Beyond A Million

In this clip, Cole Gordon breaks down why so many entrepreneurs struggle to hire top-tier sales reps – no matter how many interviews they run or how flashy their job posts are.

Most think they have a hiring problem… but what they really have is an offer problem.

If the right candidates aren't saying yes – or aren't even showing up – it's probably because the opportunity doesn't match what elite reps are actually looking for.

If you're stuck cycling through underwhelming hires, you can't miss this one. Tune in!

Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Cole: https://youtu.be/Rk-D-3DnSVA

What could a Swiss Army officer possibly teach you about building and selling companies worth hundreds of millions? Turns out – everything.

Today's guest, Sam Goodner, took the discipline and precision he learned in the Swiss Army and applied it to entrepreneurship.

He founded Catapult Systems, scaled it through two major recessions, and eventually sold it after 20 years. Later, he helped take Flash Parking from a stuck $3M startup to $100M in revenue and a billion-dollar valuation.

Now a mentor at Capital Factory and author of Like Clockwork: Run Your Business with Swiss Army Precision, Sam distills 30 years of lessons into practical principles that help entrepreneurs scale businesses that thrive without them.

In this episode, Sam shares why scaling always begins with a sales playbook, how "cloud conversion therapy" won over 100% of skeptical customers, and why annual contingency planning can make your company recession-proof. He also breaks down what it really takes to prepare for a sale years in advance and how unforgettable first-day employee experiences can shape culture for decades.

If you're ready to scale with Swiss Army precision and build a company that runs without you, tune in now.

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This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark.

—

Key Takeaways:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:02:03 Running a business like clockwork in practice

• 00:17:00 Curated client experiences turned skeptics into loyal customers

• 00:25:33 Starting Catapult Systems

• 00:28:54 Recession-proofing strategies

• 00:33:49 Separate teams allow multiple ventures under one umbrella

• 00:38:54 Selling businesses: Define your number and prepare years before exit

• 00:43:07 Strong EBITDA and audited records maximize company valuation

• 00:48:17 Choosing investment bankers

• 00:53:45 "Like Clockwork: Run Your Business With Swiss Army Precision"

• 00:59:54 First-day experiences build culture and long-term loyalty

• 01:01:35 Advice to young entrepreneurs

• 01:05:09 Wrapup

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Additional Resources:

🔹 Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samgoodner

🔹 Sam on X: https://x.com/goodner

🔹 Sam's book: https://samgoodner.com/

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➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/

➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8

➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1

—

Let's Connect:

🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert

🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil

🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert

🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787

--

Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work.

If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU!

Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building.

Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

In this clip from Episode 191 of Beyond A Million, Mike Koenigs shares the story behind his most effective marketing campaign ever, the "$1,000 Cup of Coffee." What started as a way to qualify serious prospects quickly turned into a high-converting sales system that helped him bring in multiple six figures in just weeks. If you've ever struggled with long sales cycles or unqualified leads, this is a masterclass in turning conversations into high-value clients.

Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Mike: https://podfollow.com/beyond-a-million

Have you ever thought saving a dying business might be a fun challenge—or even a legacy move?

Randy Cohen did. After building TicketCity into a $100M+ company from just $1,200, he figured reviving Z'Tejas (a beloved Tex-Mex chain in Austin) would be a way to give back and preserve something special.

It wasn't.

In this episode, Randy opens up about what really happened when he bought the restaurant chain out of bankruptcy and tried to turn it around.

Spoiler: it didn't work. And the reasons why are something every entrepreneur needs to hear.

Randy and I also talk about:

• What it means to be an owner vs. an operator

• How ego can wreck even the best intentions

• Why culture doesn't stick unless you're showing up every single day

• How COVID became the final gut punch that forced Randy to shut it all down

• What it emotionally takes to walk away

… and so much more!

This one's raw, real, and loaded with hard-earned wisdom—especially if you've ever held on to a business too long or felt the weight of trying to keep it all together.

Tune in now.

—

This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark.

—

Key Takeaways:

• 00:00 Intro

• 01:40 Why open a restaurant?

• 08:49 Let's talk culture

• 14:36 Investing in a bankrupt business

• 29:42 When it's time to sell

• 34:13 What it emotionally takes to walk away

• 39:06 The price of not running your own business

• 47:25 What's next for Randy?

• 51:06 The Gathering of Titans

• 56:03 Advice for entrepreneurs starting out

—

Additional Resources:

🔹 Randy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randyscottcohen/

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➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/

➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8

➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1

—

Let's Connect:

🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert

🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil

🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert

🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787

--

Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work.

If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU!

Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building.

Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

In this clip from Episode 187 of Beyond A Million, Chandler Bolt shares the 6-figure mistake that nearly cost him his business—and the lesson every founder needs to hear. From partnering out of insecurity to hiring undervalued talent, Chandler unpacks how these early missteps shaped his thinking on leadership, culture, and building an A-player team. If you're scaling and struggling with who to hire (and how much to pay them), this one's a must-watch.

Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Chandler: https://podfollow.com/beyond-a-million

Is all that content you're putting out actually doing anything or just adding to the noise?

Mike Koenigs has been creating content that converts longer than most of us have been online. He's a five-time founder with multiple exits, 19 books (including a WSJ bestseller), and decades of helping entrepreneurs turn attention into revenue. And in this conversation, he breaks down why the old rules of content no longer apply.

We talk about the trap so many creators fall into (chasing likes, followers, and attention for attention's sake) and why that strategy is dead in the water if there's no conversion on the other side.

Mike shares how to stand out in a sea of AI-generated noise, why founder-led brands are the most defensible asset in any business, and how to make sure your content actually drives revenue.

He also walks you through his brilliant "$1,000 Cup of Coffee" method for qualifying high-ticket clients and the simple six-part framework he uses to reinvent founders and their brands.

If you're feeling stuck in the content hamster wheel (or just want a smarter way to grow) then this episode will show you how to create stuff that actually moves the needle.

Tune in now and get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about content.

—

This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark.

—

Key Takeaways:

• 00:00 Intro

• 02:26 What you're missing when creating content

• 05:19 Content marketing then and now

• 08:31 Let's talk about AI-produced content

• 22:40 The six Ms

• 39:21 The importance of accepting (and celebrating) your past

• 42:40 The $1,000 cup of coffee

• 51:04 "If you could spend 95% of your time doing one thing, what would it be?"

• 58:18 Why you need your own equivalent of a TED Talk

—

Additional Resources:

🔹 Mike on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikekoenigs/

—

➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/

➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8

➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1

—

Let's Connect:

🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert

🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil

🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert

🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787

--

Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work.

If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU!

Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building.

Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

In this clip from Episode 186 of Beyond A Million, mindset coach Rob Dial unpacks the critical difference between stress and pressure – and why most high achievers are unknowingly driven by the wrong one.

He explains how this subtle distinction dramatically shapes performance, clarity, and long-term success. Rob also shares the mindset shift and "three key decisions per day" rule that helped him get more done – without running himself into the ground.

Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Rob: https://podfollow.com/beyond-a-million

What if all the new marketing tools you're chasing are actually slowing your growth?

Today's guest, Allan Dib, bestselling author of The 1-Page Marketing Plan (over 1 million copies sold) and Lean Marketing, reveals why entrepreneurs waste time on shiny objects instead of mastering the fundamentals. Allan's helped thousands of businesses strip away complexity, focus on what actually works, and build marketing machines that run without constant founder involvement.

In this episode, you'll hear why personal brand is becoming the most defensible advantage in any industry, how to spot and plug "leaks" in your customer journey before pouring money into ads, and why subtracting is often the fastest path to growth.

You'll also learn the two questions that determine whether a new tool is worth using, and the simple "dead man switch" system Allan uses to ensure consistent output even when he's off the grid.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by marketing options or stuck on the hamster wheel of content creation, this conversation will help you simplify, amplify, and finally get the leverage you've been chasing.

Listen in and learn how to do less, but far better.

—

This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark.

—

Key Takeaways:

• 00:00 Intro

• 01:08 Biggest marketing mistakes in 2025

• 03:26 Authenticity in content creation and personal branding

• 07:14 The democratization of content creation

• 10:30 Lead generation vs. conversion optimization

• 16:15 The most underrated asset for entrepreneurs in 2025

• 19:19 Doing fewer things better

• 26:45 Lean marketing and organization

• 30:48 Frequency vs. quality

• 34:02 The importance of systems and processes

• 41:14 The role of AI in copywriting

• 46:01 Focusing on the fundamentals vs. new concepts

• 50:08 Allan's winning routines

• 53:36 Allan's advice to his younger self

• 56:14 Outro

—

Additional Resources:

🔹 Allan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allandib/?hl=en

🔹 Lean Marketing Website: https://leanmarketing.com/

🔹 Lean Marketing Book: https://leanmarketing.com/

➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/

➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8

➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1

Let's Connect:

🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert

🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil

🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert

🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787

--

Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work.

If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU!

Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building.

Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

In this clip from Episode 189 of Beyond A Million, Michael Erath, founder of Next Level Growth and mastermind behind the Five Obsessions framework, tells the story of how his $45M business came crashing down after discovering that his best friend and business partner had been committing fraud and embezzling funds—right as the 2008 financial crisis hit. What followed was a brutal 18-month battle to avoid bankruptcy, protect his family, and rebuild from the ashes.

Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Michael: https://podfollow.com/beyond-a-million

What if the framework you're using to grow your business is the very thing holding it back?

Today's guest, Michael Erath, founder of Next Level Growth, reveals why systems like EOS and Scaling Up, while helpful, often become a cage for elite entrepreneurs. Michael grew a $45M company, lost it all to fraud and a financial crisis, and came back stronger with a custom-built framework that now helps other businesses scale without the chaos.

In this episode, you'll hear how Michael bounced back from total collapse, why most entrepreneurs are aiming too low, and what makes his Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations framework a smarter, more adaptable path to sustainable growth.

You'll also learn why effort is your responsibility, how to rethink coaching ROI, and why pricing strategy should never be an afterthought.

If you've ever felt boxed in by traditional systems or know your business is capable of more, this conversation will show you how to build the kind of company others can't compete with.

Listen in and learn what it takes to grow a business that's not just successful, but elite.

—

This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark.

—

Key Takeaways:

• 00:00:00 Michael's turbulent business background

• 00:02:47 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

• 00:05:28 Investment returns on coaching

• 00:14:46 Growing a family business to $45M

• 00:20:43 Bank fraud, embezzlement, and the 2008 collapse

• 00:23:51 There's always a negotiation to be had

• 00:34:02 Starting over and building a new business

• 00:41:39 The EOS framework

• 00:44:59 The five obsessions framework

• 00:59:24 Michael's book and its AI companion

• 01:01:51 AI and business

• 01:04:13 Acceptance of mediocre performance

• 01:08:48 Outro

—

Additional Resources:

🔹 Next Level Growth: https://nextlevelgrowth.com/

🔹 Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelerath1/

🔹 Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations: https://a.co/d/ckShv2Y

➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/

➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8

➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1

Let's Connect:

🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert

🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil

🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert

🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787

—

Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work.

If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU!

Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building.

Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!