Mastering Entrepreneurship and Client Success in NYC with Steve Griggs

Steve Griggs is the founder of Steve Griggs Design, a leading New York landscape design firm known for transforming city spaces into luxurious, functional retreats. With over 40 years in business, Steve blends creativity, grit, and a hands-on approach—mastering the challenges of NYC’s “concrete jungle” and serving clients ranging from everyday families to celebrities and high net worth individuals. His customer-centric philosophy, reputation for clear communication, and dedication to exceptional results have earned him recognition as one of the industry's top designers and entrepreneurs.

Steve Griggs built his reputation navigating the unique challenges of New York’s urban landscape—balancing creativity with the practical realities of space, regulations, and demanding clients. He often describes working in NYC as a test of resourcefulness: “You need grit, honesty, and a hands-on mindset to cut through the red tape and make visions come to life in the city that never sleeps”. 

"Success means embracing unexpected obstacles, respecting tight timelines, and always being prepared to find solutions when projects hit snags." - Steve Griggs

Connect with Steve Griggs: Website | LinkedIn | YouTube

SPONSORED BY: This episode of Your Partner In Success Radio is sponsored by Cynthia Kay, also known as CK. As the founder of Cynthia Kay and Company, CK leads an award-winning media production firm and stands out as a respected leader in small business innovation. With more than 35 years of experience, she has dedicated her career to helping entrepreneurs thrive with clarity and confidence. CK is not just a trailblazer in her industry—she’s also someone I personally admire. Discover more about her exceptional work at CynthiaKayBiz.com.

We appreciate you tuning in to this episode of Your Partner In Success Radio with Host Denise Griffitts. If you enjoyed what you heard, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners and create even better content!

• Website: Your  Partner In Success Radio
• Email: [email protected]

In this episode of The Closers Inner Circle Podcast, legendary sales trainer Ben Gay III reflects on the timeless lessons he learned from his greatest mentors—wisdom that continues to guide his work and life to this day. 

From mastering the art of influence to understanding the psychology of human connection, Ben shares the strategies, stories, and turning points that shaped him into one of the most respected voices in sales. And don’t be surprised if one of the lessons is the opposite of what most salespeople are taught—insights that can change the way you sell, lead, and succeed.

Last week we covered Boring wins! The most successful people rely on simple routines that look ordinary but produce extraordinary results. In this episode of The Closers Inner Circle Podcast Ben Gay III and Denise Griffitts reveal how consistency builds trust, mastery, and lasting success.

Buy the Closers Books Pt 1 and Pt 2 on eBay: Having these books in front of you while listening to The Closers Inner Circle Podcast lets you follow along, take notes directly in the margins, and apply the strategies as we discuss them. They’re not just great reading—they’re your playbook for closing more sales and building lasting success. They arrive with free shopping and signed by Ben. https://www.ebay.com/str/ronzonebooks

SPONSORED BY: Today’s episode of The Closers Inner Circle Podcast is sponsored by Your Partner In Success Radio—my own podcast, ranked in the top 1.5% worldwide. It’s the home where this show is published, and where I’ve spent the past 17 years sharing powerful conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs, and authors. In fact, there is where I met Ben all those many years ago and I am eternally grateful for that connection.

Ben and I are easy to find online. Just look for us on LinkedIn and connect with us there. Ben Gay III | Denise Griffitts

We appreciate you tuning in to this episode of Your Partner In Success Radio with Host Denise Griffitts. If you enjoyed what you heard, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners and create even better content!

• Website: Your  Partner In Success Radio
• Email: [email protected]

Smart Relocation: Data-Driven Choices for Your Next Move

Today on Your Partner In Success Radio,  I’m joined by Vasily Yurenkov, founder of Greener Relocation, a company transforming the way people decide where to live. Greener Relocation helps individuals and families make smarter moves—whether across the country or around the globe—using a proprietary multifactor algorithm that evaluates more than 150 cities in 70+ countries.

With a background in high-stakes data analysis for investors and executives managing decisions worth millions, Vasily brings analytical rigor to a process that’s often clouded by stress and uncertainty. Having lived and worked internationally himself, he understands both the opportunities and challenges of relocation.

Since founding Greener Relocation in 2021, his mission has been clear: replace guesswork with clarity, structure, and actionable insights. Through in-depth consultations and personalized rankings, his team helps clients cut through stereotypes, compare locations objectively, and choose the places that best fit their values, goals, and lifestyle.

Connect with Vasily Yurenkov:  Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | FREE Relocation Guide

SPONSORED BY: This episode of Your Partner In Success Radio is brought to you by Mitch Weisburgh, the author of MindShifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success. Why do I recommend this book? Because Mitch gets right to the heart of what so many of us struggle with—how our own minds can trip us up. He doesn’t just point it out, he gives you tools to recognize those patterns and replace them with habits that build clarity, confidence, and momentum. 

MindShifting isn’t theory—it’s a practical guide you can use every single day to stop the self-sabotage and start creating the life and success you want. You’ll find it on Amazon, and I encourage you to add it to your success library.

We appreciate you tuning in to this episode of Your Partner In Success Radio with Host Denise Griffitts. If you enjoyed what you heard, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners and create even better content!

• Website: Your  Partner In Success Radio
• Email: [email protected]

Your Leadership Legacy: LTC Oak McCulloch on Servant Leadership, Trust, and Building Leaders for Tomorrow

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Oakland “Oak” McCulloch is back with us today, and I couldn’t be happier to welcome him back to Your Partner In Success Radio. 

Oak served our country for more than 23 years in the U.S. Army, holding leadership positions at every level—from training young recruits to commanding soldiers in the field and advising senior leaders. His career gave him not only a wealth of experience but also a deep belief in servant leadership: that leadership is never about you—it’s about the people you serve.

Since retiring from the Army, Oak has carried that mission forward. He’s become a sought-after speaker and mentor, traveling across the country to teach leaders how to build trust, empower their teams, and leave a lasting impact. He captured these lessons in his book, 'Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be', which blends personal stories with practical, timeless wisdom.

What I appreciate most about Oak is how approachable he makes these lessons. He doesn’t just talk about leadership in theory—he shares the real, sometimes tough moments that shaped his perspective, and he does it with honesty, humor, and heart.

Connect with Oakland McCulloch: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Amazon

SPONSORED BY: Today’s episode of Your Partner In Success Radio is sponsored by Roberta Fernandez, an integrative emotional intelligence trainer and hypnotist, and the creator of the Conscious Napping® app.

If your days ever feel overwhelming, this app is a powerful tool to help you reset. In just a few minutes, Roberta guides you through calming visualizations designed to ease stress, improve focus, support better sleep, and more. With over a hundred sessions available in both English and Spanish, there’s something for everyone.

Learn more at RobertaFernandez.com/conscious-napping

We appreciate you tuning in to this episode of Your Partner In Success Radio with Host Denise Griffitts. If you enjoyed what you heard, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners and create even better content!

• Website: Your  Partner In Success Radio
• Email: [email protected]

They Liked It but Didn’t Buy? How to Diagnose and Fix a Stalled Close

Welcome back to The Closers Inner Circle Podcast. We are your hosts, Denise Griffitts and Ben Gay III, and today we’re tackling a situation every salesperson knows too well: the prospect loved your presentation, nodded along, said all the right things… and then didn’t buy.

Why does that happen? Where did the close stall? And more importantly, what can you do to diagnose it and move from ‘I like it’ to ‘I’ll take it’?

Ben and I are going to break down the most common reasons deals stall, how to uncover the real objections hiding under polite smiles, and practical steps you can take to turn interest into action. Because in sales, ‘liking it’ doesn’t pay the bills — closing does.

If you’d like to go deeper into these conversations, grab your copies of The Closers Books 1 and 2 by Ben Gay III at Ronzone Books on eBay. They arrive with free shipping and are signed by Ben. These books are the foundation for everything we discuss here, and you can follow along with us each week as we break down the timeless lessons inside.

SPONSORED BY: What’s Right with America! by Paul Johnson and Larry Aldrich.
This is one of my favorite books—and an important one. It offers a refreshing break from the negativity that dominates today’s headlines. Johnson and Aldrich, leaders with deep experience in government, business, and media, don’t shy away from America’s flaws, but they refuse to let those flaws define us. Instead, they highlight the courage, innovation, generosity, and grit that have shaped this nation. Their message is a timely reminder that liberty, free enterprise, and democratic values have empowered generations of Americans to solve problems and create a brighter future.

The book is available now on Amazon

We appreciate you tuning in to this episode of Your Partner In Success Radio with Host Denise Griffitts. If you enjoyed what you heard, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners and create even better content!

• Website: Your  Partner In Success Radio
• Email: [email protected]

The AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Smarter, Faster Decisions with Geoff Woods

Geoff Woods is the #1 bestselling author of The AI-Driven Leader, host of the AI-Driven Leader podcast, and Founder of AI Leadership and The AI-Driven Leadership Collective™, a highly vetted network of executives collaborating to harness AI to build better businesses and better lives. As the former Chief Growth Officer of Jindal Steel & Power, Geoff’s strategic leadership helped the company grow its market cap from $750 million to over $12 billion in just four years. Prior to that, he co-founded the training and consulting company behind The ONE Thing, advising businesses ranging from $10 million to $60 billion in annual revenue.

His book, The AI-Driven Leader, advocates for using AI as a strategic partner to enhance decision-making and drive growth. It emphasizes putting strategy and people first, with technology serving as a tool to support business goals. Woods provides practical guidance for leaders to prioritize effectively, empower teams, and integrate AI thoughtfully to lead with clarity and purpose in an AI-driven world.

Connect with Geoff: Website | LinkedIn | Amazon

SPONSORED BY: This episode of Your Partner In Success Radio is brought to you by Frederick J. Fisher — an attorney, consultant, and true pioneer in liability insurance with more than 50 years of experience.

Fred has a gift for making a complex topic crystal clear, helping professionals, educators, and organizations spot risks before they turn into costly mistakes. When the fine print matters, he’s the one you want in your corner.

You can connect with Fred Fisher on LinkedIn or learn more at fishercg.com.

We appreciate you tuning in to this episode of Your Partner In Success Radio with Host Denise Griffitts. If you enjoyed what you heard, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners and create even better content!

• Website: Your  Partner In Success Radio
• Email: [email protected]

Boring wins. The most successful people rely on simple routines that look ordinary but produce extraordinary results. In this episode of The Closers Inner Circle Podcast Ben Gay III and Denise Griffitts reveal how consistency builds trust, mastery, and lasting success.

Success rarely comes from grand gestures. It is built in the quiet repetition of small, deliberate actions. Boring routines might not get attention, but they eliminate decision fatigue, create structure, and free mental energy for the work that truly matters. Whether it is following the same prospecting process every morning, blocking time for skill development, or checking in with clients on a set schedule, these habits become the invisible scaffolding that supports long-term wins.

Over time, this consistency compounds into mastery. The more you repeat the fundamentals, the more automatic and effective they become. Routines make you reliable in the eyes of clients, teammates, and partners, building trust you cannot buy. By letting the “boring” parts run on autopilot, you reserve your energy for the moments that demand creativity, strategy, and bold moves, turning an unremarkable process into extraordinary results.

Buy the Closers Books Pt 1 and Pt 2 on eBay: Having these books in front of you while listening to The Closers Inner Circle Podcast lets you follow along, take notes directly in the margins, and apply the strategies as we discuss them. They’re not just great reading—they’re your playbook for closing more sales and building lasting success. They arrive with free shopping and signed by Ben. https://www.ebay.com/str/ronzonebooks

SPONSORED BY: This episode of The Closers Inner Circle Podcast is sponsored by Damon Lembi, CEO of LearnIt and author of The Learn-It-All Leader: Mindset, Traits, and Tools. Damon has just released his first children’s book, The Learn-It-All Leader for Kids—an important tool for parents who want to raise curious, confident, and capable leaders. It is easily found on Amazon, and I just sent a copy to my 9-year-old niece in California. This inspiring story would make a wonderful Christmas gift for the young readers in your life. 

We appreciate you tuning in to this episode of Your Partner In Success Radio with Host Denise Griffitts. If you enjoyed what you heard, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners and create even better content!

• Website: Your  Partner In Success Radio
• Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Your Partner In Success Radio, sales expert Ian Selbie shares proven strategies to improve sales effectiveness, strengthen customer relationships, and drive sustainable revenue growth. With over 25 years of experience training more than 17,000 sales professionals worldwide, Ian reveals practical tips you can apply immediately—whether you’re leading a sales team or closing deals yourself.

A former Apple sales leader (Top Salesperson in the World, 1990), Ian is also the author of If You Were Arrested for Selling, Would There Be Enough Evidence to Convict You? and host of the podcast Confessions of a Sales Pro.

Discover how to improve forecasting accuracy, increase customer loyalty, hire more effectively, and boost both revenues and margins. This conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you sell smarter and lead stronger.

Connect with Ian online: Website | LinkedIn | Confessions of a Sales Pro

SPONSORED BY: This episode of Your Partner In Success Radio is sponsored by Damon Lembi, CEO of LearnIt and author of The Learn-It-All Leader: Mindset, Traits, and Tools.

Damon is passionate about helping individuals and organizations thrive through continuous learning and leadership development. His work is a must-read for anyone looking to grow personally and professionally in today’s ever-evolving business landscape.

Thank you, Damon, for supporting this episode and for your commitment to empowering leaders everywhere. https://www.learnit.com/

We appreciate you tuning in to this episode of Your Partner In Success Radio with Host Denise Griffitts. If you enjoyed what you heard, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners and create even better content!

• Website: Your  Partner In Success Radio
• Email: [email protected]

When Your Soul Speaks: Listen and Create a Life You Love with Steffani Lefevour

My guest today on Your Partner In Success Radio, Steffani LeFevour is a soul strategist, bestselling author, and unapologetic advocate for women living their truth. With a no-fluff approach to personal growth, Steffani helps women stop settling and start creating lives that actually feel like their own.

She’s spent over two decades guiding thousands of women to ditch perfection, own their stories, and step fully into their power—without burning their lives to the ground in the process. Whether it’s navigating radical self-acceptance, healing emotional wounds, or manifesting from a place of clarity and courage, Steffani is the mentor who meets you where you are—and walks with you toward who you’re meant to become.

Connect with Steffani online: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

SPONSORED BY: This episode of Your Partner In Success Radio is brought to you by Krisstina Wise. Krisstina is passionate about helping high-income entrepreneurs transform business income into real personal wealth and sustainable passive income. She’s the host of The Wealthy Wellthy Podcast and author of Falling For Money. You can dive into her teachings and insights on her YouTube channel at youtube.com/@KrisstinaWise. Go check it out — your future self will thank you!

We appreciate you tuning in to this episode of Your Partner In Success Radio with Host Denise Griffitts. If you enjoyed what you heard, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners and create even better content!

• Website: Your  Partner In Success Radio
• Email: [email protected]

The Timeless Art of Selling: Blending Classic Skills with Modern Strategies

Welcome to The Closers Inner Circle Podcast with me, Denise Griffitts, and my co-host, legendary sales trainer and author Ben Gay III. Today we’re asking a question that every salesperson should consider: Is there still a place for old-school sales skills?

In a world dominated by AI, automation, and digital selling, are the classic skills—like relationship-building, handwritten notes, and face-to-face conversations—outdated, or are they the secret advantage in today’s hyper-digital marketplace? We’ll explore which skills remain timeless, how human connection can still close deals, and how modern sales professionals can blend technology with these proven methods to stand out and succeed.

If you want to keep up with the strategies we talk about here on The Closers Inner Circle Podcast, make sure you grab a copy of The Closers books by Ben Gay III. These books are considered the sales bibles for professionals around the world—they’re packed with the same timeless principles and closing techniques we discuss on this show.

You can find the entire Closers series on eBay here  (Ronzone Books) with free shipping and signed by Ben. They’re the perfect way to stay on track with us and sharpen your sales skills between episodes.

SPONSORED BY: This episode of The Closers Inner Circle Podcast is sponsored by my other show, Your Partner In Success Radio. For more than 17 years, I’ve been talking with business leaders, authors, and entrepreneurs from around the world, sharing conversations that inspire growth and real success. In fact, that is where Ben and I met many years ago!

You can find all the episodes at YourPartnerInSuccessRadio.com—come listen and meet some truly incredible people.

We appreciate you tuning in to this episode of Your Partner In Success Radio with Host Denise Griffitts. If you enjoyed what you heard, please consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more listeners and create even better content!

• Website: Your  Partner In Success Radio
• Email: [email protected]