73 and Sunny

In this episode of 73 and Sunny, host Damien welcomes entrepreneur, backcountry skier, and higher education expert Mike Bills. Mike shares his incredible journey of entrepreneurship, starting with an unexpected career in telemarketing and rising to the role of Chief Information Officer at just 22 years old. He discusses pivotal moments in his life, including buying and turning around businesses, navigating higher education governance, and balancing risk with reward.

Can influencers make a difference in B2B sales? In this episode of '73 and Sunny,' we sit down with Morgan Ingram, founder and CEO of Amp Creative, to explore why influence is becoming the new outbound. Morgan, a four-time LinkedIn Top Sales Voice, shares how building a personal brand and leveraging subject matter expertise can transform sales outreach and foster trust with potential clients. Tune in as Morgan breaks down strategies for creating impactful executive-led content, engaging authentically with audiences, and mastering multi-threading to close major deals faster. If you’re ready to reimagine how you connect and influence in the B2B world, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

How do you go from selling tools copiers at Xerox to becoming one of the top sales trainers in the industry? In this episode of '73 and Sunny,' we sit down with John Barrows, founder of JB Sales, who shares his journey through decades of sales experience, transforming sales training for tech giants like Salesforce, LinkedIn, and Google. With over 25 years in the field, John discusses the evolution of sales, the power of authenticity, and why he believes core values and enthusiasm are critical to success. Tune in as he offers hard-won insights into staying relevant in sales, navigating the modern sales environment, and what it means to elevate the profession through mentorship and self-belief.

What does it take to scale a startup from zero to $40 million in just four years? In this episode of '73 and Sunny,' we sit down with Jonathan Hafemann, a revenue leader who has brought four different startups through the highs and lows of growth and innovation. Jonathan shares his experiences from pioneering LED retrofits to his current role at NEXT Energy Technologies, where he’s transforming windows into solar power sources. Tune in as Jonathan discusses the critical importance of product-market fit, the lessons learned from both successes and failures, and the strategies for navigating the complex dynamics of introducing disruptive technologies into established markets.

How do today's sales leaders navigate the expanding web of decision-makers in enterprise sales? In this episode of '73 and Sunny,' we sit down with Stefan Burak, a sales veteran with two decades of experience across a variety of company sizes, from startups to large corporations. Stefan shares his journey from a college classroom influenced by a professor to the forefront of sales innovation, where he navigated through the early days of salesforce automation to today's necessity of CRM systems. Tune in as Stefan discusses the biggest transformations in sales tools, the critical importance of proving value to customers, and strategies for implementing effective sales methodologies within large organizations.

What does it take to unite sales professionals in a collaborative network that tackles today's go-to-market challenges? Join us on this episode of '73 and Sunny' as we chat with Erik Aberg, founder of Avant Garde Kollaborative and a seasoned sales expert with over 18 years of experience. Erik delves into the formation of his business, a platform designed for sales and go-to-market professionals to share successes, learn from failures, and leverage a fractional go-to-market model. This model has proven crucial for companies in the early stages of product development who lack the resources for a full-scale deployment. Tune in to hear Erik discuss the intricacies of aligning sales, marketing, and operational strategies to enhance customer experiences and drive business growth.

What's the secret to juggling multiple executive roles in the competitive digital marketing landscape? In this episode of '73 and Sunny,' we welcome Sara Malo, a marketing veteran with 23 years of experience, currently serving as the President and COO of LinkUnite and VP of Partnerships at LeadGenWorld. Sara shares her journey from starting in affiliate marketing to leading major industry initiatives that support executive women in digital marketing. She discusses the challenges of managing dual leadership roles, her personal strategies for maintaining work-life balance as a single mother, and the evolution of LinkUnite in creating a supportive network for women. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on leadership, community building, and navigating the demands of a high-powered career in marketing.

How do the grit and work ethic of today's sales professionals compare to those of previous generations? In this episode of '73 and Sunny,' we sit down with Jason Rushforth, a seasoned sales leader with over 25 years of experience at major companies like Salesforce and Oracle. Jason shares his insights on navigating the complexities of the sales industry, mentoring the new generation entering the workforce, and the role of personal connections in career development. As his own daughter steps into the world of software sales, Jason reflects on the challenges and opportunities young professionals face today, from securing their first job to dealing with the daunting realities of housing markets and living costs. Tune in for a deep dive into the evolution of sales tactics and how enduring principles like hard work and perseverance remain key to success.

How is one of the nation's largest universities partnering with OpenAI to take higher education into the future? In this episode of '73 and Sunny,' we're joined by Tina Miller, Executive Director of Creative and Communications for Enterprise Technology at Arizona State University. Tina discusses ASU's innovative use of AI tools to enhance educational outcomes and the unique challenges of integrating cutting-edge technology across various academic and administrative platforms. Through their collaboration with OpenAI, ASU is not only advancing its educational strategies but also setting a precedent for AI's role in shaping future learning environments. Tune in to hear how ASU is navigating this exciting frontier, and gain practical insight that can help you leverage AI in your own organization.

When it comes to lead generation, where is the balance between quality and volume? In this episode of ’73 and Sunny’, we’re joined by Debbie Conrad, head of new business development for The Lead Group and founding member and advisory board member for Link Unite. Debbie shares her experiences in the affiliate marketing and lead generation space, as well as thoughts on making and maintaining authentic professional connections.