Who makes the best strategic partner?

It's not necessarily the person with the biggest network or the best connections. Sometimes it’s the person who knows you most intimately — who understands your strengths and weaknesses, who knows how to motivate you, and who believes in you when you stop believing in yourself......Your own family.

This week’s special guest is Monique McDonald, a Grammy-nominated opera singer turned transformational voice coach, speaker, and mentor. Monique helps entrepreneurs, coaches, and speakers find their authentic voice, stage presence, and confidence — transforming the way they show up in their business and life.

Monique’s journey began with her first and most profound partnership — her mother, who was also her voice teacher and confidant. “She was the person who believed in me when I stopped believing in myself,” Monique recalls. That early bond shaped how she views every collaboration today — not as a transaction, but as a shared journey of trust, belief, and co-creation.

After her mother’s passing, Monique reinvented herself — moving from the opera stage to helping speakers and entrepreneurs find their authentic, magnetic voice. Along the way, she discovered that partnership isn’t just a business strategy — it’s a way of being. From joint ventures to her “Manifestation Squad,” Monique shows how the right partnerships multiply both impact and joy.

Catch these highlights from our discussion:

>> How Monique’s first and most powerful partnership — with her mother — shaped her life and career

>> Why the people who know you most intimately often make the most impactful collaborators

>> The story behind her “Manifestation Squad” and how they supported each other’s growth

>> How to move beyond transactional partnerships to creative, heart-led collaboration

>>How Monique’s experience collaborating with other musicians shaped her view of business partnerships

>>  Why asking for help is a key skill for successful entrepreneurs

…and much more!

Here are some useful resources from our interview:

➡️ Monique McDonald's Website

➡️ Monique Magnetic Voice Visibility Kit

➡️ Monique McDonld's LinkedIn Profile

Connect to the host, Danny Bermant:

➡️ Connect to Danny on LinkedIn

➡️ Connect to Danny on Facebook

➡️ Danny’s Joint Venture Mastery Newsletter

➡️ Danny’s Get JV Ready in Just 5 Days Bootcamp

Struggling to get your book noticed in a crowded marketplace? Wondering how to turn your ideas into something that actually reaches readers?

In this episode of The Power of Two, host Danny Bermant sits down with bestselling author and publishing pioneer Suzy Prudden to reveal how she uses joint ventures to help authors succeed.

Suzy is the founder of Itty Bitty Books, which transforms the expert knowledge of its authors into ultra-short, easy-to-read guides designed for readers who want clear, actionable insights without the fluff. 

Suzy shares the game-changing approach behind her authors’ success: 

👉 Turn your book into a joint venture by co-creating it with someone else who already has the audience you're targetig.

This is the insight that transformed her career. It’s the reason her collaboration with Louise Hay became so powerful it led to an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. And it’s the model she uses today to help authors rapidly expand their reach, credibility, and impact.

Catch these highlights from our discussion:

>>The #1 mistake authors make when publishing their books

>> The story behind Suzy’s collaboration with Louise Hay and the Oprah Winfrey show

>> How to identify the right partner who already has your readers

>> Why co-creation accelerates visibility, sales, and introductions

>> Strategies from Suzy's company, Itty Bitty Books to help authors market, launch, and succeed collectively

…and much more!

Here are some useful resources from our interview:

➡️ Itty Bitty Publishing

➡️ Suzy Prudden's LinkedIn Profile

Connect to the host, Danny Bermant:

➡️ Connect to Danny on LinkedIn

➡️ Connect to Danny on Facebook

➡️ Danny’s Joint Venture Mastery Newsletter

➡️ Danny’s Get JV Ready in Just 5 Days Bootcamp

You’ve sent dozens of LinkedIn messages. Fired off email after email. Spent hours crafting perfect pitches… only to be met with silence or polite rejection.

For most speakers, booking gigs feels like a grind — endless outreach, constant follow-ups, and rejection after rejection. But what if there was a smarter way to fill your calendar without the burnout?

In this episode, host Danny Bermant talks with Leisa Reid, a speaking coach who has helped countless speakers scale their visibility and revenue through partnerships. Leisa shares her “Speaker Soulmate System,” a proven method for finding the right partners — speakers at a similar stage who share your audience but not your topic — to exchange referrals and get booked consistently.

Catch these highlights from our discussion:

>>The Speaker Soulmate System: How to identify and collaborate with the right speaking partners to create a steady stream of gigs.

>> Why collaboration beats competition: How other speakers can become your best referral partners.

>> Lessons from missteps: What Leisa learned from burned partnerships and how she now safeguards trust and expectations.

>> The mindset shift that accelerates growth: Moving from “solo hustler” to “collaborative connector.”

…and much more!

Here are some useful resources from our interview:

➡️ Leisa Reid's Speaking Training Academy

➡️ Leisa Reid's Youtube Channel

➡️ Connect with Leisa Reid on LinkedIn

Connect to the host, Danny Bermant:

➡️ Connect to Danny on LinkedIn

➡️ Connect to Danny on Facebook

➡️ Danny’s Joint Venture Mastery Newsletter

➡️ Danny’s Get JV Ready in Just 5 Days Bootcamp

Some entrepreneurs chase every opportunity that comes their way — while others, like Jayne Warrilow, grow faster by being highly selective about who they partner with.

In this episode of The Power of Two, host Danny Bermant sits down with Jayne Warrilow — global speaker, best-selling author, executive coach, and founder of Sacred Changemakers — to explore how choosing the right partners, not the most partners, can transform your business.

From her first collaboration with Allied Dunbar — a partnership that brought her a steady stream of warm, qualified clients — to the alliances that helped her relaunch her career in the U.S., Jayne shares how she built a business rooted in trust, alignment, and mutual growth.

This conversation reveals the art of conscious partnering — how to identify collaborators who amplify your impact, share your values, and open doors you couldn’t access alone.

Catch these highlights from our discussion:

>> How Jayne’s first partnership with Allied Dunbar created a consistent flow of new clients through shared trust and aligned purpose.

>> The difference between busy collaboration and conscious collaboration — and how selectivity leads to sustainability.

>> How Jayne rebuilt her business from scratch after moving countries by focusing on aligned, trust-based partnerships.

>> Why the best partnerships are personal: built on relationships, shared values, and a common mission.

>> The evolution of Sacred Changemakers — and how Jayne’s community empowers leaders to grow through connection and purpose.

…and much more!

Here are some useful resources from our interview:

➡️ Access Jayne Warrilow's free quiz

➡️ Sacred Changemakers

➡️ Connect with Jayne Warrilow on LinkedIn

Connect to the host, Danny Bermant:

➡️ Connect to Danny on LinkedIn

➡️ Connect to Danny on Facebook

➡️ Danny’s Joint Venture Mastery Newsletter

➡️ Danny’s Get JV Ready in Just 5 Days Bootcamp

What if your Virtual Assistant wasn’t just someone you handed tasks to—but a true business growth partner who helped you scale, innovate, and stay in your zone of genius?

In this episode of The Power of Two, Danny Bermant sits down with professional organizer and personal stylist Kathi Burns to explore how treating your VA as a partner—not a subordinate—can transform the way you run your business.

Kathi shares how she’s cultivated long-term relationships with her VAs—some lasting over 18 years—and why success depends on trust, clear communication, and empowering them to own their role.

Catch these highlights from our discussion:

>> Why your VA should be seen as a partner in business, not just a task-taker

>> How proper onboarding and communication lay the groundwork for lasting success

>> The role of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) in helping VAs work independently

>> How delegating “below your pay grade” frees you to focus on your highest-value work

>> Real stories of productivity breakthroughs (and lessons learned) from hiring VAs

…and much more!

Here are some useful resources from our interview:

➡️ Download Kathi’s free productivity checklist: organizedandenergized.com

➡️ Kathi Burns Energised and Organized! Podcast

➡️ Connect with Kathi Burns on LinkedIn

Connect to the host, Danny Bermant:

➡️ Connect to Danny on LinkedIn

➡️ Connect to Danny on Facebook

➡️ Danny’s Joint Venture Mastery Newsletter

➡️ Danny’s Get JV Ready in Just 5 Days Bootcamp

What if scaling your business didn’t depend on paid ads, cold calls, or complicated funnels, but on leveraging other people's audiences?

In this episode of The Power of Two, marketing veteran Tom Poland shares how he built a wildly successful lead generation system using a method he calls OPN—Other People’s Networks. And one of the most powerful tools in his OPN toolkit? 

Podcast interviews.

Tom’s been doing this since 1995. He started by partnering with accountants and CPAs to promote his workshops, slashing a $5,000 direct mail budget to nearly zero. 
 
 That approach now powers a global business that fills his calendar with ready-to-buy leads. In one JV campaign alone, Tom’s team generated 284 high-quality leads.

His podcast conversations last just 7 minutes. 

But that brief conversation becomes the entry point for a JV discussion built on trust, alignment, and mutual value.

In this week’s episode of The Power of Two, Tom shares:

>> Why podcasting is the smartest “first date” for building lasting JV partnerships

>> How to use Other People’s Networks (OPN) to scale your business without relying on ads or SEO

>> Key red flags and green lights when choosing JV partners to ensure mutual success

>> How Tom built a team-managed JV engine that fills his calendar with warm, ready-to-buy leads

>> The key difference between referrals, cold traffic, and JV leads—and why it matters

>> Why Tom believes the quality of your JV partner matters more than the size of their list

…and much more!

Here are some useful resources from our interview:

➡️ Get Tom's Free Book

➡️ Tom Poland's Podcast

➡️ Connect with Tom Poland on LinkedIn

Connect to the host, Danny Bermant:

➡️ Discover Danny’s Simple 3-Step Method for Creating JV Partnerships That Deliver Perfect-Fit Leads For Your Business Again and Again

➡️ Connect to Danny on LinkedIn

➡️ Connect to Danny on Facebook

➡️ Danny’s Joint Venture Mastery Newsletter

➡️ Danny’s Get JV Ready in Just 5 Days Bootcamp

What if the key to growing your business wasn’t another tactic—but a shift in how you think? In this episode of The Power of Two, mindset coach Nina Cooke shares how clearing deep-rooted limiting beliefs helped her unlock confidence, clarity, and a steady flow of powerful joint venture partnerships.

After leaving a corporate career in marketing, Nina launched her coaching practice—but it was a pivotal early partnership that sparked real momentum. She offered complimentary coaching to a well-connected business leader, who was so impressed that he promoted her to his entire community. That single act of generosity led to a surge of new clients—and revealed the power of authentic partnerships.

And the one strategy that’s worked especially well for her? 

Being a guest on podcasts. 

Nina has been interviewed on numerous shows and it has led her into long-term partnerships, referrals, and clients. She breaks down how to approach guesting as a JV opportunity, and how showing up with value leads to trust—and traction.

In this week’s episode of The Power of Two, Nina shares:

>> How Nina transformed her business by addressing her own limiting beliefs—and how you can too.

>> Why JVs are more than just about dollars and cents, how they can also help you overcome your limiting beliefs.

>> The story behind her first JV success, where a complimentary coaching session led to an unexpected wave of clients

>> How a simple outreach email led to a long-term partnership with a financial adviser, unlocking a new niche, and resulting in a co-authored book!

>> Why guesting on podcasts is one of her top joint venture strategies—and how to make it work.

>> How to turn a single podcast appearance into ongoing referrals, content, and collaborations.

…and much more!

Here are some useful resources from our interview:

➡️ Nina Cooke's Millionaire Mindset Scorecard

➡️ Nina's Wealthy Advisor Mindset Podcast

➡️ Connect with Nina Cooke on LinkedIn

Connect to the host, Danny Bermant:

➡️ Discover Danny’s Simple 3-Step Method for Creating JV Partnerships That Deliver Perfect-Fit Leads For Your Business Again and Again

➡️ Connect to Danny on LinkedIn

➡️ Connect to Danny on Facebook

➡️ Danny’s Joint Venture Mastery Newsletter

➡️ Danny’s Get JV Ready in Just 5 Days Bootcamp

Would you rather sell books in ones and twos… or in bulk?

For Susan Friedmann, the answer was clear. As a leading authority in nonfiction book marketing and founder of Aviva Publishing, she’s spent over 30 years helping authors get their books into the hands of the right readers.

Her first book? It sold over 500,000 copies—to just one company. And the secret behind that success? A single, powerful partnership.

But that’s just one example of how Susan has leveraged partnerships to grow her business.

In this week’s episode of The Power of Two, Susan shares:

>> The power of partnerships in book marketing – Why selling in bulk is the smartest move for authors.

>> How she built a thriving business after being laid off three times – The entrepreneurial journey she never planned to take.

>> Why partnerships aren’t just about transactions – Trust, relationships, and genuine collaboration matter more.

>> The role of JV partnerships in scaling a business – From publishing to marketing, how she chooses the right partners.

>> The #1 mistake entrepreneurs make with partnerships – And how to avoid it.

…and much more!

Here are some useful resources from our interview:

➡️ Susan Friedmann's website

➡️ Susan 5-Day Book Marketing Mini-Course

➡️ Connect with Susan Friedmann on LinkedIn

Connect to the host, Danny Bermant:

➡️ Discover Danny’s Simple 3-Step Method for Creating JV Partnerships That Deliver Perfect-Fit Leads For Your Business Again and Again

➡️ Connect to Danny on LinkedIn

➡️ Connect to Danny on Facebook

➡️ Danny’s Joint Venture Mastery Newsletter

➡️ Danny’s Get JV Ready in Just 5 Days Bootcamp

Would you go in business with your spouse?

When I ask my clients this question, I usually get strange looks followed by the answer - "Are you crazy? We wouldn't last together 5 minutes!!!", yet a surprisingly large number of entrepreneurs go into business with their life partners.

And in the case of Cyndi and Jim Padilla, it has been a thriving partnership.   

Jim Padilla is a master sales trainer, expert team builder and launch expert.  Together with his wife Cyndi, he set up Gain the Edge, a leading sales consultancy that has helped dozens of entrepreneurs to achieve huge success in their product launches, driving sales, and surpassing goals and expectations.

Jim Padilla didn't have a great start in life. He experienced an abusive childhood and ended up in jail when he was in his teens, yet he turned his life around and went on to become an accomplished entrepreneur and renowned sales consultant. And he credits much of this to his partnership with Cyndi. Like any JV partnership, they have brought complimentary strengths into their relationship and it has helped them to thrive.

"I'm the visionary. I'm the strategy guy. I think bigger than everybody. And I'm always looking for ways to monetize this opportunity or make this work or find the path forward to get to the outcome. And Cyndi is fantastic leading the team and getting stuff done...It feels like we have done a hundred years of growth in the last decade".

Catch these highlights from our discussion:

>> Jim’s inspiring story of how he turned his life around - He grew up in abusive environment, in foster care at 13, in gangs at 16, and in jail by 19 

>> Jim's journey to entrepreneurship - he had to 100 jobs in the early years of his working life, and it eventually spurred him into his sales career.  

>> His first joint venture partner.... a client who didn’t want to a pay their bill!

>> The impact of going into partnership with his wife? Their communication has never been better, and their marriage has never been stronger! 

>> The difference between being a “boy” entrepreneur and a grown-up entrepreneur – “most salespeople calculate ROI with a stopwatch instead of with a calendar. If they just stayed the course, it would have happened!”  

>> Jim describes the basic ground rules for working with your spouse - never discuss the D word! 

>> Jim describes the division of labor with his wife. She’s the visionary….great at leading teams, he’s the strategy guy

>> Being an entrepreneur can be lonely. Jim’s harrowing story of how he had to grow up coping by himself and how he had to learn to be vulnerable to others

>> Jim’s lesson for entrepreneurs, be willing to do it alone, but be fully prepared, because you can’t do it alone. No one looks like they need help, until they raise their hand. Even though you’re alone as an entrepreneur, you never have to be scared to ask for help. 

Here are some useful resources from our interview:

➡️ Cyndi and Jim Padilla's website

➡️ Connect with Jim Padilla on LinkedIn

Connect to the host, Danny Bermant:

➡️ Discover Danny’s Simple 3-Step Method for Creating JV Partnerships That Deliver Perfect-Fit Leads For Your Business Again and Again

➡️ Connect to Danny on LinkedIn

➡️ Connect to Danny on Facebook

➡️ Danny’s Joint Venture Mastery Newsletter

➡️ Danny’s Get JV Ready in Just 5 Days Bootcamp

When we think of successful entrepreneurs, we often imagine them as solitary figures, "going it alone." 

In fact, so many of the JV partners I meet tell me that growing their business is a lonely journey.

But here’s the truth: you can't scale a business by working alone.

Barry Shore learnt this lesson when he was just 9 years old. He launched his first business shoveling snow from dozens of driveways—not by working alone, but by partnering with his friends.

Around the same time he started his business, his father revealed a simple yet profound insight: the word "B U S I N E S S" places the "U" before the "I." The message was clear—when you prioritize others ("you") and offer value, what you need ("I") will naturally follow.

That principle has guided Barry ever since.

Known as the “Ambassador of JOY”, Barry Shore is a mental health activist, philanthropist, serial entrepreneur, speaker, author and former quadriplegic who inspires millions with his Joy of Living podcast.

He is also the Founder of EinsteinCares.com, whose Mission is to Give $1 Billion dollars to Charity without costing any Giver a penny.

In this episode, Barry shares his formula for successful living, and what helped him to recover from almost complete paralysis…. his unwavering belief that you can never fail. 

Catch these highlights from our discussion....

>> The three biggest lessons Barry learned from starting his very first business

>> The most important word every entrepreneur needs to know…Hint: It starts with “N”

>> Why everyone should think like an entrepreneur, even if they’re an employee

>> The remarkable story of how Barry bounced back from almost total paralysis, he now swims 2 miles a day, 6 days a week!

>> The most important quote that Barry learned during his career ….  “You can’t fail” – And how he’s been living by this motto for over 60 years

>> His latest partnership?– Teaming up with 18,000 brands who will make a donation to a charity of your choice without it costing you a penny

And much more!

Here are some useful resources from our interview:

➡️ Barry Shore's website and podcast

➡️ Connect with Barry Shore on LinkedIn

➡️ Barry's New Einstein Cares Initiative

Connect to the host, Danny Bermant:

➡️ Discover Danny’s Simple 3-Step Method for Creating JV Partnerships That Deliver Perfect-Fit Leads For Your Business Again and Again

➡️ Connect to Danny on LinkedIn

➡️ Connect to Danny on Facebook

➡️ Danny’s Joint Venture Mastery Newsletter

➡️ Danny’s Get JV Ready in Just 5 Days Bootcamp