Beyond the Mark

What do baseball cards, commercial lighting, and beef have in common?

Farmer Jeff.

In this episode of Beyond the Mark, Joe Toma sits down with Farmer Jeff—a towering figure in every sense—who shares how he's built a powerful reputation simply by being present, staying sincere, and caring more than most. From flipping cards as a teenager to becoming a connector of connectors in Southeast Michigan, Jeff explains how to make networking meaningful (and even fun).

✅ How to stand out without shouting
✅ Why sincerity beats strategy
✅ The right way to give a business card
✅ What not to do when you're new to a group
✅ Why Farmer Jeff doesn’t accept referral fees—and what he asks for instead

Whether you're a small business owner, sales pro, or serial networker, this episode is packed with timeless takeaways.

🔗 Listen now and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!

Carla Hurd went from selling candles as a single mom to building a wellness movement that’s helping thousands live healthier, more energized lives. In this episode of Beyond the Mark, she shares how her health transformation began with one reluctant meeting, one protein shake—and a whole lot of heart.

We talk about:

• How Carla built a business by showing up, serving others, and being herself

• The "wellness wheel" and how to find your missing pieces

• Simple first steps to improving your health (hint: start with protein and walking)

• Why community and connection are the real secret to long-term success

• How events and networking turned into a national business strategy

Whether you're feeling stuck, burnt out, or just ready to level up your health and business, Carla’s story will inspire you to take the first step.

🎧 Listen now and learn why comfortable isn’t always safe—and why the right community can change everything.

Connect with Carla:
📸 Instagram – @carlahurd22
🌐 Website – www.carlahurd.com

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How Tony went from nearly becoming an auto designer to launching a landscaping company in college

Why his first $200 shopping center contract changed everything

The key lesson from a winter season that nearly broke his team

How he earned and kept high-profile contracts like Providence Hospital for over two decades

Why he’s not afraid to fire high-paying clients who cause chaos

His unique approach to team culture, scheduling, and client communication

The secret to leaving a lasting brand impression — even with a pack of gum

Tony’s passion for community involvement and charitable giving

Mentioned in this episode:

Artistic Outdoor Services

Monarch Butterfly Garden in Southfield, MI

Michigan Green Industry Association (MGIA)

Hot Pink Helpers (Breast Cancer Awareness initiative)

LinkedIn – Tony Konja
Instagram & Facebook – @artisticoutdoorservices and @tonykonja_artisticoutdoor
Website – Artistic Outdoor
Phone – 248-855-8575

🎧 Beyond the Mark is a podcast hosted by Joe Toma, helping business leaders, marketers, and entrepreneurs grow unforgettable brands through smart strategy, bold storytelling, and better swag.

For guest inquiries, sponsorships, or to learn how we can help elevate your brand:
📩 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Visit: logoclothingshop.com
📱 Follow on Instagram: @logoclothingshop
💼 Connect on LinkedIn: Joe Toma

Thanks for listening—and remember: keep showing up, keep learning, and keep making your mark.

In this episode of Beyond the Mark, host Joe Toma sits down with Mark Friday and Emily Ostroski of RJ Telecommunications — and this one’s a masterclass in perseverance, reinvention, and people-first leadership.

Mark’s journey started with breaking computers at age 5 and ended (well, continues!) with owning and scaling a Michigan-based telecom company. In between? He flipped a house, opened a sandwich shop, ran a Family Video store, and made a few tough but defining calls in business. Emily, who joined as Mark prepared to buy out the original owner, brings a fresh perspective on financial systems, contracts, and the backbone of company operations.

Whether you’re growing a small business, leading a team, or just love stories about real-world entrepreneurship, this episode delivers.

Mark’s wild ride from food service to full ownership of RJ Telecommunications

Why flipping a house during the 2008 crash led to opening a sandwich shop

The painful but necessary decision to let go of a long-time employee

How RJ chooses clients based on values, not just revenue

Emily’s growth from new hire to key operations leader — and how she rewrote their legal agreements from scratch

Why taking care of people (not just customers) drives growth

What the future of RJ looks like — and why it’s about systems, service, and strategy

“I’ve never run away from responsibility. I just keep adding more and more and more.” – Mark
“We’re not looking to nickel-and-dime anyone — we’re here to do the right thing.” – Emily
“I don’t hire people to be yes men or yes women. I hire smart people to help me lead better.” – Mark

@rjtelecommunications

🔗 https://now.rj10.com
📞 (248) 442-2100 
📍 Michigan-based, serving clients nationwide

✅ Subscribe to Beyond the Mark
⭐ Leave a review on Apple or Spotify
🔁 Share this episode with someone growing a business
📩 Want to be a guest? Reach out at [email protected]

🎧 Beyond the Mark is a podcast hosted by Joe Toma, helping business leaders, marketers, and entrepreneurs grow unforgettable brands through smart strategy, bold storytelling, and better swag.

For guest inquiries, sponsorships, or to learn how we can help elevate your brand:
📩 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Visit: logoclothingshop.com
📱 Follow on Instagram: @logoclothingshop
💼 Connect on LinkedIn: Joe Toma

Thanks for listening—and remember: keep showing up, keep learning, and keep making your mark.

Marketing That Works—And Why Most of It Doesn’t Kevin Outland

In this episode of Beyond the Mark, Joe Toma interviews Kevin Outland, founder of Pure Energy Advertising, who shares his journey in the advertising industry over the past 21 years. The conversation covers the evolution of advertising, the importance of building relationships with clients, and the role of networking in business growth. Kevin emphasizes the significance of reputation management and the impact of social media on marketing strategies. He also discusses how to create brand ambassadors through excellent service and the necessity of understanding client needs in a rapidly changing advertising landscape.

• Kevin Outland shares his journey in the advertising industry.
• The importance of building long-term relationships with clients.
• Networking is crucial for business growth and influence.
• Reputation management can significantly impact a business's success.
• Social media presence is essential for attracting new clients.
• Creating brand ambassadors is about delivering excellent service.
• Understanding client needs leads to better marketing strategies.
• AI is transforming the advertising landscape.
• Proximity plus time equals influence in networking.
• It's important to do what you say you're going to do.

00:00 Kevin Outland's Journey into Marketing

03:46 The Evolution of Advertising: From Traditional to Digital

06:30 Building a Client-Centric Agency: Relationships Over Transactions

09:25 Networking and Referrals: The Organic Growth Strategy

12:38 The Importance of Reputation Management

15:21 Staying Ahead in Marketing: Continuous Learning and Adaptation

18:30 Effective Advertising Strategies: Call to Action vs. Branding

22:04 Turning Clients into Brand Ambassadors

25:25 The Role of Social Media in Modern Marketing

28:11Advice for Small to Medium-Sized Businesses

30:58 Conclusion: The Future of Marketing and Client Relationships

44:14 Introduction to Marketing Insights

44:39 Building a Remarkable Brand

🌐 Website: getpureenergy.com
📞 Phone: 248-844-0086
🔗 LinkedIn: Pure Energy Advertising

🎙️ Host of Beyond the Mark
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: logoclothingshop.com
📱 Instagram: @logoclothingshop
💼 LinkedIn: Joe Toma

✅ Subscribe
💬 Leave a Review
📢 Share with someone who needs a smarter marketing strategy

🎧 Beyond the Mark is a podcast hosted by Joe Toma, helping business leaders, marketers, and entrepreneurs grow unforgettable brands through smart strategy, bold storytelling, and better swag.

For guest inquiries, sponsorships, or to learn how we can help elevate your brand:
📩 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Visit: logoclothingshop.com
📱 Follow on Instagram: @logoclothingshop
💼 Connect on LinkedIn: Joe Toma

Thanks for listening—and remember: keep showing up, keep learning, and keep making your mark.

Episode Notes – From Furloughed to Fully Booked

In this episode of Beyond the Mark, we sit down with Avery Huckaby, founder of Refreshing Health Cleaning Solutions, to hear how he transformed a furlough into a full-time business using grit, hustle, and a little help from YouTube.

🔹 Topics Covered:

How Avery discovered carpet cleaning on YouTube

Why he chose service over safety

The lessons from his very first cleaning job

Tools, processes, and chemistry that separate pros from amateurs

Why bigger isn’t always better in the cleaning industry

Building trust and long-term client relationships

The power of word-of-mouth and customer education

Where he’s taking the business next (think stone polishing & epoxy floors)

🔹 Connect with Avery:
https://www.facebook.com/RefreshingHealth
@refreshinghealth
https://refreshinghealth.com

🔹 Follow Beyond the Mark:
Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
Got a guest idea or want to be featured? Reach out at [email protected].

🎧 Beyond the Mark is a podcast hosted by Joe Toma, helping business leaders, marketers, and entrepreneurs grow unforgettable brands through smart strategy, bold storytelling, and better swag.

For guest inquiries, sponsorships, or to learn how we can help elevate your brand:
📩 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Visit: logoclothingshop.com
📱 Follow on Instagram: @logoclothingshop
💼 Connect on LinkedIn: Joe Toma

Thanks for listening—and remember: keep showing up, keep learning, and keep making your mark.