Referrals won’t build your business. Rethinking how growth really works.

James Donovan says relying on word of mouth and referrals isn’t a strategy - it’s a gamble. Alyssa Nolte digs in with him on what it means to actually own your growth instead of hoping someone else sends it your way. Together they talk about why so many small business owners wear “I’ve never spent a dollar on marketing” like a badge of honor—and how that mindset keeps them stuck.

If you’ve ever felt proud of building on referrals or nervous to spend money on ads, this one will challenge how you think about growth and control.

You’ll learn:

Why referrals should be your backup plan, not your growth plan
How to choose the right marketing channel for your business (without wasting money)
What realistic results from paid ads actually look like

Stop Relying on Referrals: Take Control of Your Growth with James Donovan