HubSpot Elite Partner Secrets: How We Reached the Top 1% | Belkins Podcast Episode #16

Only 1% of HubSpot's 6,500+ partners ever reach elite status. So what do the top 1% do differently?

Brendan Walsh built his agency into that exclusive group, but the path had its challenges. He went 7 months without paying himself during a cash crunch and learned when to say no to clients - and crucially, when it's too early to start saying no.

In this first-ever Belkins episode recorded LIVE, Michael and Brendan sit face to face to go through the hardest lessons, biggest mistakes, and key decisions that turned Mole Street into a successful consultancy.

They dig into what it really takes to build lasting partnerships - both in business and with co-founders - and the expensive lessons most founders learn the hard way.

What we cover:
🔹 HubSpot elite partnership requirements - What it takes to reach the top 1% and the benefits you get

🔹 Cash flow mistakes - Going 7 months without founder pay and when to listen to advisors

🔹 When to say no vs say yes - The business stage framework that prevents pipeline disasters

🔹 Executive search ROI - Why paying serious recruiting fees beats DIY hiring

🔹Strategic partnership tactics - How working from HubSpot's office built real business relationships

🔹14-year co-founder relationship - Values alignment and what makes business partnerships last

Brendan doesn't skip over what didn't work, and Michael asks the questions that get to how decisions actually get made.
If you're ready to hear how the top 1% actually think about growth, this conversation delivers.

About our guest:

Brendan Walsh is the Principal and Co-founder of Mole Street, an Elite HubSpot Solutions Partner that helps mid-market and enterprise organizations unify complex tech stacks on HubSpot.

About the Show:

What does it really take to grow a B2B business today? We ask the people doing it.

The Belkins Podcast dives deep into the strategies, decisions, and behind-the-scenes insights driving real growth at top B2B companies.

Each episode features candid conversations with industry heavyweights: CROs, CMOs, founders, and seasoned operators who've navigated market downturns, scaled teams, and mastered the realities of revenue growth.
You'll hear hard truths, unfiltered insights, and actionable tactics directly from leaders who've actually done the work.

Chapters

00:00- Intro: Brendan Walsh
02:48- How Do You Transform a Scattered Business into Focused Growth?
06:29- The Hardest Lesson - Learning to Say No for Growth
15:00- Why Copying Competitors Destroys Your Competitive Advantage
20:05- The $500K Founder Mistake ((Going 7 Months Without Pay)
25:24- Why Hiring Finance Advisors Was Our Best Decision
32:25- How to Scale from Lifestyle Business to $10M+ Company
36:24 - HubSpot Partnership Strategy: Elite Benefits and Tactics
52:03 - What Makes Co-Founder Partnerships Last 14+ Years?
01:03:30 - Why Successful Leaders Need Hobbies Outside Work
01:09:24- What Can Polo Teach You About Business Strategy?
01:13:45 - This or That: Polo vs Marketing

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About the Host:

Michael Maximoff is the Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Belkins, the #1 ranked B2B appointment-setting agency, recognized by Clutch, G2, and Inc.

Over the past decade, Michael has built Belkins into one of the most respected voices in B2B sales and marketing, helping over 1,000 companies across 50+ industries achieve predictable, scalable growth.

Known for his straightforward style, Michael hosts the Belkins Podcast to speak directly with top growth leaders and uncover what truly moves the needle today.

Let's stay connected:
👉 Brendan Walsh - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-walsh-940563a/
👉 Michael Maximoff - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-maximoff
👉 Michael’s newsletter “From Zero To Agency Hero” - https://www.fromzerotoagencyhero.com/
👉 Belkins - https://www.linkedin.com/company/belkins