We Do The Work

Back in 2015, I read Traction by Gino Wickman—and it changed everything. Since then, I’ve used the Vision Traction Organizer (V/TO) to scale multiple businesses with clarity, alignment, and momentum.In this episode of We Do The Work, I walk you through the 2-page document every entrepreneur needs. You’ll learn:✅ The 8 core sections of the V/TO✅ How to get your vision out of your head and into your team's hands✅ Why most businesses stay stuck (and how to fix it fast)✅ How we use the V/TO to align goals, simplify decision-making, and speed up executionIf you want to turn chaos into clarity and confusion into traction, this is the episode to watch.💡 Want the free V/TO tool? DM me on Instagram @crisleerodriguez🔗 Listen to the podcast: https://podcast.growproagency.com🎥 Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@crisleerodriguez

Running a martial arts school—or any business—isn’t just about sales and service. It’s about protection. In this powerful episode of We Do the Work, we dive into six essential roles every business owner needs on their “Dream Team” before chaos hits.I share raw and real stories from 2017, when an IRS audit, a lawsuit, and a DCF investigation all hit back-to-back. The lesson? The worst time to find help is during a fire.You’ll learn:✅ Why an insurance broker who knows your industry is non-negotiable✅ How a proactive accountant can save you more than money✅ The role of mentors, HR consultants, lawyers, and even bankers in your long-term stability✅ Actionable steps to start building your Dream Team todayWhether you're growing a martial arts school or scaling another kind of business, this episode is your reminder that real success lies in preparation, not reaction.🛡️ Do the work now—so your future self can thank you later.

If you only watch ONE video this month as a martial arts school owner – make sure it’s THIS one.We go ALL IN on how to run a tech-driven school and the essential tools, systems, and strategies you need to streamline operations, boost efficiency, and buy back your time.The reality is – the martial arts business isn’t what it was 20 years ago.It’s faster. It’s more competitive. And if you’re not evolving, you’re falling behind.Most school owners are overwhelmed trying to keep up with all the software, platforms, and AI tools out there. But in this episode, we break it all down into real, practical, no-fluff advice.We answer the BIG question:“What tools and systems should SMART school owners be using to grow faster and work less?”Inside the episode:✅ The time tax you're paying by doing things manually✅ The tech stack every modern school needs✅ Must-use CRM automations that follow up so you don't have to✅ Why your website is probably costing you leads✅ How to boost Google rankings (and get 3x more calls)✅ Simple tools to improve team communication & organization✅ And why ChatGPT should be part of your daily workflow (yes, really)Whether you’re already using tech… or still running your school with a spiral notebook, this episode will help you take the next step – without the overwhelm.👉 If you want more time, more students, and more profit — this is a MUST-WATCH.

If you only listen to 1 podcast in the next 30 days - make sure it’s THIS one. Cris Rodriguez and Max Hein go ALL IN and deep on The Present and Future of AI in the Martial Arts Industry. And we answer the important question of: “How should SMART school owners leverage AI to grow and streamline their schools?”The reality is - AI isn’t coming - it’s already here. And some industries are being completely transformed overnight.But most martial arts school owners are just starting to scratch the surface of what AI can do. The big question is: How can YOU use AI to make running your school easier, more profitable, and more impactful….WITHOUT losing the personal touch that makes your school special?This is a no-fluff podcast where we share real, practical ways AI is shaping the future of martial arts businesses RIGHT NOW and where it’s headed next. Whether you’re a tech-savvy school owner or someone who still writes everything with pen and paper, this episode will break things down in a way that makes sense - so you can take action immediately.This isn’t just another “AI is the future” talk - this is a roadmap to help martial arts school owners use AI to gain an edge NOW.👉 If you want to stay ahead of the competition, make better business decisions, and free up more time for what truly matters, this episode is a MUST-WATCH.

In this episode of We Do The Work, Cris Rodriguez sits down with Alex Schlinsky, founder of Prospecting On Demand™, agency coach, and sales mastery expert, to dive deep into the art of sales and the philosophy of building a business without burnout.Alex shares his journey from being a journalist for the UFC and Miami Dolphins to coaching over 400 entrepreneurs to six and seven figures. We break down the top three mistakes people make on sales calls - and how to fix them - along with Alex’s insights on the future of digital marketing.We also explore his Anti-Hustler’s Guide, the dangers of hustle culture, and what it really takes to scale a business while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Plus, Alex shares personal lessons on working with his wife, coaching entrepreneurs, and his vision for the future of Prospecting On Demand™.If you want to close more deals, scale smart, and ditch the toxic grind culture, this episode is for you. Tune in and let’s get to work!

In this episode, we’re exploring a concept that completely changed the trajectory of my business. When my wife and I stepped out of daily operations of our school to focus on growing the business, I needed a way to ensure our team could deliver the same care and empathy we did. That’s when I created a framework to view our business through the eyes of our customers.We’ll break down the six key stages every customer goes through:Awareness, Consideration, Purchase, Onboarding, Retention, and Advocacy.And most importantly - how to create meaningful moments of impact at each step.By improving your customer experience, you can attract more students, retain them longer, and turn them into your biggest advocates. Tune in to learn how to create a journey your customers will never forget!

"Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning." – Bill GatesIn this episode, we're diving into the often-overlooked, yet critical side of business: customer retention. While everyone loves talking about sales, marketing, and flashy offers, which is the chocolate of business, today, we’re digging into the broccoli: keeping your customers and boosting retention.We’ll explore how to implement a Customer Health Index (CHI) Score, a strategy inspired by Silicon Valley, to measure where your customers stand. From understanding what keeps your best clients loyal to identifying what causes cancellations, CHI Scores give you a clear framework to boost engagement, drive retention, and ultimately grow your bottom line.Retention is where real, sustainable growth happens. If you’re ready to stop losing clients and start building long-term relationships, this episode is for you.

In this episode of We Do The Work, we dive into one of the most important decisions every business owner faces: How much should you spend on marketing? Whether you’re in a maintenance phase or ready for growth, understanding where to spend your time, energy, effort, and money can make or break your strategy.Join us as we cover:📈 Determining Your Marketing Phase: Are you in maintenance or growth mode?💰 Spending Benchmarks: Why the SBA recommends allocating 8%-10% of your revenue to marketing.🚀 Adapting to 2024 Costs: Marketing isn’t what it was in 2019—learn why $500/month is no longer enough.🔍 Reverse Engineering Your Budget: From CPL (Cost Per Lead) to LTV (Lifetime Value), we break down the metrics that matter.🗓️ Seasonality Insights: How to adjust your spend during slow or peak times in your industry.🎯 Making Magic with Ads: The ideal daily budget for Facebook and Google Ads to generate real results.This episode will help you create a data-driven marketing budget that drives measurable outcomes. You’ll also learn how to navigate seasonality, track attribution, and ensure your efforts align with your goals.💡 Pro Tip: The cost of marketing has risen, but so has the opportunity. Smart spending today can lead to exponential growth tomorrow!🔗 Tune in now and take the guesswork out of your marketing budget!

“Facebook Ads don’t work.” “Leads are low quality.” “It’s a waste of money.”If you’ve ever thought this, you’re not alone - but I’m here to tell you that it’s 100% not true. In fact, I’ve built a $4 million per year company using Facebook Ads as our top paid marketing strategy. The secret? Having a solid strategy in place.In this episode of We Do The Work, I break down my 7-Step Facebook Ads Strategy that has proven to drive real results. Whether you’re just starting or looking to optimize your ad campaigns, this episode is packed with actionable tips to get your Facebook Ads working for you.If you’re tired of wasting time and money on ads that don’t convert, this episode is for you. Tune in to discover the exact strategy that separates businesses from their competitors and creates sustainable growth.🎧 Listen now and start making Facebook Ads work for your business!

Simple Scales, Fancy Fails.In this episode of We Do The Work, we’re taking a deep dive into the power of mastering the fundamentals in your business. If you want to scale successfully and confidently answer why a prospect should choose you over any competitor, this episode is for you.What We’ll Cover:• Key Frustrations: The common struggles I see when working with business owners, including a lack of focus, feast-or-famine sales cycles, and missing or inconsistent systems.The 4 Steps to Master the Basics:• The Foundations Audit: Evaluate 10 essential business elements to identify gaps that need to become your quarterly ROCKS.• Clear on Activities that DRIVE RESULTS: Where to focus your marketing and sales energy to maximize your impact.• Set Yourself Up for Success: Practical strategies like theming your days and protecting your focus hours to ensure execution.• Calendarize Your Efforts: A detailed framework to integrate lead generation activities into your daily, weekly, and monthly routine.Let's get savagely good at the fundamentals.

MIT did a study to try and figure out if there was a correlation of communication and success on business teams.They gave 30 businesses badges to wear and tracked all communication. What they found was that Communication in itself was a greater predictor of success than individual intelligence OR skill level of the team.Which means, you don’t have to be the smartest, or the most talented, but if you are great at communication, you have a great advantage to being successful.I think this is something we should all get excited about. The only issue is that for most of us, the public education system and even college didn’t provide much training on how to communicate. Which is why if you want your team to win you have to teach them! In this episode of We Do the Work I unpack my Clearing Model. A 4 Step Model to help you and your team navigate through difficult conversations. This has been a game-changer for our company and for our personal lives. We ALL have conversations that are lingering that we often don’t want to have because they are “difficult.”Most of us need to do a better job on closing the gap from when we know we need to have a conversation with someone and when we actually do it. And more often then not once we have that conversation, we feel lighter and the relationship with the person gets stronger. Take 5 minutes and give this a listen - I guarantee you will walk away with a game plan on how to get the elephant out of the room, clear the air, and move forward.

In this episode of We Do The Work, we explore the biggest mistakes that martial arts school owners often make - and how to sidestep them for long-term success. Joined by martial arts business expert Matthew Brenner, we dive into the "10 Cardinal Sins" that can undermine a school’s growth, from leadership and financial missteps to challenges with student engagement and retention. Matthew shares actionable insights to help owners build thriving, impactful schools that stand the test of time. Tune in to learn the strategies that can set your school apart!

Ever wonder how to build a team of A Players? The secret is in the 5 C’s we use at Grow Pro to scale our team and our company to new ceilings! In this episode, I break down:✅ Character – Non-negotiable values✅ Competency – Skills to thrive and grow✅ Commitment – Long-term dedication✅ Chemistry – The right vibe with the team✅ Culture – Our secret sauce for successWhether you're looking to grow your team or sharpen your hiring process, this is the blueprint for success. Don’t miss it! 🎧

Meetings are truly the heartbeat of your team, but are you using them effectively? In this episode, I break down the six essential meetings every company needs to boost productivity and foster a positive culture.💡 You’ll learn about:• Annual Meetings• Quarterly Meetings• Weekly Level 10 Meetings• Weekly All Hands on Deck• Sync Meetings• Daily HuddlesI also share tips on how to ensure your meetings are purposeful, well-prepared, and productive. Say goodbye to unproductive meetings and hello to clarity and collaboration!🎧 Tune in now and discover how to transform your meeting culture! Don't forget to like and subscribe for more insights on building a successful team!

In my latest episode, "How to Develop Your Team Career Track," I take a deep dive into the heart of team member development and the key to building long-term advocates for your business.✔️ Learn what employees really want ✔️ Discover the power of a Vivid Vision ✔️ Unpack the 6 stages of the employee journey ✔️ Explore Moments of Impact that make a differenceThis is a game-changer for leaders ready to build an unstoppable team!

Are you hitting a growth ceiling in your business? In this episode of We Do The Work, I reveal the Growth Ceiling Calculator, a powerful tool that shows you EXACTLY when your company will hit its revenue limit. 💸We dive deep into the importance of retention, how just a 1% improvement can add thousands to your bottom line, and how to calculate your revenue ceiling.🔑 MATH IS THE PATH to more revenue, happier customers, and a stronger business!🎧 Listen now and take your business to the next level!

The CEO or Chief Executive Officer of a company is the highest ranking person and who is typically responsible for expanding the company, making major corporate decisions, managing the overall operations and resources of a company, and driving profitability. But HOW do you do that?When I think of CEO I think of someone who has • Clarity - having an inspiring Vision• Executing - massive, consistent, action• Optimization - constant want to evolveAnd there are 7 Essential Responsibilities that a CEO has to take on and shouldn’t delegate. I learned this from Keith Cunningham and I’ve lived it in my current role as CEO. You know, the magic is often in the work we are avoiding. And we are either choosing to avoid it - or we don’t know what it is. If it’s the latter, check out my next We Do The Work Episode

Are you making these common marketing mistakes? In this episode of We Do The Work, I cover The 5 Biggest Marketing Mistakes to Avoid so you can attract more customers, boost your revenue, and make a bigger impact. 🎯From not casting enough lines to skipping consistent follow-up, these mistakes could be holding your business back.🎧 Listen now and learn how to avoid these pitfalls to level up your marketing strategy!

Looking to boost company morale and build momentum? In this episode of We Do The Work, I share The Secret to Boosting Company Morale and Building Momentum with one simple weekly meeting—our All Hands on Deck.This 60 minute Friday meeting focuses on Celebrations, Culture, and Coaching and can completely transform your company culture.🎧 Listen now to learn how to implement this meeting and see the difference it makes in your team's energy and productivity!

Want to avoid the pitfalls of entrepreneurship? In this episode of We Do The Work, I share The Top 5 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read If They Don’t Want to Fail 📚These 5 books have been game-changers for my entrepreneurial journey, helping me scale to a multi-seven-figure business. If you’re serious about success, you NEED to read these!🎧 Tune in and discover which books will transform your business and mindset!