How to Scale a Business

Laura Humphreys shares the unfiltered journey of building—and selling—a $15 million agency, only after nearly burning out in the process. Now a mentor to agencies worldwide, Laura unpacks the seven strategies she teaches to help owner-operators escape the hamster wheel, reclaim their time, and create scalable, high-performance businesses. From using AI to future-proof service delivery to building deep sea sales pipelines, this episode is packed with both war stories and winning tactics for founders who are ready to lead like CEOs.Chapters:00:00:00 – Meet Laura Humphreys: The Mentor Who Turned Agency Burnout into a $15M Exit00:00:26 – From Copywriter to CEO: Laura’s Unfiltered Path to Building and Selling Her Agency00:02:15 – Stuck on the Hamster Wheel: Why Owner-Operators Struggle to Scale (and How to Get Off)00:04:35 – How to Build a Team That Actually Delivers (Without You Micromanaging Everything)00:06:39 – CEO Mode Activated: The Power Shift from Managing to Leading00:09:45 – If You Don’t Know Where You’re Going, How Will Your Team? Creating a Vision That Works00:19:49 – AI, Market Shifts, and What Agencies Need to Do Now to Stay Ahead00:21:42 – Final Word from Laura: Let Go, Trust More, and Build Something That LastsLinks And Resources:Laura Humphreys on LinkedInJoin SMASHAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Hector sits down with Aaron Reiter, Managing Partner at InterProse, to challenge everything you thought you knew about debt collection. With a background in communication, sales, and psychology, Aaron shares how he unexpectedly found purpose in an industry often overlooked—or even misunderstood. Discover how InterProse uses education, technology, and empathy to support family-owned businesses and drive revenue recovery without compromising integrity. If you're looking for hidden profit levers in your business, or ways to scale with compassion, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.Chapters:00:00:00 - Meet Aaron Reiter & Discover the Unexpected World of Debt Collection00:00:42 - From Broadcast Journalism to the Frontlines of Financial Recovery00:01:36 - What Most People Get Wrong About Collections00:02:51 - Debunking Debt Collection Myths00:04:08 - A New Era: Smarter, Softer Collections00:06:13 - Why Debt Recovery Matters More Than You Think00:08:58 - Innovating in One of the Most Regulated Industries in the U.S.00:19:30 - Why Self-Service Isn’t Just for Retail Anymore00:21:21 - How AI is Reshaping the Way We Recover Debt00:24:32 - Final Insights & How to Connect with AaronLinks And Resources:InterProse WebsiteAaron on LinkedInAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Hector Santiesteban sits down with Kash Fadaie, founder of Fadaie Insurance Services, to explore how an internal spiritual awakening transformed into a thriving business. Kash shares how escaping Iran as a child, diving into sacred texts, and seeking divine alignment laid the foundation for scaling a purpose-driven insurance company. If you’ve ever felt called to grow a business without losing your soul, this conversation will resonate deeply.Chapters:00:00:00 - A Powerful Welcome: Meet Kash Fadaie00:01:05 - From Fleeing Iran to Founding a Movement00:02:55 - Merging Mindfulness and Money-Making00:06:49 - Consciousness: The Secret Weapon of Scalable Leaders00:13:02 - Real-World Strategies Rooted in Inner Work00:14:52 - Why Rest Isn’t Lazy—It’s Strategic00:21:51 - Deepening Spiritual Practices for Business Alignment00:25:47 - Kash’s Final Word: Alignment Over EverythingLinks And Resources:Fadaie Insurance ServicesKash Fadaie on LinkedInAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

In this episode of How to Scale a Business, host Hector Santiesteban is joined by Kurt Schmidt, an agency business coach, Inc. 5000 leader, and former extreme sports pro. Together, they dive deep into the highs and lows of growing a service-based business. From the profitable "sweet spot" of 6–12 employees to the leadership transitions that trip up creatives-turned-CEOs, Kurt shares real talk and real strategies for scaling sustainably. If you're running an agency, creative studio, or service-driven company — this is an episode you can't afford to miss.Chapters:00:00:00 – Meet Kurt Schmidt: From Extreme Sports to Agency Leadership00:00:24 – Why Most Agencies Feel Like a High-Stakes Balancing Act00:02:36 – The Real Growth Curve: What Happens at 6, 12, and 30 People00:05:40 – From Doer to Leader: Making the Shift Without Losing Yourself00:09:08 – Delegation or Die: Why Letting Go Is the Key to Scale00:12:40 – What to Focus On (When Everything Feels Important)00:15:04 – Survive or Thrive: Reading the Market and Staying Ahead00:22:30 – AI, Automation & Staying Lean Without Losing Your Edge00:26:01 – Final Thoughts & Where to Find Kurt OnlineLinks And Resources:WebsiteKurt on LinkedInAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Chad Harrison—head of franchise development at Authority Brands—shares how scalable businesses are built through proven systems, strong leadership, and the power of franchising. From supporting new owners in the “number two business” (Doody Calls) to guiding semi-absentee entrepreneurs, Chad breaks down how following a playbook and leveraging a support network can turn even unconventional opportunities into serious success. Whether you’re exploring business ownership or looking to grow your existing operation, this episode offers practical insights on leadership, systems, and scaling the right way.Chapters:00:00:00 - Meet Chad Harrison: The Man Behind Franchise Growth at Authority Brands00:00:27 - From Corporate to Franchising: Chad’s Journey & What Makes a Franchise Win00:03:43 - The Secret to Scaling? Just Follow the System (Seriously)00:08:41 - From Scooping to Scaling: Wild Wins and Real Talk from the Field00:14:00 - How Authority Brands Powers Its Franchisees (Even the Marketing!)00:22:43 - Wrapping Up with Chad: How to Learn More & Take the Next StepLinks And Resources:Amplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Hector Santiesteban sits down with transformational leader Amber Vilhauer to explore the deeply personal roots behind her meteoric rise as an entrepreneur and marketing powerhouse. Amber shares how her early experiences with isolation and bullying shaped her drive to create meaningful change in the world. From selling Cutco knives at 17 to launching a multi-million dollar agency recognized on the Inc. 5000 list, Amber breaks down how true business growth starts with inner alignment. Listeners will discover the real secret to scaling a soul-aligned brand, creating Infinite Impact, and showing up authentically in both life and business.Whether you're an agency owner, coach, content creator, or tech founder—this episode will inspire you to get clear, get aligned, and go all in.Chapters: 00:00:00 - Meet Amber Vilhauer: From Quiet Kid to Impact Queen00:00:30 - A Life-Changing Moment That Sparked Everything00:01:22 - Growing Up Invisible: Amber’s Childhood Story00:03:23 - How Selling Knives Unlocked an Entrepreneurial Fire00:04:38 - Scaling a Business That Feeds Your Soul00:06:49 - Why Alignment Is the Ultimate Growth Hack00:15:59 - Speak to the Soul of Your Avatar00:21:28 - Heal the Wound, Grow the Brand00:29:01 - Final Thoughts + Get Connected with AmberLinks And Resources:Amber on LinkedInAmber on InstagramAmberVilhauer.comAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Michael Barbarita, founder of Next Step CFO, digs into what actually drives profit in a business. He shares how he went from thinking he 'held the keys to the business kingdom' to realizing that following the competition was a fast track to failure. They talk about why most business owners are stuck in 'I hope so' marketing, how to craft offers that customers can’t turn down, and what separates businesses that scale from those that stall. If you're tired of wondering where all your revenue went, this conversation will help you rethink your strategy.Chapters:00:00:00 – Meet Michael Barbarita & His Business Story00:00:50 – How Michael Built (and Nearly Lost) His Business00:05:36 – The Secret to Turning Leads Into Customers00:07:45 – The Biggest Mistakes Business Owners Make With Their Offers00:10:12 – Why ‘I Hope So’ Marketing Is Holding You Back00:12:30 – How to Craft an Offer Customers Can’t Say No To00:14:50 – The Power of Risk Reversal in Scaling a Business00:16:03 How to Create an Offer Customers Can’t Refuse00:25:25 – Final Takeaways & Where to Learn MoreLinks And Resources:Michael on LinkedinNext Step CPONext Step CFO Contact Page: Fill out the form with "Interview Book Interview" in the messageAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Logan Altman, the Chief Impact Officer at Doing Good Works, comes on to  share how Doing Good Works is using the power of for-profit business to create life-changing outcomes for young adults who have aged out of the foster care system. He dives into the challenges of scaling a mission-driven company, the impact of brand marketing in fostering social change, and how businesses can turn their existing budgets into tools for transformation.Chapters:00:00 Meet Logan Altman: A Leader on a Mission00:43 The Journey Behind Logan Altman’s Purpose-Driven Work03:48 Overcoming Challenges and Pivoting Strategies for Success07:22 The Power of Authenticity in Building a Strong Culture12:10 Leading Through Crisis: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic16:03 Creating a Game-Changing Resource Hub for Foster Care19:30 Leadership Secrets: How to Inspire and Engage Your Team23:54 Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Logan AltmanLinks And Resources:Doing Good Works WebsiteLogan Altman on LinkedinAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

In this episode, Hector sits down with Nico Seedsman, a former Special Forces operator who went from running kill-capture missions to battling for his own survival. After years of pushing his body to the extreme, Nico found himself completely wrecked—crippling exhaustion, PTSD, chronic illness, and a body that was shutting down. Traditional medicine had nothing for him. Left with months to live, he took a shot on stem cells, and what happened next changed everything. Now, as the CEO of ODIN Stem Cells, he’s taking on the broken medical system and making regenerative medicine accessible for the people who need it most. Hector and Nico get into the raw, unfiltered truth about healing, leadership, and what it takes to build something that actually makes a difference.Chapters:00:00:00 - A Warfighter’s Mission: From Battlefield to Breakthrough00:00:18 - A Savage Start: From the Navy to Special Forces00:02:18 - When the System Fails: Nico’s Fight for Survival00:06:58 - Abandoned Soldiers: Why Veterans Deserve Better00:09:04 - Building Odin: Taking on the Medical Industry00:17:41 - Loyalty, Integrity, Ownership: Leading Like a Warrior00:19:44 - Thinking Five Steps Ahead: The Future of Stem Cells00:23:04 - The Truth About Healing: Final ThoughtsLinks and Resources:Nico on LinkedInNico on InstagramODIN Stem CellsWarrior Refit FoundationAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

On this episode of How to Scale a Business, Hector sits down with Raul Hernandez Ochoa, the head honcho over at Do Good Work, to talk about expanding revenue and increasing capacity without the stress that usually comes with growth. Raul breaks down the three biggest constraints that hold businesses back—leads and sales, operations and fulfillment, and leadership—so founders can diagnose what’s actually slowing them down. He shares real stories from behind the scenes, talks about hiring the right people (or machines), and explains why scaling isn’t just about getting bigger but about building the right kind of business. If you’re feeling stuck, juggling too many hats, or unsure what’s keeping you from leveling up, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you figure it out.Chapters:00:00:00 – The Game of Scaling: Why It’s Not Just About Growth00:00:53 – 12 Calls a Day, Mergers, and a Book That Changed Everything00:04:21 – Three Hidden Business Constraints That Are Quietly Holding You Back00:05:46 – Stuck in Fulfillment or Sales? The Self-Diagnosis Every Founder Needs00:13:14 – Leading vs. Managing: How to Get Your Team to Actually Execute00:17:18 – AI, Automation, or Hiring? The $250/Month Decision That Changes Everything00:22:34 – Scaling Without Chaos: The Simple Habit That Builds Real MomentumLinks and Resources:Raul on LinkedInDo Good Work | Scale Your ImpactAmplafy MediaHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!