Beyond A Million

She didn’t have a plan. No investors. Not even a laptop. At 25, Sava Lelcaj had 60 days to figure out her next move after losing the lease on her 10-table café. Most people would’ve played it safe. She didn’t. Instead, she convinced investors, who’d just lost money on the space, to hand her the keys to a 300-seat restaurant. And somehow, it worked. Today, Sava runs a $25M hospitality group with multiple restaurants, guest houses, and a farm. In this episode, she talks us through what it actually looked like to scale with no roadmap, why being underestimated helped her win, and what she’s learned about leadership, mostly the hard way.  Sava didn’t have capital, experience, or a plan. She succeeded through sheer grit and determination alone. Wanna do the same?  Tune in and learn from the best of the best!  — This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark.  — Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 02:51 The intersection of AI and hospitality  07:17 Sava’s experience with being a female entrepreneur  12:41 There are no bad decisions  19:30 Sava’s sheer will and determination  26:48 From a tiny cafe to a huge restaurant  32:04 Holding on or letting go?  37:43 Leasing vs. buying real estate  41:02 Becoming a good leader 47:38 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 53:47 Outro — Additional Resources: 🔹 The Pulpo Group: https://www.thepulpogroup.com/  — ➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/ ➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8 ➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 — Let's Connect: 🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil 🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert 🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787 --  Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work.  If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU! Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building. Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

In this clip, Cole Gordon breaks down why so many entrepreneurs struggle to hire top-tier sales reps – no matter how many interviews they run or how flashy their job posts are.  Most think they have a hiring problem… but what they really have is an offer problem.  If the right candidates aren’t saying yes – or aren’t even showing up – it’s probably because the opportunity doesn’t match what elite reps are actually looking for. If you’re stuck cycling through underwhelming hires, you can’t miss this one. Tune in! Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Cole: https://youtu.be/Rk-D-3DnSVA   

What could a Swiss Army officer possibly teach you about building and selling companies worth hundreds of millions? Turns out – everything. Today’s guest, Sam Goodner, took the discipline and precision he learned in the Swiss Army and applied it to entrepreneurship.  He founded Catapult Systems, scaled it through two major recessions, and eventually sold it after 20 years. Later, he helped take Flash Parking from a stuck $3M startup to $100M in revenue and a billion-dollar valuation. Now a mentor at Capital Factory and author of Like Clockwork: Run Your Business with Swiss Army Precision, Sam distills 30 years of lessons into practical principles that help entrepreneurs scale businesses that thrive without them. In this episode, Sam shares why scaling always begins with a sales playbook, how “cloud conversion therapy” won over 100% of skeptical customers, and why annual contingency planning can make your company recession-proof. He also breaks down what it really takes to prepare for a sale years in advance and how unforgettable first-day employee experiences can shape culture for decades. If you’re ready to scale with Swiss Army precision and build a company that runs without you, tune in now.  — This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark.  — Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 00:02:03 Running a business like clockwork in practice 00:17:00 Curated client experiences turned skeptics into loyal customers 00:25:33 Starting Catapult Systems 00:28:54 Recession-proofing strategies 00:33:49 Separate teams allow multiple ventures under one umbrella 00:38:54 Selling businesses: Define your number and prepare years before exit 00:43:07 Strong EBITDA and audited records maximize company valuation 00:48:17 Choosing investment bankers 00:53:45 “Like Clockwork: Run Your Business With Swiss Army Precision” 00:59:54 First-day experiences build culture and long-term loyalty 01:01:35 Advice to young entrepreneurs 01:05:09 Wrapup — Additional Resources: 🔹 Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samgoodner 🔹 Sam on X: https://x.com/goodner  🔹 Sam’s book: https://samgoodner.com/ — ➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/ ➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8 ➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 — Let's Connect: 🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil 🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert 🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787 --  Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work.  If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU! Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building. Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

In this clip from Episode 191 of Beyond A Million, Mike Koenigs shares the story behind his most effective marketing campaign ever, the “$1,000 Cup of Coffee.” What started as a way to qualify serious prospects quickly turned into a high-converting sales system that helped him bring in multiple six figures in just weeks. If you’ve ever struggled with long sales cycles or unqualified leads, this is a masterclass in turning conversations into high-value clients. Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Mike: https://podfollow.com/beyond-a-million

Have you ever thought saving a dying business might be a fun challenge—or even a legacy move? Randy Cohen did. After building TicketCity into a $100M+ company from just $1,200, he figured reviving Z’Tejas (a beloved Tex-Mex chain in Austin) would be a way to give back and preserve something special. It wasn’t. In this episode, Randy opens up about what really happened when he bought the restaurant chain out of bankruptcy and tried to turn it around. Spoiler: it didn’t work. And the reasons why are something every entrepreneur needs to hear. Randy and I also talk about: What it means to be an owner vs. an operator How ego can wreck even the best intentions Why culture doesn't stick unless you're showing up every single day How COVID became the final gut punch that forced Randy to shut it all down  What it emotionally takes to walk away … and so much more! This one’s raw, real, and loaded with hard-earned wisdom—especially if you’ve ever held on to a business too long or felt the weight of trying to keep it all together. Tune in now.  — This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark.  — Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 01:40 Why open a restaurant? 08:49 Let’s talk culture 14:36 Investing in a bankrupt business 29:42 When it’s time to sell 34:13 What it emotionally takes to walk away 39:06 The price of not running your own business 47:25 What’s next for Randy? 51:06 The Gathering of Titans 56:03 Advice for entrepreneurs starting out — Additional Resources: 🔹 Randy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randyscottcohen/  — ➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/ ➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8 ➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 — Let's Connect: 🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil 🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert 🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787 --  Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work.  If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU! Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building. Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

In this clip from Episode 187 of Beyond A Million, Chandler Bolt shares the 6-figure mistake that nearly cost him his business—and the lesson every founder needs to hear. From partnering out of insecurity to hiring undervalued talent, Chandler unpacks how these early missteps shaped his thinking on leadership, culture, and building an A-player team. If you're scaling and struggling with who to hire (and how much to pay them), this one’s a must-watch. Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Chandler: https://podfollow.com/beyond-a-million    

Is all that content you're putting out actually doing anything or just adding to the noise? Mike Koenigs has been creating content that converts longer than most of us have been online. He’s a five-time founder with multiple exits, 19 books (including a WSJ bestseller), and decades of helping entrepreneurs turn attention into revenue. And in this conversation, he breaks down why the old rules of content no longer apply. We talk about the trap so many creators fall into (chasing likes, followers, and attention for attention’s sake) and why that strategy is dead in the water if there’s no conversion on the other side. Mike shares how to stand out in a sea of AI-generated noise, why founder-led brands are the most defensible asset in any business, and how to make sure your content actually drives revenue.  He also walks you through his brilliant “$1,000 Cup of Coffee” method for qualifying high-ticket clients and the simple six-part framework he uses to reinvent founders and their brands. If you’re feeling stuck in the content hamster wheel (or just want a smarter way to grow) then this episode will show you how to create stuff that actually moves the needle. Tune in now and get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about content.  — This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark.  — Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 02:26 What you’re missing when creating content 05:19 Content marketing then and now 08:31 Let’s talk about AI-produced content 22:40 The six Ms 39:21 The importance of accepting (and celebrating) your past 42:40 The $1,000 cup of coffee 51:04 “If you could spend 95% of your time doing one thing, what would it be?” 58:18 Why you need your own equivalent of a TED Talk — Additional Resources: 🔹 Mike on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikekoenigs/  — ➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/ ➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8 ➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 — Let's Connect: 🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil 🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert 🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787 --  Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work.  If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU! Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building. Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

Mindset coach Rob Dial dives into the crucial difference between stress and pressure, enlightening high achievers on how this distinction can transform their performance. He highlights that pressure can be harnessed positively, while stress can lead to burnout. Rob shares his 'three key decisions per day' rule for increased productivity and a clearer mindset, advocating for a proactive approach to challenges. His insights promise to help listeners optimize their output without sacrificing their well-being.

What if all the new marketing tools you’re chasing are actually slowing your growth? Today’s guest, Allan Dib, bestselling author of The 1-Page Marketing Plan (over 1 million copies sold) and Lean Marketing, reveals why entrepreneurs waste time on shiny objects instead of mastering the fundamentals. Allan’s helped thousands of businesses strip away complexity, focus on what actually works, and build marketing machines that run without constant founder involvement. In this episode, you’ll hear why personal brand is becoming the most defensible advantage in any industry, how to spot and plug “leaks” in your customer journey before pouring money into ads, and why subtracting is often the fastest path to growth. You’ll also learn the two questions that determine whether a new tool is worth using, and the simple “dead man switch” system Allan uses to ensure consistent output even when he’s off the grid. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by marketing options or stuck on the hamster wheel of content creation, this conversation will help you simplify, amplify, and finally get the leverage you’ve been chasing. Listen in and learn how to do less, but far better.  — This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark.  — Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 01:08 Biggest marketing mistakes in 2025 03:26 Authenticity in content creation and personal branding  07:14 The democratization of content creation  10:30 Lead generation vs. conversion optimization  16:15 The most underrated asset for entrepreneurs in 2025  19:19 Doing fewer things better 26:45 Lean marketing and organization  30:48 Frequency vs. quality  34:02 The importance of systems and processes 41:14 The role of AI in copywriting  46:01 Focusing on the fundamentals vs. new concepts  50:08 Allan’s winning routines 53:36 Allan’s advice to his younger self 56:14 Outro  — Additional Resources: 🔹 Allan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allandib/?hl=en  🔹 Lean Marketing Website: https://leanmarketing.com/  🔹 Lean Marketing Book: https://leanmarketing.com/   ➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/ ➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8 ➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1   Let's Connect: 🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil 🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert 🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787 --  Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work.  If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU! Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building. Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

In this clip from Episode 189 of Beyond A Million, Michael Erath, founder of Next Level Growth and mastermind behind the Five Obsessions framework, tells the story of how his $45M business came crashing down after discovering that his best friend and business partner had been committing fraud and embezzling funds—right as the 2008 financial crisis hit. What followed was a brutal 18-month battle to avoid bankruptcy, protect his family, and rebuild from the ashes. Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Michael: https://podfollow.com/beyond-a-million