Business by Referral Podcast

Ally Berthiaume - Guest Bio:

Ally Berthiaume is The Memoir Coach. She helps courageous women write the memoir they wish they had when they were going through the hardest chapter of their lives. An award-winning author, speaker, developmental editor, and memoir coach with an MFA in creative writing, Ally guides writers through the strategy, structure, emotional depth, and publishing education they need to turn lived experience into a memoir that matters.

In this episode, Virginia and Ally talked about:

• How Ally became a writer
• Overcoming the critics
• The evolution ecosystem
• The shift in the publishing industry
• How to create customer loyalty

Takeaways:

1. I don't know how yet, but I don't know how to fail.
2. Go out of your way to start the conversation!
3. Create experiences that build client loyalty.
4. Give value before asking for referrals.

Connect with Ally on her social media platforms to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

Website: http://thewriteplacerighttime.com/ https://linktr.ee/ayberthiaume

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayberthiaume/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

https://mktg.masterconnectors.com/business-by-referral-blueprint

Ashley Goes - Guest Bio:

Ashley Goes is on a mission to prove that the fastest way to grow a service business isn't through an algorithm, it's through the people already in your world. Ashley started her first business in 2019 as a fitness and nutrition coach, going on to serve hundreds of women across the US. Along the way, she realized the part of the work she loved most wasn't the coaching itself, it was the strategy behind the business.

Today, she helps service business owners build the partnership channels that expand their reach and grow their revenue without relying on paid ads or an endless content grind. Her core belief is that relationships drive revenue; that collaboration outperforms competition without fail.

Her philosophy is unapologetically old-fashioned. Consistency, simplicity, and long-term sustainability are the keys to real growth- even in a world that seems to insist that the opposite is true.

In this episode, Virginia and Ashley talked about:

• Ashley's journey from fitness coaching to business strategy
• Active vs. passive referral strategies
• Making it easy for clients to refer you
• How psychology shapes business conversations
• Reaching ideal clients through strategic partnerships

Takeaways:

1. Find new clients and expand your reach.

2. Use your influence for good

3. Get in front of our ideal clients where they already are.

4. If we want those things, we need to ask for them

Connect with Ashley on her social media platforms to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

Website: AshleyGoes.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleygoes/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley_goes/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

https://mktg.masterconnectors.com/business-by-referral-blueprint

Janet Macaluso's BIO:

Janet Macaluso helps leaders, teams, and change-makers gain the insight they need to elevate, innovate, and create transformational change.

Drawing on decades of experience as an executive in leadership, learning, and organization design, Janet creates space for people to develop new ways of thinking, break automatic and outdated patterns, eliminate energy-draining waste, navigate complex challenges, and achieve exceptional systemic results.

Her extensive education and professional credentials include a Master's in Education from Harvard University, a Master of Science in Organization Development from Pepperdine University, and an Advanced Certificate in Organization Design from the University of Southern California.

Janet was named to the BRAINZ 500 Global list in 2021 and 2022 and is a Certified High Performance Coach, Tiny Habits Coach, Immunity to Change Facilitator, Professional Retirement Coach, Search Inside Yourself Facilitator, Energy Leadership Master Practitioner, and HeartMath Facilitator.

In this episode, Virginia and Janet talked about:

• Janet's journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship

• Breaking outdated patterns and generic best practices

• Becoming your "best future self"

• Networking and building relationships as an introvert

• Building a business through referrals and service

Takeaways:

1. It takes work to build a business.
2. Become the author of your own life
3. Retire to something, not just from something
4. Work with "the people who are my people

Connect with Janet on her social media platforms to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

Website: https://learning2lead.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetmacaluso/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janet.macaluso.1

Instagram: https://instagram.com/janet.macaluso

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

https://mktg.masterconnectors.com/business-by-referral-blueprint

Nicole Donnelly's BIO:

Nicole Donnelly is a fifth-generation entrepreneur who knows firsthand the grit it takes to build something from the ground up. As the Founder of Hello Moxie—a bold platform, podcast, and community—she is on a mission to help women, particularly those in industries where they have been overlooked, underestimated, or underserved, step fully into their power. Through Hello Moxie, Nicole connects women through mentorship and leadership programming, community and storytelling. At the heart of her work is the Moxie Method™, her proprietary framework that helps leaders: Walk away from burnout and hustle culture and define success on their own terms. Reconnect with their purpose in work and life. Lead with courage, connection, authenticity, and unapologetic confidence.

In this episode, Virginia and Nicole talked about:

• Nicole's five-generation entrepreneurial legacy

• Moving beyond burnout and reconnecting with your purpose

• The role of mentorship in developing confident leaders

• Testing an offer through conversations before building the tech

• Building B2B growth through relationships and your network

Takeaways:

1. It's never too late to get started

2. Keep building those seeds because you never know

3. Show up for the people in your network

4. You just have to always be thinking about how you can be of value

Connect with Nicole on her social media platforms to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

Website: https://hellomoxie.us/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-donnelly-dmg/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

https://mktg.masterconnectors.com/business-by-referral-blueprint

Shirley Sutton's BIO:

Shirley Sutton is a Leadership Coach, People & Culture professional, and founder of Ascendly Coaching. With a background in talent acquisition, HR, leadership development, and organisational transformation, she has spent years helping organisations identify and develop high-potential leaders. Shirley is the creator of the Manager to Leader Authority Shift Program, designed to help emerging leaders build confidence, influence, and leadership presence. Through her signature Authority Shift Method, she empowers professionals to overcome self-doubt, strengthen their personal brand, and step into leadership with clarity and impact.

In this episode, Virginia and Shirley talked about:

• Shirley's journey from corporate to coaching

• Building authority as a new leader

• Getting clear on your ideal client

• Growing through your existing network

• Using conversations to create opportunities

Takeaways:

1. You need to find out what works for you.

2. It really all starts with that awareness piece.

3. Just give it a go and give it a try.

4. There's really no such thing as failure.

Connect with Shirley on her social media platforms to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

Website: www.ascendly.online

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirleysutton/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

https://mktg.masterconnectors.com/business-by-referral-blueprint

Kathleen Baker's BIO:

Kathleen Baker (Nandin) — Flutist, Composer & Meditative Music Guide

There's a moment in every Nandin performance when the room seems to exhale. That's the gift Kathleen Baker has spent a lifetime cultivating.

Raised in Calgary and classically trained at the University of Calgary and the Royal Conservatory of Music, Kathleen began her career on symphony stages—performing with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and studying under flute masters Robert Aitken, Marcel Moyse, Julius Baker, and Jeanne Baxtresser. But her path soon widened beyond the concert hall.

For decades Kathleen—known to her students and listeners as Nandin—has woven together music and stillness. She's taught at Universities, recorded with beloved artists like Deva Premal & Miten, Manish Vyas, Chinmaya Dunster, and Harry Manx, and created cherished albums, including Zen Spa, Celestial Spa, and Reiki Meditations.

Her healing path runs just as deep. Nandin trained directly with B.K.S. Iyengar in India and became an accredited Iyengar Yoga teacher, later studying Reiki, Shiatsu, Cranio-Sacral Therapy, and Emotional Freedom Technique—practices she now folds into the events and performances she offers.

Today, you'll find her leading "Meditative Music Making" sessions, crafting original guided meditations, and sharing her Experience Oneness workshop with audiences worldwide—most recently at the 2025 National Flute Convention in Atlanta.

Nandin invites you not just to listen, but to arrive—fully, gently, present.

In this episode, Virginia and Kathleen talked about:

• Laura's journey from marketing to mentoring
• Building genuine referral relationships
• Creating trust before asking for referrals
• Why networking is a long-term strategy
• Using authenticity to strengthen relationships

Takeaways:

1. You have to really be there to play.

2. People have to know you.

3. You find yourself sort of by dropping yourself.

4. You can't hang on to it. You just have to be there.

Connect with Kathleen on her social media platforms to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

Website: https://nandinmusic.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nandin-kathleen-baker-360a6220/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nandin.baker

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nandin.baker/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

https://mktg.masterconnectors.com/business-by-referral-blueprint

Laura Lorenz' BIO:

Laura Lorenz is the founder of Top Floor Mentoring, a leadership development and business mentoring company dedicated to helping people achieve their greatness. With more than 35 years of real-world business and leadership experience, Laura brings practical insight, honest guidance, and a deeply personal approach to her work.

She helps organizations develop emerging leaders into confident, effective managers by strengthening their communication, decision-making, accountability, time management, and team leadership skills. Laura also works with business owners and professionals who want greater clarity, stronger direction, and a practical plan for achieving their goals.

Known for her warm, straightforward style, Laura combines encouragement with accountability. She does not believe in one-size-fits-all solutions; instead, she meets people where they are and helps them move forward with greater confidence and purpose. Laura is also the co-author of Do Leadership: A Step-by-Step Approach to Doing Thought Leadership.

In this episode, Virginia and Laura talked about:

• Laura's journey from marketing to mentoring
• Building genuine referral relationships
• Creating trust before asking for referrals
• Why networking is a long-term strategy
• Using authenticity to strengthen relationships

Takeaways:

1. Connect, ask, and serve.
2. Build those relationships.
3. We forget the ask.
4. If you're looking for instant, you're doing the wrong thing

Connect with Laura on her website to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

https://mktg.masterconnectors.com/business-by-referral-blueprint

Lena Khais' BIO:

Lena Khais is a business strategist, money mindset expert, and speaker who helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses without working themselves into the ground.

With more than 25 years of Fortune 500 leadership experience and a master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Lena blends business strategy, human behavior, and energetics in a way that is practical, relatable, and refreshingly free of fluff.

As the founder of Atlas Paradigm, she works with established entrepreneurs who feel stuck at the same revenue level despite doing all the things. Her approach helps them uncover hidden energy leaks, make more confident decisions, attract better-fit clients, and build businesses that actually support the lives they want to live.

Lena is also the creator of Life by Design VIP and Bank on Energy, and she is a published author, workshop facilitator, and podcast guest. She is known for making big personal development concepts simple, actionable, and often a little funny.

She is a published author, workshop facilitator, and podcast guest. She is known for making big personal development concepts simple, actionable, and often a little funny.

Her core belief is simple: success is not about doing more. It is about becoming the person who can create more with greater ease.

In this episode, Virginia and Lena talked about:

• Breaking through revenue plateaus
• Turning referrals into trusted business
• Finding complementary referral partners
• Building relationships through podcasts
• Growing without doing everything yourself

Takeaways:

1. No is actually an invitation to dive deeper.
2. You don't need to figure out the how all the time.
3. Sometimes you need to find the right who.
4. Revenue is not random, it's a response.

Connect with Lena Khais on her social media accounts to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

LinkedIn URL

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenakhais/

LinkedIn URL

https://www.facebook.com/elena.alexis.khais/

Instagram URL

https://www.instagram.com/lenakhais/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

https://mktg.masterconnectors.com/business-by-referral-blueprint

Melissa Sierra's BIO:

Melissa Sierra is an executive coach, strategic growth advisor, speaker, and founder of Focal Point Coaching. She helps executives, founders, and leadership teams navigate growth, AI transformation, and organizational change by turning complexity into clarity and strategy into measurable results.

Drawing on more than 15 years of executive leadership experience, Melissa works with organizations to strengthen leadership capability, accelerate commercial growth, and build resilient teams prepared for the future of work. She is the creator of the Opportunity Flywheel™, a leadership framework that helps professionals and businesses create sustainable momentum through strategy, visibility, relationships, execution, and results.

Melissa is a sought-after speaker on leadership, organizational transformation, and the human side of AI. She has been featured in CEO Weekly and the Associated Press, serves as a member of the Forbes Communications Council, and has contributed thought leadership on executive leadership, business growth, and emerging workplace trends. Her insights have been shared on national stages and podcasts, where she challenges conventional thinking about career growth, leadership identity, and creating lasting impact.

Through her podcast, Holding the Room: Leadership, AI, and the Human Edge, Melissa equips leaders with practical frameworks to lead with confidence, make better decisions, and create more opportunity in an increasingly complex world.

Her mission is simple: help leaders build businesses, careers, and legacies that create meaningful impact long after the next promotion, product launch, or quarterly result.

In this episode, Virginia and Melissa talked about

• Melissa's work in leadership and growth

• Clarity as the foundation for referrals

• Building opportunity through relationships

• Becoming known for the problem you solve

• Using your network to create business momentum

Takeaways:

1. You do need to build your network in a new light.
2. Being a solopreneur is truly hard
3. We all wanted to be seen and heard.
4. Clarity becomes the opportunity.
5. Being able to use AI as your super strategic framework is your superpower.

Connect with Melissa Sierra on her social media accounts to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

LinkedIn URL

melissasierra.focalpointcoaching.com

LinkedIn URL

www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-sierra

Instagram URL

instagram.com/MelissaSierra.Coach

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

https://mktg.masterconnectors.com/business-by-referral-blueprint

Michael Rebelo's BIO:

Michael Rebelo is the Founder of Ever Forward Capital Partners, a multifamily real estate investment firm focused on helping investors build long-term wealth through apartment investing. After becoming passionate about financial education and entrepreneurship at a young age, Michael chose to pursue business and real estate instead of the traditional college path.

His journey was inspired by watching his mother work tirelessly while facing many of the same financial challenges millions of Americans experience today, including retirement uncertainty and inflation. That experience fueled his commitment to helping others better understand investing, ownership, and financial freedom.

Today, Michael has helped raise nearly $2 million in investor capital, been involved with 216 apartment units, and spoken on podcasts and stages across the United States. Through Ever Forward Capital Partners, he focuses on investor education, capital raising, relationship management, and helping individuals and families create long-term wealth through multifamily real estate.

Michael is passionate about sharing lessons on entrepreneurship, investing, relationship-building, and the importance of making disciplined decisions that compound over time.

In this episode, Virginia and Michael talked about

• Michael's journey into multifamily real estate
• Building wealth through passive investing
• Growing a network from the ground up
• The value of mentorship and relationships
• Networking with curiosity and authenticity

Takeaways:

1. Build yourselves better and bigger every day.

2. Always move forward.

3. Be 1% better.

4. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

5. Connect with people better than you.

Connect with Michael Rebelo on his social media accounts to learn more about his work and insights into networking effectively:

LinkedIn URL

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rebelo-045024299/

https://www.everforwardcapitalpartners.com/

Facebook URL

https://www.facebook.com/michael.rebelo.2025/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

https://mktg.masterconnectors.com/business-by-referral-blueprint