Authority in the Wild

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Smith, a USA Today bestselling author and sales conversion expert who wrote The Conversion Code.Chris breaks down why 85% of sales happen after the fifth attempt, yet 90% of salespeople quit before that point.He shares the five-minute rule that gives you 21 times better conversion rates and explains why speed matters more than you think.We explore how consumers now control privacy settings and why traditional cold calling is dying fast.Chris reveals how to train AI on your content to generate authentic ideas that actually sound like you.We discuss sales scripts that convert without sounding robotic, handling objections that mask real buying signals, and structuring calls for maximum results.Chris also predicts what will happen in sales by 2030. Don't wanna miss that part.Join us as we break down practical systems to increase your conversion rate and close more deals.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Introducing Chris Smith(02:23) The Changing Landscape of Consumer Behavior(05:28) Defining High-Quality Leads(09:37) Leveraging AI for Content Creation(14:47) Share Your Unique Story With AI(24:04) How to Turn Leads Into Customers(31:10) How to Make People Buy(34:44) Having Great Sales Conversations(40:42) How to Structure Your Sales Calls(46:30) Handling Objections and Closing Techniques(52:32) Increasing Conversion Rates(55:19) The Future of Sales?🟪 Connect with Chris SmithWebsite: https://www.theconversioncode.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris_smth/X/Twitter: https://x.com/Chris_SmthTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@conversioncodechrisYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chris_smithLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conversioncodechris/🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I chat with Anthony Pierri, co-founder of FletchPMM, a product marketing consultancy working with B2B tech startups.Anthony explains why hiding your prices wastes everyone's time and how transparency actually increases revenue over the long run.With over 400 venture-backed clients and $1.5M annual revenue at 60% margins, he shares the productization framework that changed everything.We discuss why custom consulting never scales, how to pick one specific thing to own in customers' minds, and the reality of building credibility.Anthony breaks down the three-month minimum investment for content to work and why outcomes don't stick but functional workflows do.We explore how AI startups can stand out by finding smaller ponds to dominate instead of competing on the word "AI" itself.Join us as we talk through practical positioning strategies, the innovator's dilemma for small businesses, and choosing your business model wisely.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Introducing  Anthony Pierri(01:39) The Importance of Showing Prices Upfront(07:58) Productizing Your Business for Efficiency(14:31) Balancing Productization and Retainer Work(20:00) Specializing and Positioning for Success(23:26) Building Credibility and Personal Brand(28:20) Challenges and Strategies for AI Startups(35:27) Opportunities for Startups in Smaller Markets(39:26) Connect with Anthony Pierri🟪 Connect with Anthony PierriWebsite: https://www.fletchpmm.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonypierri/🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I chat with Ken Cox, President of The RiverCity Internet Group and seasoned entrepreneur with decades of technology experience.Ken explains how AI destroys traditional gatekeepers and empowers everyday people to build like never before.With experience deploying major internet infrastructure and building data centers, he shares practical insights about vibe coding and AI automation.We discuss how small businesses can replace entire departments with AI agents, why specialization is becoming obsolete, and the importance of playing with new tools.We also explore open source AI as humanity's safeguard against dystopia, micro oracles for communities, and why main street businesses matter more than ever.Join us as we talk through the rapid changes in technology and how to swim in the current instead of fighting it.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Introduction of Ken Cox(02:19) The Evolution and Impact of AI Tools(07:21) Vibe Coding and AI Departments(15:30) The Importance of Small Businesses(18:27) Open Source AI and Its Potential(23:24) Automating Business Processes with AI(26:26) Building AI Tools for Business(29:21) The Vision for AI-Driven Communities(38:09) The Future of Business and Personal Branding🟪 Connect with Ken CoxMain website: https://kencox.com/Consulting: https://inlink.com/🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I chat with Allyson Letteri, a marketing exec turned startup advisor and author of The Standout Startup.Allyson explains how speed to market with AI changes everything, yet core marketing fundamentals remain constant. With experience scaling teams at Thumbtack and Handshake from Series C to unicorn status, she shares frameworks founders can use immediately. We discuss the three Ps of messaging, why startups build products before finding buyers, and how to create social proof without customers.We also cover when to hire your first marketer, how to fire fast, and why founder personality must align with brand identity.Join us as we break down practical steps to stand out, gain traction, and stop wasting time on wrong strategies.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Intro(01:08) Startups and AI(03:42) Messaging and Positioning(06:56) How to Stand Out(15:06) Building Social Proof(18:19) Go-To-Market Strategies(25:29) Founder-Led Brand Building(37:05) Hiring and Team Building in Startups(43:40) Connect with Allyson🟪 Connect with Allyson LetteriWebsite: https://allysonletteri.comBook: https://allysonletteri.com/bookLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allysonletteri/🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I chat with Alan Lazaros, who turned personal tragedy into a mission for self-improvement and helping others. Alan shares his journey from a difficult childhood and a near-fatal car accident at 26, which led to a profound reevaluation of his life.Now the CEO of Next Level University, a global top 100 podcast, Alan discusses the fundamentals of goal-setting, the importance of self-belief, and the daily pursuit of meaningful achievements.Tune in to learn about the principles he applies in his coaching methods and the challenges of growing a personal development company.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Introducing Alan Lazaros(01:53) Alan's Early Life and Challenges(05:46) The Challenges with Personal Development(10:33) Facing Fears and Insecurities(17:19) Principles of Coaching and Fulfillment(23:10) Turning Passion into Purpose and Profit(25:11) Goals vs. Dreams(29:23) The Success Loop and Minimum Viable Actions(37:49)The Importance of Social Circles(39:33) Connect with Alan Lazaros🟪 Connect with Alan LazarosPodcast: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-university-podcast/Website: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/business-consulting/🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I chat with Camille Diaz, a wealth strategist and optimization coach dedicated to helping 'zombie-preneurs'—entrepreneurs on the brink of burnout—revitalize their businesses and build sustainable, enjoyable wealth.Camille shares key strategies to avoid the zombie-preneur trap, including establishing priorities, effective scheduling, and maintaining accountability without judgment.She highlights the importance of having an emergency fund and discusses debt repayment while emphasizing the need to save for future retirement.Camille also dives into how entrepreneurs can set achievable goals and ensure they reward themselves to sustain motivation.She ends with practical insights on how to enjoy the entrepreneurial journey and not hesitate to seek help and ask questions.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Full Episode(01:06) Understanding the Zombie-preneur Phenomenon(03:00) Productivity PSA, The P(06:35) The S from PSA Framework(17:04) The A from the PSA Framework(19:31) Balancing Work and Family(23:21) Building Wealth as an Entrepreneur(28:42) The Importance of a Safety Net(34:54) Rewarding Yourself(38:33) Planning for Retirement(41:06) Final Thoughts and Resources🟪 Connect with Camille DiazInstagram: https://www.linkedin.com/CamUnfilteredLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camillediazWatch Camille's Free Masterclass: Get More Done and Make More Money WITHOUT Working More Hours at https://camilldiaz.com/masterclassDownload Your Free PDF: 6 Millionaire Habits Anyone Can Copy at https://camillediaz.com/habits🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I chat with Peter Sorgenfrei, a founder and CEO coach who created six companies across three countries.Peter explains how chasing status and external validation nearly destroyed his health and forced his body to shut down completely.With clients in 13 countries, he shares his Whole Human Approach that helps leaders stay true to themselves both at work and home.We discuss removing toxic relationships, setting boundaries with family members, and why most people live their entire careers on autopilot.We also explore the communication strategies that save founder relationships and the principles Peter uses to reject lucrative opportunities that don't align with his values. Join us as we talk through practical steps to stop chasing other people's definitions of success and build a life that actually serves you.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Introducing Peter Sorgenfrei(01:24) The Trap of Labels and Titles(04:47) Recognizing Autopilot and Stress(06:36) Improving Sleep and Daily Routines(10:16) Aligning Actions with Values(13:38) Navigating Family and Friend Relationships(25:41) Effective Communication Strategies(27:29) Understanding the Whole Human Concept(31:18) Finding Time for Self-Reflection(35:06) The Power of the Subconscious Mind(38:44) Living by Personal Principles(45:08) Connect with Peter Sorgenfrei🟪 Connect with Peter SorgenfreiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sorgenfreiWebsite: https://www.petersorgenfrei.com🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode of 'Authority in the Wild,' I interviewed Alison Tetrick, a professional cyclist, entrepreneur, and biochemist.Alison shares her unique path from growing up on a ranch in California to becoming a three-time gravel world champion and a survivor of a traumatic brain injury.The discussion explores the parallels between sports and entrepreneurship, highlighting resilience, adaptability, and the importance of community.Alison highlights her passion for creating opportunities for women in sports through scholarships and community engagement, and how her experiences in cycling have shaped her leadership and advocacy roles.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Introducing Alison Tetrick(02:02) Alison's Early Life and Diverse Career Path(05:42) The Power of Sports and Resilience(11:57) Overcoming Traumatic Brain Injury(19:30) Recovery in Sports and Life(24:58) The Link between Sports and Entrepreneurship(28:54) Encouraging Women in Sports(35:18) Balancing Purpose and Impact(39:40) Connect with Alison Tetrick🟪 Connect with Alison TetrickWebsite: https://www.alisontetrick.comShop: https://saga-ventures.myshopify.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amtetrick/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amtetrick/🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I chat with Manuj Aggarwal, founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Tetra Noodle Technologies.With 4 AI patents to his name, Manuj is the perfect mentor to guide you through the transformative potential of AI and its benefits for businesses. That's why I invited him in this episode.Join us and discover the limitless possibilities of AI under the guidance of this visionary industry influencer.🟪 Timestamps00:00 Introducing Manuj Aggarwal02:07 Manuj's Humble Beginnings06:27 Social Media, AI, and Human Connection08:23 Understanding and Leveraging the Subconscious Mind10:44 Creating a Super Intelligent Digital Twin24:46 Human Mindset and Purpose30:00 The Role of Pain in Growth37:20 Experimentation & Continuous Improvement🟪 Connect with Manuj AggarwalLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manujaggarwal/Website: https://manujaggarwal.com🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemarusca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemarusca/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabe/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!

🟪 Join 500+ Smart Entrepreneurs ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.gabemarusca.com ⁠⁠and learn each week for free, how to stop chasing leads, serve clients longer & enjoy freedom doing what you love, without burning out or breaking down.In this episode, I chat with Emma Rees, a 4x founder across B2C, B2B and Enterprise SaaS, chairwoman at Deployed, and angel investor.Starting at 15, when she quit school and walked door-to-door with her CV, she shares practical insights on customer discovery and investor conversations.We discuss the critical difference between prevention and promotion questions that create bias in funding decisions for female founders.Emma breaks down her systematic LinkedIn approach for reaching corporate decision makers and building relationships with potential customers.We also explore why only 3% of funding goes to all-female founder teams and how unconscious bias affects investment patterns.Join us as we talk through practical frameworks for validation, networking strategies that actually work, and preparing for high-stakes investor meetings.🟪 Timestamps(00:00) Introducing Emma Rees(01:06) An Unexpected Career Journey(03:49) Body Language and Networking(06:23) Engaging with Investors and Founders(11:23) Traits of Successful Founders(13:43) Validating Your Business Idea(25:02) Building Relationships on LinkedIn(29:34) The Power of Giving Before Asking(35:46) Challenges for Female Founders(40:29) Addressing Bias in Investment(44:50) Preparing for Investor Q&A🟪 Connect with Emma ReesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarees01Website: https://www.gambit.ac🟪 Connect with Gabe MaruscaWebsite: https://www.gabemarusca.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabemaruscaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabemaruscaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabemaruscaX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabemaruscaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/maruscagabeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabemaruscaUntil Next Week,Pura Vida!