Lean Marketing

What if repeat customers and referrals could grow your business faster than chasing new leads?In this episode, Alana Nicholls shares how she and her husband bootstrapped an electrical company from two vans to a $65 million national brand with 100+ staff—then stepped back and installed a CEO to run it without them. We dig into the early door-knocking hustle, the mindset shift from “doing it all” to delegating, and why culture beats skill when you’re building a management team.  Discover the exact playbook that made it possible: the 21-step "Experience the WOW" system that generates repeat business, the franchise-thinking approach that forced better systems, and the "one van, one child" purpose that became a movement. If you want a company that runs without you and matters beyond you, this is your blueprint.Key Takeaways:From Two Vans to Momentum: Door-Knocking and First Hires: One-on-one outreach created the first wave of customers, while early hires were selected for attitude over aptitude and trained to deliver consistently.Building Managers, Not Dependents: Promote doers into leaders with clear KPIs, simple SOPs, and weekly rhythms—then get out of their way so ownership (not permission) drives results.Systemizing “Experience the WOW”: Turn the 21-step service journey into checklists, role training, and feedback loops so every job feels the same—reliable, fast, and memorable.Brand Before Marketing: Lead with a sharp website and local SEO, then let branded vans act as rolling billboards—clear offers, clear visuals, and the same message everywhere.Purpose That Scales: Tie growth to impact so every new van equals a life changed; purpose rallies team, wins customers’ hearts, and makes referrals part of your mission.🎧 Listen or watch the episode to learn how to turn service into systems, systems into scale, and scale into lasting impact.Shareable Quotes:“The quickest, and I think the only way really to grow a business is the two R's: repeat business and referrals.” — Alana Nicholls“Generosity fuels growth. We know specifically that it fueled our growth from a startup to a $65 million brand.” — Alana Nicholls“It's one thing to have the extra van that's kind of supply, but businesses grow on demand.” — Allan Dib“Money just amplifies who you are, right? So if you're generous at a small scale, you'll be generous at a larger scale.” — Allan DibConnect with Alana Nicholls:Website: https://www.platinumelectricians.com.au/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-nicholls-95b14920b/?originalSubdomain=auInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/propurpose_/Connect with Lean Marketing:Website: https://leanmarketing.com/ Work With Us: https://leanmarketing.com/accelerator Books: https://leanmarketing.com/books Podcast: https://leanmarketing.com/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/successwise/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeanMarketingOfficial Free Resources: https://leanmarketing.com/learn

What if your biggest growth lever isn’t capital or creatives—but kindness, creativity, and simply showing up? In this episode, I talk with Brent Ridge, co-founder of Beekman 1802, about how a small goat farm became a national skincare brand. We cover the real stuff: starting with hand-wrapped soaps, cold-calling big stores, landing a 52,000-bar order with tiny margins, and getting the whole town to help pack. We dig into the TV retail break (QVC/HSN), launching in Ulta right as COVID hit, and simple, clever partnerships—like Jiffy Lube “spa” promos and a Schitt’s Creek collab—that got huge attention without huge spend. The big lesson: lead with kindness, help first, keep telling your story, and keep showing up.Key Takeaways:1. How We Started: From a country detour and goat milk to the first bar of soap.2. The First Big Wins (and Hard Lessons): Cold calls, Fifth Avenue interest, a 52,000-bar order—and tight margins.3. TV Retail That Moved the Needle: QVC/HSN storytelling (yes, baby goats) and what actually scaled.4. Low-Cost, High-Creativity Partnerships: $0 ideas, Jiffy Lube “facials,” and a Schitt’s Creek tie-in that helped the town.5. Kindness as a Business Strategy: Help first, negotiate by giving, and make values part of the product.🎧 Listen or watch the episode to see how simple actions—done consistently—can build a brand that lasts.Connect with Brent Ridge:Website: https://beekman1802.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-ridge-md-0641791/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekman1802skincareBook: https://www.amazon.com/G-T-Wisdom-Business-Founders/dp/1647829771Connect with Lean Marketing:Website: https://leanmarketing.com/ Work With Us: https://leanmarketing.com/accelerator Books: https://leanmarketing.com/books Podcast: https://leanmarketing.com/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/successwise/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeanMarketingOfficial Free Resources: https://leanmarketing.com/learn

What if the smartest move for your business right now isn’t to push harder—but to pull back with intent? In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur and author Chris Ducker to unpack what it takes to lead for decades, without burning out.. We talk about the season of life that inspired his latest book, The Long Haul Leader, why “more” isn’t always better, and how defining enough can unlock better decisions everywhere else. Chris shares his burnout story, the health habits that rebuilt his energy, and why doubling down on your zone of genius (while delegating the rest) raises the standard across your entire company. We also get real about legacy, family, and creative recovery—because a business that consumes you can’t be the one that sustains you. If you want results that last, this conversation will reset how you build, lead, and live.Key Takeaways:1. From Hustle to the Long Haul: Why it’s okay to take your foot off the gas—and the life season that inspired The Long Haul Leader.2. Redefining “Enough” and Setting Ambitious Guardrails: A frank discussion about targets, guilt, and setting a number that serves your life, not your ego.3. Health Before Scale: Chris’s burnout story, clinical recovery, and the biohacking habits that restored focus and drive.4. Zone of Genius & Delegation That Elevates the Standard: Doing what only you can do, hiring specialists, and making “acquire talent” a founder’s job.5. Legacy, Family, and Creative Recovery for Leaders: What legacy really means—and how nature, art, and hobbies make you a better leader.Listen or watch now to learn how I’m rethinking leadership with Chris Ducker—and how you can build a business (and life) that truly lasts.Connect with Chris Ducker:Website: https://chrisducker.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisducker/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chrisduckerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisducker/Books: longhaulleader.com/bookFree Business Burnout Guide: chrisducker.com/burnoutConnect with Lean Marketing:Website: https://leanmarketing.com/ Work With Us: https://leanmarketing.com/accelerator Books: https://leanmarketing.com/books Podcast: https://leanmarketing.com/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/successwise/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeanMarketingOfficial Free Resources: https://leanmarketing.com/learn

What if the real solution to your financial stress isn’t earning more—but spending with intention?In this episode, I chat with Mike Michalowicz, author of Profit First, about the behavioral traps that keep entrepreneurs financially stuck, even as their revenue grows. Mike shares how understanding your financial season can transform how you make decisions, and why traditional budgeting doesn’t work for most founders. We dive deep into a refreshingly simple habit: creating separate bank accounts to gain visibility, control, and discipline over your money. This isn’t about spreadsheets or financial gurus—it’s about rewiring how you interact with cash. If you've ever felt overwhelmed or unsure where your money goes, this episode will show you how to take control, without needing to become a finance expert.Tune in now to learn the exact habits that help business owners get ahead, without earning a cent more.Key Takeaways:1. Recognizing Your Financial Season: Mike explains the four financial seasons and how knowing where you are shapes every money decision.2. The Truth About Parkinson’s Law and Cash Flow: We discuss why your expenses rise with your income—and how to stop it before it’s too late.3. Control Through Separation: The Power of Multiple Accounts: Learn the simple system of creating specific bank accounts to control spending and direct money intentionally.4. Building Habits Over Hustle: Why the path to financial clarity isn’t about working harder—it’s about setting up the right behaviors in your banking.5. Taking the Emotion Out of Money Decisions: Mike shares how to stop managing money with feelings and start making decisions with structure.Connect with Mike Michalowicz:Website: https://mikemichalowicz.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemichalowicz/YouTube:www.youtube.com/@MikeMichalowiczOfficialInstagram: instagram.com/mikemichalowiczBooks: https://mikemichalowicz.com/books/Connect with Lean Marketing:Website: https://leanmarketing.com/ Programs: https://leanmarketing.com/accelerator Books: https://leanmarketing.com/books Podcast: https://leanmarketing.com/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/successwise/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeanMarketingOfficial Free Resources: https://leanmarketing.com/learn

In this episode, Allan Dib sits down with David Jenyns, author of SYSTEMology & Systems Champion, to unpack why most business owners are the biggest bottlenecks in their own companies. David explains how to shift from being the technician to becoming a systems-driven leader, without losing control. From simple frameworks to document your processes to empowering your team without micromanaging, this episode reveals how creating systems isn’t about complexity—it’s about freedom. If you’re tired of being stuck in the weeds and want your business to run (and grow) without you, this is your roadmap to finally step out and scale up.Key Takeaways:1. Letting Go Starts with One Hire: David introduces the critical role of a “Systems Champion”—the team member responsible for documenting and driving operational systems so the founder doesn’t have to.2. Freeing the Founder from the Day-to-Day: Learn how business owners can step out of the weeds by delegating systems ownership without losing control or quality.3. From Hustle to Process: Discover why systemizing isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistency, simplicity, and empowering others to carry the process forward.4. The SYSTEMology Framework in Action: David shares how his 7-step methodology helps any business create processes that scale, even without the founder being involved.5. Creating a Business That Works Without You: The ultimate goal of a Systems Champion is to build a company that’s not dependent on you, making it more scalable, valuable, and sellable.Shareable Quotes:“You, as the business owner, need to make the decision that you no longer want to be the bottleneck.” — David Jenyns“You want to document the 20% of the tasks that deliver 80% of the value.” — David Jenyns“Every business has systems, whether you’ve documented them or not.” — David Jenyns“We need to figure out a way that the business can work without me.” — Allan Dib“We started to document the processes that we were doing regularly.” — Allan DibConnect with Dave Jenyns:Website: https://www.systemology.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-jenyns/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/systemHUBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidjenyns/Systems Champion: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0648871045?tag=system0b5-20 SYSTEMology: https://www.systemology.com/book/Connect with Lean Marketing:Website: https://leanmarketing.com/Programs: https://leanmarketing.com/acceleratorBooks: https://leanmarketing.com/booksPodcast: https://leanmarketing.com/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/successwise/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeanMarketingOfficialFree Resources: https://leanmarketing.com/learn

What if marketing success isn’t about doing more—but about doing the right things better?We gathered the top-performing episodes of the Lean Marketing Podcast and handpicked the most valuable insights from four experts who’ve actually scaled businesses: Carl Taylor, Jack Delosa, Nick Bradley, and Daniel Throssell. In this rapid-fire highlight episode, you’ll hear honest, tactical answers to the marketing questions most small business owners struggle with—from creating messaging that sticks, to knowing when and how to prepare for a high-value exit. You’ll discover how to turn AI into a strategic advantage, avoid the common pitfalls that stall growth, and build a brand that buyers will pay a premium for. If you're tired of fluffy theory and ready for marketing that drives real-world results, this episode delivers a masterclass in clarity and execution.Key Takeaways:1. How to Create Marketing That Actually Works: Allan Dib breaks down why most marketing fails and how to build value-first campaigns that connect and convert.2. AI vs Authenticity: What the Pros Really Think: Daniel Throssell and Carl Taylor weigh in on using AI for copywriting and content—and where it still falls short.3. Automation for Real Growth: Carl Taylor shares a new definition of automation and how even small tweaks can dramatically speed up your workflow.4. Scaling Through Simplicity and Strategic Focus: Jack Delosa dives deep into constraint-based growth, pricing psychology, and why doing less can mean making more.5. Building a Sellable Business (Even If You’re Not Selling Yet): Nick Bradley outlines the key factors that increase valuation—from financials to brand positioning and leadership structure.Listen now to get expert answers to the biggest marketing challenges holding your business back.Connect with the experts:Carl Taylor: carltaylor.com.auJack Delosa: https://jackdelosa.com/Nick Bradley: http://highvalueexit.com/Daniel Throssell:https://persuasivepage.com/ Connect with Lean Marketing:Website: https://leanmarketing.com/ Programs: https://leanmarketing.com/accelerator Books: https://leanmarketing.com/books Podcast: https://leanmarketing.com/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/successwise/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeanMarketingOfficial Free Resources: https://leanmarketing.com/learn

What if your next big growth breakthrough didn’t come from more ads, but from simply showing up on the right podcasts?In this episode, I sat down with strategic growth advisor Dustin Riechmann to talk about how small business owners can use podcast guesting to unlock targeted traffic, build authority, and create powerful partnerships. Dustin shares how he built a 7-figure brand through podcast interviews alone—no complicated funnels, no paid media. We dive into his "connection system," how to pitch with impact, and why trust is the ultimate growth engine. If you're looking for a lean, proven strategy to scale your business through authentic conversations, this episode is your blueprint.Key Takeaways:1. The Power of Partnership-Driven Growth: Dustin shares how he scaled a business with no ads—just strategic collaborations and relationship equity.2. From Engineer to Entrepreneur: The Art of Systems Thinking: Learn how his engineering background shaped his simple yet scalable marketing frameworks.3. Building a “Connection System” That Converts: Discover the referral-based strategy Dustin uses to create consistent, high-quality leads.4. Why Simple Funnels Outperform Complex Campaigns: We unpack how clarity, focus, and speed to value beat bloated automation every time.5. Playing the Long Game with Purpose and Patience: Dustin shares the mindset shifts behind sustainable growth—and how to show up even when results take time.Connect with Dustin Riechmann:Website: https://7figureleap.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinriechmann/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@7FigureLeapPodcastProfitable Podcast Guesting Playbook: 7figureleap.com/startConnect with Lean Marketing:Website: https://leanmarketing.com/ Programs: https://leanmarketing.com/accelerator Books: https://leanmarketing.com/books Podcast: https://leanmarketing.com/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/successwise/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeanMarketingOfficial Free Resources: https://leanmarketing.com/learnLinks Mentioned:ScoreApp: https://signup.scoreapp.com/allandibGet More Leads. Get Better Clients with Daniel Priestley & Allan Dib: https://hub.leanmarketing.com/c/latest-trainings/get-more-leads-get-better-clients

In this engaging conversation, Melina Palmer, a behavioral economics expert and bestselling author, reveals the hidden dynamics of consumer behavior. She explains that pricing is more about perception than numbers. Melina discusses how concepts like scarcity and exclusivity can elevate a product's appeal, making consumers feel better about spending more. Key insights on B2B sales and avoiding common pricing mistakes provide actionable strategies for businesses. She emphasizes the importance of trust and personal branding in enhancing employee motivation and client loyalty.

What if your obsession with learning is actually stopping you from succeeding? In this intriguing solo episode, Allan Dib reviews Pat Flynn’s book Lean Learning and challenges the widely held belief that more information equals more progress. Drawing from his own experiences with inspiration paralysis and course overload, Allan dives into the power of learning just enough to take immediate action. You'll discover why sharing your goals might kill your momentum, how voluntary force functions can fuel real results, and the hidden danger of overplanning. This isn’t just a book review—it’s a wake-up call to cut the fluff, take action, and finally turn your inspiration into execution.Key Takeaways:1. Why the Fear of Failure Is Illogical: Allan unpacks the “spotlight effect” and why people are too self-absorbed to notice your failures.2. When Inspiration Hits—but Action Stalls: From course buying sprees to endless research loops, Allan shares the procrastination traps most learners fall into.3. What Lean Really Means—and Why It Matters: Explore the roots of lean thinking and how it applies beyond startups to self-education and marketing.4. Voluntary Force Functions: The Secret to Finishing Big Projects: How Allan used self-imposed pressure to finally write The 1-Page Marketing Plan—and how you can apply the same method.5. From Learner to Leader: Teaching as the Final Frontier: Learn why teaching cements mastery, and how sharing your journey can build both skill and community.Connect with Lean Marketing:Website: https://leanmarketing.com/ Programs: https://leanmarketing.com/accelerator Books: https://leanmarketing.com/books Podcast: https://leanmarketing.com/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/successwise/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeanMarketingOfficial Free Resources: https://leanmarketing.com/learn

Is your communication style scaling your business—or silently holding it back?In this deep-dive conversation, communication coach Arabella Macpherson joins Allan Dib to expose the invisible forces shaping how you lead, sell, and connect. From boardroom pitch strategies to mastering tone and language under pressure, Arabella unpacks the science of influence, presence, and verbal authority. You’ll learn why communication is often the missing piece in leadership development, how to regulate your nervous system mid-conversation, and why the best leaders don’t just deliver messages—they land them. If you want to lead with clarity, sell with confidence, and inspire action, this episode delivers the communication reset you didn’t know you needed.Key Takeaways:1. What Great Communicators Actually Do: Arabella explains why sharing more facts rarely leads to better outcomes—and how influence is built through clarity and control.2. The Nervous System’s Role in Communication: Learn how emotional regulation shapes your tone, presence, and ability to lead under pressure.3. Common Communication Traps (and How to Avoid Them): From apologetic language to filler words, discover the unconscious habits that dilute your authority and message.4. The Power of Voice, Silence, and Story: Arabella breaks down advanced techniques to create connection, hold attention, and build authority through vocal variation and story arcs.5. Coaching CEOs to Communicate Like Leaders: Real-world strategies Arabella uses with high-level executives to turn passive delivery into confident, compelling leadership.Connect with Arabella Macpherson:Website: https://resonatecomms.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arabellamacphersonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arabella_communication_guru/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdE1LdvxtxHmoNBr05vpXVAConnect with Lean Marketing:Website: https://leanmarketing.com/ Programs: https://leanmarketing.com/accelerator Books: https://leanmarketing.com/books Podcast: https://leanmarketing.com/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/successwise/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeanMarketingOfficial Free Resources: https://leanmarketing.com/learn