Inside Intel: Jordan Solender

In this episode of Cracking the Code, we chat with serial entrepreneur and business coach Jordan Solender, who proves you don’t need an MBA or venture capital to scale multiple businesses. Jordan shares how founders can remove themselves as the bottleneck, document and delegate effectively, and use AI and systems to grow without burning out. 

Key Takeaways:

• You are often the bottleneck in your own business — the solution? Document, delegate, and automate.
• Systemization isn’t about stepping away entirely; it’s about stepping into leadership.
• The moment to act is before growth creates chaos — slow down to scale effectively.

 Start your AI journey with our free AI Advantage guide: https://aiadvantage.codeconspirators.com/download

Inside Intel: Building a Modern Web Agency in an AI-Driven Market

In this live interview, Rob Riggs sits down with Josh Dover, founder of Dover Web Studio, a boutique dev + SEO agency serving local and regional service businesses in Northwest Arkansas.

Josh shares what it’s like to launch (and relaunch) an agency, why education matters more than ever for digitally-behind industries, and how AI is reshaping SEO, rapid prototyping, and client expectations.

They dive into:
 • The rise of AI overviews & what it means for organic traffic
 • How local service firms can stay visible during massive regional growth
 • Why FAQs, strong SEO fundamentals, and clear structure now influence AI engines
 • The challenge of biz dev in industries driven by referrals

Connect with Josh:
 Website: https://dover.digital/
 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doverdover/

Plus, start your AI journey with our free AI Advantage guide:
 https://aiadvantage.codeconspirators.com/download

Inside Intel: Why a $5.99 Haircut Changed an Entire Agency Model

This week on Cracking the Code, Rob Riggs sits down with Bill Reynolds, President of Element 502—a digital agency in Louisville, KY with a completely different playbook.

Bill shares the unforgettable $5.99 haircut story that reshaped how he prices, serves clients, and rejects the one-size-fits-all agency model.

They dive into:

• Why value > price (and why not everyone is your customer)

• How social media + AI have shifted digital expectations

• The real risks of spec work

• Why transparency and client ownership still win long-term

Check out Element 502: https://www.element502.com

Connect with Bill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-reynolds-element502/

Plus, start your AI journey with our free AI Advantage guide:

https://aiadvantage.codeconspirators.com/download

Inside Intel: Clay Lehman on Scaling Small Businesses & AI for Efficiency

In this episode of Cracking the Code, Rob Riggs sits down with Clay Lehman, founder of Lehman Strategic Partners and owner of True Title Acala, to unpack lessons from real estate, entrepreneurship, and the rise of AI in small business operations.

Clay shares how navigating crises like 2008 shaped his approach to business, why mastering fundamentals beats chasing the latest tech trends, and how AI can amplify—but not replace—strong systems. He also introduces his new Real Estate AI Playbook, designed to help business owners apply AI without the overwhelm.

🎯 Key takeaways:

• Why broken systems + AI = faster chaos

• Narrow your focus to grow your ideal client base

• Document processes to reclaim time & scale effectively

  
  

🔗 Learn more and connect with Clay: claylehman.com

Plus, start your AI journey with our free AI Advantage guide: https://aiadvantage.codeconspirators.com/download

⏱️ The gap between firms using AI and those that aren’t is widening—fast.

In this Cracking the Code deep dive, we break down why delaying AI adoption is costing professional service firms real revenue every month—and how the 11% who implement it systematically are seeing:

• 340% more qualified leads in law

• 89% more patient bookings in medicine

• $2.3M AUM growth in finance

  
  

The difference? A compliance-first, 3-layer AI strategy that scales predictably while avoiding costly missteps.

If your firm is still waiting, the catch-up window is closing—and by Q3 2025, that gap may be permanent.

Plus, start your AI journey with our free AI Advantage guide: https://aiadvantage.codeconspirators.com/download’

Inside Intel: Brand Strategy with Lori Asbury

How do billion-dollar brands scale while others stall?
In this episode, Rob sits down with Lori Asbury, President & CEO of CMOco, who has spent 25+ years building powerhouse brands across Fox, CBS, HGTV, and more.

Lori breaks down:

• What separates brands that scale from those that plateau

• Why consistency beats “quick win” marketing

• How small and midsize businesses can compete with AI-driven search

• The new rules of reach, frequency, and digital targeting

• How to measure brand strategy beyond “vanity metrics”

She also shares how companies should evolve with consumer demand, when it’s time to invest in real marketing infrastructure, and why organic social alone won’t get businesses to the next level.

🎙 Guest: Lori Asbury, CEO of CMOco
Website: https://www.cmoco.com

Plus, start your AI journey with our free AI Advantage guide:
https://aiadvantage.codeconspirators.com/download

⚡89% of AI implementations in professional services fail.

Why? Firms try to automate broken processes, skip compliance, or move too slow.

But the top 11% are scaling fast—with 3-layer AI systems that deliver:
✔️ 340% more qualified leads
✔️ 89% fewer no-shows in medical practices
✔️ $2.3M AUM growth for financial advisors in 8 months
✔️ 200% capacity gains for agencies

The difference isn’t the tools.
It’s the strategy and architecture behind them.

In this episode of Cracking the Code, we dive into the blueprints top firms are using right now to get a market-defining edge.

Plus, start your AI journey with our free AI Advantage guide: https://aiadvantage.codeconspirators.com/download

Inside Intel: Shane Barker on AI, Amazon Reviews & Scaling Smart

In this episode, Rob sits down with Shane Barker — consultant, speaker, and founder of TraceFuse.ai — to unpack how AI helped his team scale long before it was mainstream.

Shane shares:
• How Amazon sellers can spot & remove guideline-violating reviews
• The hidden patterns behind fake reviews
• Why big brands obsess over star rating drops
• How AI reduces team workload without replacing people
• The biggest shifts he’s seen in marketing over the years

Shane’s links:
🔗 Website: https://shanebarker.com
🔗 TraceFuse: https://tracefuse.ai
🔗 IG: https://instagram.com/shane_barker

Plus, start your AI journey with our free AI Advantage guide:
https://aiadvantage.codeconspirators.com/download

⚠️ 89% of AI projects in law, medicine, finance, and other professional services fail.

But the 11% who succeed see transformational results—like 347% ROI, 67% margin growth, and 240% more client capacity in just 90 days.

The difference? A systematic 3-layer AI stack:
1️⃣ Foundation systems – automate intake, scheduling, and admin
2️⃣ Intelligence systems – predict churn, optimize conversations, spot hidden risks
3️⃣ Advanced systems – orchestrate workflows and scale capacity without new hires

In this episode of Cracking the Code, we unpack why most firms struggle, how the successful ones scale, and why waiting past June 2025 could cost you 18 months and double your implementation budget.

Plus, start your AI journey with our free AI Advantage guide: https://aiadvantage.codeconspirators.com/download’

Inside Intel: How Compliance Strengthens Cybersecurity with Cordell Robinson

In this episode of Cracking the Code, Rob Riggs sits down with Cordell Robinson, JD, CEO of Brownstone Consulting, a 25-year cybersecurity veteran with a rare blend of legal, technical, military intelligence, and compliance expertise.

Cordell breaks down:

• Why compliance is the real foundation of cybersecurity
• How to protect your firm from insider threats, AI misuse & phishing
• What the EU AI Act means for U.S. businesses
• The future of AI + security—what’s coming in the next 3–5 years
• The guardrails every professional services firm must have in place

If you're in legal, medical, financial, or any regulated field, this is the wake-up call you need. 

Guest Links:
Brownstone Consulting: ⁠https://www.brownstoneconsultingfirm.com⁠

Cordell Robinson IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/cordellrobinson_jd

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Plus, start your AI journey with our free AI Advantage guide:
⁠https://aiadvantage.codeconspirators.com/download