share.The post Review Of My 2025 Creative And Business Goals With Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.
Joselyne Walter has seen her fair share of corporate jobs. In these environments, even with large budgets, she found that there was a gap in resources. It was then that she got the idea for The Digg Agency, a marketing agency that helps organizations execute high scale projects. By leveraging AI, Joselyne efficiently scaled her business during its early stages, paving the way for long-term success. In this episode, you'll learn: Incorporating AI into your business Having a safety net Prioritizing family while growing a business Chapters 00:00 – Intro 4:44 – Starting The Digg Agency 8:40 – Managing Work-Life Balance 9:50 – Maintaining Exercise Practices 11:55 – The Impact of AI 13:30 – Challenges of Incorporating AI 14:36 – Upcoming Trends and Tools in AI 15:48 – Impact of AI on Teams 16:56 – Reflecting on Past Mistakes 17:56 – Advice from Joselyne 21:31 – Closing & Contact Learn more at: https://www.thediggagency.com/ #smallbusiness #AI #agency At Hiscox, we provide customized insurance solutions for small businesses and entrepreneurs, empowering you to take risks with confidence. With over 100 years of expertise, we offer coverage options like general liability and professional liability, helping you protect what matters most. Learn more at hiscox.com.
Forget the hyperscalers replacing tens of thousands of jobs. For manufacturers with 20 or 50 employees, AI isn't about cutting headcount, it's about finding ways to get ahead when you can't necessarily afford to scale your team. As Dr Richard Barnhouse, President and CEO of Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) puts it: figure out the things you hate to do and apply AI to that. This episode was recorded live at WCTC's Applied AI Lab, featuring a roundtable with Dr Barnhouse, Amanda Payne from the Waukesha County Business Alliance, Guido Mazza from ITER IDEA, and Caleb Bryant, a student pivoting into AI after 20 years in lending. The panel explores how small manufacturers are practically applying AI today, from eliminating scheduling headaches to streamlining quoting and contracts.Guido shares how one plastic manufacturer eliminated internal conflict by letting an algorithm handle shift scheduling across dozens of constraints, while Amanda reveals that 50% of Waukesha County businesses are already adopting or strategizing around AI; and over 90% of them have 50 or fewer employees. Caleb delivers one of the episode's sharpest lines: AI doesn't steal jobs, it steals tasks.In this episode, find out:Why even free ice cream for life won't get buy-in, but removing a universal pain point willHow a plastic manufacturer used AI to manage dozens of scheduling constraints and avoid internal conflictThe three common reactions people have to AI and why two of them stem from the same root causeWhat Dr. Barnhouse warns about AI early-adopters when vetting consultants and programsWhy the real ROI on some AI projects isn't money saved, but conflict avoidedWhy manufacturers are mostly implementing AI on the office side (quoting, contracts, and legal documents) for nowThe intersection of robotics, humanoids, and quantum computing that's coming faster than most realizeEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It's feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:“Start with the basics. Think about your company's most repetitive or boring tasks and see if there's an AI solution that could be applicable. Then, you have to differentiate and decide what the benefits are between automation or an AI agent for those tasks.” - Guido Mazza“The easiest way to get started is identify a single pain point that everyone in the company can't stand, something so far down that not even the boss understands how it contributes to the bottom line. If you can mitigate that pain point, your team will understand how AI can help them focus on more important tasks.” - Dr Richard Barnhouse“There are usually three reactions to AI. People either embrace it, underestimate it or are intimidated by it. What AI does is breed creativity. And once you understand it a little bit more, you start to see all the different things it can be used for both in industry and your personal life.” - Caleb BryantLinks & mentions:Waukesha County Technical College, one of the region's leaders in workforce development, offering 170+ programs and customized employer training, including Wisconsin's first comprehensive AI training and a world-class Applied AI Lab.Waukesha County Business Alliance, a long-standing, member-driven organization advancing economic growth and strengthening the business environment in Waukesha County through advocacy, development, engagement, and growth.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Everett Swain II. Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to: Highlight alternative pathways to high-paying careers without a traditional four-year degree. Showcase how UXD Academy, founded by Everett Swain II, empowers individuals—especially from underserved communities—to leverage AI and design skills for financial and academic freedom. Inspire entrepreneurs and small business owners to embrace AI-driven opportunities. Key Takeaways AI as an Opportunity, Not a Threat AI can amplify human capabilities rather than replace them. Small businesses see 80% positive ROI from AI adoption, making it a major growth lever. Career Without a Degree Over 40% of tech companies no longer require degrees, focusing instead on certifications and portfolios. UXD Academy teaches AI experience design and automation for learners as young as 13. Everett’s Journey Started as a graphic designer, pivoted to UX after self-learning via “YouTube University.” Built UXD Academy to democratize access to tech careers and fight industry gatekeeping. Business Model UXD Academy offers free resources and paid guidance. Created Our Table, an AI experience agency employing top students for real-world projects. Impact on Underserved Communities Programs can transform lives, moving individuals from low-income jobs to salaries of $75K–$140K within 3 years. Focus on youth (starting at age 13) to break cycles of poverty and limited exposure. Future AI Trends for Small Businesses AI agents, automated workflows, and AI-powered customer experiences will dominate in the next 12–18 months. Legacy Everett aims to help 100,000 youth create their own reality through tech education. Notable Quotes On AI’s role:“Think of AI as the smartest intern you know—you can train it to work specifically for you.” On education:“You don’t need a degree for what I do. Over 40% of tech companies don’t care about degrees anymore—they care about your portfolio.” On opportunity:“If you follow what I’m telling you, you can change your life in under a year and a half.” On underserved communities:“For the first time in history, people of color can bridge the gap to academic and financial freedom without a four-year degree.” On legacy:“If I can help 100,000 kids create their own reality, that will be my legacy.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Everett Swain II. Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to: Highlight alternative pathways to high-paying careers without a traditional four-year degree. Showcase how UXD Academy, founded by Everett Swain II, empowers individuals—especially from underserved communities—to leverage AI and design skills for financial and academic freedom. Inspire entrepreneurs and small business owners to embrace AI-driven opportunities. Key Takeaways AI as an Opportunity, Not a Threat AI can amplify human capabilities rather than replace them. Small businesses see 80% positive ROI from AI adoption, making it a major growth lever. Career Without a Degree Over 40% of tech companies no longer require degrees, focusing instead on certifications and portfolios. UXD Academy teaches AI experience design and automation for learners as young as 13. Everett’s Journey Started as a graphic designer, pivoted to UX after self-learning via “YouTube University.” Built UXD Academy to democratize access to tech careers and fight industry gatekeeping. Business Model UXD Academy offers free resources and paid guidance. Created Our Table, an AI experience agency employing top students for real-world projects. Impact on Underserved Communities Programs can transform lives, moving individuals from low-income jobs to salaries of $75K–$140K within 3 years. Focus on youth (starting at age 13) to break cycles of poverty and limited exposure. Future AI Trends for Small Businesses AI agents, automated workflows, and AI-powered customer experiences will dominate in the next 12–18 months. Legacy Everett aims to help 100,000 youth create their own reality through tech education. Notable Quotes On AI’s role:“Think of AI as the smartest intern you know—you can train it to work specifically for you.” On education:“You don’t need a degree for what I do. Over 40% of tech companies don’t care about degrees anymore—they care about your portfolio.” On opportunity:“If you follow what I’m telling you, you can change your life in under a year and a half.” On underserved communities:“For the first time in history, people of color can bridge the gap to academic and financial freedom without a four-year degree.” On legacy:“If I can help 100,000 kids create their own reality, that will be my legacy.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Axel sits down with Jake Heller, co-founder of the AI for CRE Collective, for one of the most tactical and implementation-focused conversations ever released on the Multifamily Wealth Podcast.This is a killer episode in how multifamily investors can begin adopting AI today to streamline underwriting, automate repetitive tasks, speed up market research, build better investor materials, and dramatically increase operational output without hiring additional staff.Jake breaks down the exact tools he uses, the automations he's built, and why AI isn't replacing real estate professionals, but multiplying their capabilities. If you're using AI at a bare-bones level (or barely using it at all), this episode walks you step-by-step through where to start and how to integrate AI into your business in a real and meaningful way.Join us as we dive into:Why “AI replacing people” is a misconception—and how it actually amplifies investor productivitySpecific tools multifamily investors should adopt (Gamma, Claude, Grok, Relay, Index/Shortcut, NotebookLM, etc.)How to use AI to automatically: Underwrite deals, pull rent comps and sales comps, create investor decks; summarize calls, emails, and market data and more!How to use AI note-takers, workflow automators, and email-based agentsHow to consolidate your historical data so AI tools can actually learn your voice and processWhat “digital twins” are—and how Jake uses them to simulate the decision-making frameworks of leaders like Stuart MillerWhy the investors who adopt AI today will dramatically outpace those who waitAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.NH Multifamily Fund III Details:Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIAccess The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIConnect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate PartnersConnect with Jake:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinLearn more about AI for CRE Collective
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Everett Swain II. Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to: Highlight alternative pathways to high-paying careers without a traditional four-year degree. Showcase how UXD Academy, founded by Everett Swain II, empowers individuals—especially from underserved communities—to leverage AI and design skills for financial and academic freedom. Inspire entrepreneurs and small business owners to embrace AI-driven opportunities. Key Takeaways AI as an Opportunity, Not a Threat AI can amplify human capabilities rather than replace them. Small businesses see 80% positive ROI from AI adoption, making it a major growth lever. Career Without a Degree Over 40% of tech companies no longer require degrees, focusing instead on certifications and portfolios. UXD Academy teaches AI experience design and automation for learners as young as 13. Everett’s Journey Started as a graphic designer, pivoted to UX after self-learning via “YouTube University.” Built UXD Academy to democratize access to tech careers and fight industry gatekeeping. Business Model UXD Academy offers free resources and paid guidance. Created Our Table, an AI experience agency employing top students for real-world projects. Impact on Underserved Communities Programs can transform lives, moving individuals from low-income jobs to salaries of $75K–$140K within 3 years. Focus on youth (starting at age 13) to break cycles of poverty and limited exposure. Future AI Trends for Small Businesses AI agents, automated workflows, and AI-powered customer experiences will dominate in the next 12–18 months. Legacy Everett aims to help 100,000 youth create their own reality through tech education. Notable Quotes On AI’s role:“Think of AI as the smartest intern you know—you can train it to work specifically for you.” On education:“You don’t need a degree for what I do. Over 40% of tech companies don’t care about degrees anymore—they care about your portfolio.” On opportunity:“If you follow what I’m telling you, you can change your life in under a year and a half.” On underserved communities:“For the first time in history, people of color can bridge the gap to academic and financial freedom without a four-year degree.” On legacy:“If I can help 100,000 kids create their own reality, that will be my legacy.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nicole Rodrigues is the CEO and Founder of NRPR Group, the Beverly Bills public relations and marketing machine serving game changing companies from entertainment to tech around the world. NRPR focuses on building relationships that build long-lasting ties between clients, the media and their audiences. From startups to Fortune 500 companies within consumer tech, FinTech, HealthTech, enterprise, mobile, digital entertainment, lifestyle, sports, and consumer products, NRPR prides itself on a high-touch, results-focused approach to boost their clients' bottom line.
Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, investors! Scott Carson here, fresh off a laptop-free Thanksgiving (a rare feat, I know!) and ready to kick some serious butt – because the year isn't over yet! While most folks are hitting the snooze button until January 1st, we're talking about making December count. If you're not already planning for a "14-month year" in 2026, you're already behind the eight ball. Forget flimsy New Year's resolutions; we're setting real goals and leveraging savvy strategies that'll make your competitors wonder what in the hell you're doing right!I recently dropped an episode with Corey Long (seriously, go listen to it!) that proved how AI is changing everything in business. And today, I'm showing you exactly how to integrate these game-changing tactics, plus some old-school smarts, to stand out from the crowd, raise capital, and find more deals than you can shake a stick at. Stop waiting for deals to fall into your lap, and let's get you in front of more eyeballs and earballs!In this episode, you'll learn:The Power of the Evergreen Pitch Deck: Don't just record your pitch deck once and forget it! Learn to update, record, and constantly rebroadcast it across YouTube, LinkedIn, and your email footers. It's your 24/7 offer machine, constantly working to attract investors and grow your brand.Become a Podcast Guesting Guru: Forget starting your own podcast (unless you want to!). Discover how being a guest on other people's shows is a credibility goldmine. Use tools like Listen Notes to find relevant podcasts, craft a compelling media one-sheet, and share your real-world case studies to reach new audiences and raise capital effectively.Leverage AI as Your Marketing Wingman: Say goodbye to writer's block! Learn how ChatGPT can craft compelling emails for IRA investors or perfect LinkedIn posts, saving you time and making your outreach sound professional. Zero excuses for not communicating your value!Strategic Networking & Goal Setting: Ditch the passive approach! Actively network at local REIA clubs and events (even holiday parties!). Plant seeds, collect business cards, and consistently follow up. Your "New Year" starts NOW – set 2-3 income-focused goals and use these weeks to lay the groundwork.Why You Must Adapt (or Get Left Behind): The market is changing, and doing business the "old way" is a recipe for mediocrity. Embrace AI, leverage social media, and find creative ways to get your message out. Most people aren't doing this, so when you do, you'll get results most only dream of.Look, you don't need a Harvard MBA to dominate. You just need to show up, be consistent, and leverage the tools available. The note business is booming, foreclosures are rising, and opportunities are everywhere for those prepared to seize them. Don't be that person nursing a turkey hangover in January!So, go out there, kick some ass, take some names, and get those podcast guest spots booked! If you want to refine your strategy or just pick my brain, hit me up at TalkWithScottCarson.com. Let's make 2026 your most productive and profitable year yet by building that credibility exponentially. Go out, take some action, and we'll see you at the top!Watch the Original VIDEO HERE!Book a Call With Scott HERE!Sign up for the next FREE One-Day Note Class HERE!Sign up for the WCN Membership HERE!Sign up for the next Note Buying For Dummies Workshop HERE!Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here's How »Join the Note Closers Show community today:WeCloseNotes.comThe Note Closers Show FacebookThe Note Closers Show TwitterScott Carson LinkedInThe Note Closers Show YouTubeThe Note Closers Show VimeoThe Note Closers Show InstagramWe Close Notes Pinterest