Nice Doin' Business With Ya

In this episode of Nice Doin’ Business With Ya, Chris sits down with Ken Golde, a leadership coach, keynote speaker, and former Hollywood film director, to discuss why shifting your mindset changes how you sell, lead, and show up under pressure. Ken explains why the real battle is how you choose to think instead of what happens to you, and shows why the best closers are calm, aware, and able to turn rejection, pressure, and bad moods into momentum.

You’ll discover:

• The FAST Way framework (Feelings, Action, Speech, Thought) and how it helps you create results instead of reacting to events

• Why “bad” sales situations often contain the strongest opportunities if you can reframe them correctly

• How a health insurance team was leaving money on the table because their mindset was the real bottleneck

• Why the best salespeople are also the best listeners, and how body language carries far more weight than most people realize

• How gratitude can become a practical business advantage

If you sell camera-to-camera, lead a team, or find yourself getting pulled into doubt, pressure, or defensiveness, this conversation will help you reset fast. It is especially valuable for sales leaders, marketers, business owners, and anyone who wants to communicate with more confidence, presence, and influence. Listen now!

Show Notes

Connect with Ken on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kengolde/.

Email Ken at [email protected].

Learn more about Breakthrough Leadership by visiting https://www.breakthroughleadershiptraining.com/.

Learn more about The FAST Way by visiting livethefastway.com.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vendilli/.

Learn more about Vendilli at https://www.vendilli.com/.

Subscribe to the Please Advise newsletter by visiting pleaseadvise.io.

In this episode of Nice Doin’ Business With Ya, Chris and Micah get candid about HubSpot’s latest shakeups, including the backlash over default data opt-ins, the growing tension between privacy and enrichment, and why Breeze credits are challenging teams and CFOs alike. They also unpack what happens when AI shifts from a shiny add-on to a core operating layer inside your CRM, your sales process, and your reporting. You’ll learn:

• Why HubSpot's data opt-in rollback mattered so much to customers and partners

• How data privacy requests, GDPR-style rules, and EU consent laws are reshaping marketing operations

• What Breeze credits, custom assistants, and AI agents really mean for HubSpot users

• How one team used Gemini to score leads outside HubSpot, then push the result back into the CRM

• Why AI note-taking, sales qualification, and lead reactivation are becoming competitive advantages

Chris and Micah also zoom out to the bigger marketing picture, ranking tactics like direct mail, email, digital ads, social, SEO, PR, and in-person events in a world where trust matters more than ever. They make the case that the best growth strategy goes beyond channels, focusing on experience, community, and giving people a reason to believe you before they ever talk to sales. 

If you are trying to decide where to invest next, what to stop wasting time on, and how to build a marketing system that still works when AI answers the question before the click, tune into this episode now!

Episode Chapters

01:24 HubSpot's Data Opt-In Controversy

06:41 Data Privacy Requests and Trends

10:17 The Shift to Token-Based Systems

22:26 Innovative AI Projects and Use Cases

24:02 The Evolution of Inbound Marketing

34:27 Ranking Marketing Efforts

46:11 The Importance of PR in the AI Era

48:46 The Role of Organic Social Media

52:23 SEO and Its Evolving Importance

Show Notes

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vendilli/.

Connect with Micah on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-van-rijs-99b69812a/.

Learn more about Vendilli at https://www.vendilli.com/.

Subscribe to the Please Advise newsletter by visiting pleaseadvise.io.

Cybercrime is no longer just a big-company problem. If you own a business, manage a team, or handle money, John Dwyer, Vice President of Cloud and AI Security Services at Coalfire, says you are already in the blast radius. The scams are getting faster, smarter, and cheaper to run.

In this episode, Chris and John discuss what small and mid-sized businesses actually need to worry about right now. From deepfake payment fraud and business email compromise to ransomware, typosquatting, and AI-driven scams, this episode cuts through the fear and gets specific about what really matters. You’ll discover:

• Why most cyberattacks are still built on the same old playbook, just executed faster

• How AI is lowering the barrier for criminals and making fraud more convincing than ever

• Why emotional urgency is the biggest vulnerability in both humans and businesses

• The simple, low-cost protections that can dramatically reduce your risk

• How to think about cyber insurance, endpoint protection, MSPs, and tabletop planning

John also breaks down the four major buckets of cybercrime: fraud, data theft, operational disruption, and resource hijacking. He explains why most small businesses only need to focus on two of them to cover the highest-risk scenarios. He shares real-world stories of companies getting hit by invoice fraud, fake hiring scams, and sophisticated impersonation schemes that look absurd on paper but still work in the real world.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your business is actually prepared for a scam, a breach, or a ransomware event, this episode will help you think about risk before the worst day arrives. It’s especially valuable for founders, operators, sales and marketing teams, and anyone experimenting with AI inside the business. Listen now!

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction of John Dwyer

04:58 Navigating AI in Business Security

12:10 Understanding Cyber Threats and Scams

20:03 Real-Life Cybersecurity Incidents

32:35 The Role of AI in Cybersecurity

51:14 Best Practices for Small Businesses

01:00:08 Engaging with Managed Security Providers

01:27:53 Conclusion and Future Considerations

Show Notes

Connect with John on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Coalfire.

Connect with Chris Vendilli on LinkedIn .

Learn more about Vendilli.

Subscribe to the Please Advise newsletter.

Most CRM problems are not software problems. They are people, process, and adoption problems. Dr. Shannon J. Gregg, President of Cloud Adoption Solutions, Salesforce consultant, sales productivity speaker, and author of It’s About Time, breaks down why even the best platforms fall apart when teams skip user input, chase shiny features, or force the wrong tool into the wrong job.

You'll discover:

• Why user stories and early user involvement prevent painful rescue projects

• How to create quick wins that build curiosity and adoption

• The difference between being an order taker and being a true partner

• Why HubSpot, Salesforce, NetSuite, and ERP systems each need to stay in their lane

• How AI tools like Notebook LM, Claude, Ask Elephant, and newer CRM platforms are changing sales enablement, coaching, and process design

Shannon also shares what she's seeing in regulated industries like healthcare, fintech, gov tech, and life sciences, where acceptable use policies and data concerns are forcing teams to be more intentional about AI.

If you work in sales, RevOps, CRM, marketing automation, or any role where technology is supposed to make people more effective, this episode is packed with practical perspectives. It is especially valuable if you're navigating AI adoption, leading a platform rollout, or trying to keep your stack from turning into a Frankenstein of disconnected tools. Listen now!

Episode Chapters

00:10 Introduction to Dr. Shannon J. Gregg and Her Journey

10:29 Navigating CRM Choices and User Needs

14:11 The Challenge of Feature Creep in Software

19:20 The Future of AI and CRM Systems

25:42 AI Tools Transforming Sales Teams

42:00 Building Relationships in a Tech-Driven World

Show Notes

Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonjgregg/.

Learn more about Cloud Adoption Solutions by visiting https://cloudadoption.solutions/.

Get a copy of Shannon’s book, It’s About Time, at https://shannongregg.com/its-about-time/.

Connect with Chris Vendilli on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vendilli/.

Learn more about Vendilli by visiting https://www.vendilli.com/.

AI doesn’t fix bad business. Instead, it exposes it. Kevin Leonard of Berkshire Hathaway and AI BOSS shows why the companies that win with automation are the ones with strong systems, clear processes, and leaders who know exactly what problem they’re solving.

From scaling a real estate division from $123M to $1.25B to rolling out AI across a brokerage of 2,000 small business owners, Kevin breaks down the playbook for growth without chaos. If you lead a service business, manage operators, or are trying to turn AI from a shiny object into real ROI, this conversation is loaded with practical answers.

Kevin shares how he built his first brokerage in the middle of a recession with almost no money, why recruiting and culture matter more as you scale, and how a foundation of SOPs made growth repeatable instead of brittle. He also explains how he’s using AI BOSS, custom GPTs, NotebookLM, and phased training to help agents save time, answer repetitive questions, and focus on higher-value work.

This episode is essential listening if you want to scale smarter, protect your edge, and avoid becoming one of the businesses that automates the wrong things. The future belongs to operators who can pair human judgment with AI leverage, so tune in now!

Episode Chapters

03:12 Navigating the Real Estate Market

07:08 Scaling Success: From Local to National

09:21 Strategic Leadership and Growth

16:37 Implementing AI: A Phased Approach

23:40 About AI Boss

32:39 Navigating AI Adoption

43:01 Building Custom AI Solutions vs. Using Existing Tools

52:02 AI in Mergers and Acquisitions: Enhancing Due Diligence

59:09 The Role of AI in Business Growth and Job Creation

Show Notes

Visit Kevin’s website at https://kevinmleonard.com/.

Learn more about AI BOSS at https://www.aibossco.com/.

Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmleonard1/.

Secure a copy of Kevin’s book, Scale with Heart, at https://scalewithheart.com/.

Subscribe to Please Advise by visiting https://pleaseadvise.io/.

Dea Leftwich, police detective, certified polygraph examiner, the first Pennsylvania region African American female mounted patrol officer, and former Army medic turned her personal grief journey into a mission that is changing young lives.

Her new nonprofit, Riding Into the Future, brings inner-city kids into the horse world and opens doors to confidence, patience, consistency, and post-secondary education scholarship money. What starts as a conversation about horses quickly becomes a powerful story about purpose, timing, and community. Dea shares how volunteering at stables during a season of deep loss led her to equine therapy, a mounted patrol opportunity, and finally a 4-H club designed to give kids free riding lessons, transportation, meals, and a path to educational support.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why 4-H became the perfect framework for her nonprofit

• What it takes to qualify for Riding Into the Future

• How she got unexpected local media coverage

• The role community partners and sponsors play in the program

Dea’s story centers around unconventional PR, community partnership, and mission-driven visibility, and serves as a testament on how one person with limited time and resources can create momentum by serving a need no one else was solving.

If you care about youth development, community impact, nonprofit growth, equine therapy, or earning attention for a meaningful cause, listen now! Perfect for leaders, nonprofit builders, community advocates, and anyone who believes a great mission can still start small and grow fast.

Show Notes

Learn more about Riding Into the Future and how to support by visiting https://www.ridingintothefuture.org/.

See Dea and Riding Into the Future in the news at https://www.ridingintothefuture.org/in-the-news.

Connect with Dea on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorothea-leftwich-42ba5526/.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vendilli/. 

Learn more about Vendilli by visiting https://www.vendilli.com/.

Tim Nolan's journey from biomedical engineering to general manager reveals a unique approach to tackling complex challenges in automation, data science, and AI, even within high-stakes medical devices. His story is about technical mastery and building innovative solutions in regulated environments, leveraging AI for automation, and navigating strategic growth during mergers and acquisitions.

In this episode, you'll uncover how Tim’s deep technical background fuels his leadership at Data Science Automation, where they’ve executed over 3,000 projects for top-tier industries. Learn about the fascinating crossover of control systems from artificial organs to aerospace, and how AI is revolutionizing sales, project management, and manufacturing processes in real time.

We break down practical insights on digital transformation for factories, deploying AI for prospecting via agents, and ensuring security for government contracts with local AI systems. Tim shares the evolution of LabVIEW and how that expertise feeds into cutting-edge AI, machine learning, and code generation projects.

Why does understanding high-stakes medical devices and aerospace safety matter? Because the same rigor, precision, and process-driven mindset can transform your approach to engineering and business management. From managing multi-company mergers to automating lab testing and even fixing an old washing machine, discover how a culture of curiosity and relentless problem-solving drives real impact.

This episode is perfect for engineers, leaders, or entrepreneurs eager to push technological boundaries while navigating complex business landscapes. Whether you're interested in the strategic use of AI, how to lead through innovation, or the fascinating stories behind high-stakes engineering, Tim’s insights and stories will make you want to turn complex challenges into extraordinary solutions. Listen now!

Episode Chapters

00:09 Introduction to Tim Nolan, DSA, and His Career Progression

17:30 Website and CRM Improvements at DSA

20:02 Leveraging AI in Sales Processes

29:30 Engineering Innovations: AI in Vision Analysis

34:15 Digital Transformation in Manufacturing

43:41 Navigating AI Policies in Government Contracts

49:01 The Importance of Documentation in Engineering

Show Notes

Learn more about Data Science Automation at https://dsautomation.com/

Connect with Tim on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-nolan-38167b5/.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vendilli/. 

Learn more about Vendilli by visiting https://www.vendilli.com/.

Most entrepreneurs stumble into success without realizing the power of intentional systems. Eric Guy, Founder of Center for Victory and President of Top Contractor School, shares how his unexpected journey from social worker to business coach unlocked his ability to help leaders maximize their teams’ potential and achieve extraordinary results.

In this episode, Eric reveals the behind-the-scenes stories of his unconventional path: living with clients for behavioral change, building impactful assessment tools and mastering the art of reading human behavior.

You'll discover how he combined social work with business systems like EOS and Predictive Index to simplify leadership challenges and foster real-time problem-solving. Plus, he shares his proven frameworks, such as the Dream Manager program, which are transforming workplace cultures and personal lives alike. We break down:

• How Eric’s accidental shift from therapy to entrepreneur led to his success in coaching high-growth companies

• The role of assessments (PI, values index, EOS) in fostering self-awareness and organizational health

• Practical systems and habits he uses to help clients identify top talent, clarify goals and accelerate their growth trajectories

• The innovative impact of the Dream Manager program in aligning purpose and performance

• How AI is shaping his business, from content creation to sales training and beyond

Without these insights, your leadership potential and business scaling efforts could be stagnating. Missing the opportunity to leverage human behavior frameworks costs you time, talent and growth. Whether you're a CEO, consultant or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode equips you with the tools to unlock extraordinary performance within your teams and yourself. Listen now!

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Eric Guy and His Journey

08:26 Building a Family Business and YouTube Channel

11:25 The Evolution of Center for Victory

17:04 The Importance of Relationships in Business

30:25 The Dream Manager Program

35:40 Leveraging AI in Business

Show Notes

Learn more about Center For Victory at https://www.centerforvictory.com/.

Learn more about Top Contractor School at https://topcontractorschool.com/.

Connect with Eric on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericguylsw/.

Subscribe to Eric’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY25T4o0kRU2NQvAX0OvRoA.

Get a copy of Eric’s book, The Life of Victory: Mastering the Secret of Choosing Love Over Fear, at https://www.amazon.com/dp/0990826546.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vendilli/. 

Learn more about Vendilli by visiting https://www.vendilli.com/.

Most companies struggle with hitting their growth ceilings, and EOS could transform that chaos into clarity. Michael Halperin, the first Expert EOS implementer in Pittsburgh, reveals how this practical system can revolutionize your business, just as it did for his own fast-growing company and over 80 others. If you're an entrepreneur feeling overwhelmed, stuck in endless fire-fighting, or just craving a structured roadmap, this episode is your guide to sustainable success.

Michael's journey from a technology executive to top-tier EOS expert is packed with actionable insights. He shares how implementing EOS helped him and his clients break free from 70-hour weeks, dramatically improve team alignment, and accelerate growth from less than five million to over fourteen million in revenue. Discover how the EOS framework, centered around vision, healthy teams, and disciplined execution, can turn your business into a well-oiled machine that scales efficiently and sustainably. You'll discover:

• The real reason most mergers and acquisitions fail and how EOS helps prevent costly mistakes.

• Why "healthy" is the most critical component for long-term success and how to foster it within your leadership team.

• Practical steps to evaluate your team’s alignment and identify early signs that EOS could be a perfect fit.

• How the EOS tools like the People Analyzer and scorecards drive accountability without micromanaging.

• The secret sauce: why getting your leadership team healthy leads to explosive growth and freedom for business owners.

Neglecting team health and clear vision can keep your business stuck in cycles of frustration, lost revenue, and burnout. Conversely, mastering EOS paves the way to a business that runs smoothly with everyone pulling in the same direction, which frees you to focus on what you love or to confidently scale without chaos. Whether you're contemplating your first EOS implementation or refining an existing one, this episode offers a wealth of practical wisdom and inspiration.

Perfect for entrepreneurs, CEOs, and leadership teams eager to climb higher without sacrificing their sanity, this episode proves that clarity and discipline are the keys to scaling. Tune in to learn how EOS could be the catalyst for your next chapter and why choosing the right partner can exponentially accelerate your results. Don’t let your growth ceiling hold you back. Listen now!

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to EOS and Michael Halperin

02:00 Michael's Entrepreneurial Journey

09:57 Implementing EOS

18:38 The Growth Journey of Implementers

25:16 Understanding EOS: Vision, Traction, and Health

31:17 Cascading EOS Across Departments

33:40 The Value of an EOS Implementer

Show Notes

Get a copy of Gino Wickman’s book, Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business at https://www.amazon.com/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business/dp/1936661837.

Learn more about EOS Worldwide and how Michael can help your team by visiting https://implementer.eosworldwide.com/michael-halperin/.

Email Michael at [email protected].

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-halperin-29a172/.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vendilli/. 

Learn more about Vendilli by visiting https://www.vendilli.com/.

What do most entrepreneurs have in common? The grit, grind, and drive to succeed. For Jimi Romanus, President of CardChamp, his journey from punk rock band to payment industry leader is no different.

Discover how running a band taught him vital business lessons, from managing P&L to orchestrating high-stakes negotiations, all without knowing it. Now, Jimi harnesses those gritty, hustle-driven lessons to build a thriving, bootstrap-funded payment processing company from the ground up.

You'll learn how Jimi identified and grew through strategic partnerships, innovative referral programs, and a laser focus on support and integrity, balancing price with service in a fiercely competitive industry. We break down his approach to navigating heavy regulation, finding top-tier partners, and winning clients through word-of-mouth and impeccable reputation. Plus, get insider tips on spotting fraud, understanding tricky fees, and protecting your business in a landscape riddled with scams.

You’ll discover the behind-the-scenes tactics of growing via acquisitions, building a channel of brand ambassadors, and leveraging modern tools like HubSpot to stay ahead. For small business owners, payment professionals, or entrepreneurs seeking practical, battle-tested strategies, this episode offers actionable insights to transform friction into flow, and risk into opportunity. Whether you’re in B2B, retail, or hospitality, Jimi’s no-nonsense advice will help you outsmart the competition and build a brand clients trust.

Tune in to unlock the secrets of bootstrapped success, learn from a veteran’s setbacks, and discover how culture, integrity, and hustle can accelerate your path. Ready to turn your business pain into profit? Hit play now. 

More on CardChamp

Managing payment processing costs can eat into your profits, especially when you're focusing on customer value and segmentation. CardChamp offers a smart solution. It's a straightforward way to protect your margins without compromising customer experience. Visit https://www.cardchamp.com/vdg to see how much you could save. 

Show Notes

Connect with Jimi on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimiromanus/.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vendilli/.

Learn more about Vendilli at https://www.vendilli.com/.