The Corporate Escapee

Connect with Brett:Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7GgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrettTwitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_TrainorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/Connect with Diana:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianamitchell716/

Episode Resources:Flippa - Buy and Sell Online Marketplaces, Apps and WebsitesFE International - Professional M&A AdvisorMicroaquire - Startup Acquisition MarketplaceDesignJoy.co - Brett William's Agency of OneConnect with Brett:Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7GgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrettTwitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_TrainorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/Connect with Diana:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianamitchell716/

Episode Resources:Flippa - Buy and Sell Online Marketplaces, Apps and WebsitesFE International - Professional M&A AdvisorMicroaquire - Startup Acquisition MarketplaceConnect with Brian:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CasJamPodcast: Bootstrapped Web Company: https://zipmessage.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briancasel Connect with Brett:Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7GgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrettTwitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_TrainorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/Connect with Diana:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianamitchell716/

Books mentioned:Essentialism by Greg McKeown Deep Work by Cal NewportSo Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport A World Without Email by Cal Newport Connect with Brett:Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7GgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrettTwitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_TrainorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/Connect with Diana:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianamitchell716/

Connect with Brett:Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7GgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrettTwitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_TrainorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/Connect with Diana: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianamitchell716/

Connect with Brett:Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7GgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrettTwitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_TrainorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/Connect with Diana:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianamitchell716/

If there’s a perfect time to start a business, it’s in this new normal when everyone’s set on an almost equal footing with everything else going digital. But how do you make sure that the business you’ll be building has got what it takes to reach the ultimate $10 million dollar goal? Today, I sat down with Steve Hoffman, a.k.a Captain Hoff, CEO of Founders Space, a worldwide innovation hub for entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors with more than 50 partners in 22 countries. Be it growing a startup through bootstrapping or venture capital, you name it, Steve has done it. So hit the play button now to not miss this chance of learning from this Captain Hoff. We’ll talk about:Introduction [00:00]The role of ideas in starting a business in 2022 [03:45]Need-to-haves vs. want-to-haves: Coming up with the perfect product [10:06]How having the right team is the key to reaching the $10 million mark [14:27]Why you should set strict guidelines in doing business [16:31]The value of having returning customers [21:54]Taking advantage of the opportunity of selling a platform [27:09]How do you make a platform more interactive and more valuable [33:38]Steve’s take on bootstrapping and getting a venture capital [34:55]Resource Links:Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/)Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/)About Our Guest:Steve Hoffman, a.k.a. Captain Hoff, is the Chairman and CEO of Founders Space, a worldwide innovation hub for entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors with more than 50 partners in 22 countries.Hoffman is a venture capitalist, the founder of three venture-backed and two bootstrapped businesses, and the author of numerous award-winning books. "Make Elephants Fly", "Surviving a Startup", and "The Five Forces" are among them. Connect with Steve Hoffman:Website https://www.foundersspace.com/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/foundersspace/Podcasts https://www.foundersspace.com/s/ https://www.foundersspace.com/m/Books by Steve Hoffman:Surviving a Startup http://SurvivingAStartup.comMake Elephants Fly http://MakeElephantsFly.comThe Five Forces that Change Everything http://TheFiveForces.comConnect with me and learn more about growing your business:Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7GgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrettTwitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_TrainorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

The challenge of getting stuck in the growing stage is one that many business owners face. But what most of owners and founders don’t know is that there’s actually a swarm of opportunities for growth out there that they are missing out on. Today, we’re going to explore those opportunities with Leading SMB Growth Expert Michael Haynes as we talk about common growth hindrances in 2022 and how to address them. Do you find it difficult to adjust your B2B business tactics? If yes, then this episode is definitely for you. We’ll talk about: Introduction [00:00] What your areas of focus for growth in 2022 should be [04:49] Michael’s A.I.R. concept and the issue of content overload [08:09] The best approach to determining your biggest growth opportunities [10:07] How you can conduct an effective customer research [12:30] Building a sense of community to connect with your prospects [16:03] Integrating collaboration and co-creation into your growth strategy [19:38] Catering to the needs of every participant in the buying group [27:57] How to reframe your selling process to address your buyers’ needs [30:17] Skill sets that you need to execute your growth strategies effectively [36:59] Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) Past Episodes with Michael Haynes: Episode 8. Listen, Innovate, Grow- A Blueprint for Acquiring Business Customers with Michael Haynes (https://bretttrainor.com/2019/08/10/listen-innovate-grow-a-blueprint-for-acquiring-business-customers-with-michael-haynes/) Episode 72. Refocus, Reignite, and Rise: Jumpstarting Growth in 2020 with B2B SMB / SME Adviser Michael Haynes (https://bretttrainor.com/2020/10/13/refocus-reignite-and-rise-jumpstarting-growth-in-2020-with-best-selling-author-michael-haynes/) Episode 120. Growing a B2B Business in 2021 with Top SMB Expert Michael Haynes (https://bretttrainor.com/2021/09/14/podcast-ep-120-growing-a-b2b-business-in-2021-with-top-smb-expert-michael-haynes/) Books Mentioned: Listen, Innovate, Grow by Michael Haynes and Gareth Chandler (https://www.amazon.com/Listen-Innovate-Grow-Guidebook-Businesses/dp/0646988557) About Our Guest: Michael Haynes is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Listen Innovate Grow with over 20 years of experience working with firms ranging from micro-businesses to large corporations in Australia and Canada to develop and implement customer strategies and programs that help them expand their businesses. Connect with Michael Haynes: Website (https://listeninnovategrow.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-haynes-lig/ Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

We talk a lot on this podcast about business strategies and tactics but not very often about the personal side which includes wellness, physical health, and especially mindset. So today, we’re having Teresa Buruni, founder and CEO of Less Fear More Flow, who helps entrepreneurs and business owners with their personal transformation, mindset, wellness to unlock their true potential. Teresa shares tips on how we can preserve our wellness so we never get lost amidst burnout while achieving our goals for our businesses. This episode is a breath of fresh air and will surely enlighten you on how to attain the freedom you’re aiming for through your business so hit the play button now! We talk about: Introduction [00:00] Entrepreneurs’ DONTs that need to be reevaluated [04:12] To have your sleep in one go or to break it down in periods? [07:36] 45 minutes of laser focus and 45 minutes of break outside [09:59] Finding balance through different types of meditation [13:41] Bearing in mind that your bed is for resting [17:37] Why you don’t have to work 7 days a week [21:36] The role of mindset in entrepreneurship [26:24] The challenge of reversing the programming set unto us [32:11] How you can deal with imposter syndrome [36:02] Tips on dealing with the pressures brought by industrialization [41:02] Going through the motions and enjoying the process of growing [48:24] Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) Books mentioned: Three Simple Steps by Trevor Blake https://www.amazon.com/Three-Simple-Steps-Success-Business/dp/1936661713 Episodes mentioned: Episode 141 with Paul Shirley https://bretttrainor.com/2022/02/08/podcast-ep-141-the-difference-between-average-and-elite-with-former-nba-player-best-selling-author-paul-shirley/ About Our Guest: Teresa Bruni is a deeply committed Healer and Spiritual Warrior who helps people overcome difficulties that keep them from enjoying their lives to the fullest. Teresa is also the founder of Less Fear, More Flow LLC and The 2020 Resilience Journal Project, as well as a #1 International Best Selling Author, speaker, and author. She is a natural instructor who thinks that our thoughts are the only limit to our potential. Connect with Teresa Bruni: Website https://www.teresabruni.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresabrunithehealer/ Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

Account-based marketing (ABM) is one of the most effective strategies for B2B sales but many founders are still missing out on the awesome benefits that it offers. Today, I have just the perfect person to help us understand what ABM is really all about, BusinessOnline Chief Operating Officer Jeff MacGurn. Jeff shares the different ways that ABM boosts sales. He also gives insights on how to get started with ABM and how to target the right audience with the right type of content. Are you looking to learn more about ABM and how you can get the most out of it? Jump into this episode now! We talk about: Introduction [00:00] The current landscape of digital marketing for small businesses [03:38] Dealing with the changes in buyer expectations [07:14] How ABM helps businesses in 6 different ways [10:17] Are you in front of the right audience? [17:34] How to have a targetted marketing if you’re under $10 million [21:43] Coming up with content that connects with your target clients [26:02] One of the most compelling reasons for doing ABM [31:38] Jeff’s pro tips on getting started with ABM [33:58] Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) About Our Guest: Jeff MacGurn is the COO of BusinessOnline where he works with clients to give strategic consultation on their digital marketing initiatives, specializing on Account-based Marketing. Sony, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Samsung, IBM, T-Mobile, Disney, Nikon, Apple, State Farm, Intel, Informatica, and Microsoft are just a few of the Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies Jeff has worked with. Connect with Jeff MacGurn: Website https://www.businessol.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmacgurn/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/bolagency/ Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

As you’re earning your first million, your costs of doing business become more complicated if you haven’t built a financial structure from the get-go. Today, we’re graced by the presence of Joe Manganelli, founder of Calculate, a company that offers a multitude of financial services from nitty-gritty bookkeeping to big-picture strategies and forecasting. Joe and I touch on the different aspects of operating a business from a financial perspective. Joe also shares his insights on scaling a startup through efficient use of resources and putting up checks and balances. If you’re looking to set up a solid structure for the management of your business’ finances, then this episode is a great place for you to start! We talk about: Introduction [00:00] Joe’s road to founding Calculate [02:20] How Calculate started to gain momentum [05:17] Calculate’s services and how they sell it to their prospects [7:27] Best practices on scaling from the financial side of your business [11:38] Setting up your business for a good sale and using your resources effectively [14:37] Caculate’s time frame for getting involved in a company’s financial processes [19:47] Outsourcing for your business from a financial standpoint [21:19] Putting checks and balances in place as you’re growing [23:31] The numbers game of bootstrap and cash flow [28:40] The importance of implementing a zero asshole policy [31:36] Why you should strive to stick with your business’s guiding light [33:38] Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) Books Mentioned: “Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork” by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy (https://www.amazon.com/Who-Not-How-Accelerating-Teamwork-ebook/dp/B0867ZJ151) About Our Guest: Joe Manganelli started his career in corporate jobs at financial services behemoths like Goldman Sachs, but he desired to help start companies from the ground up. He established Calculate in 2017 with the purpose of utilizing his knowledge of experience to growing businesses. Connect with Joe Manganelli: Website https://www.calculate.works/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemanganelli/ Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

When businesses fall short of their set goals, is it because of poor execution or is it because the direction taken was wrong in the first place? We’ll answer that in this episode with Alex Batdorf, CEO and Founder of Get Sh!t Done, a platform focused on centralizing access to growth resources for female entrepreneurs. Alex and I take a deep dive into the common challenges that her collaborating companies face and how she thinks these should be addressed. We also discuss the importance of a founder’s wellness to the business and the unending quest for innovation for companies today. Alex unloads fresh nuggets of wisdom in this episode so make sure to catch them all by tuning in now! We’ll talk about: Introduction [00:00] The kid who wanted to rule the world through entrepreneurship [01:56] Bootstrapping vs. Venture Capital: How to create sustainable and scalable businesses [10:49] The biggest bottleneck that Alex sees the most in the startups she works with [15:21] Do you really need venture capital to grow to billion dollars? [20:09] Connecting the dots and taking control of your own destiny [26:08] Why your wellness should be your top priority as a founder [30:16] Thinking bigger and how it does wonders for your entrepreneurship path [33:46] Alex’s piece of advice to founders on following their North Star [41:04] The best way to get shit done for your business [46:42] Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) Get Sh!t Done website (https://www.shegetsshitdone.com/) Episodes Mentioned: Episode 141 with Paul Shirley https://bretttrainor.com/2022/02/08/podcast-ep-141-the-difference-between-average-and-elite-with-former-nba-player-best-selling-author-paul-shirley/ Episode 131 with Eva Nahari https://bretttrainor.com/2021/11/30/podcast-ep-131-whats-hot-in-b2b-bootstrap-or-raise-with-eva-nahari/ Episode 101 with Jesse Cole https://bretttrainor.com/2021/05/04/how-to-dominate-raving-fans-innovation-a-yellow-tux-with-jesse-cole/ About Our Guest: Alex Batdorf founded Get Sh!t Done with the mission to redefine the narrative of entrepreneurship by helping women mindfully scale companies that have impactful, intentional growth while giving them the power to do it on their own terms. Alex believes that real growth is making a status quo-breaking impact, not just growing for growth's sake. Connect with Alex Batdorf: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chief-get-shit-done-officer/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/shegetsshitdone Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

Entrepreneurs and business owners are constantly in scramble mode. So amidst all the chaos in your working space, how do you maintain balance to prevent everything from falling apart? My guest today, Paul Shirley, is the founder of The Process, a co-working facility and virtual platform whose theory is discussed in his book, The Process is the Product. Paul shares with us about his experiences as a former professional basketball player and author. He reveals how he learned to add process to the chaos of a working environment and get more done in less time. This part of productivity focus has been a game-changer for me, and I think it can really help you as well. So get your pen and paper ready as you listen to this episode. We talk about: Introduction [00:00] The reasoning behind Paul’s book, The Process is the Product [03:46] Knowing when to go back to life while in your flow state [08:14] Is it better to know when you’re having an off day? [12:12] Why intensity is worth more than duration [13:30] Building a system around having the right priorities [20:24] Being fulfilled in life by falling in love with the process [25:09] The impact of willpower in our decision making [28:03] How to maintain balance when responsibilities are piling up [30:34] Staying social and connected in a remote work setup [33:43] Positive Peer Pressure: Finding the motivation to go out and connect with people [37:56] Lessons that Paul gained when he had to close his first business [39:37] Paul’s takeaways in his virtual co-working space [42:38] Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) The Process website (https://www.createyourprocess.com/) Books Mentioned: The Process is the Product (https://www.amazon.com/Process-Product-Paul-Shirley/dp/1737563622) Lost Connections: Why You’re Depressed and How to Find Hope (https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Connections-Uncovering-Depression-Unexpected/dp/163286830X) About Our Guest: Paul Shirley is a former NBA player who operates The Process, a co-working facility and virtual platform whose premise is detailed in his book, The Process is the Product. He dives into this theory in his podcast which is named “The Process” as well. Paul also wrote two humor memoirs, Can I Keep My Jersey?, and Stories I Tell On Dates, and a novel called Ball Boy. Paul developed the Writers Blok, a Los Angeles-based co-writing space that aims to provide structure, support, community, and accountability to writers. Connect with Paul Shirley: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-shirley-360b1649/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/paulthenshirley Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

There is no right or wrong path when raising money for your startup. You just have to understand the trade-offs for whichever choice you make. Today, I welcome Esben Friis-Jensen, Co-Founder of Cobalt and Userflow, who has raised a bunch of money through bootstrapping to give us different perspectives on scaling. Esben and I dive into the principles that he had as he was co-founding and growing his two multi-million dollar companies, which you all will surely learn from. Hit the play button now if you want to scale your business in the most effective way! We’ll talk about: Introduction [00:00] Esben’s first company, Cobalt, and his transition into Userflow [01:50] What urged Esben to start his own company [04:05] How Esben and his co-founders raised $40 million for Cobalt [6:40] The rationale behind founding Userflow [09:51] Growing Userflow with two full-time employees and one freelancer [11:53] Differentiating yourself through your product [14:36] Where Userflow’s first hire will come from as they expand [19:20] The value of having team members with more generalist roles [22:14] Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) Cobalt website (https://cobalt.io/) Userflow website (https://userflow.com/) About Our Guest: Esben Friis-Jensen is the co-founder of Userflow, a high growth bootstrapped SAS business that scaled with only two full-time employees. Esben is also one of the co-founders of another high growth company called Cobalt which raised almost $40 million through bootstrapping. Connect with Esben Friis-Jensen : LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esbenfriisjensen/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/esbenfj Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

You'll have to expand outside yourself at some point, no matter how skilled you are at growing your business on your own. Today we’re going to talk about how exactly you can do that and I have just the perfect guest for you. Laith Masarweh is the founder of Assistantly, a company that offers virtual team member staffing solutions with a focus on workplace culture. Laith and I dive into the value of having virtual team members or what he refers to as “Unicorns” and how we see it as the best way to scale in 2022. This episode offers a lot of insights on growing your business this 2022 so tune in now! We’ll talk about: Introduction [00:00] How Laith founded a VA company without any idea what a VA is [02:47] Industries that Assistantly caters to [08:30] The value of having VAs in your team [10:18] Part-time vs. full-time: How should you hire for your organization? [13:55] Why Laith believes he can start a third company [18:33] Should you hire a client success manager? [21:17] The eliminate-automate-delegate framework of running a company [28:54] The depth of skills that Assistantly VAs offer [32:49] Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) Looking to hire a VA? Visit (https://www.assistantly.com/) About Our Guest: Laith Masarweh, now 24, has been working for his father since he was eight years old. His second company, Assistantly, arose from the necessity to scale his first, Immursiv, a real estate marketing firm, swiftly. Assistantly is a virtual assistant (VA) firm that is swiftly gaining a reputation for spotting unicorns – people with an inexplicable desire to perform extremely well. Connect with Laith Masarweh: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laith-masarweh-a2288310a/ Email: [email protected] Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

When in doubt, start with the customer. If it doesn't make sense for them, you're probably doing it wrong, or you shouldn't be doing it. Today, we touch on the last part of the A-C-E-S framework which is support. It's a three-part strategy for your customers with three different areas of focus: (1.) customer success, (2.) customer experience, and (3.) customer service. This should really be a part of your playbooks so tune in now and learn how you can ensure your success in these aspects of support. Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when your sales organization stalls. So when you face this problem, what should your focus be? Today, I welcome Karl Becker, CEO and Founder of Improving Sales Performance and author of “Set Up To Win: Three Frameworks to a High-Performing Sales Organization.” In this episode, we dive into the revenue equation he came up with which helps businesses diagnose problems in their sales and marketing strategies to further optimize them. This conversation has been long overdue and I’ll definitely have Karl back to provide us more valuable wisdom about revenue growth so be sure to not miss this one! We’ll talk about: Introduction [00:00] Recent changes in the B2B world that Karl has observed [5:03] A powerful story about delegation from Karl [9:18] Karl’s concept to the revenue equation [12:29] Why your value needs to be clear to scale [17:39] What’s next after you got your messaging aligned? [23:43] Understanding the buyer’s journey [29:59] Empowering your team and interacting better with your leads [31:52] Salespeople don’t like uncertainty and buyers don’t like risks [38:30] Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) The Revenue Equation (https://www.revenueequation.com) Link to Free Book – Set Up To Win (https://dl.bookfunnel.com/vuqhd6p1y2) About Our Guest: With over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing working with SMBs, Karl Becker founded Improving Sales Performance to help businesses find opportunities for quick wins that can increase revenue immediately. Karl authored “Set Up To Win: Three Frameworks to a High-Performing Sales Organization,” a book that teaches you how to use the power of an organization’s greatest asset— their team —to stabilize and expand revenue over time. Connect with Karl Becker: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlbeckeriii/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/improving-sales-performance-usa Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

From a customer acquisition standpoint, it’s such a huge waste not to have a procedure in place for when your prospects finally engage with you. After all you’ve gone through to have them engage with you, it should be your priority to follow through with processes that will enable your target customers in easily availing your services and products. So what comprises this customer enablement process? And how should you approach it? Tune in as I introduce you to the 3rd framework in our A-C-E-S Zero to Ten Growth System. Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

A new year knocks on our doors but our business goal remains the same. Now, what about our game plan? Today, I welcome Sean Rosensteel back to the podcast to chat about how to kick some ass in 2022 and really drive growth in your business. Sean and I each share three ideas or areas that we're focused on as keys for success in 2022 each of which we discuss in detail. We share some strong opinions and differing ideas at times but are mostly aligned on what will and will not work this year. This conversation went so great that we felt we had to do a Part 2 and I am sure you will feel the same way so tune in now! We’ll talk about: 1. Introduction [00:00] 2. The one thing our owners should be focused on for a great 2022 [2:21] 3. Crushing the new year by throwing out conventional wisdom [9:40] a. The amazing benefit of hiring contractors [12:21] 4. The #2 in Brett and Sean’s 2022 Priority List [20:02] 5. Knowing what works best for your unique situation [26:18] 6. How stepping back to look into what you’ve already got can benefit you [31:10] Part 2 7. The “Who Not How” Concept [36:26] 8. Fine-tuning the messaging of your company [41:23] a. Sticking with the controlling idea of your company [48:34] 9. Getting a website that does its job with cost-effectivity [52:33] a. WordPress vs. Squarespace [54:04] b. It’s all about lead generation and conversion [1:00:14] 10. Providing great customer experience in 2022 [1:07:23] a. Your process vs. what’s right for your customers [1:14:00] 11. A couple of parting wisdom to live by for 2022 [1:15:27] Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) Get a copy of Sean Rosensteel’s book, “The School of Intentional Living” (https://www.seanrosensteel.com/) Tune in to B2B Zero to Ten Episode 129 with Sean Rosensteel: (https://bretttrainor.com/2021/11/17/podcast-ep-129-5-ways-digital-marketers-rip-off-business-owners-and-what-to-do-about-it-with-sean-rosensteel/) Tune in to B2B Zero to Ten Episode 122 with Sean Rosensteel: (https://bretttrainor.com/2021/09/29/podcast-ep-122-the-roi-of-building-hassle-free-websites-for-your-zero-to-ten-journey-with-sean-rosensteel/) Tune in to B2B Zero to Ten Episode 65 with Sean Rosensteel: (https://bretttrainor.com/2020/08/25/schools-in-session-intentional-living-is-the-key-to-real-success-with-author-sean-rosensteel/) Have a copy of Gino Wickman’s Traction: Get a Grip On Your Business (https://www.amazon.com/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business/dp/1936661837) Have a copy of Bo Burlingham’s Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big (https://www.amazon.com/Small-Giants-Companies-Instead-10th-Anniversary/dp/014310960X) Have a copy of Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork (https://www.amazon.com/Who-Not-How-Accelerating-Teamwork/dp/B08KYKR23H) Have a copy of Donald Miller’s Building a Story Brand (https://www.amazon.com/Building-StoryBrand-Clarify-Message-Customers/dp/0718033329) About Our Guest: Sean Rosensteel is the owner of Savvy Pro Web, a company helping business owners build hassle-free websites that generate a steady flow of qualified leads. Sean is also the founder of The Intentional Living Academy and the author of “The School of Intentional Living”, a book that provides insightful tips on achieving goals in the most efficient way. Connect with Sean Rosensteel: Website: https://www.seanrosensteel.com/ https://www.savvyproweb.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanrosensteel/ Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

Only 3% of your ideal prospects are in "Buy Now" mode, therefore it's critical for you to be there when they're ready to buy. After covering the concept and strategy of creating alignment, we now proceed with the 2nd framework, Connect which is critical to going from one-to-one to one-to-many sales. You can complete the other frameworks but you will not be as effective so if you have not done the alignment exercise yet, I highly advise you to do so before moving on. Tune in now to get better at creating awareness and providing value for your customers through this framework! Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

Starting and scaling a company is hard enough. Imagine having to do it with more than one. It does seem to require a lot of effort but Ryan Kugler made this seemingly insurmountable feat achievable after growing his three companies to 7 figures. What makes this stint more interesting is he only has five full-time employees to run the three businesses which are all in different industries Learn how Ryan did it and what his biggest takeaways were by tuning in now! We’ll talk about: Introduction [0:00] Ryan’s first company and his decision to start another one [02:32] The rationale behind Ryan’s small team for his “layered” company [04:43] How Ryan got started in the marketing industry [9:19] Opportunities that Ryan is looking into for his fourth business [11:39] Lessons that Ryan earned as he was growing his three companies [12:34] How Ryan allots time among his businesses in the new corporate setup [15:38] Expanding your company through delegation [18:22] Ryan’s tactic of hiring two people to do one job [23:07] Tips for starting entrepreneurs from Ryan [25:35] Are you the idea guy or the execution guy? [30:34] Ryan’s advice for businesses being held back by their owners’ capacity [32:11] Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) Ideal Content Website (https://idealcontent.com/) Plan B Distribution Website (https://aplanb.com/) A5 Events Website (https://a5events.com/) Grab a copy of “How to Plan, Produce & Distribute Your Independent Film” (http://ryankuglercom.wpengine.com/book/) “Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork” by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy (https://www.amazon.com/Who-Not-How-Accelerating-Teamwork-ebook/dp/B0867ZJ151) About Our Guest: Ryan Kugler is a multi-business owner with over 25+ years of knowledge & experience in Film Distribution and in the Wholesale/Retail Trade. Ryan is the President of A5 Events, president of Ideal Content, Executive Director of Say No To Drugs Race (Charity Run/Walk), and a past co-owner of DVA, Inc. Ryan also co-authored “How to Plan, Produce & Distribute Your Independent Film.” Connect with Ryan Kugler: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kugler-8653265/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ryanjkugler Website: http://ryankuglercom.wpengine.com/ A5 Events: [email protected] Ideal Content: [email protected] Plan B Distribution: [email protected] Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

In our second re-broadcasting for the holiday break, we have the episode with top-rated podcaster and author, Steve Glaveski, who shared where he came up with the idea for his book, “Time Rich: Do Your Best Work, Live Your Best Life.” Steve and I also discussed the necessity of establishing an entrepreneurial mindset in children, as well as how it extends to situations beyond business. Finally, we look back to pre-COVID working circumstances and analyze how businesses are dealing with the current difficulty of working from home. Let’s look back at this episode that teaches us to be more productive. Tune in now! We talked about: Steve’s professional experience [02:07] Teaching an entrepreneurial mindset to kids [05:49] The idea behind Time Rich [9:36] Flow state: Avoiding time and productivity waste [14:40] Tim O’Reilly’s business model for the new economy” [22:23] The power of the rule of two [29:36] Presence and significance of the Pareto’s principle [32:30] PCOATS roadmap [36:47] Steve’s take on nootropics use [42:26] Tips on increasing memory retention [44:26] Time to embrace asynchronous communication [46:37] What’s next for Steve [52:40] The one thing Steve recommends [55:33] Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download The Growth Readiness Checklist (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/ Steve Glaveski Website (https://www.steveglaveski.com/) Download the Time Rich’s first chapter and automaton guide (https://www.timerichbook.com/) Know more about nootropics and ergogenic health (https://www.instagram.com/ergogenic_health/) Time Rich: Do Your Best Work, Live Your Best Life (https://amzn.to/38NpJa4) The Top Five Regrets of the Dying (https://amzn.to/3lwnR97) Collective Campus Website (https://www.collectivecampus.io/) NoFilter Media Website (https://www.nofilter.media/) About Our Guest: An entrepreneur, author, and podcaster, Steve Glaveski is on a mission to untap the potential of people to lead more meaningful lives. He forwards this mission through his different ventures, such as the Collective Campus, an innovation accelerator; the Lemonade Stand, a children’s entrepreneurial program; and his podcast, Future Squared. In his latest book, he shares how being time rich is more valuable than living “comfortably miserable” lives. Connect with Steve Glaveski : LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveglaveski/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/steveglaveski Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

We're taking a short break over the holidays so I've chosen to re-air a couple of the most impactful episodes - impactful both from a business and a personal perspective. So today, we have the episode with Chris Walker of Refine Labs where we went over his company’s ways of helping B2B companies grow through marketing. Chris comes from a very unique background (engineering) which allows him to look at the full revenue ecosystem rather than breaking it down into silos. If you want your revenue acquisition process to rely on digital to create demand, Chris is the man to call. Join me as we look back to this very insightful episode! We talked about: 1. How an engineering background gave Chris the advantage in marketing [01:36] Losing his own money as a vital point in his experience [04:20] 2. The gap in the marketplace that Chris saw [06:00] Removing assumptions that are no longer true [07:53] 3. The benefit of working with a blank slate [08:54] 4. Barriers preventing companies from driving demand from digital [10:13] 5. Attribution is not marketing against sales [12:25] 6. Why you shouldn’t measure social channels the same way with Google [13:14] 7. The first step for founders is to know what they’re good at [20:12] 8. Adspend is a cost of doing business [22:28] 9. Why buyer intent is a critical factor to sales [24:32] 10. The major shifts in the buying process [25:22] 11. Customer success should be part of your product [29:35] 12. Through education, you create awareness [31:38] 13. You don’t really need salespeople [33:33] 14. Companies need a recurring revenue model driven by customer acquisition [35:37] 15. How COVID impacted sales and marketing [38:46] 16. The one thing Chris recommends [41:23] Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download The Growth Readiness Checklist (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) Refine Labs Website (https://www.refinelabs.com/) State of Demand Gen Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-demand-gen/id1511588213) About Our Guest: Chris Walker is the CEO at Refine Labs, a marketing consulting firm focused on growing B2B SaaS companies. Their Revenue Engine Optimization Formula combines revenue operations, growth marketing, and buyer enablement. If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast. Connect with Chris Walker: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-walker-41597028/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisWalker171 Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

In the last episode, I led you through the Zero to Ten growth approach, which is divided into four frameworks: ACES (Align- Connect- Enable- and Support). Today, I'll delve deeper into the first framework's essential components and consequences - alignment. Believe me, it’s much more difficult to market if your company and offerings are not aligned from the get-go, especially to those who do not know you. So hop into the episode now and rid your company of that trouble! Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) Have of a copy of Anthony Condouris’ book “run_frictionless” (https://runfrictionless.com/buy-run-frictionless/) Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.

The face is the mirror of the mind and this is why it is important for everyone, even for business owners, to have at least a bit of knowledge in reading facial expressions. So today, Emotions Expert Dan Hill gives us a mini-masterclass on the most important emotions to look out for and how you should interpret and properly react to them. This can be really powerful for you, especially in a digital-first zoom first world that we're in to better understand what the other side is actually thinking versus what they're saying. Tune in now to enable yourself to communicate better with the people around you! We’ll talk about: Introduction [00:00] The rationale behind Dan’s new book “Blah Blah Blah” [2:19] What Dan is working on today [5:22] The basics of facial coding [8:16] Why emotions are more powerful than the dollars [10:40] What you should look out for when facial coding as a business owner [12:23] Interpreting happiness in the business world [16:13] Dealing with different emotions you get out of a sales pitch [22:49] You as the embodiment of your own business [25:24] The dynamic between fear and anger and how to manage them properly [29:19] How to read contempt and the stakes it involves for your business [37:43] Sadness: Its indicators, upsides, and downsides in the business [45:02] Signs of stress among the people around you [48:03] Resource Links: Brett Trainor Website (https://bretttrainor.com/) Download Startup to Scaleup: A 4-Part Framework to Grow Your B2B Business to $10 Million (https://bretttrainor.com/resources/) Sensory Logic Website (https://www.sensorylogic.com/) “Famous Faces Decoded” by Dan Hill (https://www.sensorylogic.com/famous-faces) Have a copy of Dan’s book “Blah Blah Blah” (https://www.sensorylogic.com/blahblahblah) Have a copy of Dan’s book “Emotionomics” (https://www.sensorylogic.com/emotionomics) Check out Episode 56 with Dan Hill (https://bretttrainor.com/2020/06/24/utilizing-facial-coding-emotion-to-scale-your-startup-with-dan-hill/) About Our Guest: Dan Hill is a PhD holder, author, lecturer, and trainer who specializes in interpreting emotions and facial expressions. Dan founded Sensory Logic to help companies better understand the dynamic between the two currencies in life: dollars and emotions. He has appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Fox, CNN, and ESPN and has advised with over half of the world's top 100 corporations. The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times have both written about him. Connect with Dan Hill: Email: [email protected] Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmotionsWizard LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-hill-emotionswizard/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Emotionswizard/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emotionswizard/ Connect with me and learn more about growing your business: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretttrainor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCySoKsETeKxu-Fnf2VfE7Gg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrainorBrett Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brett_Trainor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bretttrainor/ If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast.