Beyond 8 Figures

We often talk about strategy—growth strategy, sales strategy, marketing strategy. When it comes to content, strategic content is a game-changer. Aligning content with clear goals builds trust and credibility, leading to sustainable growth. This strategy (pun intended) can work for any business, and today, John Hall, an entrepreneur and growth architect, is telling us how to make the most out of it. About John HallJohn Hall is a co-founder of Influence, which he grew to 100 employees and sold in 2018. Now, as the Chief Strategist at Relevance.com and co-founder of Calendar.com, he helps people manage their time and relationships better. He’s also the author of the best-selling book “Top of Mind” and has won the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award.John shares his entrepreneurial insights in weekly columns for Forbes and Inc. and writes for over 50 publications, including CNBC, Harvard Business Review, and Fast Company. Known for his straight talk in PR, SEO, and thought leadership, he’s invested in many successful businesses. When he's not working, John loves spending time with his family. He’s passionate about helping great companies and people thrive.Key Insights:Target the right audience. Use specific, detailed keywords to attract the right people for your business to reach those who are most likely to convert into clients.Measure, measure, measure. Regularly evaluate how well your content is performing against your business goals. Use these insights to tweak your strategies and improve your results.Invest in sustainable growth. Focus on investments and clients who are committed to ethical, sustainable practices. This not only ensures long-term success but also aligns with your values.Leverage AI for content creation. AI tools can help you create, repurpose, and optimize content more efficiently. Incorporate AI to streamline your content process and keep the quality high.Focus on quality over quantity. Producing high-quality, impactful content is more beneficial than churning out large volumes of mediocre material. Quality content builds credibility and engages your audience more effectively.John's best advice for entrepreneurs:“There are so many things you can do with content, but you have to start with the goal and then back into what strategy will be the most effective to accomplish that goal.”Get John’s book “Top of Mind”Connect with John Hall:LinkedInInstagramXWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsiteAffiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, we only promote products/services we believe will benefit your entrepreneurial journey. 

In this engaging conversation, Bakari Akil, an experienced entrepreneur, shares his journey as the Managing Director of Graves Hall Capital and a proponent of digital nomadism. He discusses the necessity of adaptability in business, highlighting how flexibility can help entrepreneurs navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Bakari also reflects on his experiences with Remote Year, the significance of representation for Black digital nomads, and the insights gained from a year of global travel, emphasizing the balance between work and cultural exploration.

Contrary to the belief that focusing on purpose detracts from profitability, many purpose-driven companies experience robust financial performance. A strong focus on creating a positive impact can differentiate a company in a crowded marketplace, attract loyal customers, and drive sustainable growth. As Dominnique Karetsos has seen with Healthy Pleasure Group, profit with purpose is not just possible - it can open up new revenue streams and market opportunities, put companies at the forefront of innovation, and help them attract like-minded partners and investors.  About Dominnique KaretsosDominnique Karetsos is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in more than 40 markets. She founded Healthy Pleasure Group and co-founded Minthub, focusing on building a global ecosystem for sexual health and technology. Dominnique is also a General Partner at Amboy Street Ventures, the first fund dedicated to investing in sexual health and women's health technology. Known for her knack for spotting trends and reshaping brand strategies, she helps startups and established brands grow and thrive. With degrees in international marketing, management, and advanced supply chain management, Dominnique blends her diverse skills to lead with vision and purpose. She's passionate about driving social change and innovation in the sexual health industry, making a real difference in people's lives.Key Insights:Stay consumer-centric. Always focus on your customers' real needs. Listening to them and adapting your products or services accordingly is a sure way to set you apart from competitors.Create a culture of inclusivity. Make diversity a priority and ensure that all employees feel valued and respected, which can enhance creativity and innovation.Embrace compassionate leadership. Practice empathy in your interactions. Listen to your team’s concerns and show understanding. Higher employee morale, better collaboration, and lower turnover are likely to follow!Stay agile and adapt quickly. Be willing to pivot and adapt based on market trends and feedback. Use agile methodologies to manage projects. Your company is more likely to survive and thrive when it can swiftly respond to market changes.Leverage your unique story. A distinctive brand that resonates emotionally with your audience will set you apart from competitors. Use your personal and company story to build a unique brand identity. Share your journey and mission openly so that people know where you stand. Dominnique's best advice for entrepreneurs:“People follow passion. People follow missions. People follow people, not just businesses.”Connect with Dominnique Karetsos:LinkedInWebsiteInstagramXFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

Sustainable growth hinges on leadership tactics that delegate authority and responsibility.  Adam Sandman’s journey of  bootstrapping, diversifying markets, and building a strong global team, demonstrated that smart, intentional decisions are what drive long-term success. His approach to leadership—decentralized, customer-focused, and growth-oriented—is what empowers teams to innovate and adapt, ensuring the company remains resilient and competitive in a global marketplace.About Adam SandmanAdam Sandman is the founder and CEO of Inflectra, a company that creates tools for software testing and automation. His journey with programming started when he was just ten, making computer games for fun. Later, he studied Physics at Oxford University but realized that working in labs wasn’t for him. So, he moved to the U.S. to follow his passion for technology.One of Adam’s first big roles was at Sapient, where he worked on projects for the U.S. Marine Corps. Eventually, he decided to start his own company, and that’s how Inflectra came to be. What began as a small business grew into a leader in the software industry. Adam’s focus has always been on creating innovative products and expanding the business. Today, Inflectra is known around the world for its top-notch software management tools.Key Insights:Start small, stay in control. Build your business without relying on outside funding so you can make decisions that align with your long-term goals. This way, you maintain control over your company’s direction and can grow at your own pace.Mix up your client base. Diversify your client portfolio by balancing startups with more established companies to provide stability and reduces the risk of losing significant revenue during market downturns.Build strong partnerships. Develop relationships with partners who can help you reach new customers and expand your business. These partnerships can act as a force multiplier, amplifying your sales and marketing efforts.Define your sales process. Before hiring salespeople, map out your sales process and understand the specific roles needed. Make sure you hire the right people for the right tasks and avoid costly mistakes.Focus on customer needs. Prioritize building products and services that truly meet your customers’ needs, even if it goes against industry trends. A customer-focused approach builds loyalty and drives long-term success.Adam's best advice for entrepreneurs:“You need to define your sales process differently before you start hiring people because otherwise what you'll do is you hire people like you or you hire people who are call themselves salespeople, but that may or may not be what you need in your particular moment in that particular phase.”Connect with Adam Sandman:LinkedInXInstagramFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

Building wealth isn’t just about making money but managing it wisely. Mike Brown, entrepreneur, investor and wealth coach, found out post-exit from his company that without proper financial strategies, you can quickly lose it all. Luckily for him, Mike used his setbacks to build a comprehensive wealth-preserving strategy, which he now shares with other entrepreneurs to help them avoid his mistakes and build lasting financial stability. About Mike BrownMike Brown is a successful entrepreneur and investor, who started his career as a Navy pilot flying  F/A-18 Super Hornets. After leaving the military, Mike entered the oil and gas industry and built an eight-figure investment firm, which he sold in 2019. Facing financial challenges after the sale, Mike learned the importance of smart money management, which he now uses in his coaching program Unbreakable Wealth to help other entrepreneurs build and manage their finances. Key Insights:Diversify but don’t overdo it. Avoid putting too much of your money into high-risk investments. A balanced approach helps you grow wealth steadily without unnecessary stress.Examine your money habits. Take a hard look at your relationship with money and how it influences your decisions. Fixing any unhealthy habits can prevent future financial headaches.Set realistic financial goals. Figure out what you truly need to be happy. Clear, achievable goals give you direction and purpose. It’s not always about having more money, but about having enough to meet your needs and desires.Seek advice from experts. Their insights can help you adopt effective wealth management practices and avoid common mistakes. Learning from others’ experiences can save you time and money.Prioritize your core business. Your main business is your best investment. Focus on growing and strengthening it before spreading your resources too thin in unrelated ventures. This ensures sustainable growth and stability for the long haul.Mike’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“The fact is, most people don't need more. They need to optimize what they have to create the experiences in the life that they want to live. And that's actually a lot easier than just constant growth.”Building lasting wealth is not rocket science. Sign up for Unbreakable Wealth’s coaching program to learn exactly how you create a stable financial future, and don't forget to mention "Beyond 8 Figures" for a special bonus!Subscribe to Mike’s free weekly finance newsletter Connect with Mike Brown:LinkedInInstagramXWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

Even if you run a profit-first business, you can still create a lot of good in your community. And the good news is that it doesn't affect your bottom line. If anything, it can significantly improve the chances of lasting growth for your business. Take Mike Smith, for example. Mike built Rabble Mill and Bay High into thriving organizations that focus on youth empowerment and community impact through innovative programs and spaces. His approach to solving real-world problems and building strong community connections is a perfect example of how aligning your business with meaningful impact can drive both social and financial success.About Mike SmithMike Smith is a passionate entrepreneur dedicated to making a difference. As co-founder of Rabble Mill and founder of The Bay and Skate For Change, he empowers youth through creative programs. With Stanford certification in Design Your Life and as a StoryBrand guide, Mike helps others find their path and tell their stories effectively.But what’s amazing about Mike is that his actions speak louder than his words. He’s skated 430 miles across Nebraska and lived homeless for 30 nights to raise funds, showing his commitment and unconventional approach. Mike’s relatable and practical strategies make him a valuable mentor for anyone looking to grow their business and create community impact.Key Insights:Create repeatable models. Develop and document successful business processes that can be easily replicated. This allows you to efficiently scale operations, whether opening new locations or expanding services, reducing costs and increasing profits.Network with purpose. Attend industry conferences, local business events, and networking meetups. Building relationships with other professionals can lead to referrals, partnerships, and new business opportunities that drive growth.Be ready to adapt. Stay flexible and open to change by regularly reviewing and adjusting your business strategies. This helps you stay ahead of industry trends, better respond to market shifts, and maintain a competitive edge.Measure success your way. Develop metrics that go beyond financial performance to include what truly matters to your business. This can help to differentiate your brand, attract customers who value corporate responsibility, and ensure your success aligns with your core values and mission.Stay transparent and authentic. Be open about your business practices and the impact you’re making. Authenticity builds trust with customers and stakeholders, fostering long-term loyalty and support.Mike’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“The social entrepreneurship success that I'm looking for is this thing that is scalable, replicable and impactful all over.”Resources mentioned:StoryBrandThe HarborConnect with Mike Smith:LinkedInTwitterWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

If I can give one piece of advice, it’s to make data-driven decisions. Data on market trends and customer needs has moved my business forward. Trust the data! I spoke with Austin Linney, a seasoned innovator and entrepreneur, who shared how data helped him pivot from real estate to business acquisitions. By integrating data into every step of his business process, he was able to optimize operations, reduce risks, and build a resilient company. Today, he’s sharing how you can do it, too. About Austin LinneyAustin Linney is a serial entrepreneur, real estate investor, and host of the "Construct Your Life with Austin Linney" podcast. He has built several successful businesses, including Crementum Capital Holdings, and helped numerous people break through obstacles to achieve their goals.But Austin’s life wasn’t always easy. He struggled with negative thoughts, self-sabotage, and alcohol addiction, which led to financial troubles and poor relationships. Hitting rock bottom, he decided to change his mindset and life, and now he focuses on helping others build businesses, achieve financial freedom, and grow personally.Key Insights:Deliver great service. Positive customer reviews and feedback are critical indicators of business success as they build trust, attract new customers, and signal high-quality service.Balance big dreams with practical choices. Pick projects that make sense both financially and operationally. Austin compares the flashy appeal of big commercial jobs to the stability of residential projects in his business. Use data wisely. Let data guide your decisions. Keep track of key metrics like call volumes and customer feedback to understand business trends and make informed choices about the next steps you want to take.Contribute to your community. Creating jobs and a positive impact not only adds to your business success but also fosters a positive social impact. This way, you build a loyal customer base and create a thriving environment that benefits everyone involved.Plan for the long term. Building a successful business takes time. I don’t believe in overnight success, and Austin also highlighted how planning ahead and being patient through the growth process can set you up for success.Austin’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“An hour spent Monday morning by a business owner, shaking your hands, smiling at them, asking them how their weekend was, will give you a more ROI on your business than the other 40 hours that you'll spend in your business that week.”Connect with Austin Linney:LinkedInInstagramXWebsiteResources mentioned:*Buy then Build bookFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite*Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, we only promote products/services we believe will benefit your entrepreneurial journey. 

Kevin Ashcroft, an entrepreneur who started his journey at 19 and sold his IT business in 2011, shares his insights on leveraging global talent for business growth. He emphasizes the strategic advantages of hiring remote teams, detailing how to navigate platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. Kevin discusses the importance of virtual assistants, cost efficiency, and enhancing customer service across time zones. He advocates for structured hiring processes that focus on cultural fit and removing biases, making a compelling case for a modern approach to talent acquisition.

The more experience I have in being an entrepreneur, the more I see the importance of diversification in my investment strategies. It's not just about spreading your money across different stocks or sectors; it's about creating a safety net that can withstand market volatility and support your entrepreneurial efforts. My latest conversation with Ben Fraser from Aspen Funds is exactly about how spreading investments across different sectors can really protect your wealth and help you build a resilient portfolio. About Ben FraserBen Fraser is the Chief Investment Officer at Aspen Funds, where he helps investors diversify investments beyond Wall Street. To date, Ben's firm has managed over $150 million in investor capital and achieved a strong track record of delivering outstanding client service and impressive returns through out-of-the-box investments. Ben is also the host of the popular podcast "Invest Like a Billionaire," where he shares valuable insights on building and preserving wealth. He emphasizes the importance of diversification, leveraging expertise, and understanding macroeconomic trends. One of his unique approaches includes offering tax benefits through real estate investments, which can significantly reduce taxable income for entrepreneurs.Key Insights:What are your investment goals? Think long and hard about what you want to do with your investments. Understanding what you want and need beforehand allows you to build for the long term and not scattershot your investments. Consider macro trends. Don't ignore larger economic trends. Identifying growing markets and macro-driven opportunities can help you make smarter investments and find unexpected opportunities.Diversify your investments. Instead of reinvesting all profits into the business, create diversified investments and income streams. This will build more external stability and preserve your wealth​ but also help you reduce stress if something goes wrong with your business. Educate yourself. Spend time learning how to grow, preserve, and invest money effectively. DIY investing is becoming more popular, and understanding investment basics can lead to better financial control and decision-making​.Leverage other people's expertise. When entering new investment areas like real estate, consider partnering with or investing through experienced firms to avoid a steep learning curve and mitigate risks​.Plan for the future. Teach financial principles and investment strategies to your children. Help them understand the importance of creating value and contributing to the economy rather than just consuming resources.Ben’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“We believe that understanding the macro picture, the bigger term trends that are going on, is way more important in identifying your investment strategy than the actual deal itself.”Connect with Ben Fraser:LinkedInInstagramWebsiteInvest Like a Billionaire PodcastFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

Suneera Madhani, CEO of Worth AI, shares insights on leveraging AI for data-driven business decisions, standardizing data collection, empowering women entrepreneurs, and simplifying business operations. She emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, staying true to oneself, and seeking time freedom in entrepreneurship.