In this episode of the Grow Fast podcast, Mark Shriner interviews Jimi Gibson, VP of Brand Communication at Thrive Agency and a professional magician, exploring the fascinating intersection of digital marketing and magical performance. Jimi shares insights into Thrive Agency's 20-year journey, discussing their approach to digital marketing, SEO strategies, and how they help businesses grow in an increasingly complex online landscape.

The conversation delves deep into the parallels between magic and marketing, with Jimi explaining how the psychological principles of magic can be applied to creating compelling marketing campaigns. He breaks down the importance of creating connection, curiosity, and conversion in marketing, drawing parallels to the structure of a magic trick and the brain chemistry involved in engaging an audience.

Throughout the episode, Jimi offers practical advice for businesses looking to improve their digital marketing efforts, discussing everything from the importance of reviews and local media presence to the evolving landscape of SEO and AI-driven marketing tools. His unique perspective, blending his background as a magician with his expertise in digital marketing, provides listeners with innovative insights into creating more effective marketing strategies.

Key Questions Explored:

How has SEO changed in recent years?

What makes a successful digital marketing campaign?

How can magic principles be applied to marketing?

What tools are essential for modern digital marketing?

How do brain chemistry and psychology impact marketing effectiveness?

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In this episode of the Grow Fast podcast, host Mark Shriner sits down with sales expert Bill Caskey to explore critical dynamics of motivation and professional excellence. Key questions discussed include:

How do internally motivated people differ from those needing external motivation?

What truly works to motivate salespeople?

How can professionals increase confidence for difficult conversations?

The conversation navigates through essential topics like the importance of clarity over raw motivation, with specific insights such as:

The difference between professional and amateur performance

Understanding evolving buyer behavior

Establishing high personal standards in professional development

Crafting messages from the customer's perspective

Beyond tactical advice, the episode offers a philosophical exploration of personal growth, with Caskey sharing his own motivational journey as a 69-year-old business coach. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on:

Setting meaningful professional standards

Communicating with genuine intent

Creating real value for customers

Adapting to changing market dynamics

Practical takeaways include strategies for improving sales approaches, understanding customer economics, and developing a more empathetic, intentional professional mindset, making this episode a must-listen for anyone seeking to elevate their performance and professional approach.

To Download a Free Copy of Bill Caskey's 12 Bold Moves audio book, please visit: 12boldmoves.com/audiobook

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In this episode of the Grow Fast Podcast, Mark Shriner sits down with Mario Martinez Jr., a dynamic entrepreneur and sales expert who shares his remarkable journey of motivation and personal growth. Mario reveals pivotal moments from his life, including his challenging path to UC Berkeley and his first breakthrough job at Sprint, where he was hired as a "wild card" candidate despite not meeting traditional metrics.

His story is a testament to the power of perseverance, determination, and seizing opportunities. Drawing from his personal experiences growing up in a working-class Hispanic family, Mario discusses the importance of motivation, surrounding yourself with the right people, and continuously learning. He shares candid insights about how watching his parents' struggles inspired him to excel academically and professionally, and how he now applies those lessons to his own life as a business leader and father.

Mario's philosophy centers on the idea that it's not about why an opportunity comes to you, but what you choose to do with it. Throughout the conversation, Mario offers practical advice for professionals looking to accelerate their careers and personal development. He emphasizes the importance of being a lifelong learner, investing in yourself, and maintaining an "always be learning" mindset. Whether discussing his work with Vingresso, hosting the Modern Selling podcast, or sharing parenting insights, Mario's infectious enthusiasm and strategic approach to personal and professional growth shine through, providing listeners with inspiration and actionable strategies for success.

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In this episode of the Grow Fast podcast, host Mark Shriner sits down with Bart Knellinger, a visionary entrepreneur who has revolutionized marketing and sales strategies in the dental industry. Bart is the founder of Progressive Dental Marketing and the Closing Institute, two groundbreaking companies that have transformed how dental practices approach patient acquisition and case management.

Bart shares his unique approach to helping dental practices move beyond simply counting new patients to strategically targeting high-value cases that can dramatically increase practice revenue. Through innovative marketing techniques and a sophisticated sales training process, he has helped dental practices across the United States and internationally scale from modest operations to multi-million dollar enterprises.

Listeners will gain invaluable insights into effective marketing strategies, the importance of outcome-oriented sales approaches, and the critical role of team alignment in business growth. Whether you're a dental professional, a business owner, or someone interested in sales and marketing, this episode offers transformative perspectives on building a successful, patient-focused practice that prioritizes quality over quantity.

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In this episode of The Grow Fast Podcast, host Mark Shriner sits down with Eli Portnoy, a seasoned entrepreneur who has founded multiple successful startups, to explore the critical importance of customer feedback in B2B businesses. Portnoy shares his journey from working at Amazon to launching innovative companies like Think Near and Sense 360, ultimately leading to the creation of Back Engine, a platform designed to help businesses better understand and act on customer insights.

The conversation delves deep into the challenges of scaling B2B companies and the common pitfalls of misinterpreting customer needs. Portnoy reveals a startling statistic that 85% of sales team explanations for lost deals are incorrect, highlighting the critical need for a more systematic approach to gathering and analyzing customer feedback. Through his experiences, he illustrates how companies often build the wrong solutions by fixating on specific feature requests instead of understanding the underlying problems customers are trying to solve.

Drawing from a survey of 150 SaaS founders, Portnoy demonstrates a clear correlation between mature customer feedback practices and business performance. He offers practical advice for companies looking to improve their customer listening skills, including assigning a feedback owner, ensuring the CEO regularly talks to customers, and implementing a weekly company-wide feedback summary. The episode provides a compelling blueprint for businesses seeking to transform their approach to customer insights and drive meaningful growth.

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In this episode of The Grow Fast Podcast, we are doing a deep dive into the world of consumer packaged goods (CPG) with a special focus on branding, marketing, and the critical alignment between sales and marketing teams.

Our guest, Andrew Thomas, brings a wealth of experience from leading brands like PepsiCo, Chicken of the Sea, and, currently Archer Meat Snacks, offering a unique perspective on navigating the complex landscape of modern food marketing. Andrew's journey through brand management is a masterclass in adaptability and strategic thinking.

From his early days at General Mills to leadership roles in both large corporations and nimble startups, he has consistently demonstrated an ability to drive growth by understanding consumer needs and creating compelling brand narratives. His approach goes beyond traditional marketing communications, focusing on how brands can truly connect with consumers and make healthier eating more accessible. In this episode, we'll unpack the intricacies of rebranding, explore the evolving consumer demand for transparency in food labeling, and learn how data-driven insights can transform marketing strategies.

Whether you're a marketing professional, an entrepreneur, or simply curious about the forces shaping the food industry, this conversation promises to provide valuable takeaways about building brands that resonate with modern consumers.

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In today's fast-paced startup ecosystem, founders face unprecedented challenges in building successful businesses. Navigating the complex world of venture capital, product development, and market expansion requires not just innovative ideas but a strategic approach to growth.

In this episode of the Grow Fast podcast, we dive deep with Vijay Rajendran, an experienced entrepreneur, investor, and author who has worked with hundreds of startups across more than 80 countries. Vijay brings a wealth of knowledge from his time at 500 Global, where he led corporate innovation partnerships and helped portfolio companies raise capital and expand their networks. His recent book, "The Funding Framework," offers founders a systematic approach to fundraising, challenging the notion that securing investment is purely a matter of luck or connections.

Through his work as an executive coach and investor, Vijay has developed keen insights into what makes founders successful in today's competitive landscape. Join us as we explore the critical traits of successful entrepreneurs, the importance of storytelling in pitches, strategies for maintaining mental health while building a startup, and the transformative potential of AI in traditional industries. Whether you're a founder, investor, or simply curious about the startup world, this conversation promises to provide valuable perspectives on accelerating business growth in an ever-changing market.

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In this episode of the Grow Fast podcast, host Mark Shriner sits down with marketing expert Jeff Wenberg to explore the evolving landscape of digital marketing. Jeff shares his journey from aspiring musician to successful marketing professional, detailing how he transitioned from doing voiceovers on Fiverr to becoming a strategic marketing consultant who helps businesses effectively communicate their value propositions.

The conversation delves deep into the critical aspects of B2C marketing, with Jeff emphasizing the importance of connecting with potential customers by addressing their specific problems rather than simply listing product features. Using real-world examples, he illustrates how reframing messaging can dramatically improve marketing effectiveness, transforming struggling businesses into thriving enterprises by helping them understand and articulate their true value to their target audience.

As the discussion unfolds, Mark and Jeff also explore the emerging challenges and opportunities presented by AI and large language models, discussing how these technologies are reshaping search patterns and marketing strategies. They touch on personal growth, sharing insights about habits, productivity, and the importance of understanding customer needs. The podcast offers listeners a comprehensive look at modern marketing techniques, blending practical advice with personal anecdotes and forward-thinking perspectives on business growth.

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In this episode of the Grow Fast podcast, host Mark Shriner sits down with Christian Ray Flores, a remarkable entrepreneur, performance coach, and philanthropist who has lived in six countries across four continents. From his early days navigating political upheaval in Chile and the Soviet Union to becoming a top pop star in Russia, Christian shares an extraordinary journey of resilience, adaptability, and personal transformation that has shaped his unique worldview and approach to life and business.

Christian delves into his current work as a performance coach, revealing the critical importance of inner development and emotional self-regulation for high achievers. He discusses his innovative approach to personal branding in the age of AI, and shares insights from his philanthropic efforts with the Ascend Academy in Mozambique, where he helps children from extreme poverty develop skills, confidence, and hope for a better future. His mission is rooted in the belief that with the right mentorship and opportunities, individuals can transcend their circumstances and create meaningful change.

Throughout the conversation, Christian offers practical wisdom on building a fulfilling life, including his morning routine for peak performance, the importance of community, and strategies for continuous personal growth. He candidly discusses his own challenges, including overcoming depression and rebuilding his life after achieving international music success, providing listeners with inspiring and actionable insights into personal development, resilience, and finding one's unique path in an ever-changing world.

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In this episode of the Grow Fast podcast, Mark Shriner interviews Adam O'Connor, Chief Commercial Officer at Gear Inc., a global outsourcing firm specializing in call center services and trust and safety operations.

Adam provides insights into the complex world of business process outsourcing (BPO), highlighting their extensive network of 26 locations that cover 76 different languages across Asia, South America, North America, and Europe. The conversation delves deep into the nuances of call center operations, exploring how companies like Gear Inc. recruit, train, and manage multilingual teams to provide high-quality customer service.

Adam emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs, finding the right talent, and creating a partnership approach rather than simply offering a low-cost solution. He also discusses the emerging role of AI in the industry, noting that while technology is advancing, the human element remains crucial in providing exceptional customer experiences.

Throughout the interview, Adam shares his extensive international sales experience, offering perspectives on cultural differences in business negotiations, the challenges of global team management, and the broader impact of BPO on local economies. He highlights how outsourcing can provide significant economic opportunities in developing countries, with BPO jobs often paying 150-200% more than local employment, thereby lifting entire communities and creating pathways for professional growth and development.