The Payoff

The Payoff

Most sales pitches fail before they start — because the seller never actually mapped the client's world. In this episode, global sales strategist Michele Fuller (Ford, Coca-Cola, Danone — $150M+ in career sales) breaks down the framework that turns a transaction into a partnership: research before you pitch, map every stakeholder in the room, and become the "total partner" your client didn't know they needed. If you sell anything — a product, a service, or an idea — this is the recipe.

Sponsored by Wells Fargo and The UPS Foundation.

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Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight line of progress; it is a high-wire act where the safety net is often on fire. For Carla, the founder of a growing wellness spa, the challenge isn’t just clinical—it’s the heavy lift of moving from a provider-centric mindset to a CEO-centric one. While navigating family ultimatums and personal stressors, national business advisor, Cynthia Nevels, partners with Carla to bridge the gap between "guessing" and "knowing."

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How do you juggle being the mayor of a city while running multiple business ventures? In this episode of The Payoff Podcast, Rachel Proctor, Mayor of DeSoto, Texas, and franchise owner of Salata, shares her unique journey of leading her community while navigating the entrepreneurial world. Rachel dives into the challenges and rewards of franchise ownership, her approach to accessing capital, and the critical lessons she’s learned from managing multiple ventures.

From the highs of business success to the secrets no one discloses, Rachel provides practical insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders looking to balance multiple roles. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with The Payoff host Cynthia Nevels on leadership, resilience, and what it truly takes to thrive in both public service and business!

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Ever wonder how a small consumer goods business makes it onto the shelves of major retailers like HEB and Central Market? Jessica Taylor, founder of Ezra Coffee, shares her inspiring journey on this episode of The Payoff. From identifying her target market to scaling her brand and navigating the complex retail landscape, Jessica reveals some of the key steps that helped her turn Ezra Coffee into a household name.

Discover how she crafted a compelling brand story, built relationships with retailers, and overcame the challenges of breaking into the competitive world of grocery retail. Whether you're launching a consumer goods brand or dreaming of seeing your product on store shelves, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you gain insights and perspective.

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Expanding your e-commerce business beyond borders can unlock massive growth potential—but navigating the complexities of international trade is no easy feat. In this episode, Maria Luisa Boyce, Vice President of International Policy for UPS Global Public Affairs, draws on over 25 years of experience in global trade, customs affairs, and cross-border logistics to offer expert advice on scaling e-commerce businesses internationally. Maria breaks down the key strategies for successfully entering new markets, understanding customs regulations, and optimizing global supply chains to meet customer demand.

In her current role at UPS, Maria is part of the team working on Capitol Hill, advocating for UPS’ priorities. She leads UPS’s government affairs efforts in Latin America, advocates for global policy impacting UPS’s Small Business Enterprise (SMEs) customers and leads for the Global Public Affairs team for the UPS Women Exporters Program.

If you're an e-commerce entrepreneur looking to expand your reach globally, this conversation, led by The Payoff host Cynthia Nevels, is packed with practical tips and insights to help introduce you to the world of cross-border trade.

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Multimillion enterprises are being built using a cheat sheet and we wanted to find out how. 
What does it take to build a successful empire through franchising? 

In this episode, we dive into the world of franchising with Isoke Harris, a dedicated change agent and veteran entrepreneur who owned 43 Pizza Huts across Louisiana. Isoke shares the unique opportunities and challenges of franchising, the skills needed to succeed, and why franchising can be a great path for entrepreneurs seeking to grow rapidly. Whether you’re curious about buying into a franchise or scaling your own franchise portfolio, Isoke’s advice will provide invaluable insights into the financial and operational investments required to thrive in this space.

Get ready to learn from one of the best in the business and see if franchise investments will payoff!

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Running a business isn’t just about profit – it’s about navigating the challenges, taking risks, and knowing when to pivot. In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Bradley, co-founder and well-respected venture capitalist of 1863 Ventures, a business development program that’s helped hundreds of Black and Brown entrepreneurs achieve success. Melissa shares the real grit behind building a business, and the common misconceptions entrepreneurs face. From funding and scalability, the ins and outs of entrepreneurship, to going from wholesale to retail, Melissa offers raw insights and practical advice for anyone looking to launch or grow their venture. Whether you're just starting or scaling up, this episode will give you the inside secrets to build a resilient business from the ground up.

Tune in to discover what it really means to have a business that pays off!

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