What if a single introduction from a stranger you never saw again could change your entire life?

In this episode, Theresa Bassett, CEO of The Diamond Group and sales and marketing expert with over $550M in transactions, shares the remarkable story of how a mystery connector named Isabelle introduced her to Kelly Bassett at a running training group and then vanished forever. That one serendipitous moment transformed not only Theresa's personal life but her entire professional trajectory, leading her from Fortune 500 corporate sales to building a thriving 28-year-old family business that now employs a team of 20 and serves small businesses across the nation.

Theresa reveals how she "went in kicking and screaming" to entrepreneurship, initially unable to envision herself as a CEO, but discovered her true calling: equipping and empowering small business owners to triple their revenue, build legacy wealth, and create ripple effects that impact entire families and communities. From tripling a home builder's revenue in 18 months to helping a solo orthodontist open five offices and build generational wealth, Theresa's story is a masterclass in the power of partnership, resilience, and saying "yes" even when you can't see the full picture.

[00:05:29] What Theresa Does: Serving Small Business America

CEO of The Diamond Group: A sales and marketing growth revenue agency for small businesses

Why Small Business?

• Small businesses provide 86% of jobs in America

• Theresa counts it as one of her greatest privileges to employ a team of 20 people

• Every time a team member buys a car, house, or takes a vacation, it feels like a personal victory

[00:07:43] The Backstory: From Corporate to Coaching to CEO

• Trained as a sales professional working for major home builders

• Merchandised new home neighborhoods for the biggest builders in the world

• Coached business owners on sales and marketing one-on-one

• Believed in the power of personalized consulting to elevate brands

[00:08:55] The Life-Changing Introduction

• Both showed up at a running training group

• Neither could run "a lick"—couldn't even run to the corner

• A woman named Isabelle was at the front gate

• Isabelle: "Oh, you're new. There's this other new guy here too. His name's Kelly. I should have you meet."

[00:11:40] The Partnership Begins: Joining The Diamond Group

• Started an agency in San Francisco, California

• Left the radio industry as a producer to produce radio ads independently

• Known as "Crash Bassett" in the radio world (crashed his truck into a brick wall on the way to work)

• When radio consolidated, he pivoted to more video production

[00:13:13] Going "In Kicking and Screaming"

• A marketing agency had never been on her radar

• "Okay God, what are you up to? Seriously, whatcha up to?"

• Admits: "I had some selfish motives"

[00:16:34] Kelly's Remarkable Pivot

• Not easy to welcome a new partner into your business

• Not easy to move yourself from chief/presidency to welcome a CEO alongside you

• Kelly allowed Theresa's vision to come up alongside his

• Eventually, her vision became the vision they were calibrating to

[00:17:47] Results That Create Ripple Effects

• Rebranded a couple times along the journey

• Name reflects the resiliency and strength they build in strong businesses

• Goal: Build strong, sustainable sales and marketing systems so businesses don't run owners into the ground

[00:18:58] Marketing Is About More Than New Customers

The Recruiting Connection: "People think of marketing as new clients, customers, and patients, but marketing is also about new team members. Recruiting is a marketing and sales activity. If you want to attract great talent to your team, you gotta have a magnetic brand."

[00:21:10] The Power Team Approach

• Theresa couldn't do this work alone

• When a client comes in, they get a "power team": essentially a sales and marketing department down the hall

• Experts rally around the business, create a strategic plan, and execute

• It's a co-creative collaborative process

[00:22:58] Synergy: 1 + 1 = 3 (or 500!)

• One plus one equals three

• The ripple effect of exponential partnering impact

• Her relationship with Kelly is a prime example: "That was a one plus one equals 500 synergistic relationship"

[00:24:21] Impact on Employees: Opening Doors

• Diamond Group hires and recruits a lot of young professionals

• Marketing is an industry of youth and talent (especially with AI changing everything)

• Watching employees soar is "a little bit like watching your kids move up and out of the nest"

[00:28:10] Racehorses Run Faster Together

• Put the blinders on so all they can see is forward

• But they're getting momentum from running right alongside others

• "I love running with other racehorses"

• Iron sharpens iron

• We're all here to help each other— none of us can do it alone

KEY QUOTES

"My mission on the planet is to equip and encourage and embolden leaders and their teams." - Theresa Bassett

"Sometimes it's just your door that you open to them is the door that unlocks another door. None of that would've been possible if it weren't for Kelly. Him opening his door to me allowed me to open my door to so many others." - Theresa Bassett

"If you want to attract great talent to your team, you gotta have a magnetic brand." - Theresa Bassett

"Racehorses are likely to run at least 10% faster when they're next to other racehorses." - Theresa Bassett

CONNECT WITH THERESA BASSETT

🌐 Website: https://www.diamond-group.co💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresalbassett

Want to grow your business? Visit Diamond-Group.co to request a Clarity Call with a growth specialist. They'll help you assess the state of the union in your business and identify your next best steps forward.

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Find me on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if one conversation at 16 could shape the next 40 years of your life?

In this episode, Dr. John A. Gallucci Jr., President & CEO of JAG Physical Therapy, shares his remarkable journey from a high school wrestler with injuries to building one of the Northeast's largest physical therapy empires with 170 locations serving New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Through the pivotal mentorship of Rich Giardano (a relationship that began with a literal smack to the back of the head and the question "What do you want to STUDY?"), John discovered his calling in sports medicine and learned invaluable lessons about business, integrity, and the importance of balance. From nearly losing everything in the first six months to serving over 700 providers and 2,000 employees, John reveals how one mentor's wisdom about networking, continuous learning, and kindness became the foundation for an organization that treats everyone "like a VIP professional athlete."

John reflects on how Rich's mentorship shaped not just his clinical skills, but his approach to building culture, fostering the next generation of leaders, and why he believes "one kind brings two." This principle guides JAG Physical Therapy's mission to help people "get back to the life you love."

[00:04:35] What John Does: Dual-Licensed Healthcare Leader

• Dual licensed as both a certified athletic trainer (ATC) and physical therapist (PT, DPT)

• Master's degree in sports science and master's in physical therapy, plus doctorate in physical therapy

• President, CEO, and Founder of JAG Physical Therapy (John Anthony Gallucci = JAG)

[00:08:11] Most Rewarding Case: From "Never Walk Again" to Dancing

• Woman hit by a taxi cab in New York City

• Physicians told her she would never walk again without an assisted device

• John calls this "probably one of the most proudest moments in my professional career"

[00:11:05] Growth Strategy: Patients as Best Marketers

• 80% of growth in just the last two years came from former patients opening doors

• Patients have spoken to insurance groups, doctors, and healthcare systems to bring JAG into their communities

• Vision: "My goal is the people that need us have access to us"

[00:12:37] Teaching the Next Generation: Network = Net Worth

• "Your personal network helps you grow your professional network"

• As professional network grows, it creates more opportunities personally AND professionally

• Importance of being ingrained in the community while building personal and professional networks

[00:13:53] The Million Dollar Question: A Life-Changing Mentor

Who Changed Everything: Rich Giardano

[00:14:00] Pivotal Person: Rich Giardano - The 40-Year Mentor

• Has been John's mentor since age 16 (John is now 58)

• Known Rich his whole life, but formal mentorship began in high school

• Rich is a physical therapist in sports medicine who worked for the New York Rangers and owned his own practice

[00:17:12] The Impact of Mentorship: Building JAG on Rich's Principles

• Within six months of opening JAG Physical Therapy, they were almost out of business

• Rich sat down with John and reminded him: "You've got this network of people from being in different worlds of pro sports and collegiate sports. You've gotta be able to use that network to foster growth."

• Within 18 months, they made their first profit (John's wife Dawn was grateful they didn't lose their home!)

[00:19:52] Personal Life: 40 Years Together

Family Foundation:

• Married to Dawn for 35 years this December (together for 40 years total)

• Known each other since age 9, dating since age 18

• Two children: Stephanie and Charles

[00:22:41] Advice: Enjoy the Ride

John's Best Advice: "No matter what you're building, enjoy the ride. Sometimes you get caught up in it. You gotta enjoy your wins. Everybody has losses. You gotta be able to get back up and fight for the win."

Taking moments to sit back and say "wow" about the journey: from 1,800 square feet to 170 locations, from one clinician to 700+ providers.

[00:23:20] The Congressional Moment: Realizing the Impact

Speaking to Congress:

• Invited to Washington DC to speak about provision of physical therapy care

• Topic: Importance of slips and falls prevention for seniors

• Congressional leader's perspective: "John, you've made an impact in one of the biggest markets in the world, not even in the United States"

KEY QUOTES

"The day you stop learning is the day you should no longer be working." - Rich Giardano (John's mentor)

"Your personal network helps you grow your professional network. And as your professional network grows, it just gives you more opportunities personally and professionally." - Dr. John Gallucci Jr.

"Enjoy the ride. You gotta enjoy your wins. Everybody has losses. You gotta be able to get back up and fight for the win." - Dr. John Gallucci Jr.

"The best competitors are those that are also making the competition better." - Dr. John Gallucci Jr.

CONNECT WITH DR. JOHN GALLUCCI JR.

🌐 Website: https://www.jagpt.com

📧 Email: [email protected]

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-a-gallucci-jr-ms-atc-pt-dpt-38b194a (25,000+ connections; reach out for potential synergies, opportunities, jobs, or career direction)

📸 Instagram: @dr.jag.pt (business tips, health insights, networking advice, movement science, cardiac health, branding, and communication skills)

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Find me on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the worst chapters of your life could become the foundation for your greatest impact?

In this episode, Michael Dash, entrepreneur, author, and self-described "super connector," shares his remarkable journey from 20 years of addiction and a six-year legal battle to becoming a force for connecting entrepreneurs, building meaningful communities, and helping the formerly incarcerated rebuild their lives. Through two pivotal relationships (his entrepreneurial father and spiritual mentor Soleil Rad), Michael discovered how early business training and a transformed prayer practice could unlock his gift for creating life-changing connections. His mission? Bringing like-minded entrepreneurs together to create exponential impact while building the Impact Accelerator alongside Vince Covino and Satya.

Michael reflects on how these mentors shaped his path at critical moments and why he believes authentic relationships and community (not transactional connections) are the keys to transforming both business and life.

[00:04:05] What Michael Does: The Super Connector

• Describes himself as a "super connector" who finds joy in introducing people from his network

• Runs Live Life Activated retreats focused on aligning entrepreneurs' physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual practices with their vision

• Has run six retreats over five years, resulting in three businesses, multiple lasting friendships, and relationships formed among participants

• Currently working with Vince Covino and Satya building the Impact Accelerator: matching impact-driven entrepreneurs with heart-centered investors

[00:11:26] Background: From Recruiting to Retreats

• Spent 20 years in recruiting and staffing, running his own business for 13 years

• Natural training ground for being a super connector: "basically what you're doing is matchmaking"

• Lived in Tulum, Mexico for 4.5 years before recently relocating to Austin, Texas

• Now focused on the Impact Accelerator: training entrepreneurs to receive funding and matching them with investors who want to make an impact beyond just ROI

[00:06:53] Connection Success Story: Winner's Circle

Heath & Shelly Winter's Partnership:

• Heath: Tennessee-based entrepreneur, expert at writing and winning grants

• Shelly Winter: Served five years in prison for addiction, became #1 salesperson at Microsoft after they initially rescinded her offer due to her record

• Mission: Helping current inmates train while incarcerated and connecting them with companies willing to hire formerly incarcerated individuals

• Michael's insight: "Imagine if you were judged your entire life by the worst thing you ever did"

• Now part of the Impact Accelerator community

[00:12:01] The Impact Accelerator Vision

• Bringing entrepreneurs looking for funding together with impact-driven investors

• Training entrepreneurs first: MVPs, what to ask for, technical requirements for funding

• Matching with "heart-centered investors": those who want ROI but also want to make the world better

• Philosophy: "Take a 10-year plan and make it a three-year plan" through strategic partnerships

[00:15:10] The Million Dollar Question: A Key Distinction

Michael's Perspective on "Life-Changing" Introductions:

• Challenges the premise: "I don't believe anybody can change your life except you"

• "Have I been introduced to people who have shifted my perspective, who have laid out another path that I could travel? Absolutely."

• Key insight: An experience is only life-changing if you take action afterward

• "It's really all about what each and every one of us actually does with that experience that can make it life-altering"

[00:16:34] Pivotal Person #1: His Father

The Entrepreneurial Foundation:

• Father was an entrepreneur who trained Michael from age 8

• Worked in father's retail store and import/export business (collectibles: Swarovski, Baccarat, Waterford, Royal Doulton)

• Learned about sales, relationships, and "schmoozing" as a child

• Michael's reflection: "At the end of the day, they did the best with what they had"

• Their connection was through entrepreneurship and sales

[00:19:08] Pivotal Person #2: Soleil Rad

The Spiritual Transformation:

• Met in Tulum, Mexico while Soleil was running men's groups

• Men's work focused on expressing challenges, confronting shadows, sharing darkest secrets, and celebrating wins

• Reframed prayer as a partnership with God, not begging

• "Looking at God as a business partner": giving gratitude, asking for what you want, then showing God you're taking action

[00:20:39] The Prayer Practice That Changed Everything

Michael's New Approach:

• Training to be grateful throughout the day: for food, home, even rejections and setbacks

• "Be grateful the person just turned down the business deal. Be grateful I just got cut off. Be grateful the police pulled me over."

• Attitude of gratitude that "retrieves" the nervous system

• Philosophy: Training your vessel to receive the light from God

[00:24:23] Kevin's Perspective: The Holy Spirit Connection

Being a Vessel:

• Kevin shares story of Marcus Polls telling him: "This work you do is the Holy Spirit working through you"

• Realization that super connecting is about allowing yourself to be a vessel

• "Every conversation I have, I'm just here to be me and be the best steward I can"

• Partnership with God/Holy Spirit/Universe changes perspective on connecting

[00:28:21] The Philosophy of Divine Connections

Michael's Belief:

• "The right people are being brought to me for a reason. I don't need to know the reason now."

• Flow and keep building without attachment to knowing why

• Accomplishing more together than any individual can alone

[00:30:41] Michael's Book: Chasing the High

• Chronicles his 20-year addiction journey and six-year legal battle

• Shares entrepreneurship journey and how he turned his life around

• Available on Amazon and Audible (Michael narrates the audiobook himself)

• Fair warning: "If you can handle a Jersey accent for four hours, get it on Audible"

[00:31:37] Advice for the Shy: Step Into the Magic

For Those Who Hesitate:

• Fear is what holds back the magic of connection

• If you're intimidated by someone, that's even MORE reason to introduce yourself

• Our minds are powerful: we can convince ourselves of anything (good, bad, or ugly)

• Honor your intuition: If it tells you to speak to someone, go speak to them

Opening Questions That Work:

• Instead of "What do you do?" or "Where are you from?"

• Try: "What brings you joy in life?"

• Lead with inquisitive questions, not what you do

• If you struggle with questions, use ChatGPT for help

[00:33:15] The Power of Questions

Kevin's Story:

• At San Diego event, asked someone a question and spent the entire 15-minute break listening

• Person apologized for not learning anything about Kevin

• They became very good friends

• That same trip led to starting the Million Dollar Relationships Podcast

KEY QUOTES

"I don't believe anybody can change your life except you." - Michael Dash

"Looking at God as a business partner." - Michael Dash

"The right people are being brought to me for a reason. I don't need to know the reason now." - Michael Dash

"Step through that fear because that fear is what holds back the magic." - Michael Dash

CONNECT WITH MICHAEL DASH

🌐 Website: https://www.michaelgdash.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgdash

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.dash1

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdash1

📖 Book: "Chasing the High" available on Amazon and Audible

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Find me on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the key to scaling to $250 million wasn't working harder, but working less?

In this episode, George Rivera, founder of multiple 7- and 8-figure businesses and creator of the Buy Back Time Formula™, shares his 30-year entrepreneurial journey from a high school supplement business to a $250 million empire. Through the devastating loss of his father to cancer and the life-changing deathbed wisdom "don't miss Leo's games, I missed too many of yours," George discovered that the path to freedom wasn't grinding 100-hour weeks but systematically buying back his time. His mission? Helping entrepreneurs escape the "job with overhead" trap so they can scale their businesses while being present for the moments that matter most with their families.

George reflects on how his father's final words arrived at exactly the right moment to transform his entire approach to business, and why buying back your time isn't just about making more money but about reclaiming your life before it's too late.

[00:04:19] The 30-Year Journey Begins

• Started first business in 1995 at age 17-18 while still in high school

• Fell for Don Lapre's late-night infomercial (tiny apartment, classified ads, rags to riches)

• Bought the course, took action, made zero dollars, but the entrepreneur seed was planted

• Parents thought it was a scam, but George kept pursuing home-based business opportunities

[00:05:22] The First Real Business: Supplements & The Internet

• Summer 1995: Started supplement business after seeing space ads in small business magazines

• Connected two trends: GNC's explosive growth + the internet's rising adoption

• First online business launched, didn't go well initially

• 2-3 years into college: Making as much as doctors while studying pre-med

[00:06:46] The Weight Loss Empire & Early Lessons

• Dominated the keyword "weight loss" on GoTo.com for just 50 cents per click

• Built and eventually ran the first business into the ground, couldn't keep up with orders

• Lesson #1: Take your time, build infrastructure so you can scale appropriately

• Built Google AdSense business to seven figures by 2005-2006

[00:08:31] The Digital Marketing Agency

• Started agency helping clients with BSLs and one-click upsells in their infancy

• He was the bottleneck, quality controlling everything, no proper org chart

• Built a job with overhead, not a business

[00:10:44] The $250 Million Supplement Company

• 10 years ago: Started supplement company with $5,000 seed money

• But George was working 100+ hours per week, burning midnight oil constantly

• Would pass out at his desk or stumble into bed, wake up 3-4 hours later and repeat

• "I was like a zombie for a good stretch of a couple of years"

• Money was great, but life was not enjoyable

[00:14:21] The Buy Back Time Formula Birth

• Around 2018-2019: Applied systematic approach to buy back his time

• Removed himself as the bottleneck

• Implemented proper SOPs, documentation, training, and later AI

• Income went UP because he was no longer the bottleneck

• Bought back dozens of hours per week

[00:16:41] Living the Freedom Lifestyle

• Friends noticed: "You're in Germany driving the Nürburgring, business still running, how?"

• 6-7 different people asked him to teach this

• Held workshop at his home to test if the marketplace wanted it

• Amazing response—decided to package it officially as Buy Back Time Formula

[00:18:05] The Father-Son Story That Changed Everything

The pivotal relationship that transformed George's entire approach

• 2015: George's father diagnosed with cancer in February

• Six months later, he was gone. "That's just how fast cancer can take you"

• Dad broke the news when George had just adopted his newborn son Leo

• George spent every day with his dad, driving 1.5 hours each way

[00:20:18] The Deathbed Wisdom

The million-dollar moment that changed everything

• Father's last words: "Don't miss Leo's games. I missed too many of yours."

• Hit George "like a ton of bricks"

• Brought closure—his dad acknowledged missing George's childhood games

• George realized: "I'm on pace to replicate the same mistake"

[00:22:03] What Really Matters at the End

• Father never said on his deathbed: "I wish I'd seen one more patient"

• Never: "I wish I'd closed one more property" (he was in real estate too)

• Never: "I wish I'd taken that client call or upsold them"

• Only: "Are the people I love around me? I just need them right now"

[00:22:52] Training Your Replacement

• Need focused attention on him or he'll get influence from somewhere else

• 2015-2018: George knew he had the problem but didn't have the solution yet

• It took 3 years for the solution to birth itself into something actionable

[00:31:37] The 100-Hour Grind Reality

• Was working 80-100+ hours per week

• Weekends meant LESS interruptions, so worked even HARDER

• Wasn't healthy for mind, wasn't healthy for family

• Not a sustainable long-term strategy

[00:32:33] Life After Buying Back Time

Real freedom looks like:

• Now works 20-30 hours per week when in creation mode

• Can work as little as 5 hours per week when traveling

• Can turn phone off and check back tomorrow, nothing falls apart

• If something breaks, team handles it without him

[00:33:08] God's Purpose Realized

• "I just feel like it's God's purpose of putting me on the planet to help share this"

• Secondary benefit: Make more money and nice lifestyle

• Primary benefit: Being with family for the moments that matter

• Non-negotiable: Not missing games, graduations, or special moments

[00:35:42] Northern Michigan & Homeschool Freedom

• Bought property in Northern Michigan, turned it into successful Airbnb

• Teaching son how to negotiate real estate deals and assess properties

• Son is homeschooled, gets to tag along on their adventures

• Ultimate flexibility: "We're studying the Washington Monument this week. Let's go see it tomorrow"

[00:37:20] The Buy Back Time Formula

• Available at buybacktimeformula.com

• Everyone's unique—different reasons for wanting to buy back time

• Some love working but need to cast vision instead of being in the weeds

• Focus on high-dollar things that move the needle

• Structure and confidence from someone who's been at it for 30 years

KEY QUOTES

"I was like a zombie for a good stretch of a couple of years. Money was great, income was great, but life was not enjoyable." - George Rivera

"It's never too late to say, 'Hey, this needs to change 'cause I've already missed moments I'll never get back, but at least I did something about it.' The longer you wait, those missed moments rack up. We wanna be the one that experiences those moments. Not miss 'em." - George Rivera

"I was inundated and I didn't know how to properly remove myself as being the bottleneck on a lot of things." - George Rivera

CONNECT WITH GEORGE RIVERA

🌐 Website: https://www.georgerivera.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-rivera-53b3296 📚 Buy Back Time Formula: https://www.buybacktimeformula.com

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Find me on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if middle school endurance training and PhD-level strategic thinking could revolutionize executive coaching?

In this episode, Carla Fowler, founder of THAXA and executive coaching expert, shares her unconventional journey from MD/PhD student to surgical resident to performance science coach. Through two pivotal relationships: a demanding outdoor education teacher and a world-class immunology researcher. Carla discovered how physical endurance and strategic thinking form the foundation of extraordinary leadership. Her mission? Helping 50-60 executives at a time accelerate toward their goals using evidence-based performance science while freeing up their mental bandwidth to focus on what matters most.

Carla reflects on how these mentors arrived at critical moments in her development and why she believes performance science, not generic leadership advice, is the key to helping leaders achieve breakthrough results.

[00:04:00] What THAXA Does

• THAXA = Executive coaching firm centered on performance science

• Helps leaders and executives improve results, impact, and leadership

• Uses rigorous scientific foundation from multiple disciplines

• Works with 50-60 leaders at a time across diverse industries

• Every approach is individualized. No cookie-cutter solutions

[00:04:00] The Unconventional Path

• Started career in medicine: MD/PhD program at University of Washington

• Trained to become an academic physician blending clinical work and research

• Matched to general surgery residency after graduating

• Made the hard pivot: left surgery after one year to pursue passion for performance

• 12 years building a coaching practice that merges science with practical application

[00:04:00] The Science Nerd Meets Impact

• Always fascinated by high performance since fifth grade

• Loved surgery for its hands-on + decision-making combination

• Realized coaching could create exponential impact: improve one leader, impact everyone they lead

• Performance science is broad and deep enough to meet each client's unique needs

• Blends everything from business strategy to physiology and decision-making

[00:16:40] The Power of Mental Clarity

• Example: Multi-hour focus sessions to help leaders get crystal clear on goals

• One client shared their clarity framework with their team. Team "lit up"

• Team members could finally see where they fit and why they mattered

• Result: Better alignment AND genuine motivation from one strategic input

• Shows the power of performance science: one principle creates multiple downstream effects

[00:20:40] Two Pivotal People [00:21:38] 1. Fran Call: The Physical Endurance Teacher

• Middle school outdoor education teacher (7th and 8th grade)

• Ran alternative PE program focused on endurance activities

• Showed Carla how to do hard things and believe in herself

[00:30:00] 2. Phil Greenberg: The Strategic Thinking Mentor

• PhD advisor in immunology at University of Washington

• Early pioneer in T-cell immunotherapy for cancer research

• Very hands-off mentor. Forced Carla to think independently

• The game-changer: Pushed on the quality of her thinking, not just productivity

• Would challenge: "Why are you doing that experiment? What's most valuable to learn?"

[00:37:20] The Million-Dollar Question

• Working with entrepreneur who wanted to sell company for specific valuation

• Client stopped mid-conversation: "I need to raise my prices immediately"

• That one insight contributed to over $1 million in company value

[00:41:40] The Ripple Effect Philosophy

• Not just about what leaders need to DO, but WHO is around them

• Both mentors arrived at exactly the right moments in Carla's development

• Physical endurance (Fran) + Strategic thinking (Phil) = Her unique coaching approach

• Leaders don't have to figure everything out alone. The world's highest performers don't

• Relationships create impacts that cascade through our entire lives

KEY QUOTES

"A lot of times we think we have to have this super linear path to get a place. Mine was linear for a while and then took a major left turn. I think it's great to always just have stories where you can always make pivots in your career." - Carla Fowler

"If I could help connect leaders to science and ideas that would help them improve, like their ability to inspire or connect or lead, if I could improve them even just a little bit, the number of people who would be impacted by that and who would get the downstream effect would be many." - Carla Fowler

"Part of coaching is having a process that turns the soil. You don't know what it's gonna be and you don't know when it's gonna happen. But sometimes that's what it looks like if you have a good process." - Carla Fowler

CONNECT WITH CARLA FOWLER

🌐 Website: https://www.thaxa.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-fowler

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Find me on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if saying yes to significance over money could unlock a decade of impact and lead you to build the business you were always meant to create?

In this episode, Steve Caton, founder of Altezza Solutions and fractional sales expert, shares his remarkable journey from rejecting his banker father's career path to becoming a champion for trapped founders. Through four pivotal relationships, each arriving at exactly the right moment, Steve learned the art of relational sales, the discipline of the sales process, the courage to choose significance, and the confidence to finally launch his own company. His mission? Freeing brilliant founders from the sales trap so they can lead their vision while spending more time at the dinner table with their families.

Steve reflects on how the right mentors at the right time shaped his career and why he believes the fractional sales model is a game-changer for emerging growth companies stuck between $1-5 million in revenue.

[00:06:00] What Altezza Does

• Altezza = Italian word for "altitude" (inspired by Colorado living)

• Provides fractional sales expertise AND execution

• Frees brilliant founders trapped doing sales instead of leading their vision

• Allows business owners to focus on what truly matters: building their extraordinary future

[00:06:40] The Sales Trap is Real

• Emerging growth businesses started by visionary innovators

• Founders know they need to stop selling but don't have the framework

• Can't attract top-tier salespeople without proper sales infrastructure

• Hiring inexperienced or commission-only reps almost always fails

[00:08:20] The Innovator's Journey

• Steve discovered he's wired as an innovator and starter

• Thrives in early-stage growth companies ($1-5M revenue range)

• Gets restless when companies become routine without innovation

• Spent career helping companies bring in their first real salesperson

[00:11:00] The COVID Pivot

• Waited until last son graduated college to start the business

• Launched during COVID pandemic, initially seemed like bad timing

• Actually worked in their favor: remote work became normalized

• Altezza operates 100% remotely, selling remotely

[00:12:00] The Sweet Spot Client

• Professional services or technology firms

• $1-5 million in revenue range

• Founder still trapped in the sales motion

• Highly relational, consultative sales needed

• Can sell remotely without boots-on-the-ground

[00:13:00] Three Service Models

• Do It Yourself: Client has sales infrastructure, just needs the right salesperson

• Done With You: Some documentation exists, needs tweaking and 90-day support

• Done For You: Everything lives in founder's head, must extract, document, and build systems

[00:14:40] Beyond the Numbers

• Stories of 40% sales increases and doubled revenue matter

• But the real win: founders getting home for dinner more often

• Client's wife thanked their salesperson: "My husband is home for dinner way more"

• Freedom founders dreamed of when starting their business

[00:17:40] Four Pivotal People

[00:18:40] 1. His Dad: The Passion

• Banking and finance background

• Ton of passion, drive, fire, and energy

• Steve internalized that drive but knew banking wasn't his path

• Couldn't envision putting on a suit and tie every day

[00:19:23] 2. David: The Relational Sales Master

• Left high-paying pharmaceutical job to start real estate company

• Invited Steve to get real estate license and sell with him

• 10 years older, taught Steve everything about relationship-driven sales

• How to build rapport, ask open-ended questions, and shut up and listen

• Made way more money in real estate than he would have in banking

[00:22:11] 3. Doug Sherman: The Process Guru

• Held record for highest math score on Air Force Academy entrance exam

• Sales consultant for companies like Boeing

• Helped Boeing overcome getting "their butt kicked by Airbus"

• Game changer: Taught Steve about sales PROCESS for the first time

[00:25:24] 4. Jerry Melek: The Significance Prophet

• Grandfather of kid on Steve's son's football team

• Career counselor and recruiter with strong faith

• Steve at crossroads: high-paying jobs vs. low-paying significant opportunity

• Jerry's challenge: "You told me you wanted significance. This is black and white. Which job is about significance? If you care about significance and not money, this is a no-brainer."

• Hit Steve right between the eyes, he was too fearful to do what he felt led to do

[00:29:00] 5. Don Martin: The Business Leadership Mentor

• Former Century 21 executive team member

• Gave Steve the tools to actually LEAD a company and be a business owner

• Helped Steve see he wasn't launching Altezza because of fear

• "God created you for this moment: see it, own it, have faith, take the step"

• Still there for challenges, rough days, pep talks, and "kicks in the ass"

[00:31:40] The Ripple Effect Moment

• Leaving the company Jerry helped him join

• Spontaneous going away party with his team

• One by one shared the impact Steve had on them

• Gave him caricature with signatures and encouragement

[00:34:49] The "Go With Others" Glass

• Gift from team member at that farewell gathering

• Reminder of ripple effects Steve won't get to see

• Still uses it 9 years later: an anchor to that meaningful season

• Physical reminder of choosing significance over salary

KEY QUOTES

"We don't get wherever we are in life by ourselves. It's always with the help that we get from other people we intersect with on the journey along the way." - Steve Caton

"When a company got to a certain size, I started getting super restless because God wired me as an innovator and a starter. When you put me in an early stage growth company, I'm thriving. As soon as it starts to feel routine, I get bored." - Steve Caton

CONNECT WITH STEVE CATON

🌐 Website: https://www.altezzasolutions.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scaton

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Find me on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the right relationships at the right time positioned you at the forefront of every major technology revolution for 25 years?

In this episode, Peter Swain, international speaker, bestselling author, and AI enablement advocate, shares his extraordinary journey from coding at age six to being at the epicenter of three major tech paradigm shifts — the web, mobile, and now AI. Through chance encounters with Tim Berners-Lee (inventor of HTML and the World Wide Web), working directly with Steve Jobs, and saying "yes" to countless opportunities, Peter has built a career helping entrepreneurs leverage AI to work half the time while earning twice as much.

Peter reflects on how relationships and serendipitous moments shaped his path and why he believes AI is more transformative than if aliens landed tomorrow.

[00:04:02] The Six-Year-Old Coder

• Started coding in 1983 at age six on a Spectrum ZX 80

• Beta testing for Microsoft at age 12

• Met Tim Berners-Lee at 17 (inventor of HTML and the World Wide Web)

• Quit high school to become one of the first web developers in the world

[00:06:00] Three Technology Paradigm Shifts

• Built UK version of Yelp before Internet Explorer launched

• Mid-2000s: Bought first iPhone, closed web business—"This smells the same"

• Started first mobile agency in Europe, worked with McDonald's, BBC, Microsoft, Apple, Google

• 2023: Downloaded ChatGPT beta, immediately rolled up current business

[00:08:20] Understanding AI: Beyond the Noise

• Four groups: technical experts, futurists, doomsayers, and prompt sellers

• Peter's philosophy: "Integrated Living"—AI amplifies human capabilities

• The power of "and" versus "or"—great family AND business AND health

[00:12:20] Why Social Media and Bitcoin Weren't the Same

• Social media: Puts people in silos and echo chambers

• Bitcoin: "Most awesome solution waiting for a problem"

• AI is fundamentally different: A new form of intelligence

• More impactful than if aliens landed tomorrow

[00:16:20] Communication, Not Technical Skill

• Most people give AI 10-word instructions

• Would you hand your business to someone with 10 words?

• AI is coded to be people-pleasing—always says "yes" without context

[00:18:00] The Business Handoff Analogy

• Imagine asking someone to run your business for three weeks with just office keys

• They'd keep it afloat but create chaos without proper context

• Same thing happens when you give AI insufficient information

[00:20:20] The Critical Test

• Ask AI: "What did you need to know to do this well?"

• AI will list 28+ things you didn't provide

• Instructions should be around 1,000 words

• Less produces "looks great but is secretly terrible" results

[00:23:40] Million-Dollar Relationships: Too Many to Choose

• Dad gave first computer and introduced him to Tim Berners-Lee

• Philippe Trush taught discipline and diligence

• Tom Bell gave first job with no qualifications

• "Nobody is self-made"

[00:25:20] The Series of Unlikely Events

• Recent deal traced back through networking chain

• Tony Robbins ticket → networking group → presentation opportunity → major deal

• Can't predict going forward, only track backward

[00:27:00] The Power of Saying Yes

• "The right advice at the wrong time is still the wrong advice"

• Until you know your place and purpose, say YES to everything

• Universe consistently offers gifts we're too busy to see

• After finding your North Star, THEN start saying no

[00:31:40] The Most Aligned He's Ever Felt

• Everything before was leading to AI

• Web and mobile: Tools to help humans work better

• AI's promise: It will do it FOR you

• Fundamental shift in everything—relationships, health, spirituality

[00:34:00] Why Entrepreneurs, Not Big Business

• Most entrepreneurs are great at their craft but terrible at business

• AI as the leveler: Handles operations so you can focus on genius

• Margins can go from 20% to 80-90%

[00:38:20] Free Mastermind Offer

• Weekly calls every Thursday for three years

• 250 members helping people earn twice as much in half the time

• peterswain.com/mastermind

KEY QUOTES

"The right advice at the wrong time is still the wrong advice. Until you know why you are on this planet, say yes to as many things as possible. If it's not gonna kill you and it's not addictive, you should say yes." - Peter Swain

"AI is more impactful than if aliens landed tomorrow. This is a new form of intelligence that doesn't need to sleep, eat, rest, or have water." - Peter Swain

"An instruction to AI should be around a thousand words. Anything less, you're probably gonna get something that looks great, but is secretly terrible." - Peter Swain

"Nobody is self-made. We are all built on the shoulders of great men and women. That doesn't make your achievements any less. It just allows you to honor what's happened." - Peter Swain

CONNECT WITH PETER SWAIN

🌐 Website: peterswain.com 🎯 Free Mastermind Trial: peterswain.com/mastermind 📱 All Socials: peterswain247 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/peterswain247 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/peterswainpersonal

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Find me on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if your father's unconventional advice became the foundation for a 30-year career performing for millions?

In this episode, Chad Jeffers, guitarist for Carrie Underwood and luxury real estate agent, shares his extraordinary journey from a family band in East Tennessee to performing on the world's biggest stages. Through his father's counterintuitive guidance and a creative introduction to bestselling author Dan Miller, Chad has built a career touring with Kenny Loggins, Keith Urban, and Carrie Underwood for 18 years — while also launching a speaking career, teaching at Belmont University, and creating the "Be Performance Ready" movement.

Chad reflects on the relationships that shaped his unconventional path and continues to fuel his mission to help entrepreneurs show up as their best selves in high-pressure moments.

[00:04:00] Who Is Chad Jeffers?

• 18 years as guitarist for Carrie Underwood, previously with Kenny Loggins and Keith Urban

• 30 years as a professional musician

• Luxury real estate agent specializing in music and entertainment industry clients

[00:07:00] The "Be Performance Ready" Movement

• Applying musician performance techniques to business meetings

• The psychology of "show clothes" and how they trigger performance mindset

• One less thing to worry about when you know you look good

[00:12:20] Million-Dollar Relationship #1: His Father

• "Don't ever get a job with benefits if you want to do music"

• "You've gotta go to Nashville and become part of the fabric of the community"

• Created a family band that launched three professional music careers

• Attended all 47 Grand Ole Opry performances with Pinmonkey

[00:15:20] Following the Unconventional Path

• Attended Belmont University to learn the business side of music

• Built relationships throughout university that lasted decades

• "The whole generation comes up together" in the music industry

[00:18:40] Million-Dollar Relationship #2: Dan Miller

• Creative introduction: bought a 3/4 size guitar with note "you haven't heard my tune yet"

• Had it couriered to his house

• Dan's response: "Best introduction I've ever seen"

[00:20:00] The Three-Hour Mexican Lunch

• Dan suggested: "I think you should write a book"

• Share experiences to help others navigate the music industry

[00:21:20] From Book to Speaking Career

• Wrote "25 Notes for the Successful Musician" in 2008

• Book opened doors to speaking and teaching at Belmont University

• Created "Be Performance Ready" course as an extension

[00:22:40] Dan Miller's Champion Role

• From 2007 until his passing in 2024

• Constant encouragement and validation

• Always available for advice and support

[00:24:40] The Speaking Career Launch

• Dan invited Chad to speak at his workshop

• Kent Julian (in the audience) taught Chad the business of speaking

• Both book and speaking career started with Dan's support

[00:26:20] Current Speaking Focus

• Heavy focus on speaking at universities

• Believes skills impact students beyond stage—for entire life

KEY QUOTES

"If you want to do music, you've gotta go to where it's at. They're not gonna be calling you. You've gotta go down to Nashville and become a part of the fabric of the community." - Chad's father

"I think you should write a book. Write about all of your experiences and share that with people so it may help them." - Dan Miller's advice

"Relationships are absolutely the cornerstone of everything that I do. Whether it's music or real estate or personal, it definitely all starts with the relationships." - Chad Jeffers

CONNECT WITH CHAD JEFFERS

🌐 Website: chadjeffers.com 📧 Email: [email protected] 📱 Instagram: @chadjeffers 🎯 Be Performance Ready Waitlist: chadjeffers.com/bpr 🎸 Backstage Notes: backstagenotes.com 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chad-jeffers-a0216199 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/chad.jeffers

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Find me on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if your greatest suffering became the foundation for healing thousands of others?

In this episode, Mike Dannheim, founder of Sensie, shares his extraordinary journey from a traumatic brain injury and suicide attempt at 19 to leading a groundbreaking wellness technology company. Through his experience with addiction recovery, meditation, and cutting-edge neuroscience, Mike has created a platform that predicts stress before it becomes a problem and generates measurable biopsychological resilience.

Mike reflects on the mentors and relationships that saved his life, shaped his path, and continue to fuel his mission to help people connect more deeply with their body's intelligence.

[00:03:54] What Is Sensie?

• Predicting stress before it's a problem and generating wellness

• Using smartphone sensors to assess micro movements in gestures

• Identifying sources of stress and providing precise techniques to alleviate them

• Breakthrough: measurable biopsychological resilience

[00:05:03] The Birth of Two Passions

• Leading consumer technology companies for 15 years

• Personal healing work and 21 years of sobriety

• Helping everyone from people with addiction to CEOs and professional athletes

• Wellness-based coaching rooted in recovery principles

[00:06:00] The Car Accident That Changed Everything

• Traumatic brain injury at age 19

• Out-of-body experience watching himself at the accident scene

• Retrograde amnesia: not knowing who he was or where he was

• Struggling with short-term memory recall and feeling like he was in hell

• Trying to take his own life at 19

[00:07:40] The Meditation Miracle

• Four to six months of meditation bringing his brain back

• Memory returning and life taking off

• Leading a $16 billion IPO and living around the world

• Life becoming "beyond my wildest dreams"

• Mainstream medicine in 2002 not understanding neuroplasticity

• Doctors believing he wouldn't recover

• Deep dive into neuroscience, consciousness studies, and Eastern spirituality

[00:08:26] The Power of Movement and Meditation

• Witnessing impact on hundreds of people's lives

• Techniques that compress 10 years of therapy into one session

• Transforming suffering into intelligence and wisdom

• Helping people show up more present in their lives

[00:11:26] Million-Dollar Relationships: Martin

• The man who taught Mike meditation and saved his life

• Going back seven years later to thank him

[00:12:00] Alessandro Anastacia: The First Believer

• First investor in Sensie, met in Tokyo during Groupon expansion

• Speaks five languages, sometimes all in one sentence

• Lives by Ubuntu philosophy: "For us, by us"

• Invested before any R&D, just to support two friends with good hearts

[00:13:40] Satya Raja: The Leadership Guide

• Vince Covino's partner and partner in Sensie

• Integrating enlightened leadership for over 30 years

• Found Mike in a really hard place, frustrated with support levels

• Helped Mike see himself and clean up his own energy

[00:16:01] The Life-Saving Impact

• Getting emotional reflecting on the question

• Helping a man who was trying to take his life

• Using techniques learned from Satya and others

• The man is now a close friend with four kids and a thriving art business in Miami

[00:19:00] Kevin's Story: Losing His Father

• Diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of ninth grade

• Passing at the end of 10th grade after a year and a half

• Not a word left unsaid between father and son

• The uncle who became a father figure and passed away in February

• The surprise family reunion with his last remaining aunt

• The power of honoring those still with us

[00:24:21] Final Reflection: The Body's Intelligence

• Research field called Interoception: neuromechanics of inner awareness

• Deeper connection to inner environment improves life across all domains

• Trust levels, friendships, contentment, fulfillment, even financial success

• Dr. John Coates' research: traders who could self-assess heartbeat had higher profitability

• The more we help each other connect to our body's intelligence, the better life gets

KEY QUOTES

"He invested in our company before we had done any R&D. He just wanted to support two friends. He didn't care, and put any pressure on us. He was just like, I know you guys have good hearts. Here's the money. Go do the research." - Mike Dannheim on Alessandro

"Grief is unexpressed love. May we not leave this funeral with any unexpressed love." - Satya Raja's message that Mike shared with his family

"By being able to grieve the death of my mother, I can still feel her in my heart. She's never left. She's here loving you, me, right now." - Mike Dannheim

"Instead of having to go through 10 years of therapy, you can get it in one session. There's very well researched techniques that can help alleviate suffering so it can become intelligence and wisdom." - Mike Dannheim

"The more we can help each other connect more deeply to our body's intelligence, the better this life gets." - Mike Dannheim

CONNECT WITH MIKE DANNHEIM

🔗 LinkedIn📘 Facebook🌐 Sensie.app📧 [email protected]

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Find me on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the biggest barrier to your success isn't lack of opportunity, but the insecurity holding you back from showing up?

In this episode, David Ask shares his remarkable journey from a small-town Minnesota vocal major to a successful entrepreneur with products in 3,700+ retail stores including Home Depot and Lowe's. Through his thermostat guard invention and his work as an author and vocalist, David reveals how the power of authentic relationships, especially through the Iron Sharpens Iron Mastermind, transformed not just his business, but every area of his life.

David reflects on overcoming crippling insecurity, the mentors who saw his potential before he did, and why "just showing up" as your authentic self is the real superpower in business and life.

[00:02:22] Meet David Ask

• Kevin introduces David to the Million Dollar Relationships Podcast

• Shout-out to Juliana Starky for the connection

• The power of right relationships opening doors

[00:06:13] The Music Revelation

• Discovering music wasn't about the craft, it was about connection

• Using music as a tool to help people look within and "look up"

• Why a vocal major who rarely goes to concerts or buys records makes perfect sense

[00:10:20] The Thermostat Guard Story

• A brother-in-law's phone call that changed everything

• Working in real estate group for Verizon overseeing five states and 75 stores

• Identifying a pain point: thermostat guards with keys people kept losing

• Learning injection molding, overseas manufacturing, and supply chain management from scratch

[00:13:20] The Power of Revealing Others' Riches

• Benjamin Disraeli's quote that defines David's mission

• Loving to see the uniqueness and strengths in others

• Meeting Dr. Andy Garra (Carl's Jr. founder's grandson) in mastermind

[00:16:29] Overcoming Insecurity

• Suffering with insecurity his whole life

• Thinking success was for people with "the Midas touch"

• How insecurity almost prevented him from joining Iron Sharpens Iron Mastermind

[00:20:21] Million-Dollar Relationships: Aaron Walker

• The founder of Iron Sharpens Iron Mastermind who changed David's trajectory

• Hearing about ISI for years but being too insecure to join

• Getting invited to do music at their annual event in Smithville, Tennessee

[00:25:20] The Music Mission Revealed

• David Ash's observation: "You don't sing because you like music"

• Pointing out that David rarely goes to concerts or buys records

• The truth: "You do music because you want to inspire people"

• Shifting from being "a musician" to being "on mission"

[00:26:25] Guardians of Grit for Fathers and Sons

• Writing a book with Juliana Starky about identity

• Helping fathers identify their own powerful, unique qualities

• Equipping them to specifically call forth those qualities in their sons

• Moving beyond generic advice like "be nice and work hard"

[00:28:31] The Power of Showing Up

• David's challenge: Can you share an example of impact that wouldn't have happened without these relationships?

• The answer: Swinging for the fence, sending his song to President Trump

• Thinking "Why can't I sing at the White House?"

• Performing at places requiring non-disclosure agreements

• Launching the new Lockbox Pro for the professional contractor market

[00:30:20] The Prison Ministry Story

• Former pastor inviting David to sing at a prison ice cream social

• Battling fear about going into the prison

• Meeting a sophisticated man in a jumpsuit, staring into nothingness

[00:31:40] "I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself Tonight"

• The inmate's matter-of-fact confession

• David's uncertainty about what to say

• Deciding to sing Nessun Dorma (Pavarotti's famous aria)

[00:33:20] The Power of Music and Presence

• Explaining the aria makes something "rise up" in him

• The inmate standing in the back, alone

• Finishing the song to see him smiling ear to ear with tears streaming

[00:37:14] Final Reflections

• Kevin's two-pronged mission for the podcast

• Giving guests a chance to honor those who impacted them

• Inspiring entrepreneurs to create meaningful, profitable relationships

• Gratitude for David's authentic sharing

KEY QUOTES

"The greatest good you can do for another is not to share with him your riches, but to reveal to him his own." - Benjamin Disraeli (David's guiding principle)

"I suffered with such insecurity my whole life and I just thought success was for those who had the Midas touch." - David Ask

"You don't sing because you like music. You do music because you want to inspire people." - David Ash to David Ask

"The times when I've had the biggest impact is when David Ask gets out of the way and doesn't have some weird agenda and just shows up." - David Ask

"I think authenticity is the new superpower. We think we have to achieve an identity or achieve status, but the opposite is true — showing up with a generous heart, with curiosity and wonder, and just being yourself." - David Ask

CONNECT WITH DAVID ASK

🔗 LinkedIn📘 Facebook🌐 DavidAsk.com🎵 DavidAskMusic.com🔒 StatGuardPlus.com🏢 ChorumGlobal.com📧 [email protected]

Thanks for tuning in!

If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe!

Find me on:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher