Executive presence is not about being the loudest, most charismatic, or most senior person in the room. It is about projecting confidence, gravitas, decisiveness, warmth, and poise under pressure.

In this episode of Prospecting On Purpose®, Sara Murray sits down with Melissa Maher, executive leadership advisor, strategic consultant, speaker, and founder and CEO of Pinnacle Enterprises Group. Before launching her firm, Melissa spent two decades in senior leadership roles, including serving as Chief Marketing Officer at Expedia Group.

Melissa shares practical insights from her bestselling book, Holding Your Own: Speaking, Acting, and Winning in the Business World, to help professionals strengthen their presence, communication, visibility, and influence.

Whether you are leading a global team, preparing for a high-stakes meeting, building your personal brand, or trying to influence without a formal title, this conversation offers clear strategies you can begin using immediately.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.

What You’ll Learn:

🔹 What executive presence really means and why it is not reserved for extroverts or senior leaders

🔹 How preparation, pacing, pauses, and body language can help you appear and feel more confident

🔹 Why personal branding is a strategic necessity, not bragging

🔹 Simple ways to increase your visibility without becoming the loudest person in the room

🔹 How to manage stakeholders above, beside, and below you

🔹 Why concise communication strengthens your credibility and influence

🔹 How excessive apologizing can diminish your presence and what to say instead

🔹 Ways to improve your executive presence during virtual meetings and Zoom calls

🔹 How to influence others, build advocates, and create opportunities without having a leadership title

🔹 Why negotiation should feel more like a dance than a battle

Key Takeaways:

🎯 Enter important meetings knowing the three main points you need to communicate.

💡 Use the power of the pause. Slowing your pace can make you appear more confident, prepared, and composed.

🚀 Visibility creates opportunity. Start small by asking a question during a town hall, volunteering to present, sharing a point of view on LinkedIn, or accepting a stretch assignment.

🤝 Build and maintain a support network before you need something from it.

Melissa also explains why executive presence is a collection of learnable skills. You do not need to change your personality, become louder, or wait for a promotion to begin strengthening your influence.

Connect with Melissa Maher:

📘 Holding Your Own: https://holdingyourownbook.com/

🌐 Pinnacle Enterprises Group: https://pinnacleenterprisesgroup.com/

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

Connect with Sara:

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saramurraysales

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

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

#ProspectingOnPurpose #ExecutivePresence #MelissaMaher #LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalBranding #CommunicationSkills #WomenInLeadership #CareerGrowth

In this episode of Prospecting On Purpose®, Sara Murray sits down with Sarah Dusek, an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, author, hotelier, and co-founder of Under Canvas, the upscale outdoor hospitality company she sold in 2018 for over $100 million.

Sarah shares how she went from the nonprofit world to building, scaling, selling, investing, and now launching her next hospitality venture, Few & Far Luvhondo. Through her journey, she has learned that business can be a powerful vehicle for good — and that the best pitches are built on clarity, confidence, connection, and deep understanding of the person on the other side of the table.

If you’ve ever struggled to communicate your value, pitch an idea, sell with confidence, or ask for the opportunity you want, this conversation will help you rethink what it means to sell authentically and show up prepared.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.

What You’ll Gain:

🔹 How to Sell Authentically – Why the best version of selling starts with caring deeply about what you do and communicating that passion naturally.

🔹 Pitch What Buyers Actually Want – Learn why successful pitching requires understanding your audience’s business model, motivations, metrics, and decision-making process.

🔹 Confidence Through Skin in the Game – Discover why betting on yourself is essential before you can ask someone else to bet on you.

🔹 Prepare for Your One Shot – Sarah explains why first impressions matter, why “good enough” can cost you opportunities, and why real human feedback still matters in the age of AI.

🔹 Relationships Open Doors – Learn why warm introductions, value-added relationships, and authentic connection can change the outcome of a pitch, meeting, sale, or career opportunity.

Key Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:

🎯 A winning pitch is not about what you want to sell, it’s about what the other person needs to buy.

💡 Confidence is built when your actions, values, and message are aligned.

🚀 Relationships are not transactional, but they can become the bridge to rooms, opportunities, and decisions you could never reach alone.

Sarah also shares insights from her book, Thinking Bigger: A Pitch Deck Formula for Women Who Want to Change the World, and introduces listeners to Few & Far Luvhondo, her conservation-focused luxury safari lodge in South Africa.

Your pitch is more than a presentation. It is your opportunity to connect, communicate value, and invite someone to believe in what you are building.

Tune in now and start prospecting on purpose!

For more insights, revisit:

🎙 Episode 4 – Why Icebreakers Work for Prospecting

🎙 Episode 20 – Four Pillars for a Confident Mindset

🎙 The Core Values episode on using your values as a guide for stronger decisions, deeper alignment, and more authentic business relationships.

Connect with Sarah Dusek:

🌐 Sarah’s Website: https://sarahhdusek.com/

🌐 Few & Far Luvhondo: https://www.fewandfarluvhondo.com/

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

📘 Book: Thinking Bigger: A Pitch Deck Formula for Women Who Want to Change the World

Connect with Sara:

Website: https://www.saramurray.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saramurraysales

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

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

#ProspectingOnPurpose #SarahDusek #SaraMurray #WinningPitch #PitchDeck #SalesPitch #AuthenticSelling #RelationshipSelling #WomenEntrepreneurs #VentureCapital #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #SalesMindset #ThinkingBigger

Chapters

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:31 Meet Sarah Dusek
• 01:31 Accidental Entrepreneur
• 04:40 Authentic Selling
• 07:22 Connection Creates Sales
• 10:03 Pitching What Buyers Want
• 14:43 Confidence And Skin In
• 18:23 One Shot Pitch Prep
• 22:15 Relationships Open Doors
• 29:34 Being True To Yourself
• 35:24 Few And Far Safari Lodge
• 37:05 Wrap Up And Where To

In this solo episode of Prospecting On Purpose®, Sara Murray returns with an honest and practical conversation about overwhelm. The kind that happens when business is growing, life is full, the calendar is packed, and something eventually has to give.

After an unintentional hiatus from the podcast, Sara shares why the show had to pause, what she learned during one of the busiest seasons of her business, and the eight strategies that helped her move through overwhelm without burning everything down.

If you’ve ever looked at your calendar and wondered where your free time went, felt like your phone wouldn’t stop ringing, or realized you were juggling too many balls at once, this episode is for you.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.

What You’ll Gain:

🔹 Glass Balls vs. Rubber Balls – Learn how to identify what can bounce back and what needs to be protected.

🔹 Situational vs. Constant Overwhelm – Understand if you’re in a temporary heavy season or a deeper pattern that requires structural change.

🔹 The Power of a Brain Dump – Get the swirl out of your head so you can see, sort, prioritize, and breathe again.

🔹 Protect Your Non-Negotiables – Why your health, relationships, rest, and energy are not optional when life gets busy.

🔹 Eliminate, Outsource, or Delay – Learn how to reclaim energy by removing or delegating the things that drain you.

🔹 Communicate Before the Ball Drops – How to protect relationships when you need to pause, delay, or say no.

🔹 Build Your Support Roster – Why overwhelm thrives in isolation and how to create a bench of people before you need them.

🔹 Hold Gratitude and Reality Together – A reminder that something can be both a blessing and hard at the same time.

Key Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:

🎯 If you have to drop a ball, make sure it’s rubber - not glass.

💡 Constant overwhelm is usually a sign that something structural needs to change.

🚀 Silence damages relationships more than dropping the ball does.

Sara also references Episode 79, Why Mentorship Matters: 10 Tips to Finding the Right Mentor, and Episode 48 on embodying gratitude in your personal and professional life.

If this episode is useful, share it with a friend or colleague who may be in a season of overwhelm.

Listen to the full episode of Prospecting On Purpose® wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube.

Connect with Sara:

https://www.saramurray.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saramurraysales
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saramurraysales/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saramurraysales/

#ProspectingOnPurpose #Overwhelm #BusinessOverwhelm #BurnoutPrevention #Entrepreneurship #SalesMindset #LeadershipMindset #ProductivityTips #WorkLifeBalance #RelationshipBuilding #ABAV

Chapters

00:00 Back From Hiatus

01:21 Why Overwhelm Hit

03:02 Tip One Rubber Glass

04:43 Tip Two Diagnose Overwhelm

06:27 Tip Three Brain Dump

08:32 Tip Four Nonnegotiables

12:13 Tip Five Cut Outsource

16:39 Tip Six Communicate Early

18:41 Tip Seven Build Support

20:37 Tip Eight Gratitude Reality

22:48 Final Recap Farewell

Welcome back to Prospecting On Purpose® and Welcome to Season 4!

After an unintentional year-long hiatus, Sara Murray is back behind the mic with a quick catch-up, a behind-the-scenes look at where she’s been, and a roadmap for what’s ahead.

In this short solo episode, Sara shares why the show went on pause, how year three in business created a major up-level, and what has been happening behind the scenes with client trainings, speaking opportunities, in-person events, industry conferences, international work, and the continued growth of the Prospecting On Purpose® sales program.

She also reflects on the power of the podcast itself, how it helped create new relationships, new clients, new opportunities, and unexpected paths, including her work as a story producer for Project MFG’s Clash of Trades.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.

What You’ll Hear:

🔹 Why Prospecting On Purpose® went on an unplanned hiatus
🔹 What Sara has been building behind the scenes over the past year
🔹 Highlights from client wins, sales trainings, speaking opportunities, and in-person events
🔹 Why relationship-building & in-person connection matter even more in an AI-heavy world
🔹 What’s changing with the Prospecting On Purpose® brand and visual identity
🔹 A preview of upcoming guest episodes and solo topics for Season 4

Sara also gives listeners a sneak peek at upcoming conversations with Sarah Dusek, Melissa Maher, David Newman, Bart Berkey, Lovell Casiero, Jordana Cole, and more.

To every listener who has been here through Seasons 1, 2, and 3, thank you. Your reviews, DMs, encouragement, and support have meant more than words can say.

We are back, baby. Welcome to Season 4 of Prospecting On Purpose®.

Connect with Sara:

https://www.saramurray.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saramurraysales
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saramurraysales/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saramurraysales/

#ProspectingOnPurpose #SaraMurray #SalesTraining #BusinessGrowth #RelationshipBuilding #AuthenticSelling #SalesMindset #LuxurySales #HospitalitySales #SeasonFour

• (00:00) - Show Intro

In this episode of Prospecting on Purpose, we dive deep into the real-world journey of the solopreneur with guests Joe Rano (Founder) and Carly Ries (Fractional CMO) of Lifestar—a dynamic platform built to support business-of-one professionals. 

Drawing from a survey of over 300 solopreneurs, Joe and Carly share the top three challenges nearly every solopreneur faces: lead generation, selling with confidence, and managing time effectively. From skipping big-budget marketing tactics to building relationships that generate warm leads, this conversation is packed with game-changing insights for anyone navigating the solopreneur path.

Whether you're a coach, consultant, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is your guide to growing a business that aligns with your values—and your lifestyle. 🔑 Key Highlights: 

• Why "flying solo" doesn't mean doing it alone as a solopreneur
• The biggest mistake most solopreneurs make when talking about their business
• How to stop sounding "salesy" and start building trust
• Why community and conversation often outperform digital marketing
• How solopreneurs can use automation and SOPs to reclaim their time
• The mindset shift from "employee" to intentional business owner 

Whether you're just starting out or optimizing a thriving business, this episode gives you the clarity, encouragement, and practical tools to succeed as a solopreneur.

🎯 Don't miss Joe and Carly's wisdom on building a profitable, purpose-driven business of one. Connect with Joe Rando (Founder, Lifestar): 

• 🌐 Learn more about Lifestar: www.lifestar.com/intro
• 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joer
• 📧 Email: [email protected]

Connect with Carly Ries (Fractional CMO, Lifestar): 

• 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carlyries
• 📧 Email: [email protected]

Connect with Sara 

https://www.saramurray.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saramurraysales LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saramurraysales/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saramurraysales/

Solopreneur #BusinessOfOne #SalesForSolopreneurs #Lifestar #LeadGeneration #TimeManagement #ProspectingOnPurpose #AuthenticSelling #SolopreneurMindset #SaraMurray #SmallBusinessTips #SoloBusinessSupport

In this episode of Prospecting on Purpose, Sara Murray dives deep into the power of a confident mindset and how it influences success in sales, business, and life. Confidence isn't about arrogance—it's about aligning your values, honing your strengths, and mastering your internal and external dialogue. If you've ever doubted yourself in negotiations, meetings, or prospecting conversations, this episode will help you build a confident mindset that drives results.

🔹 The Four Pillars of a Confident Mindset – Learn how values, core competencies, self-talk, and self-care shape your success. 🔹 Confidence vs. Arrogance vs. Ego – Understand the crucial differences and how to project authority without turning people off. 🔹 Reprogram Your Inner Dialogue – Shift self-doubt into self-assurance with practical mindset techniques. 🔹 Authentic Confidence in Sales – Learn how a confident mindset helps you communicate, negotiate, and close deals effortlessly.

🎯 The biggest mindset mistakes that kill confidence—and how to avoid them. 💡 Why aligning with your values leads to natural, unshakable confidence. 🚀 Small shifts in your language that instantly make you sound more confident.

Want to start showing up as your most confident self? Master a confident mindset and start winning in business today!

For more insights, revisit: 🎙 Episode 20 – Four Pillars for a Confident Mindset

Confidence is your competitive advantage. Tune in now and start prospecting on purpose!

Connect with Sara

https://www.saramurray.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saramurraysales LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saramurraysales/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saramurraysales/

#ConfidentMindset #SalesMindset #PersonalGrowth #GrowthMindset #LeadershipDevelopment

#OwnTheRoom #SpeakWithConfidence #SalesProspectingTips

In this episode of Prospecting on Purpose, Sara Murray breaks down why relationship-building in sales is the ultimate competitive advantage. It's not just about having the best product—it's about having the strongest connection with your clients. If you've ever lost a deal and blamed price, marketing, or product limitations, this episode will show you that the real issue might be a relationship-building gap.

🔹 Bridge the GAP – A step-by-step method to elevate yourself alongside your clients, making sales conversations seamless. 🔹 The Emotional Bank Account – Learn how to deposit value into client relationships before making an ask. 🔹 Authentic Relationship-Building in Sales – Why trust and genuine connections are the secret to long-term business success. 🔹 Turn Prospects into Prized Clients – Master the art of creating relationships that outlast the sales cycle.

🎯 The #1 reason deals are lost—and why it's NOT about price or product. 💡 How to use relationship-building in sales to create effortless business opportunities. 🚀 Real-life examples of small actions that lead to big wins in client relationships.

Want to sell smarter, not harder? Start mastering relationship-building in sales today.

For more insights, revisit: 🎙 Episode 4 – Why Icebreakers Work for Prospecting

Your relationships are your biggest sales asset. Tune in now and start winning on purpose! 🚀

Connect with Sara https://www.saramurray.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saramurraysales LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saramurraysales/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saramurraysales/

#ProspectingOnPurpose #RelationshipBuilding #SalesMindset #AuthenticSelling #ClientRelationships #EmotionalBankAccount #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SalesLeadership

In this episode of Prospecting on Purpose, Sara Murray uncovers the power of core values—the guiding principles that fuel confidence, drive decision-making and create authentic connections in business and life.

If you've ever struggled with making tough choices or felt misaligned in your career, this episode will help you build a framework to align your actions with your values—so you can move forward with clarity and conviction.

🔹 Define Your Core Values – A step-by-step guide to identifying what truly matters in your personal and professional life. 🔹 Boost Decision-Making Confidence – Learn how clear values eliminate doubt and make choices easier. 🔹 Strengthen Your Brand & Business – See how core values shape how you show up and build trust with clients. 🔹 Create Meaningful Connections – Understand why value alignment fosters deeper relationships and long-term success.

🎯 The unexpected ways core values impact your career and leadership. 💡 A simple exercise to refine and prioritize your top values. 🚀 How values-based decision-making leads to better opportunities.

Ready to get started? Check out this list of core values from Scienceofpeople to craft your own framework.

For more insights, revisit: Episode 5 – A conversation with Joe Welch from In Good Taste Wines on brand identity

Episode 6 – Tech & media executive Anne Wallen shares insights on value alignment in leadership

Your core values aren't just words—they're your north star for success. Tune in now and start making decisions with confidence.

Connect with Sara

https://www.saramurray.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saramurraysales LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saramurraysales/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saramurraysales/

#ProspectingOnPurpose #CoreValues #SalesSuccess #BusinessGrowth #AuthenticLeadership #MindsetMatters #SuccessBlueprint #SalesStrategy #IntentionalLiving #ConfidenceInBusiness

In this episode of Prospecting on Purpose, host Sara Murray reveals the 4 Foundations of a Growth Mindset that can reshape how you tackle challenges, lead with confidence, and thrive in every aspect of life.

After four years of intentionally developing her growth mindset, Sara shares the exact strategies that helped her shift from feeling like life was happening to her, to recognizing that life is happening for her. These 4 Foundations of a Growth Mindset will equip you to handle setbacks, strengthen your inner dialogue, and step into your full potential.

Here's what you'll gain from this episode:

Embrace Change: Learn to navigate life's curveballs with agility and excitement.

Rewire Your Inner Dialogue: Transform self-doubt into empowering thoughts that propel you forward.

Shift Your Perspective: See every situation through multiple lenses to diffuse stress and find solutions.

Take Bold Action: Understand why consistent action, even imperfect, drives growth every single time.

A growth mindset isn't just a feel-good concept; it's the backbone of personal and professional success. Whether you're leading a sales team, building your business, or simply striving to show up better in your life, these 4 Foundations of a Growth Mindset will push you toward your goals with resilience and intention.

Key Takeaways You Don't Want to Miss:

How subtle fixed mindset habits may be sabotaging your progress.

• The link between your mental narrative and your daily performance.

• Why progress always beats perfection—and how action fuels momentum.

Are you choosing the rollercoaster ride to growth, or settling for funnel cake on the sidelines? Tune in and start building your 4 Foundations of a Growth Mindset today.

Love what you're hearing? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Be sure to connect with Sara for updates on live events and networking opportunities.

Connect with Sara

https://www.saramurray.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saramurraysales LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saramurraysales/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saramurraysales/

#GrowthMindset #4FoundationsOfAGrowthMindset #MindsetShift #SalesLeadership #PersonalGrowth #ProspectingOnPurpose #BusinessSuccess #TakeAction #MindsetMatters #LeadershipEvolution

In this episode of Prospecting on Purpose, host Sara Murray sits down with Neil Rogers, a sales expert, author, and business leader, to uncover how sales lessons from behind the bar helped him refine his communication skills, master client engagement, and become a top-performing salesperson.

Neil, the creator of "Everything I Learned About Sales I Learned Behind the Bar," shares how his early bartending experience shaped his approach to building trust, reading people, and handling objections—skills that later fueled his success in sales. While not all his insights come from bartending, sales lessons from behind the bar taught him the power of first impressions, active listening, and adaptability, all of which are crucial for closing deals and forming lasting client relationships.

He also breaks down why the most organized salespeople outperform others, how a positive mindset fuels creativity and problem-solving, and why taking ownership of mistakes builds credibility. Whether you're in B2B or B2C sales, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you sell smarter and connect with clients on a deeper level.

🔑 Key Takeaways: ✔ Sales lessons from behind the bar—how hospitality enhances sales success. ✔ The power of active listening and reading customers' unspoken needs. ✔ Why organization and time management separate elite sales pros. ✔ How a positive mindset fuels better client interactions and higher conversions. ✔ Applying hospitality-driven sales techniques to build trust and close deals.

If you're a sales professional, entrepreneur, or business leader looking to master sales lessons from behind the bar, this episode delivers insights, strategies, and real-world applications to help you sell with confidence.

#SalesLessonsFromBehindTheBar #SalesMastery #ProspectingOnPurpose #RelationshipSelling #CustomerExperience #SalesStrategy #AuthenticSelling #BusinessGrowth

💡 Connect with Neil Rogers: 🌐 Explore more about Neil's work: Everything I Learned About Sales I Learned Behind the Bar🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: Neil Rogers📖 Get his book: Everything I Learned About Sales I Learned Behind the Bar

👟 Learn more about Alec's Shoe Store: alecs-shoes.com

🎥 Watch 'The Happiness Advantage' TED Talk

🚀 Tune in now and discover how bartending skills can transform your sales success!

Connect with Sara

https://www.saramurray.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saramurraysales LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saramurraysales/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saramurraysales/