Rob Murray, CEO and co-founder of Intrigue Media, shares over two decades of marketing wisdom. He highlights five common pitfalls entrepreneurs face in marketing. First, he emphasizes the importance of emotional over logical communication, as decisions are driven by feelings. Secondly, he discusses the need to optimize all facets of revenue models, not just focus on new business. He also stresses the significance of customer-centric messaging, setting clear marketing goals, and the power of niching for greater expertise and problem-solving.

Weston Zimmerman is a seasoned contractor turned tech entrepreneur, and we spoke about one of the most common dilemmas in the contracting world: How do you know if you're charging the right price for your work? From his humble beginnings as a landscaper to becoming the CEO of SynkedUp, Weston has lived through the struggles of pricing projects and ensuring profitability, and he's here to share how he and his team solved these problems.In this episode, we discussed how many contractors fall into the trap of pricing based on gut instinct rather than solid data. As Weston puts it, “You look to your left and your right, see what others are charging, and base your price on your own self-worth, which is almost always too low.” He emphasizes the importance of moving away from emotional pricing and adopting a repeatable system based on real numbers and overhead recovery.A key takeaway is the transformative power of using systems and processes in your business. Weston shares his journey from using pen and paper and spreadsheets to building a tech solution that revolutionized how his company operated. “What was a three-hour task turned into a ten-minute task,” Weston recalls, demonstrating how much time and money can be saved when a proper system is in place. This episode will help you rethink how you approach pricing and business efficiency.Zimmerman also explains how SynkedUp evolved from an internal tool for a small landscaping company to a widely adopted solution across North America. The episode covers the lessons learned in building systems that eliminate human error, streamline workflows, and ultimately ensure profitability. “Systems and processes are the keys out of the entrepreneurial prison,” Zimmerman says, offering a path for contractors to focus on their craft without getting bogged down in the administrative grind.If you're in the trades or contracting industry, or if you're simply trying to build a scalable business, you’ll learn how to charge what you're worth, avoid common pricing pitfalls, and build a sustainable, thriving operation. This conversation is packed with actionable insights, real-world stories, and the hard-earned wisdom that Weston brings from his journey.Key Takeaways:Emotional vs. Mathematical Pricing: Avoid making pricing decisions based on emotion or comparison—use data and proper cost analysis instead.The Importance of Systems: Implementing repeatable systems and processes can dramatically reduce time spent on administrative tasks and increase profitability.Overhead Recovery: A business isn't just about covering direct costs—indirect overhead needs to be factored into pricing, or you'll end up wondering, "Where did the money go?"Find out how you can start pricing profitably and gain the freedom to focus on what you love.

Nick Shaw is the co-founder and CEO of RP Strength, a fitness company that has seen explosive growth, particularly on YouTube. We spoke about the pivotal role authenticity has played in scaling their business, reaching millions of people, and transforming their approach to content creation.In this episode, Nick shares how their shift towards embracing real, unfiltered communication helped them connect with their audience. “We really started leaning into that authenticity component...Lo and behold, people loved it.” He explains how stepping away from trying to please everyone allowed them to double down on their core demographic, contributing to RP Strength’s massive success—gaining over 2 million YouTube subscribers in just six months.Key takeaways:Authenticity over neutrality: "You can't be for everybody...you have to figure out who you're for and go after those folks with reckless abandon."Value-based marketing: By giving away previously gated content for free, RP Strength grew their loyal community, with Nick citing, "We started putting out more and more content...and it helped us grow exponentially."Dealing with criticism: As visibility increases, so does criticism. Nick advises to focus on the positive impact, noting, "You gotta stay focused on all the people that you are helping out.”Nick’s insights provide a valuable lesson for entrepreneurs on how embracing your true voice and offering value upfront can lead to substantial, sustainable growth in the competitive world of social media.

Chris Rubin is a seasoned marketing strategist with over 30 years of experience, blending AI with human creativity to amplify brand storytelling. We spoke about how small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can harness the power of AI to fuel growth, boost operational efficiency, and drive customer engagement.Chris emphasized that AI is no longer just for large enterprises, highlighting how SMBs can now leverage the same powerful tools: “92% of large companies are seeing returns on AI investments—now it’s time for SMBs to reap the benefits.” He offered practical insights into how AI can streamline marketing processes, reduce operational costs, and help businesses generate value-driven content at scale.One of the key takeaways from our conversation is the concept of augmented intelligence—AI working alongside human creativity, not replacing it: “The AI helps with automation, but the humans are in charge. It’s about using AI as a set of superpowers, not the final output.”Chris also shared his unique methodology, developed over decades working with top brands, to create a comprehensive marketing strategy for businesses of any size. His process involves creating a strategic narrative that resonates emotionally with the target audience, turning brand strategy into a measurable growth engine.Here are some important insights from the episode:AI isn’t out of reach for SMBs: Chris offers a roadmap to start integrating AI, focusing first on business needs and existing resources.Avoid over-reliance on AI: Human expertise is essential for making AI tools effective, especially in creative decision-making and customer engagement.Data-driven content creation: With AI, SMBs can create value-rich content that resonates with their audience, without excessive costs or time investments.Whether you're new to AI or looking for ways to expand its use in your business, this episode is packed with actionable advice on how to maximize AI’s potential to boost your brand’s growth.

Jeff Seder is a true innovator in the world of horse racing, blending cutting-edge technology with centuries-old tradition to revolutionize the industry. We spoke about his journey from a Harvard-educated lawyer to becoming the mastermind behind a system that produced the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. Jeff shares how he combined his passion for horses with modern science, creating an approach that measures factors traditional experts overlook.In this episode, we explored his pioneering work with EQB, where he used advanced technologies like DNA analysis, high-speed photography, and ultrasound to improve horse selection. Jeff’s persistence in the face of skepticism led him to create a patented system that changed the game. As he puts it, "They buy horses for a million dollars that have things really wrong with them, and they don’t even know it."We discussed the challenges of being a disruptor in an industry rooted in tradition. Jeff emphasized how entrepreneurs must "get the best of what they already have" before introducing innovation. His persistence, dubbed “Dogzilla,” was essential in overcoming early failures. He explains, "Each failure taught me something, and I didn’t just take whatever answer I got."Key takeaways from the conversation:Innovators must ask the hard questions: Jeff’s success came from questioning established practices and doing his own research when the data didn’t exist.Technology meets tradition: Combining traditional horsemanship with modern technology can lead to groundbreaking results in any industry.Physical and mental drive matters: Success is not just about physical advantage, but also about attitude and persistence—whether in horses or humans.This episode offers a unique perspective on entrepreneurship, disruption, and how combining passion with technology can lead to unprecedented success.

Christopher Volk is a seasoned entrepreneur and finance expert with decades of experience in commercial banking and building public companies. We spoke about how to create businesses that are worth more than they cost to build, exploring the essential factors behind wealth creation.Drawing from his latest book The Value Equation, Christopher shared six critical variables that determine business success, from sales and operating profit margins to leveraging other people's money. "No company went out of business ever because they had too many sales," he explained, emphasizing the importance of focusing on these variables from day one.Throughout the conversation, he addressed common misconceptions about wealth creation, like the idea that saving money alone is enough: "It's not enough. The people who become really rich are those who have companies worth more than they cost to create." Christopher stressed the value of developing a well-engineered business model early on, stating, "Re-engineering a company is so much harder than if you get it right the first time."Listeners will learn not only how to build scalable and profitable business models but also how to attract investors by articulating a clear vision. Christopher's experience in leading businesses that garnered investments from giants like Berkshire Hathaway offers valuable lessons on leadership, risk management, and the creative process behind successful entrepreneurship.Key Takeaways:Understand the six key variables of The Value Equation to ensure long-term business profitability.The best time to build a business model is from day one—re-engineering later can be costly and difficult."Entrepreneurs by their nature are optimists"—knowing when to take reasonable risks is essential for business success.Leadership and a clear vision are as important as financials when attracting investors.Christopher's insights will inspire both new entrepreneurs and seasoned business leaders to rethink how they create and scale their companies for maximum wealth and growth.

Avadhi Dhruv is a bestselling author and heart-centered entrepreneur, and we spoke about the powerful intersection of harmony and business success. Drawing from her own experiences growing up in a multi-generational family business, Avadhi shares profound insights on how cultivating harmony within teams and families can lead to unprecedented business growth and personal fulfillment.We also discussed her newest book, The Family Business Guru: A Secret Guide to Alchemize Conflict into Harmony, Lead with Confidence, and Generate Profits. Avadhi explained how the book addresses the challenges of running a family business while maintaining strong relationships with loved ones. She offers practical tools for making unified decisions, expressing differing opinions, and strengthening both business and family ties.She emphasized, “Harmony has money in it. Quite literally, harmony, the word itself has money in it,” explaining how aligning relationships in the boardroom can unlock financial success. Avadhi shared her personal story of organizing a pivotal meeting that resolved discord within her family’s business leadership, helping them align on a unified strategy that saved the business from financial turmoil. Through her methods, leaders not only see a transformation in profits but also in personal fulfillment.Key takeaways from this episode include:Strategic Harmonization: Avadhi’s three-step process helps entrepreneurs realign relationships, streamline financials, and address emotional well-being.The Power of Family Dynamics: Business owners must understand both verbal and nonverbal agreements within key relationships to unlock potential.Holistic Business Growth: True success comes from balancing financials with emotional and spiritual growth, creating harmony within and outside the business.If you’re ready to create harmony in your business and drive sustainable growth, this episode offers actionable steps and inspiring insights.

Mark Gray is an experienced coach and the founder of the Paradigm Project coaching program. We spoke about the often overlooked connection between entrepreneurial success and personal health, and how stress management plays a critical role in both.Mark shares his insights on a "very, very scary trend" he's noticed among entrepreneurs—sacrificing health for career success. He emphasizes that stress is not just a mental burden but can manifest physically, leading to chronic pain and long-term health issues. "Stress kills, but you need stress for success," Mark asserts, highlighting the delicate balance that must be struck.Throughout the conversation, Mark draws on his decade-long experience working with high-performing business owners and executives to underline a vital message: If your health isn't your top priority, your success is on shaky ground. He candidly shares, "Your health and fitness needs to be right at the top," urging entrepreneurs to rethink their priorities.Key takeaways from our discussion include:The importance of stress management in maintaining both business success and physical well-being.Real-life examples of entrepreneurs who transformed their businesses by prioritizing their health.Practical advice on creating a personalized health plan that aligns with your business goals.Mark also shares inspiring client stories, like one woman who overcame decades of chronic back pain to run her first 10k, proving that with the right approach, it's never too late to reclaim your health.If you're an entrepreneur who's "smashing it" in business but feeling the toll on your body, this episode is a must-listen. Learn how to become "a stronger, healthier, happier, more confident version" of yourself and discover why your health is truly your greatest asset.

Ian Stanley is an entrepreneur and comedian that has sold over $200,000,000 worth of products online over the past few years. He is considered to be one of the best copywriters in the world. He started his first business at the age of 12 stringing tennis rackets. Since then, he's started multiple businesses and sold his Ecommerce company to the fast growing start up in Canada. He now runs Almost Passive Income, a company that helps people make more money in less time while having more fun.In this episode, Ian breaks down the art of writing emails that connect with people on a personal level, rather than coming across as “corporate mayonnaise.” He emphasizes the importance of making your emails feel like they’re coming from a friend, and why this approach is crucial in building a deep, profitable relationship with your audience. “Your emails should feel like they're written almost to a friend or from a friend,” he shares, underscoring the need for a conversational tone that resonates with readers.We also explore the role of AI in email marketing, with Ian sharing his initial skepticism and eventual surprise at how AI, when trained correctly, can produce emails that sound more human than those written by most people. He candidly describes his experience with AI tools, noting, “I was amazed at what it wrote because it sounded more human than most humans.”Some of the key takeaways from our conversation include:Email Frequency: The more you email, the more you make. Ian debunks the myth that frequent emails annoy your subscribers, asserting, “You're only annoying people if you suck.”Storytelling: Storytelling is a powerful tool in email marketing. Ian explains how sharing personal stories can help build trust and connect with your audience, making them more likely to buy from you.AI in Email: While general AI like ChatGPT might struggle with email copy, Ian talks about the effectiveness of specialized AI tools that can save time and enhance your email writing, especially for those who struggle to generate content ideas.Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just getting started, this episode is packed with actionable advice that can help you write better emails, build stronger relationships with your audience, and ultimately, make more money from your email list. Tune in to learn how to make your emails stand out in an inbox full of corporate jargon and lifeless copy.

Kareen Walsh is a transformative figure in the world of business strategy and personal development, and our discussion revolved around the fundamental shifts required for achieving significant business growth. In a compelling narrative, Kareen shared insights on overcoming personal limitations to facilitate not just business success but also profound personal fulfillment. A central theme was the importance of aligning one's true self with their professional endeavors to lead effectively and achieve ambitious goals.A key takeaway from Kareen's experiences is the concept of the 'CEO Conundrum,' which she describes as a pivotal realization in her career: "your company is 100% a reflection of how you lead it." This underscores the necessity for leaders to evolve alongside their businesses, a challenge that many face but few overcome. She emphasizes that transformation within is crucial for business scalability, stating, "if you're not growing, your company won't grow either."Kareen also delved into the practicalities of scaling businesses while reducing personal time investment, achieving remarkable growth by restricting her direct involvement to only 10% of her time. Her strategy involved a significant mindset shift and leveraging technology to clone her expertise through AI, leading to an innovative coaching tool, which she excitedly talks about: "finally, with AI, I actually found a way to clone myself."Listeners can gain invaluable insights on navigating the complexities of leadership roles, the interplay between self-perception and professional output, and the strategic use of technology to enhance business operations. Kareen’s journey from tech company executive to a multifaceted business coach offers a blueprint for anyone looking to scale their influence and operational capacity.Moreover, the discussion included practical advice on identifying and embracing one's optimal role within a company, highlighted by her personal approach to defining leadership through the roles of creator, entrepreneur, or operator. Her narrative is punctuated with a focus on the necessity of self-awareness and alignment, crucial for anyone at the helm of a business. As Kareen poignantly notes, understanding and stepping into your role is pivotal: "It's meant to fuel your life, not run your life."This episode not only provides a roadmap for business scaling and personal evolution but also introduces listeners to tools that can support their journey, making it a must-listen for aspiring and current leaders alike.