Podcasts about Rainmaker

Bradley defines the key terms "Rainmaker" and "Architect" after realizing he'd been using this language without clearly explaining what these roles mean. This solo episode wraps up his longest podcast series on the Rainmaker to Architect journey.THE RAINMAKER:Everything runs through you - you're the bottleneck.Usually the top performer but also the biggest limitation.All decisions need your approval.Constantly firefighting (but you're better at starting fires than putting them out).Essential to daily operations - business fails without you.Involved in every aspect: sales, operations, customer service, marketing.Can hit $500K-$750K, maybe $1M, then you hit a wall.The Octopus Analogy (from Marquez Brownlee):"I was like a genius octopus with a thousand hands" - you need to systematically cut off arms one at a time:Customer serviceFulfillmentLead handlingMarketing functionsAdministrative tasksPayrollTHE ARCHITECT:Uses blueprints and systematic design thinkingAsks "How can I be effective?" not "How can I do more?"Works above the business, not in daily operationsProactive rather than reactiveDesigns systems then designs themselves out of themFreedom and flexibility focusedHas operating systems and blueprints in placeKEY COMPARISONS:Rainmaker = Reactive, Essential, Bottleneck, Wings everything.Architect = Proactive, System designer, Blueprint creator, Freedom-focused.ACTION STEPS:Acknowledge if you're the bottleneck.Start systematically removing yourself from operations.Document systems even when it feels like you should be doing other things.Shift from "How can I do more?" to "How can I design this?"Build blueprints, not just hustle harder.RESOURCES:blueprintos.com/blueprint - Free tools and program infoThis concludes Bradley's longest podcast series. Next episodes return to solo format before launching new series content.

Send us a textIn this compelling episode of Navigating the Customer Experience Podcast, we speak with Jay Sapovits, a dynamic and resilient entrepreneur with a flair for reinvention. Jay's journey began with a bold move across the country at age 18, setting the tone for a life rich in unconventional choices and high-profile experiences. With a knack for spotting opportunity in adversity, Jay has built a career rooted in innovation, grit, and human connection.From Retail to Revolutionary: The Ink Stores StoryJay is currently leading Ink Stores, a full-service promotional company specializing in on-demand webstores. Originally a traditional storefront business, the pandemic forced a dramatic pivot. In response, Jay transformed the company into an online powerhouse that builds, hosts, and fulfills custom merchandise stores for businesses—with no inventory, minimums, or upfront costs. This reinvention not only helped Ink Stores survive but thrive in a competitive, post-COVID market.Real-World Impact: Swag Without the HassleJay shares a powerful client use case involving a holiday employee gift initiative. Rather than requiring HR to manage sizing, style, and distribution of branded jackets, Ink Stores created a custom online portal. Employees could independently select sizes, styles, and colors, and orders were shipped directly to them—eliminating friction, protecting employee dignity, and freeing HR from uncomfortable sizing conversations. It's a prime example of how Ink's model prioritizes autonomy, convenience, and a seamless experience.Jay's Must-Have Business Tools & BooksWhen asked about a tool he can't live without, Jay simply answers: Email. He's responsive to a fault—often replying within seconds—and views this real-time communication style as a core operational strength.Two books stand out in shaping Jay's business philosophy:Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty by Harvey Mackay – A classic on proactive networking.How to Become a Rainmaker by Jeffrey Fox – Jay's all-time favorite sales book, packed with short, punchy insights on winning and keeping clients. He frequently recommends it to job candidates and young professionals.Strategic Priorities in Uncertain TimesAs 2025 unfolds amid economic pressure and political shifts, Jay remains grounded. His three focus areas:Stay connected with customersFollow industry trendsPrioritize team culture and employee well-beingNotably, Jay refuses to raise prices despite rising supplier costs. He views opportunistic pricing as short-sighted and is committed to rewarding loyal customers with price stability—or even reductions. His values stand in contrast to what he calls “price gouging” across many industries.What's Next? A Leap Into TechJay is currently expanding his capabilities through tech and AI by interviewing candidates for data science and development roles—areas outside his comfort zone but essential for scaling customer experience. His willingness to push into unfamiliar territory speaks volumes about his growth mindset.Words to Live ByJay shares a simple but profound quote taped to his computer: “If you promise someone something, keep it.”He explains that success is a series of doing simple things right—choosing the next right action, over and over again. In Jay's eyes, life isn't about making mistakes unknowingly; it's about consciously choosing right versus wrong. Stacking up the right choices, he believes, leads to a meaningful, impactful life.Connect with Jay Sapovits:

"EDITH HEAD: OLD HOLLYWOOD'S QUEEN OF FASHION" (093) EPISODE 93 -  6/23/25 With eight Academy Awards to her name — more than any other woman in history — EDITH HEAD wasn't just a costume designer; she was a storyteller in fabric, silhouette, and sparkle. From BETTE DAVIS to GRACE KELLY to AUDREY HEPBURN, she dressed the biggest stars of the silver screen, leaving an indelible mark on both fashion and film. In this episode, we explore how a shy schoolteacher became the most powerful woman in Hollywood wardrobes, her collaborations with iconic directors like Alfred Hitchcock, and how her designs helped shape characters, define eras, and influence fashion far beyond the studio lot. So, slip into something fabulous, and let's step behind the curtain into the life and legacy of the great Edith Head. SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Dressing Up The Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head (12022), by Jeanne Walker Harvey;  Edith Head: The 50 Year Career of Hollywood's Greatest Costume Designer (2010), by Jay Jorgensen; Edith Head: The Life and Times of Hollywood's Celebrated Costume Designer (2003), by David Chierichetti; Edith Head's Hollywood (1983), by Edith Head; The Dress Doctor (1959), by Edith Head; “How To Dress For the Oscars,” February 11, 2015, ⁠www.oscars.com⁠; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned:  Wings (1927); The Saturday Night Kid (1929); Love Me Tonight (1932); She Done Him Wrong (1933); Little Miss Marker (1934); Rhythm on the Range (1936); College Holiday (1936); The Jungle Princess (1936); Internes Can't Take Money (1937); The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938); Thanks for the Memories (1938); Mad about Music (1938); Dangerous To Know (1938);  Beau Geste (1939); Remember the Night (1939); The Cat and the Canary (1939);  The Lady Eve (1941); Sullivan's Travels (1941); The Glass Key (1942); I Married a Witch (1942); Star Spangled Rhythm (1942); Hold That Blonde (1945); The Blue Dahlia (1946); Holiday Inn (1942); The Uninvited (1944); Double Indemnity (1944); Incendiary Blonde (1945); To Each His Own (1946); The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946); A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949); The Great Gatsby (1949);  Notorious (1946); The Emperor's Waltz (1948); The Heiress (1949); All About Eve (1950); Sunset Boulevard (1950); Samson & Delilah (1949); A Place in the Sun (1951); Roman Holiday (1953); Sabrina (1954);  Funny Face (1957); Rear Window (1954); To Catch a Thief (1955); The Trouble With Harry (1955); The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956); Vertigo (1958); Ace In the Hole (1951); The Greatest Show on Earth (1952); Shane (1953); White Christmas (1954);  The Rose Tattoo (1955); The Rainmaker (1956); The Ten Commandments (1957); Loving You (1958); The Pink Panther (1963); A Shot In the Dark (1964); The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1963); Love With the Proper Stranger (1963); Sex and the Single Girl (1964); Inside Daisy Clover (1965); The Great Race (1965);  Penelope (1966); This Property is Condemned (1966); G.I. Blues (1960);  Blue Hawaii (1961);  Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962);  Fun In Acapulco (1963);  Roustabout (1964); Paradise Hawaiian Style (1966); What a Way to Go! (1964); Sweet Charity (1969); Summer and Smoke (1961);  Hud (1963); The Birds (1963); Harlow (1965); Barefoot in the Park (1967); Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid (1969); Topaz (1969); Airport (1970); Airport ‘75 (1974); Airport ‘77 (1977); Myra Breckenridge (1970); Lady Sings The Blues (1972); The Sting (1974); The Great Waldo Pepper (1975);,  The Man Who Would Be King (1976);  Family Plot (1976); Gable and Lombard (1976); W.C. Fields and Me (1976); Rooster Cogburn (1975); Sextette (1978); Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982); --------------------------------- ⁠http://www.airwavemedia.com⁠ Please contact ⁠sales@advertisecast.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final episode of the five-part Scale Milestones series, Bradley explores the fifth and final milestone in the journey from Rainmaker to Architect: developing efficient operations with an operating system (OS). He uses the analogy of upgrading from "Windows 95" to illustrate how business owners must transition from being the operating system themselves to building a separate, documented system that can run independently.Key TakeawaysAn operating system is tangible, not conceptual - you should be able to point to it physically or digitally.The transition from owner-as-OS to independent OS is crucial for scaling beyond $1M.Documentation is essential - systems and processes must be written down and accessible.The goal is a business that runs and grows without the owner - true independence.This milestone represents "arriving" as the architect of your business rather than just the rainmaker.The Scale Milestones Framework (S-C-A-L-E)S - Sustainable revenue (getting to $1M, then path to $3M).C - Consistent growth and profitability (Rule of 40).A - Away time (minimum 12 weeks off per year).L - Leverage (executive assistants and AI tools).E - Efficient operations with an OS.Save your seat at The Quarterly on June 24th!Ready to build your business by design? The Quarterly is a free, live Zoom workshop happening June 24th at 10 AM CST that's designed to give you the clarity and structure you need to move your business forward—without the usual overwhelm. Register For The Quarterly: Q1 ➡️ Q2In just one 2-hour session, you'll wrap up Q2 with confidence, get your Q3 targets 50-75% DONE, and build serious momentum for the rest of the year. You'll also receive a comprehensive workbook packed with quarterly planning templates, time management tools, and an after-action review to keep you on track. Register For The Quarterly: Q1 ➡️ Q2This isn't just another webinar—it's real, focused planning time using the BlueprintOS 5-step process that helps business owners like you create results. No fluff, no wasted time—just a game plan that works. Register For The Quarterly: Q1 ➡️ Q2 at https://quarterly.blueprintos.com.Don't let another quarter slip by without intentional planning. Save your spot today at quarterly.blueprintos.com and take the next step toward becoming the architect of your business rather than just staying stuck as the rainmaker.It's not too late to make the most of 2025.Thanks to our sponsors...BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks. Register to join us at an upcoming WebClass when you visit www.blueprintos.com!Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for...

In this milestone 250th episode, Scott Love welcomes back Professor Heidi Brown for a candid conversation on the theme of reinvention. Heidi shares her personal journey of navigating multiple career shifts—from practicing attorney to academic and author—and how those transitions required introspection, courage, and authenticity. Drawing from her experiences as an introvert in extrovert-dominated spaces, Heidi explains how embracing her true self became the catalyst for her success as a rainmaker and thought leader.The episode covers practical advice for professionals undergoing change, including how to audit past experiences to identify transferable skills, reframe imposter syndrome, and harness personal energy through self-awareness tools like journaling and character strength assessments. Heidi also introduces her newest book, The Map I Draw, a travel memoir that explores personal growth through adventure. The discussion ends with actionable steps for those seeking to reinvent themselves: reflect, research, and apply a methodical, bite-sized approach to change. Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/UasBk8K2Kok ----------------------------------------

Shawn Ryan Show: Read the notes at at podcastnotes.org. Don't forget to subscribe for free to our newsletter, the top 10 ideas of the week, every Monday --------- Augustus Doricko is the founder and CEO of Rainmaker, a next generation cloud seeding company. He is a UC Berkeley dropout, Thiel Fellow, and member of the El Segundo hard tech scene.  Rainmaker uses weather resistant drones to increase precipitation and novel radar hardware to measure how much man-made precipitation is created. Rainmaker's first priority is reversing the desertification of the American west, and ultimately to terraform deserts into abundant, green, arable land. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://www.roka.com - USE CODE SRS https://www.americanfinancing.net/srs NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org https://www.tryarmra.com/srs https://www.betterhelp.com/srs This episode is sponsored by better help. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self. https://www.shawnlikesgold.com https://www.lumen.me/srs https://www.patriotmobile.com/srs https://www.rocketmoney.com/srs https://www.shopify.com/srs https://trueclassic.com/srs Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at trueclassic.com/srs! #trueclassicpod Augustus Doricko Links: Rainmaker - https://www.rainmaker.com X - https://x.com/ADoricko  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/augustus-doricko-660b20145 Substack - https://substack.com/@doricko Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pastor Seth Wilkerson

Augustus Doricko is the founder and CEO of Rainmaker, a next generation cloud seeding company. He is a UC Berkeley dropout, Thiel Fellow, and member of the El Segundo hard tech scene.  Rainmaker uses weather resistant drones to increase precipitation and novel radar hardware to measure how much man-made precipitation is created. Rainmaker's first priority is reversing the desertification of the American west, and ultimately to terraform deserts into abundant, green, arable land. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: https://www.roka.com - USE CODE SRS https://www.americanfinancing.net/srs NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org https://www.tryarmra.com/srs https://www.betterhelp.com/srs This episode is sponsored by better help. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self. https://www.shawnlikesgold.com https://www.lumen.me/srs https://www.patriotmobile.com/srs https://www.rocketmoney.com/srs https://www.shopify.com/srs https://trueclassic.com/srs Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at trueclassic.com/srs! #trueclassicpod Augustus Doricko Links: Rainmaker - https://www.rainmaker.com X - https://x.com/ADoricko  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/augustus-doricko-660b20145 Substack - https://substack.com/@doricko Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, I'm thrilled to reshare an episode from when I was a guest on the Rainmaker for Contractors Podcast. I share practical tax strategies specifically designed for businesses. We'll discuss how recent IRS changes might impact you, the importance of understanding your financial statements, and actionable tips to optimize your tax liability. We'll dig deep into why contractors might avoid their financials and how better cash flow management can drastically improve business health. Grab a notepad and prepare to transform your approach to managing your finances and taxes effectively!   What You'll hear in this episode: [00:45] Guest Introduction: Shannon Weinstein [01:10] Shannon's Background and Career Journey 03:35] Common Financial Mistakes Contractors Make 04:45] Importance of Cash Flow Management [06:15] Proactive Tax Strategies for Business Owners [11:35] IRS Audits and What to Expect [16:25] Onboarding New Clients and Tax Optimization   If you like this episode, check out: Why The Rich Pay No Taxes and You Feel Left Out Why You Need a Financial Storyteller A Cash Flow Reframe You May Need   Check out the Rainmaker for Contractors Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rainmaker-for-contractors-podcast/id1547992713   Want to learn more so you can earn more?  Visit keepwhatyouearn.com to dive deeper on our episodes  Visit keepwhatyouearncfo.com to work with Shannon and her team  Watch this episode and more here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMlIuZsrllp1Uc_MlhriLvQ  Connect with Shannon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/shannonkweinstein/   The information contained in this podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not individual tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional before implementing anything you learn.

This is my second interview with Augustus Doricko, founder of Rainmaker.Over the past 15 months, the Rainmaker team has grown by more than 7x, started vertically integrating by building drones, radar systems, and other hardware in-house, and are now scaling cloud-seeding operations in multiple countries around the world.

"Associate – Rainmaker or Not?"Law firm owners, when you bring on an associate, you've got two options:➡️ Rainmaker Associate – Someone who brings in business➡️ Non-Rainmaker Associate – Someone who just does the work you give themHere's the breakdown:

Big Beautiful Bill..... City Council Considers Play Area Expansion.... Fiery Crash Claims A Life.... Cougar Basketball Summer Schedule.... Southern Phrases That Confuse Others... The Rainmaker.... Water Cooler Question

In this episode of Poised for Exit, we're joined by Colin Hirdman, entrepreneur, strategist, and co-founder of Rainmaker, to explore the untapped potential of LinkedIn as a true growth engine for business.Colin shares his entrepreneurial journey, from launching his first company just weeks after college to co-founding Monkey Island Ventures and helping business leaders build targeted lead-generation systems using LinkedIn.We dive into how Colin and his team help founders, advisors, and sales professionals stop wasting time on surface-level posting and start using tools like Sales Navigator, live streams, and LinkedIn events to activate first-degree connections and drive meaningful results.Colin breaks down practical strategies for identifying ideal client profiles, building authentic relationships at scale, and using LinkedIn in a way that feels human, not spammy.Whether you're a solopreneur, advisor, or sales leader, this episode offers immediately actionable insights for turning your LinkedIn network into real sales opportunities without relying on likes, comments, or canned messages.If you're looking to level up your LinkedIn strategy, this conversation is a must-listen.Check out Colin's resources here:Rainmaker Messages GPTRainmaker Poll GPTRainmaker Livestream GPTConnect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLCFounder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

Bradley continues the Scale Milestones series with episode three, focusing on "Away Time" - one of the most intuitive yet challenging aspects of business ownership. He dives into why taking time away from your business isn't just important for your well-being, but actually critical for growth and profitability.Key Topics CoveredThe Journey from Rainmaker to ArchitectBradley revisits the core concept driving this series - the evolution from being the rainmaker of your business to becoming its architect. This week's milestone focuses on how much time you can step away from day-to-day operations.The 12-Week ChallengeBradley encourages business owners to take at least 12 weeks off per year. Before you panic, he breaks it down: Saturdays and Sundays count, plus natural holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day, Christmas, and that week between Christmas and New Year's. When you do the math (12 x 7 = 84 days), it's more achievable than it initially sounds.The Entrepreneurial ParadoxBradley gets real about the irony many business owners face - we start businesses for freedom and flexibility, but often end up trading "the 9 to 5 for the 5 to 9." He admits this is a personal challenge, acknowledging his own love for business while recognizing the importance of balance.Personal vs. Professional BalanceBradley shares his perspective on balancing entrepreneurship with family life, mentioning his kids (ages 14 and 10) and the different seasons of life that affect how much time away becomes important. He respectfully disagrees with some popular business personalities who advocate for all-work approaches, noting the difference in life circumstances.The Emotional DecisionRather than citing statistics from Gallup or other research, Bradley frames taking time away as an emotional decision that varies based on where you are in life. He emphasizes that different seasons require different approaches to work-life balance.Bradley challenges listeners to:Define what a day off looks like for youCalculate how many days off you took in 2024Set intentions for how many days you want to take off in 2025Track your progress (since no one else is holding you accountable)The Bigger PictureThe host reinforces that if you can't accomplish everything you need in a 40-week work year, it's time to question what you're building the business for. The goal isn't just to reach a million in revenue or achieve consistent growth and profitability - it's to create a life where you're not defined solely by your work.Next Week PreviewEpisode four of the Scale Milestones series is coming up next week, continuing the journey through the five milestones that spell out SCALE. Subscribe to catch our biweekly episodes!The Bottom LineGetting to $1M is milestone #1 (Sustainable Revenue), but milestone #2 requires that million-dollar business to maintain Consistent Growth & Profitability. It's the balance between these two that separates true business architects from one-time winners.Next week: Bradley reveals the "A" in the SCALE milestones.Thanks to our sponsors...BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks. Register to join us at an upcoming WebClass when you visit www.blueprintos.com!Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems,

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Colin Hirdman, the antidote to automated mediocrity. As a lifelong entrepreneur and co-founder of Monkey Island Ventures, he has spent two decades scaling SaaS tools, digital agencies, and now Rainmaker – a ‘white-glove’ service that ethically automates LinkedIn outreach to turn connections into revenue. Colin discusses Rainmaker’s ‘Authentic Engine’ framework: 10-30% connection rates, campaigns tailored to micro-audiences, and why human-driven strategies still dominate AI in B2B growth. As well as why he targets 25 people/day — and how even solo founders can replicate this, the ‘criminal justice grad’ who turned entrepreneur, accidently and sold his first startup days after college, and LinkedIn’s automation guardrails: What’s ‘ethical’ vs. what gets you banned. KEY TAKEAWAYS I’ve done a lot of growth hacking through email and LinkedIn, but I got better results through LinkedIn and ended up building out a software and process for myself. Rainmaker was born through me making it available to other businesses. But, you don’t need me or rainmaker to do any of the things we discuss on this podcast, you can do it manually. You have to be authentic on LinkedIn, both as yourself as well as the brands you represent. You should also have an educational mindset – no one wants to be sold to on LinkedIn, but almost everyone is willing to be educated – and an experimentation mindset, trying different features and functions of LinkedIn, stack the things that work and set aside the things that don’t. Understand the pains an barriers that you prospects are trying to overcome and know what it is that you can teach them. Growth hacks: LinkedIn Events – if you have a direct competitor, industry or organisation putting on a LinkedIn Event that your business solves for, if you attend that event you can see everyone else who attended that event and create a prospects list. Use people who are big in your area as proxies – use people’s open connections to see all first connections to her, second connections to you and is in your area, and begin connecting to them Building out your first connections is critical. I reach out to 15 people per day Monday-Friday during normal working hours. That gives you 500 people per month, which is below LinkedIn’s limits. Typically, you’ll get a 20% connection rate. Within 30 days of sending an invite, and they haven’t connected, withdraw the invite. It’s good hygiene, but after 3 weeks you can reach out to them again. Everything you do after that only gets better and has bigger possibilities as your audience grows. BEST MOMENTS ‘There’s lots of opportunity to engage with you prospects on LinkedIn in ways that are valuable for relationship building and set you up as a thought leader.’‘People undervalue the value of being a first connection, when you’re a first connection you can see all kids of information about them, direct message them, and use other features and functions to engage with them.’‘I typically build my audience through Sales Navigator – a tool within LinkedIn that allows you to hone in on audiences..’‘If you’re using automation that is in any way inauthentic it won’t work, you wouldn’t immediately set up a meeting with someone you just met, I wish people would stop, it’s lazy.’ ABOUT THE GUEST Colin Hirdman is a lifelong entrepreneur, startup advocate, and visionary behind Rainmaker, a platform revolutionizing LinkedIn’s growth strategies through its "Authentic Engine." As co-founder of Monkey Island Ventures, a venture studio launched in 2007 with childhood friends, Colin has spent nearly two decades fostering tech innovation and scaling ventures like SaaS tools, digital marketing agencies, and software development firms. His passion lies in unlocking the power of authentic relationship-building—evidenced by Rainmaker’s mission to help founders, coaches, and sales teams expand their networks, generate leads, and close deals ethically on LinkedIn. A Minnesota native, Colin’s journey began with selling his first startup (launched just days after college) and evolved into mentoring entrepreneurs through actionable strategies like LinkedIn automation, audience targeting via Sales Navigator, and educational outreach. His philosophy blends authenticity, experimentation, and a focus on solving audience pain points—principles he shares as a board member of MNblockchain and a sought-after voice in B2B growth. When not advising startups or hosting LinkedIn livestreams, Colin champions the entrepreneurial spirit, proving that even a criminal justice graduate-turned-accidental-founder can redefine 21st-century scaling. Catch his insights on turning connections into revenue—no bots or spam required. LinkedIn ABOUT THE HOST Sabine is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew a venture lab that accelerates the curation, validation, & commercialization of new tech business models. Sabine is renowned within the insurance sector for building some of the most renowned tech startup accelerators around the world working with over 30 corporate insurers, accelerated over 100 startup ventures. Sabine is the co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, a top 50 Women in Tech, a FinTech and InsurTech Influencer, an investor & multi-award winner. Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook TikTok Email Website This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Rudy Baylor è un avvocato neolaureato che fatica a farsi strada nell'ambiente. Quando una compagnia di assicurazioni nega le cure mediche a un ragazzo gravemente malato, per il giovane sembra essere arrivata la causa in grado di dare una svolta alla sua carriera. Un film di Francis Ford Coppola che vede, accanto a Matt Damon, Danny DeVito, Claire Danes, Jon Voight e Mickey Rourke.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this hands-on, in-the-trenches episode about real business development, learn the secrets to acquiring and signing new clients from law firm advisor Steve Fretzin, author of the new book “Be That Lawyer: The 101 Top Rainmaker Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice.” Fretzin, an accomplished author, business strategist, and podcaster, works with law firms big and small to help them prioritize goals, build their business, and achieve measurable, repeatable successes. Business development is more than buzzwords such as “branding” or “marketing,” it's about the entire, intentional path to creating a business that is always growing, always producing. It's the process of becoming the lawyer that everyone knows and everyone goes to: a rainmaker. As Fretzin says, “Be that lawyer.”  Hear about “sales-free selling” with a thoughtful, insightful approach to learning what clients need before you start pitching a service. Develop a checklist, a map, for building your business that you can put to work today. Developing a business can be confusing, with a lot of moving parts. Fretzin explains how it all comes together. Mentioned in This Episode: Books by Steve Fretzin  Previous appearance on The Un-Billable Hour, “Business Development: Planning and Practicing” Join the next Community Table live. What's on your mind? 

In this hands-on, in-the-trenches episode about real business development, learn the secrets to acquiring and signing new clients from law firm advisor Steve Fretzin, author of the new book “Be That Lawyer: The 101 Top Rainmaker Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice.” Fretzin, an accomplished author, business strategist, and podcaster, works with law firms big and small to help them prioritize goals, build their business, and achieve measurable, repeatable successes. Business development is more than buzzwords such as “branding” or “marketing,” it's about the entire, intentional path to creating a business that is always growing, always producing. It's the process of becoming the lawyer that everyone knows and everyone goes to: a rainmaker. As Fretzin says, “Be that lawyer.”  Hear about “sales-free selling” with a thoughtful, insightful approach to learning what clients need before you start pitching a service. Develop a checklist, a map, for building your business that you can put to work today. Developing a business can be confusing, with a lot of moving parts. Fretzin explains how it all comes together. Mentioned in This Episode: Books by Steve Fretzin  Previous appearance on The Un-Billable Hour, “Business Development: Planning and Practicing” Join the next Community Table live. What's on your mind?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TBOY Live Show Tickets to Chicago on sale NOW: https://www.axs.com/events/949346/the-best-one-yet-podcast-ticketsFoot Locker surged 80% on deal with Dick's… but the wilder story is Dick's sports palaces.Rainmaker got $30M to play God and make it rain (literally)... We got the history of human-made rain.UnitedHealth just had its worst month ever… And now it's made every health stock sick.Plus, why did Rihanna put caviar on chicken?... Because caviar is cheaper than ever.$FL $DKS $UNHWant more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Subscribe to The Best Idea Yet: Wondery.fm/TheBestIdeaYetLinks to listen.About Us: The daily pop-biz news show making today's top stories your business. Formerly known as Robinhood Snacks, TBOY Lite is hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell.GET ON THE POD: Submit a shoutout or fact: https://tboypod.com/shoutouts NEWSLETTER:https://tboypod.com/newsletter SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tboypod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tboypodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tboypod Anything else: https://tboypod.com/ Our 2nd show… The Best Idea Yet: Wondery.fm/TheBestIdeaYetLinksEpisodes drop weekly.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hello friends! Joel De La Garza from Austin alt-rock band with over 1 million plays on Spotify, Rival Waves returns to the show for episode 1487! Rival Waves just released their new single, "New Fear" a song that captures the psychological toll of digital dread in a society teetering on the edge. Go to rivalwaves.com for music, videos, show dates, and more. Joel and I have a great conversation about writing and recording "No Fear" in their own studio, Studio Lunar, great uses for A. I., his years working for management/label Rainmaker, the pros and cons of the Austin music scene, navigating political insanity and much more. I had a great time catching up with Joel. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down!   Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you pod.   If you feel so inclined. Venmo: venmo.com/John-Goudie-1  Paypal: paypal.me/johnnygoudie

In this episode, Bradley kicks off a new five-part series on the milestones that mark the journey from Rainmaker to Architect of your business.The SCALE MilestonesBradley introduces the five key milestones you can check off along your journey - what he calls the SCALE milestones. Today's focus is on the first letter: S for Sustainable Revenue.Bradley shares how this framework came about when a podcast host asked him how someone knows they've become the architect of their business. That question led him to develop these tangible checkpoints.Milestone #1: Sustainable RevenueThe hard facts Bradley shares:96% of small businesses don't reach their 10th birthday.91-96% never cross $1M in annual revenue.Bradley explains that reaching $1M is more than just bragging rights - it's a crucial threshold where the game changes. He's observed businesses that took 15 years to reach their first million, then just 4 years to add their second million. According to data from Club Capital, real economies of scale kick in at this point.Coming NextNext week, Bradley will dive into the "C" in the SCALE milestones, continuing to build a roadmap for the Rainmaker to Architect journey.Thanks to our sponsors...BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks. Register to join us at an upcoming WebClass when you visit www.blueprintos.com!Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we're just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we've got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Don't forget to visit club.capital and mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast!

Building a business that thrives with or without your presence is the ultimate test of sustainable success. In this final episode of our short series on The Rainmaker Multiplier book with Jason L Smith, we go behind the scenes of his journey building C2P and JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management. Discover how Jason's businesses not only survived but achieved record-breaking growth during his extended absences for medical leave. Learn the frameworks and organizational health principles that allowed both companies to achieve their most profitable quarters ever while he was recovering from surgery. Join host Matt Seitz, Chief Marketing Officer at C2P, for this revealing conversation about business continuity, leadership development, and building a meaningful legacy in the financial services industry that can last for generations.Resources:Books referenced: The Rainmaker Multiplier: How to Create a Self-Sustaining, Scalable Financial Planning Business by Jason L SmithThe Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else In Business by Patrick LencioniFree Toolkit: The Rainmaker Multiplier Toolkit (includes bonus chapters and templates)

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for your business–but only if you use it properly. Today's guest will show you how to make the most of this platform with authentic, non-spammy connection strategies.  Colin Hirdman started his first business a week after graduating from college with no background in business or marketing. He's the co-founder of Monkey Island Ventures, along with two of his childhood best friends. Over the last 18 years, they've built over a dozen software and service businesses. Their newest venture, Rainmaker, helps people in sales roles build their network, leads, and sales through LinkedIn. The LinkedIn Philosophy There are three components for success on LinkedIn. The first piece is philosophy. You need to be authentic and genuine. Speak to people with a conversational tone. The second aspect is approaching it with an educational mindset, because no one wants to be sold on LinkedIn. Jumping right into sales tactics doesn't work. Focus on building relationships, not pitching meetings. Lastly, try to understand the pain points your prospects are experiencing. What do they want to be educated on, and what can you teach?  Grow Your Audience The easiest way to build an audience on LinkedIn is to identify your ideal client profile and use Sales Navigator to find people who meet that criteria. Another option is to attend LinkedIn events in your industry. Start building a prospect list of people who are participating in those events. You can also use influencers as a proxy: if there's someone in your niche with a large following, reach out to them for a connection. If their connections are open, you'll be able to see them in Sales Navigator. The final step is to create proactive connection campaigns. In Colin's business, they connect with 25 people a day, Monday through Friday, which works out to 500 connections per month. Out of those, around 20-25% will connect back. If a prospect doesn't connect within 30 days, they withdraw the invite and then re-invite those people at a later date.  Enjoy this episode with Colin Hirdman… Soundbytes 9:30-10:01 “We came up with the five F's, which are freedom, finances, friendship, family, and fun. And those are the five F's that the three of us live by. I would highly recommend, if you have someone as a business partner that you can just innately trust and rely on to go through the ups and downs of what it's like being in business…I highly encourage you to do that, because when you're doing it all yourself, it can be lonely at the top.” 13:27-13:46 “LinkedIn is incredibly powerful because it's the only business social network out there. It's growing like crazy. Everyone's trying to crack the nut of how you leverage LinkedIn, but you have to approach it still in wanting to build relationships, and having that educational mindset is absolutely paramount.”  Quotes “Nobody wants to be sold on LinkedIn.” “Everyone is trying to crack the nut of how you leverage LinkedIn, but you have to approach it still in wanting to build relationships.” “If you approach LinkedIn the right way, that's where you can have a lot of success.”  “The messages that you are sending should not be salesy in any way. It should be providing value. It should establish you as a thought leader.”  Links mentioned in this episode: From Our Guest Website: https://www.rainmakergrows.com/ Connect with Colin Hirdman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinhirdman/ Connect with brandiD Download our free guide to learn 16 crucial website updates that attract more leads and convert visitors into clients: https://thebrandid.com/website-tweaks/ Ready to elevate your digital presence with a powerful brand or website? Contact us here: https://thebrandid.com/contact-form/

From humble beginnings to national recognition, Coach P's journey proves that leadership is a choice—and growth is a daily decision. If you're ready to lead better, think bigger, and build a business that doesn't depend on you… this episode is your playbook.In this powerhouse episode of The Above The Business Podcast, Bradley Hamner welcomes back a fan favorite—David Peterson, better known as Coach P. As a multi-location agency owner, business coach, and co-leader of the popular Scale and Profit Summits, Coach P brings clarity and raw honesty to the challenges business owners face as they try to grow their teams, their revenue, and themselves.Bradley and Coach P dive deep into what it really takes to turn big dreams into real results—from the personal transformation required to lead at scale, to the mindset shifts necessary to sustain long-term growth. Whether you're stuck at $500k in revenue or pushing into multi-million territory, this episode will challenge and inspire you to recommit to the process and to your own development.What You'll Learn:Why dreaming big isn't enough—and how to actually start the journeyThe compounding power of consistent effort over time (a.k.a. the “penny doubling” principle)The stages of growth Coach P experienced from 1 employee to 30+Why who you become is more important than any revenue numberHow to stay focused amid success and growing opportunitiesWhy “being yourself” is the most underrated leadership strategyThe role of solitude and vision in growing above the businessHow Coach P holds his team accountable without micromanagingCoach P's 5 Key Attributes When Hiring:FunCoachableHardworkingTrustworthyNot dumb (his words—not ours!)Memorable Quotes:“I just never stopped. That's the difference. We didn't slow down—we sped up.”“You don't have to be perfect. Just don't miss two days in a row.”“You can't lead well if you don't know who you are.”“If I've got someone who's fun, coachable, hardworking, trustworthy, and not dumb—I can teach them to win.”Connect with Coach P:Follow Coach P on Instagram: @SavingWithDavid.Visit: CoachPConsulting.com to learn about the next Scale and Profit Summit.Learn more about The Rainmaker to Architect Journey:Register for Bradley's live Operator to Owner WebClass at https://blueprintos.com Thanks to our sponsors...BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks. Register to join us at an upcoming WebClass when you visit www.blueprintos.com!Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness...

In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Barbara Koenen-Geerdink, former CMO of the largest law firm in the Middle East and co-founder of Boost, about the mindset and vision necessary to become a successful rainmaker. Barbara emphasizes that building a book of business is a long-term journey, best started early in one's career with a clear, tangible vision of success. She explains how to create a detailed roadmap based on visualization, goal-setting, and structured milestones—transforming abstract ambitions into daily actions that build momentum. Barbara also shares how Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) can rewire self-doubt and limiting beliefs, helping professionals embody the mindset of a rainmaker before they achieve the title. She outlines the top pitfalls to avoid, including distraction, comparison, and vague goals, and offers three action steps: define your vision, condition your mindset, and track measurable progress toward clearly defined outcomes. This episode offers both the strategic and psychological tools needed to move from aspiration to execution. Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/5JotRQJTd-s ---------------------------------------- This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link: https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/ ---------------------------------------- Barbara Koenen-Geerdink is a seasoned business development and marketing expert with extensive experience in the professional services sector. She is the co-founder of BOOST, a platform dedicated to empowering business development and marketing professionals within law firms. Through BOOST, Barbara provides strategic insights, leadership, and a community-driven approach to help law firms enhance their business development efforts and drive long-term growth. Barbara's career includes senior roles in leading international law firms, where she was instrumental in developing and executing business development and marketing strategies. Most notably, she served as CMO for the largest law firm in the Middle East, where she played a pivotal role in driving the firm's strategic market presence and client engagement initiatives. In her role as a Professional Services Consultant at Nexl, Barbara works closely with law firms to optimise their CRM systems and implement data-driven strategies that enhance business development performance. Her expertise covers CRM adoption, technology integration, and strategic BD initiatives that enable firms to achieve measurable success. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-koenen-geerdink-231a4613/ https://boostbdm.com/ https://nexl.cloud/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Identifying, developing, and empowering the right people can make all the difference in building a thriving financial practice. Take it from Jason L Smith, author of The Rainmaker Multiplier: How to Create a Self-Sustaining, Scalable Financial Planning Business. Join host Matt Seitz, Chief Marketing Officer at C2P, as he continues his conversation with Jason on the key themes behind the book and The Rainmaker Multiplier process. Learn how Jason's strategic hires like Jeff Warnkin, CFP, CPA, NSSA, BPC, Senior Wealth Manager, and Bryan Bibbo, AIF, NSSA, BPC, CEPA, now President and CFO, transformed JL Smith through their distinct but complementary strengths. Plus, discover the critical importance of "backstage players" who make everything possible behind the scenes. Tune in to learn more about practical frameworks for talent development, including the proven five-rung advisor career path that has helped numerous financial practices scale successfully.Resources:Books referenced: The Rainmaker Multiplier: How to Create a Self-Sustaining, Scalable Financial Planning Business by Jason L SmithThe Bucket Plan®: Protecting and Growing Your Assets for a Worry-Free Retirement by Jason L Smith Getting Naked: A Business Fable About Shedding The Three Fears That Sabotage Client Loyalty by Patrick LencioniProcess referenced: The Bucket Plan® philosophyTraining referenced: The Teamwork Movement Live Training Free Toolkit: The Rainmaker Multiplier Toolkit (includes bonus chapters and templates)The Ensemble Practice program referenced: G2 Leadership InstituteBusiness coaching program referenced: Strategic Coach

Going from the doer to the orchestrator can take your business to the next level. But it's not the easiest thing in the world to do. It involves putting the right systems and processes in place, creating your vision, building your team, and performing a mindset shift. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Bradley Hamner. He's the Founder of BlueprintOS, a Keynote Speaker, and the Host of the Above The Business podcast. Check out the full episode here

In part two of the Lead Yourself First series, Bradley dives deep into the crucial role of energy in leadership—and why giving your team your best energy is the most important thing you can do for them. Drawing inspiration from powerful business minds like Peter Drucker, Dan Sullivan, and Alex Hormozi, this episode makes the case that your team doesn't just follow your words—they absorb your energy.Bradley breaks down how small business owners can protect and replenish their energy through practical frameworks like the Buyback Principle, Time and Energy Audits, and the Replacement Ladder. If you've ever felt burned out, overwhelmed, or like your business can't run without you, this episode is packed with actionable steps to help you shift from Rainmaker to Architect—so you can lead your team with clarity, confidence, and contagious energy.

Send us a textWhat if LinkedIn could become your most powerful business tool—not for likes, but for real revenue? In this episode of Shine On Success, host Dionne Malush sits down with lifelong entrepreneur Colin Hirdman, co-founder of Monkey Island Ventures and creator of Rainmaker, a breakthrough system transforming how entrepreneurs and sales professionals use LinkedIn. Colin shares the exact process he used to grow businesses, build high-level connections, and turn cold outreach into meaningful, profitable relationships. You'll hear how he turned a criminal justice degree into a lifetime of entrepreneurship, the lessons he's learned from failure, and the five core values that guide his journey with childhood friends turned business partners. If you're an entrepreneur, sales leader, or anyone who wants to build intentional connections and actually convert on LinkedIn, this episode is your playbook.✨ Take notes—this one's packed with golden nuggets, growth hacks, and inspiration to help you shine on.Connect with Colin here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinhirdmanWebsite: https://www.monkeyislandventures.com/Connect with Dionne Malush Instagram: @dionnerealtyonepgh LinkedIN: /in/dionnemalush Website: www.dionnemalush.com Facebook: /dmalush LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/dionnemalush

Discover the origins of the holistic approach that has become the backbone of Jason L Smith's success formula and now book for financial advisors nationwide. Join host Matt Seitz, Chief Marketing Officer at C2P, as he continues his conversation with Jason L Smith, author of The Rainmaker Multiplier, exploring the foundational concepts that shaped his business philosophy. Jason shares the compelling origin story behind The Bucket Plan®, revealing how a chance remark during a client meeting sparked the creation of this revolutionary financial planning approach. This innovative methodology would later become a cornerstone of The Rainmaker Multiplier philosophy, demonstrating how a client-focused planning system can transform an advisor's practice from simple product sales to comprehensive wealth management.Resources:Book referenced: The Rainmaker Multiplier: How to Create a Self-Sustaining, Scalable Financial Planning Business and The Bucket Plan®: Protecting and Growing Your Assets for a Worry-Free Retirement by Jason L SmithProcess referenced: The Bucket Plan® philosophyFree Toolkit: The Rainmaker Multiplier Toolkit (includes bonus chapters and templates)

In this enlightening episode, we continue our behind-the-scenes exploration of Jason L Smith's book, The Rainmaker Multiplier: How to Create a Self-Sustaining, Scalable Financial Planning Business. Join host Matt Seitz, Chief Marketing Officer at C2P, and Jason himself as they delve into the formative experiences that shaped Jason's approach to wealth management and entrepreneurship. From knocking on doors selling insurance at 19 to building a successful, self-managing firm, Jason shares candid insights about the mentors who guided his journey, and so much more. Discover the crucial balance between "hunters" and "farmers" in a successful advisory practice and why viewing key employees as investments rather than expenses was a pivotal mindset shift in creating the Rainmaker Multiplier philosophy. Whether you're an established advisor or building your practice, this episode offers valuable wisdom on perseverance, team building, and creating a firm that thrives even in your absence.Resources:Book referenced: The Rainmaker Multiplier: How to Create a Self-Sustaining, Scalable Financial Planning Business by Jason L SmithProcess referenced: The Bucket Plan® philosophy Tax planning and management training: Ed Slott and Company's Advisor Training Organization referenced: Strategic CoachFree Toolkit: The Rainmaker Multiplier Toolkit (includes bonus chapters and templates)

In Season 5, Episode 33 of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois deliver a dynamic episode split between urgent food policy news and an in-depth interview with Jake Karls, Co-Founder and Chief Rainmaker of the powerhouse better-for-you brand Mid-Day Squares.Kicking off with the news segment, Sylvain and Michael break down Canada's approaching election and the glaring lack of meaningful agricultural policy across party platforms. While the NDP pushes for price freezes and a windfall tax on grocers, the Liberals and Conservatives offer little in the way of innovation or supply chain resilience. The hosts also tackle the impact of Ottawa's retaliatory tariffs, which drive food inflation and force Canadian grocers to de-Americanize sourcing. This effort comes with significant costs to consumers. They also discuss the potential discontinuation of the glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup and the increasing scrutiny of petroleum-based food dyes like Red #40, calling science and public perception into question.The second half features an electrifying interview with Jake Karls, who updates listeners on Mid-Day Squares' journey since his last appearance. From humble condo kitchens beginning to producing over 130,000 chocolate bars daily, Jake shares how building an in-house manufacturing facility—rather than relying on co-packers—enabled product consistency, brand authenticity, and rapid scaling. He dives into the challenges of being a media-first company, the evolution of its storytelling strategy, and its pivot into new product categories beyond chocolate.Jake opens up about battling cocoa price surges, securing supply chains, and staying BRC-certified. He also previews Mid-Day Squares' upcoming expansion to triple output capacity, pushing the brand toward $225 million in potential revenue. The conversation closes on a powerful note about the importance of storytelling in entrepreneurship and building brand trust at scale.Whether you're a CPG entrepreneur, policy wonk, or retail trend-watcher, this episode offers an unfiltered look at macro-level food system dynamics and the bold entrepreneurial journey reshaping the snack aisle across North America. The Food Professor #podcast is presented by Caddle. About UsDr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University. Before joining Dalhousie, he was affiliated with the University of Guelph's Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. Google Scholar ranks him as one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability.He has authored five books on global food systems, his most recent one published in 2017 by Wiley-Blackwell entitled “Food Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarking”. He has also published over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles in several academic publications. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, including The Lancet, The Economist, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Foreign Affairs, the Globe & Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star.Dr. Charlebois sits on a few company boards, and supports many organizations as a special advisor, including some publicly traded companies. Charlebois is also a member of the Scientific Council of the Business Scientific Institute, based in Luxemburg. Dr. Charlebois is a member of the Global Food Traceability Centre's Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fourth year in a row, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

  On this episode of Unsupervised Learning, Razib talks to Andrew Song, co-founder of Make Sunsets. An NYU graduate with a degree in economics, Song was a member of the Y Combinator class of winter 2016. Before becoming a founder, Song worked at firms involved in data analytics and artificial intelligence. A repeat attendee at the Founders Fund “Hereticon” conference, Song's company has been profiled IEEE Spectrum, The New York Times and NPR. Razib and Song first talk about the current state of climate, or more precisely, climate change and anthropogenic global warming. Song argues that the emission-reduction strategy has fundamentally failed, and global warming is inevitable absent a drastic strategy shift. Enter geoengineering, the deliberate large-scale manipulation of an environmental process that affects the earth. In the context of global warming Song proposes that humans engage in proactive efforts to cool the world. His company, along with a similar Israeli startup, proposes to introduce particulate matter into the stratosphere to reflect back some of the sun's radiation. Razib asks Song what the reaction has been, given that the atmosphere is a public resource, and how he proposes to eventually make it a revenue-generating business through government contracts. More generally, Razib and Song talk about other geoengineering projects, including Augustus Doricko's dream of increasing precipitation through his Rainmaker firm.

If something happened today, would your business sustain your family or your legacy without you? In this special episode, C2P's Chief Marketing Officer, Matt Seitz, sits down with C2P founder and CEO Jason L Smith to explore his book, The Rainmaker Multiplier: How to Create a Self-Sustaining, Scalable Financial Planning Business. Listen as he shares the personal wake-up call that inspired the book — his second open heart surgery—and the proven framework he's developed for creating a truly self-managing practice. Discover how to build a business that continues to thrive regardless of your presence while achieving what every successful advisor deserves: the freedom of time, finances, relationships, and purpose.Resources:Book referenced: The Rainmaker Multiplier: How to Create a Self-Sustaining, Scalable Financial Planning Business and The Bucket Plan®: Protecting and Growing Your Assets for a Worry-Free Retirement by Jason L SmithOrganization referenced: Strategic CoachToolkit mentioned: The Rainmaker Multiplier Toolkit (includes bonus chapters and templates)

This week, Roy Scheider pops up for a brief part in Francis Ford Coppola's legal thriller THE RAINMAKER! Based on a John Grisham novel and starring Matt Damon (in his first leading role), alongside Danny DeVito, Jon Voight, Claire Danes, Danny Glover, and more, this was Coppola's final studio film!

What do, a lawyer who conducts business from the comfort of a Lincoln town car, and a new defense attorney who goes against a big insurance company, have in common? This week on THE MOVIE CONNECTION:Jacob Watched: "THE LINCOLN LAWYER" (6:41) (Directed by, Brad Furman. Starring, Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Phillippe, Shea Whigham...)KC Watched: "THE RAINMAKER" (33:09) (Directed by, Francis Ford Coppola. Starring, Matt Damon, Danny DeVito, Claire Danes...)Talking points include:Companies we wouldn't lose sleep over goin bankruptWhen getting away with murder is appropriate Favorite McConaughey movie?and more!!Send us an email to let us know how we're doing: movieconnectionpodcast@gmail.comFollow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out more reviews from Jacob on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cover art by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Austin Hillebrecht⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Letters by KC Schwartz

Rich chats with Alan Michael from Ultimate Rainmaker about upping your Rehash game! Watch this episode on YouTube here

In this episode of One Vision — FinTech Fuse! Theo is joined by industry veteran Nektarios Liolios, a pioneering force in the field of fintech. Nektarios shares his journey from Innotribe and Startupbootcamp, to Rainmaker and his work with founders. He delves into the intrinsic challenges founders face, the often-overlooked mental health aspects, and the high pressure environment within the fintech and startup ecosystem. From corporate innovation to entrepreneurship, this insightful conversation lays bare the realities and resilience needed to thrive in this demanding industry. Essential listening for anyone interested in the inside workings of fintech, startup culture, and the human aspects often left in the shadows.Hot take: Do we care about entrepreneurs as individuals?

In this episode of One Vision — FinTech Fuse! Theo is joined by industry veteran Nektarios Liolios, a pioneering force in the field of fintech. Nektarios shares his journey from Innotribe and Startupbootcamp, to Rainmaker and his work with founders. He delves into the intrinsic challenges founders face, the often-overlooked mental health aspects, and the high pressure environment within the fintech and startup ecosystem. From corporate innovation to entrepreneurship, this insightful conversation lays bare the realities and resilience needed to thrive in this demanding industry. Essential listening for anyone interested in the inside workings of fintech, startup culture, and the human aspects often left in the shadows.Hot take: Do we care about entrepreneurs as individuals? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textIn this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I sit down with Colin Hirdman, the founder of Rainmaker, to uncover how professionals can use LinkedIn as a powerful revenue-generating tool. Colin shares his journey from entrepreneurship to building a business that automates LinkedIn best practices in an authentic and transparent way.We discuss:Rethinking LinkedIn for Business GrowthWhy LinkedIn is more than just a networking platform—it's a revenue driverThe importance of authenticity and relationship-buildingWhy traditional sales tactics don't work on LinkedInBuilding a Targeted LinkedIn AudienceHow to use LinkedIn Sales Navigator effectivelyA unique “event hack” to find engaged prospectsUsing key influencers as proxies to reach the right peopleActivating Your LinkedIn ConnectionsThe step-by-step method to connecting with 25 people per dayWhy first-degree LinkedIn connections are more valuable than email listsThe right way to send messages without coming off as salesyTurning Engagement into RevenueHow to nurture connections with a non-salesy approachUsing LinkedIn live streams as a powerful marketing toolThe secret to getting people to opt into your expertiseKey Takeaways for MarketersShift from a sales mindset to an education-first approachStop chasing leads—build relationships and let them come to youWhy providing value is the most effective way to drive businessWhether you're a solopreneur, a sales leader, or a business owner looking to maximize LinkedIn's potential, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can implement right away.Are you ready to transform LinkedIn into your most valuable marketing tool? Tune in now to learn how to navigate this powerful platform the right way.

Welcome to the Ed Parcaut Show! In this episode, Ed sits down with Colin Hirdman, a seasoned entrepreneur with a keen expertise in leveraging LinkedIn for business growth. They dive into Colin's unexpected journey into entrepreneurship that started at a birthday party, and his early days in the data processing business during the mid-90s. Colin shares his insights on transitioning from direct mail to digital marketing, selling his first business in 2006, and co-founding Monkey Island Ventures. Listen in as they explore the art of building authentic connections on LinkedIn, Colin's philosophy on audience building, and the detailed process of using LinkedIn Live Streams to engage with potential clients. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a business professional looking to sharpen your LinkedIn game, this episode is packed with valuable tips and strategies to help you succeed. Tune in now to learn how to create meaningful interactions and establish thought leadership on the platform.  **Contact Ed Parcaut:** -

In this episode of the Burn Podcast, Shayla Gifford joins us to share her journey in discovering her "Burn" and the key factors that have contributed to her success. We explore the importance of discipline in achieving your goals and the mindset shifts that lead to lasting growth.Shayla Gifford is a seasoned sales leader and team builder dedicated to helping loan officers transform into self-made rainmakers. As a driven entrepreneur, she leads with heart and has learned that true success comes from embracing authenticity, creating opportunities for others, and enjoying the journey along the way.In addition, Shayla discusses the powerful role of coaches in identifying untapped potential in others and helping individuals realize achievements they never thought possible. Tune in to hear how Shayla empowers others to become the biggest version of themselves.************************************Shayla Gifford's Website : https://shaylagifford.com/Follow Shayla Gifford onInstagram: instagram.com/shaygiffInstagram: instagram.com/10xwithcatalystcommunityYutube: https://www.youtube.com/@shayla-gifford/featured************************************Watch Here: https://youtu.be/PCGODDcQsxkListen Here: https://www.theburnpodcast.com************************************Learn about our Upcoming events and programs:https://www.workwithbnc.comLet's work TOGETHER https://www.bennewmancoaching.comLet's work together to write YOUR next book- BNC PublishingOrder my latest book The STANDARD: Winning at YOUR Highest Level: https://amzn.to/3DE1clY1stConnect with me everywhere else:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/continuedfightFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Continuedfight/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ContinuedFightLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-newman-b0b693https://www.bennewmancoaching.com************************************ Learn about our Upcoming events and programs:https://www.workwithbnc.comLet's work TOGETHER https://www.bennewmancoaching.comLet's work together to write YOUR next book- BNC PublishingSend us a message Order my latest book The STANDARD: Winning at YOUR Highest Level: https://amzn.to/3DE1clY1st Phorm | The Foundation of High Performance Nutrition1stPhorm.com/bnewman Connect with me everywhere else: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/continuedfight Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Continuedfight/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ContinuedFight Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-newman-b0b693

Back in 1916 San Diego got their money's worth when they hired a rainmaker.

Hey Rainmakers! It's Chelsey and Stephen, and we're back with the final episode of our three-part Rainmaker Method series—this one's all about AUTOMATION. If you're craving more time freedom in your life and business, this episode is for you. We're diving into what it looks like to make your business more hands-off, and how the automation pillar fits into the Rainmaker Method alongside leverage and solution. Automation gets tossed around a lot, but we're breaking it down in a way that makes it practical and doable—even if you're just getting started. We share our early days of building systems from scratch, learning tools like Zapier (or Zapier... the debate is real!), and how a few small tweaks can lead to big time savings. This episode is loaded with simple ways to buy back your time through smart software, outsourcing, and AI tools that are more accessible than ever. Chelsey gets real about the fears and perfectionism that hold so many of us back from outsourcing or setting up automation. We talk about that mindset shift—from "no one can do it like me" to "someone can do it 80% as well and free up my brain space!" Stephen walks through how to identify your buyback rate, hire your first virtual assistant, and how to actually communicate your style when passing off tasks. We wrap up by showing how all three pillars—leverage, solution, and automation—come together inside our Amazon-based businesses and the Rainmaker Mastermind. If you're building something big and want to do it without sacrificing your time, your family, or your health, this framework is the compass we keep coming back to. Let's build businesses that work for us, not the other way around. Links for this episode: Connect with us: ► Rainmaker Instagram: @therainmakerfamily ► Chelsey Instagram: @chels_diaz ► Stephen Instagram: @steezdiaz ► TikTok: @therainmakerfamily ► Facebook: @diazfamilylegacy ► Website: therainmakerfamily.com Join Our Next Rainmaker Challenge - How To Make Passive Income From Home: https://therainmakerchallenge.com Save On Our Favorite Things: https://rainmakerfamily.com/deals Watch The Million Dollar Mama Case Study: https://www.makeitrainmomma.com/casestudy   Episode Minute by Minute:  0:00 – Introduction to Part 3: Automation 1:30 – Passive Income vs. Leveraged Income 4:00 – Relative Income Explained 6:00 – Our First Steps into Automation 8:00 – What Holds People Back from Outsourcing 10:00 – Perfectionism, Communication, and the “80% Rule” 13:00 – How to Hire Your First Virtual Assistant 16:00 – Fiverr, Upwork, OnlineJobs.ph: Our Favorite Tools 18:00 – AI Tools and Automating Repetitive Tasks 20:00 – Letting AI Save You Time in Content and Communication 21:00 – Recap of the Rainmaker Method 23:00 – How We Apply This on Amazon 28:00 – Want Support? Join Our Mastermind

Hey Rainmakers! Chelsey and Stephen here, and we are back diving even deeper into the Rainmaker Method! If you missed Part 1: Leverage (Episode 202), go back and listen because today we're covering Part 2: Solution. This is the heart of every business—finding a problem to solve and creating a solution that people will pay for. We're breaking down how every successful business, big or small, thrives by solving problems. Whether it's a physical product, a digital offer, or even a service, the key is to identify a real need in the marketplace and meet it in a way that creates impact and income. But here's the catch—if your solution isn't paired with leverage (pillar one), you'll end up overwhelmed, overworked, and burnt out. We learned this the hard way, so we're here to help you avoid those mistakes. One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is the "solutionary mindset." Businesses don't exist without problems to solve. The bigger the problem, the more valuable the solution. We even share insights from MrBeast (yes, the YouTuber!) and how he turned the chocolate industry on its head by solving a massive global issue—ethical sourcing. Whether you're starting a new business or refining your current one, thinking bigger about the impact of your solution is the game-changer. We also dive into how to test your idea before you spend tons of time or money building it. Will people actually pay for it? Will strangers buy it? We share our experiences launching Rainmakers, testing products in the wedding industry, and even flopping on ideas that seemed amazing but weren't marketable. If you've ever wondered, "Will my idea work?"—this episode will give you the exact steps to find out before you invest too much. Stick with us because we're leading up to Part 3: Automation—where we'll show you how to take your solution and scale it in a way that doesn't require you to be involved 24/7. Let's dive in! Connect with us: ► Rainmaker Instagram: @therainmakerfamily ► Chelsey Instagram: @chels_diaz ► Stephen Instagram: @steezdiaz ► TikTok: @therainmakerfamily ► Facebook: @diazfamilylegacy ► Website: therainmakerfamily.com   Join Our Next Rainmaker Challenge - How To Make Passive Income From Home: https://therainmakerchallenge.com Save On Our Favorite Things: https://rainmakerfamily.com/deals Watch The Million Dollar Mama Case Study: https://www.makeitrainmomma.com/casestudy   Episode Minute by Minute:  0:00 - Welcome back! Recap of Leverage and intro to Solution 1:30 - Why every business needs a solution (and how to create one) 3:45 - The biggest mistake new entrepreneurs make 6:20 - The solutionary mindset and why it matters 10:00 - MrBeast's genius business strategy (and what we can learn from it) 15:30 - How to know if people will actually pay for your idea 18:40 - The importance of testing your business idea first 24:00 - Common pitfalls when launching a product or service 28:30 - Prepping for Part 3: How to automate your business  

Hey Rainmakers! Chelsey and Stephen here, and today we're bringing you another incredible story straight from our Rainmaker community. If you've ever wondered how to build a business while balancing a full-time job, a busy family, and, well… life, this episode is for you! We're chatting with Jolene Lewke, a wife, mom of three, and entrepreneur who's been building her brand in the late-night hours—after the kids are in bed. Jolene didn't start her Rainmaker journey looking to quit her job. She actually loves what she does. But she saw an opportunity for extra income, a little “fun money,” and the potential to create something meaningful for her family's future. In this episode, she shares how she went from knowing nothing about Amazon FBA to hitting huge sales milestones—like selling out completely on Black Friday! We also dive into the challenges she faced (like realizing her first product idea was patented after sourcing samples

Being unapologetically yourself means embracing every part of who you are, without fear of judgment or rejection. It's about standing tall in your truth, knowing that your quirks, flaws, and unique qualities are what make you extraordinary. When you stop seeking validation from others and start owning your story, you unlock the freedom to live authentically, create fearlessly, and connect deeply with those around you. True success begins when you show up as the most honest version of yourself, unapologetically and with confidence.Today, let's welcome Jake Karls, the co-founder and "Rainmaker" of Mid-Day Squares, a revolutionary chocolate brand focused on authentic connections and clean, functional ingredients. Known for his bold personality and unconventional approach to business, Jake has built a loyal community by sharing the raw, unfiltered reality of entrepreneurship. Passionate about storytelling, community building, and making people feel something, Jake brings energy and heart into everything he does, both in business and life. Throughout the episode, Jake tells his story in a way that's both inspiring and eye-opening. He begins by recounting his early ventures, including throwing college parties and a fitness business that went bankrupt, before finding his footing with Mid-Day Squares. Jake, now known as the "Rainmaker" for his ability to build genuine connections, opens up about the emotional toll of building a brand, from struggling with burnout to battling anxiety and self-doubt. Despite his success, Jake shares the importance of therapy and the challenges of balancing mental health with the demands of running a rapidly scaling company.As the conversation unfolds, listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at the early days of Mid-Day Squares, from hand-making bars in a tiny condo to building a full-scale chocolate factory. Jake highlights the importance of storytelling in creating a loyal fan base, showing how sharing the highs and lows of entrepreneurship has been key to the brand's growth. He also touches on his personal struggles with health, reflecting on how years of putting the business first left him feeling exhausted and disconnected from his own body. Now, he's on a journey to prioritize self-care and rediscover the joy in both life and business.What We Discussed:00:00 Intro00:24 “My job is to make friends!”02:18 The Mid-Day Squares03:50 Life Before Building the Business15:57 Who Were the Initial Customers?24:29 “I now have limitations.” 26:20 Therapy Can Help You29:27 The Goal is to Break the Costco Record35:30 “I stopped caring about my body.”40:13 Finding Your Purpose in Life Again44:52 Energy and Vibes in the First Meeting46:52 Don't Neglect Your Own Health Issues50:28 Transparent Storytelling54:46 The Fear of Death57:50 What Would You Do with Uninterrupted Time?01:04:01 What's Next for Mid-Day Squares?01:07:33 How to Effectively Deal with Anxiety01:09:36 What Will Your Future Self Do? 01:12:11 New Flavors to Look Forward to

Go to TheRainGames.com and grab your spot now! Hey Rainmakers! We're pressing pause on our usual podcast content this week because we've got something BIG to share. If you've been sitting on the sidelines, listening to this podcast, and wondering when the right time is to take action on your business dreams—this is it. We're inviting you to The Rain Games—a FREE, live, high-energy business competition where you'll get hands-on training, compete for an insane $75,000 business startup fund, and connect with other like-minded entrepreneurs who are ready to build freedom-based businesses. What Are The Rain Games? Imagine a mix of high-energy challenges, business breakthroughs, and fun competition, all wrapped up into a 5-day live experience with us. We were inspired by the Beast Games and thought—why not create something just as epic for our Rainmaker community? While we can't give away $5 million, we tapped into our network, sponsors, and partners to put together a $75,000 prize that includes everything you need to get your online business off the ground FAST. Here's What You'll Get: ✅ Live training with us—step-by-step guidance on building and scaling your online business ✅ A chance to win the $75,000 startup fund—stacked with training, tools, and resources to launch successfully ✅ A backstage pass opportunity—for those who want even more in-depth mentorship ✅ A high-energy, fun competition—because learning should be exciting! When & Where?

In this episode, we've got a couple of first-time guests. They started selling on Amazon in the last couple of years and are part of a community where thousands of moms have come together to learn how to sell online. ► Instagram: instagram.com/serioussellerspodcast ► Free Amazon Seller Chrome Extension: https://h10.me/extension ► Sign Up For Helium 10: https://h10.me/signup  (Use SSP10 To Save 10% For Life) ► Learn How To Sell on Amazon: https://h10.me/ft ► Watch The Podcasts On YouTube: youtube.com/@Helium10/videos Join us for an exciting episode where we introduce two inspiring first-time guests, Laken Hardin-Is and Tiffany Nicholson, who have embarked on their e-commerce journeys with a community of entrepreneurial moms. Laken, an art major and graphic design enthusiast from South Carolina, shares her transition into the world of Amazon selling, blending her creative background with her newfound entrepreneurial spirit. Tiffany, from Akron, Ohio, narrates her path from communication studies and speech-language pathology to exploring e-commerce on Amazon. Both women discuss their unique paths and motivations, highlighting the blend of creativity and business acumen needed to succeed in the e-commerce world. Listen in as we explore the process of building a brand from scratch, moving from retail arbitrage to establishing a private label brand. We talk about the initial hurdles of managing logistics and inventory and the breakthrough moments that came with the guidance of the Rainmaker family. Discover how tools like Helium 10 play a pivotal role in identifying product niches and opportunities. We also touch on the innovative strategies Laken and Tiffany employed to overcome challenges, such as product dimension issues, and how they now manage five SKUs with improved inventory systems, including the use of a 3PL in China. The conversation underscores the significance of brand building, social media presence, and leveraging customer insights to stay competitive. This episode also highlights the importance of community and networking in the e-commerce industry, particularly for those entering a predominantly male space. The Amazon Influencer Program emerges as a potential entry point for generating additional income, utilizing everyday items to create engaging content. We discuss alternative avenues like Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and digital products for those seeking initial capital. Laken and Tiffany's experiences illustrate how community support and shared learning can accelerate success, providing invaluable encouragement and guidance along the way. Finally, they invite listeners to connect with us and the Rainmaker Family community to further explore these insights and follow the journeys of our guests. In episode 639 of the Serious Sellers Podcast, Bradley, Laken, and Tiffany discuss: 00:00 - New Sellers Sharing Their Amazon-Selling Journeys 08:27 - Growing Sales Through Product Diversification 11:40 - Building a Brand is Important 17:09 - Product Research and Overcoming Competition 20:16 - Community Success in Amazon Selling 27:59 - Amazon Success Stories and Growth 31:04 - Connecting With Rainmaker Family Community