
This is the Way Podcast
We are Artin and Michael, and this podcast is dedicated to aspiring entrepreneurs and founders. We focus on entrepreneurship, career growth, and side hustles with a mission to empower you to know more, do more, and be more. Think of us as your guides, sharing four decades of experience working at top-tier companies like Disney and Netflix while pursuing our own entrepreneurial ventures. But we won’t be the only ones sharing insights—our impressive guests, who’ve forged their own paths, will inspire you to do the same. No matter where you are on your entrepreneurial journey, subscribe and join the ride!
Latest episodes

Mar 7, 2025 • 49min
AI Agents, Automation & The Future of Business (Must-Know Insights) | EP 87
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Connect with Grant @https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-hushek/
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What if you could reclaim 20+ hours a week without sacrificing business growth? The secret isn’t working harder—it’s working smarter!
In this episode, we sit down with Grant Hushek, founder of GrantBot, a workflow automation agency that helps businesses streamline operations, boost productivity, and unlock massive growth with AI and automation.
Grant shares insights on: ✅ The 4 key areas every business should automate ✅ How to avoid the #1 mistake that kills automation projects ✅ The no-code tools (Zapier, Make, Airtable) he swears by ✅ How AI is revolutionizing workflow automation
#Automation #AI #BusinessGrowth #Productivity #WorkflowAutomation #Entrepreneurship #scaleyourbusiness
Chapters [00:00] Intro [05:54] The Importance of Process Before Automation [15:09] The Role of AI in Automation [17:57] Chaining AI Prompts for Enhanced Automation [20:58] The Future of AI Agents in Business [28:10] Enhancing Content Quality with AI Tools [33:05] Building Effective Workflows with Automation [44:40] Rethinking SaaS: Results as a Service [45:21] Innovating with a Beginner's Mindset

Feb 27, 2025 • 1h 17min
How to CRUSH Google ads in 2025 (without wasting $$$) | EP 86
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Connect with John @https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnjhorn1/
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🔗 Learn more about Stub Group: stubgroup.com
Most businesses lose money on Google Ads because they get it wrong. Don't be one of them! In this episode, John Horn, CEO of Stub Group, reveals the biggest mistakes businesses make and how to avoid them. Learn how to optimize your ad spend, target the right audience, and ensure your ads actually convert. Whether you're a small business or a growing startup, these insights will help you win with Google Ads.
Hashtags: #GoogleAds #AdSpending #MarketingTips #Entrepreneur #PPC #PaidAdvertising #StartupGrowth #BusinessTips #ROI
Chapters [00:00] Intro [10:12] Common Pitfalls [15:19] Aligning Ad Strategy with Business Goals [22:37] The Importance of Targeted Advertising [23:21] DIY Advertising Tools for Beginners [30:06] Budgeting for Google Ads [31:25]Understanding Google Ads and YouTube [32:58] Key Metrics for Success [35:37] Caution in Advertising [40:10] Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs [41:37] Leadership Lessons Learned [43:24] Valuable Resources for Growth

Feb 20, 2025 • 51min
Branding for Startups - How-to Guide from Former Disney Executive | Ep 85
Sign up to the podcast newsletter and get insights from each episode sent to your inbox. https://thevelocitylabs.com/this-is-the-way-newsletter Help us get to 10,000 subscribes. Subscribe to @ThisIstheWaywithArtinMichael Subscribe to the shorts channel @FounderBytes Connect with Eze @https://www.linkedin.com/in/ezequielabramzon/
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Ezequiel Abramzon is the founder of LALO, a strategic brand consultancy helping startups and entrepreneurs achieve clarity and momentum. With over 22 years at The Walt Disney Company, Ezequiel led digital innovation, creative direction, and brand strategy across global markets, building multi-million-dollar businesses in digital, entertainment, and technology.
After leaving corporate life, he dedicated himself to mentoring and advising founders, developing the Epicenter™ methodology—a framework that puts customers at the heart of the brand and the brand at the heart of the business. Passionate about storytelling, branding, and long-term strategy, Ezequiel now works with early-stage startups to craft compelling brand identities that drive real impact.
What do Disney, startups, and personal branding have in common? Ezequiel Abramzon shares his experience leading at Disney for 22 years and how he applies those lessons to help startups succeed. Perfect for founders seeking clarity and a competitive edge.
Books recommended during the episode
https://a.co/d/4pFQkNw
https://a.co/d/8DNg24M
Chapters [00:00] Intro [02:07] From Disney to Entrepreneurship [12:06] Building Teams for Success [14:30] Working with Startups [17:36] Branding Lessons from Disney [20:48] Branding for Early Stage Startups [23:46] Common Mistakes in Startup Branding [27:15] The Role of Personal Branding in Startups [35:10] Finding Clarity in Brand Strategy [49:34] Advice for Early-Stage Founders

Feb 13, 2025 • 48min
3 Common Bottlenecks Killing Your Business (And How to Fix Them!) | EP 84
Help us get to 10,000 subscribes. Subscribe to @ThisIstheWaywithArtinMichael Subscribe to the shorts channel @FounderBytes Connect with Laurent @https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurentnotin/ Laurent’s Website → https://www.laurentnotin.com/ Book free 1:1 with Artin - https://calendly.com/thisisthewayshow/1-1-with-artin Follow Artin @https://www.linkedin.com/in/artinnazarian/ Follow Michael @https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmichaelmerrill/
90% of startups fail. The reason? It's NOT cash flow, competition, or market downturns—it’s YOU. Entrepreneurs unknowingly become their own bottleneck. Today, we sit down with Laurent Notin, a business coach who specializes in helping founders break through the invisible barriers that keep them stuck. We cover: -The 3 most common bottlenecks entrepreneurs face - Why mindset is the #1 business growth factor - How to delegate and scale without losing control.
About Our Guest: Laurent Notin is a business coach who helps entrepreneurs scale by identifying and overcoming their own limitations. With 20+ years of experience in running businesses and coaching founders, he specializes in helping leaders unlock their full potential.
About Our Guest: Laurent Notin is a business coach who helps entrepreneurs scale by identifying and overcoming their own limitations. With 20+ years of experience in running businesses and coaching founders, he specializes in helping leaders unlock their full potential.
Chapters [00:00] Intro [02:47] Laurent's Journey [11:15] Identifying Common Bottlenecks in Business [20:56] Mindset Matters [34:19] The Pursuit of Freedom Over Financial Success [37:40] The Role of Accountability [43:36] Advice for Early Stage Founders

Feb 7, 2025 • 1h 33min
You're Already an Entrepreneur – Here's Why | EP 83
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Connect with Sid @https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohasseb/
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Anabasis Academy - https://sidmohasseb.graphy.com/
Think entrepreneurship is only for tech founders and CEOs? Think again! Sid Mohasseb joins us to redefine what it means to be an entrepreneur and why YOU already have what it takes to succeed.
Sid Mohasseb is a serial entrepreneur, venture investor, bestselling author, and professor at USC. Known as The Entrepreneur Philosopher, Sid has built, scaled, and successfully exited multiple companies while mentoring countless entrepreneurs. With expertise spanning business strategy, innovation, and venture investing, he helps leaders navigate uncertainty, embrace change, and unlock their full potential. He is the founder of Anabasis Academy, a platform designed to empower individuals with the mindset and tools to achieve their next best version.
What You'll Learn:
-Why entrepreneurship isn’t about starting a business
-The simple mindset shift that changes everything
-How to stop letting fear and risk hold you back
-The surprising truth about achieving your goals
-Watch now and unlock your entrepreneurial potential!
#EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessTips #Success #Entrepreneurship #SelfImprovement #LifeHacks #StartupGrind

Jan 30, 2025 • 1h 33min
LinkedIn Sales Masterclass: From Lead Gen to Closing Big Deals with Matt Lakajev | EP 82
Matt Lakajev, founder of Seven Figure Creators, specializes in transforming LinkedIn into a lucrative platform for professionals. He shares his expert strategies for generating six- and seven-figure incomes through direct messaging, effective lead engagement, and crafting compelling offers. Matt emphasizes the importance of authenticity and emotional connection in sales, illustrating how tailored communication can enhance client relationships. Discover how to scale your business straightforwardly and utilize AI for productivity in this engaging discussion!

Jan 16, 2025 • 1h 1min
From Family Business to a $400M+ Exit: Tony Safoian’s Incredible Journey | EP 81
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Connect with Tony @https://www.linkedin.com/in/safoian/
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Tony Safoian is a visionary entrepreneur and former CEO of SADA, a global leader in cloud solutions and one of Google Cloud’s top partners. Under his leadership, SADA transformed from a family-run business into a tech powerhouse, culminating in a $400 million acquisition. Known for his forward-thinking approach, Tony championed the adoption of cloud technology early, helping businesses embrace innovation at scale.
Join us as we talk with Tony Safoian, former CEO of SADA, who transformed a family business into a tech powerhouse culminating in a $400 million acquisition. Discover the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the strategies that led to one of the largest exits in the Google Cloud ecosystem. This is a masterclass in scaling, leadership, and creating legacy.
#Entrepreneurship #TechLeadership #BusinessGrowth #FamilyBusiness #Podcast #SADA #googlecloud
Chapters
[00:00] Intro
[10:15] Recognizing the Cloud's Potential
[21:35] Scaling Leadership and Talent
[32:10]Transformational Communication
[38:55] Navigating Market Changes and Strategic Decisions
[45:09] The Acquisition Journey: Insights and Reflections
[49:59] Advice for the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

Jan 9, 2025 • 1h 15min
How to Master Modern Sales in 30 Days with Richard Moore, Linkedin's OG Expert | EP 80
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Richard Moore is the founder of Art of Sell, a sales training platform helping entrepreneurs and businesses master modern sales strategies. With over 21 years of sales experience, Richard has worked extensively with businesses ranging from startups to large corporations, guiding them in refining their sales tactics for better client acquisition and retention. He's also a LinkedIn influencer, often sharing insights on ethical selling, human psychology in sales, and content marketing strategies.
Episode Summary: In this insightful episode, hosts Artin and Michael sit down with Richard Moore, founder of Art of Sell, to explore modern sales strategies that challenge outdated approaches. Richard shares his innovative, integrity-driven sales philosophy aimed at helping entrepreneurs build stronger client relationships while closing more deals. He emphasizes moving away from traditional, aggressive tactics and instead focusing on human behavior, trust-building, and value-driven communication. Richard breaks down common misconceptions in sales, such as the belief that "providing value" alone is enough, and discusses the importance of understanding a potential client's emotional state before making a pitch. He also covers the power of content creation on platforms like LinkedIn and how familiarity and authenticity can be powerful tools for client acquisition.
Chapters
[0:00] Introduction
[1:20] Richard's Background and Sales Philosophy
[4:00] Rethinking Sales: Why Traditional Tactics Fail
[7:40] The Integrity-Driven Sales Approach
[11:00] Understanding Human Behavior in Sales
[15:30] Cold Calling Strategies and the Power of Relevance
[19:45] Overcoming Fear of Selling and Rejection
[31:15] Leveraging LinkedIn for Client Acquisition
[37:00] The Power of DMs
[44:00] Turning a Sales Pitch into a Closed Deal
[50:00] The Importance of Compelling Content
[54:30] Using Authority and Association for Sales Success
[1:00:00] Practical Steps for Beginners on LinkedIn
[1:05:00] Final Advice on Sales Mastery and Closing Remarks

Jan 2, 2025 • 58min
Secret Strategies to Build a $500K Business in 12 Months (Using Only LinkedIn) | EP 79
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Connect with Luke @https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukeshalom/
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Discover how to transform your LinkedIn profile into a revenue-generating machine! In this video, Luke Shalom, founder of Atticus, shares his proven strategies to help executives and founders scale their brands and generate predictable, high-quality leads. Learn about the importance of inbound and outbound approaches, leveraging AI-powered tools, and crafting content that converts.
Luke’s journey from corporate to entrepreneurship is packed with actionable insights on overcoming challenges, adapting to market demands, and achieving breakthrough results on LinkedIn. If you're ready to scale your business and attract leads like never before, this video is your ultimate playbook.
Key Takeaways:
-Building authority and creating engaging LinkedIn content.
-Combining inbound and outbound strategies for lead generation.
-Shifting mindset for business growth and overcoming obstacles.
-Don’t miss out on these game-changing tips—watch now and take your LinkedIn strategy to the next level!
Chapters
[00:00] intro
[05:51] Corporate to Entrepreneurship
[12:04] The Importance of Retention and Client Relationships [
18:01] Building a Scalable Business Model
[33:14] Understanding Buyer Pain and Authority Posts
[39:31] Scaling Content and Team Involvement
[49:37] Mindset and Personal Growth in Business
#LinkedInMarketing #LeadGeneration #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #ContentMarketing #DigitalMarketing #LinkedInTips #AI #SalesDevelopment #StartupSuccess

Dec 19, 2024 • 1h 6min
How to Generate $2 million in Revenue Using LinkedIn with Matt Lekajev | EP 78
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Connect with Matt @https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattlakajev/
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Matt Lakajev is the founder of Seven Figure Creators, a program dedicated to helping professionals leverage LinkedIn to generate six- and seven-figure incomes. As an expert in personal branding, sales, and content strategy, Matt has helped countless entrepreneurs and business leaders turn LinkedIn into a powerful tool for scaling their businesses and achieving financial success. With a deep understanding of how to build authentic connections and craft impactful messaging, Matt empowers his clients to stand out in the crowded digital marketplace and create sustainable, high-revenue business models.
In this conversation, Matt Lekajev shares his journey from being a barista to becoming a LinkedIn expert, helping professionals leverage the platform for significant income. He discusses the importance of hard work, mastering sales skills, and crafting compelling offers. Matt emphasizes the need for direct engagement with potential clients and the value of learning from successful models in the industry. He also highlights the common misconception that posting content is essential for success on LinkedIn, asserting that genuine conversations drive sales. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various strategies for navigating business relationships, leveraging social media for marketing, and the importance of human connection in sales. They emphasize the need for direct engagement with potential clients and overcoming the fear of rejection to build successful business relationships. In this conversation, Matt discusses the challenges of sales outreach, particularly on LinkedIn, emphasizing the importance of overcoming shame and positioning oneself effectively. He critiques the illusion of clout on social media, arguing that genuine engagement and clear offers are more valuable than superficial metrics. Matt also warns against low-ticket offers, advocating for high-ticket services as a more sustainable business model. He shares personal experiences that shaped his understanding of these concepts, ultimately highlighting the need for practical skills and the courage to reach out to potential clients.
Chapters
[00:00] Intro
[01:43] Matt's Journey
[05:03] Transitioning to Sales
[09:50] Mastering LinkedIn
[15:00] The Real Money Makers on LinkedIn
[20:16] Validating Your Business Model
[35:35] The Importance of Human Connection in Sales
[47:10] The Illusion of LinkedIn Clout
[53:34] The Pitfalls of Low-Ticket Offers
[01:00:00] Lessons from Personal Experience