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Unfinished Business
Unfinished Business episodes
- Built Not Born: Personal Branding, Sales Resilience, and Breaking the Mold with Jason Zygadlo
In this episode of Unfinished Business, host David Sliman sits down with Jason Zygadlo—author of Built Not Born, former medical device sales top producer, and founder of his own sales development consultancy.
After nearly 20 years in medical device sales and surviving a life-altering cancer diagnosis scare, Jason transitioned into entrepreneurship to help sales professionals and organizations build confidence, stand out through personal branding, and create unforgettable customer experiences. From hunting down sales managers in parking lots early in his career to transforming modern sales teams using video outreach, Jason shares what it really takes to move from average to elite.
Episode Highlights:
- Standing Out in a Sea of Sameness: Why personal video outreach beats generic AI automation every time when building trust with high-value prospects.
- The "Built Not Born" Philosophy: How consistency, grit, and self-investment outweigh raw talent and why elite salespeople are cultivated through hard work rather than born.
- Redefining Customer Experience: How Jason applies high-level hospitality principles to blue-collar and traditional industries (like car dealerships) to eliminate buyer friction and build trust.
Guest Contact Information:
- Guest: Jason Zygadlo
- Book: Built Not Born: A Playbook for Turning Setbacks into Success
- LinkedIn / Socials: Connect with Jason Zygadlo on LinkedIn to learn more about his sales training and brand coaching.
"You're creating a brand for yourself, whether you're intentionally doing it or not. So if you're the guy that's late, you're the guy that's unprepared... that's how people see you. Be intentional about the brand that you're creating." — Jason Zygadlo
51 min - Mastering Mindset, Iron Man Grit, and Winning the 16 Hours with Dave Pygon
In this episode of Unfinished Business, host David Sliman sits down with Dave Pygon, founder of Pygon ONE Consulting and author of Win the 16. Reconnecting after completing his first Iron Man and preparing for another, Dave shares high-level strategies on how to adapt to life's changing elements, ditch the non-negotiables with yourself, and align daily commitments over mere results.
Episode Highlights:- Adapting to the Elements: Why success year over year isn't about running the exact same playbook, but making minor "tinkerings" when external conditions (weather, market, or injury) change.
- Priorities vs. To-Do Lists: How to stop hiding behind low-impact emails and focus your 16 waking hours on high-value commitments that drive actual growth.
- Zero Self-Negotiation: Understanding how high performers manage discomfort, eliminate internal excuses, and execute regardless of mood or motivation.
Guest Contact Information:- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 708-945-2938
- Company: Pygon ONE Consulting
Connect with David Sliman
Website: http://salesproformance.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidslimansalespro/Linktr: https://linktr.ee/salesproformanceYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com//@UnfinishedBusinessPodcastShowEmail: [email protected]This episode is brought to you by Unfinished Business, where we dive deep into the journeys of people who are reshaping what success looks like. Make sure to tune in for more episodes that’ll inspire your own entrepreneurial path!
Developed by TMX Creative – making podcasting easy and professional. Learn more about our video editing services and how we can help you grow!51 min - Clarity Is a Superpower - Cutting Through the Noise with Danielle Bornowski | Unfinished Business with David Sliman
In this episode of Unfinished Business, host David Sliman sits down with Danielle Bornowski — growth strategist, former nonprofit communications leader, and founder of a clarity‑driven marketing practice — to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs today: deciding what actually deserves your attention.
As David frames early in the conversation, entrepreneurs don’t struggle with ideas — they struggle with focus.
“You don’t have a shortage of ideas… the challenge is knowing which one actually deserves your attention.”
Danielle has built her career helping business owners cut through noise, prioritize what matters, and execute with confidence. Her journey from nonprofit communications director to entrepreneur began with a bold moment of intuition — one that changed her life overnight.
Episode HighlightsThe Leap From Nonprofit to EntrepreneurshipDanielle shares the story of sitting in church one morning, turning to her husband, and saying:
“I’m going to quit my job tomorrow.”
What followed was a leap of faith, a reinvention, and a new mission: helping business owners make meaningful impact.
The Trap of ‘Looking Busy’ Instead of Making MoneyDanielle reflects on her early mistake — spending an entire summer perfecting a website, logo, and business cards instead of building offers or driving revenue.
“I spent almost the entire summer wrapped up in building a website… nothing that made me money.”
Her honesty becomes a powerful lesson for new founders.
AI Overwhelm and the Paralysis of Endless PossibilityFrom ChatGPT to Claude, Danielle explains why modern tools can be both empowering and debilitating.
“You have 78 pages of possibility… how do I prioritize?”
Her approach helps entrepreneurs filter noise and choose what actually moves the needle.
The Clarity Matrix: Do Now, Do Next, Do Later, Don’t DoOne of the most actionable frameworks in the episode:
- Do Now — low‑hanging fruit, existing network, immediate wins
- Do Next — CRM, messaging, pipeline clarity
- Do Later — expansion, new offers, group programs
- Don’t Do — misaligned strategies (like TikTok for someone who hates video)
“You don’t have to do everything — and you don’t have to do what everybody else is doing.”
This segment is pure gold for overwhelmed founders.
Why Average Ideas Win and Brilliant Ones FailDanielle breaks down why execution beats ideation every time:
“They make a decision and they stick to the plan… it’s boring, but it’s consistent and it works.”
A powerful reminder that momentum comes from discipline, not novelty.
Marketing & Sales: One Personality, Not Two DepartmentsDanielle explains the biggest disconnect she sees inside organizations:
“They think they’re different divisions… and they’re not.”
Her perspective aligns perfectly with David’s sales philosophy — clarity in messaging anchors everything.
Sustainable Growth Through 90‑Day SprintsInstead of overwhelming year‑long plans, Danielle helps clients build momentum through focused 90‑day cycles:
Track the data. Review the results. Adjust with intention.
It’s simple, sustainable, and effective.
Guest Contact InformationDanielle Bornowski
Growth Strategist & Founder
Austin, Texas
www.linkedin.com/in/daniellebornowski/
Connect with David Sliman
- Website: http://salesproformance.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidslimansalespro/
- Linktr: https://linktr.ee/salesproformance
- YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com//@UnfinishedBusinessPodcastShow
- Email: [email protected]
This episode is brought to you by Unfinished Business, where we dive deep into the journeys of people who are reshaping what success looks like. Make sure to tune in for more episodes that’ll inspire your own entrepreneurial path!
Developed by TMX Creative – making podcasting easy and professional. Learn more about our video editing services and how we can help you grow!
#UnfinishedBusiness #Sales #Leadership #DavidSliman #Growth #Mindset #Business #FamilyBusiness #SalesDevelopment #Strategy #TMXCreative #Training #Results #CEO #CEOLeadership #Entrepreneurship #Success #Podcast #Interview
34 min - AI Won’t Save Your Brand — But Authenticity Will | Unfinished Business with David Sliman
In this episode of Unfinished Business, host David Sliman sits down with Ginna Tassanelli — Founder & CEO of HYPE Media — to unpack one of the most urgent challenges facing entrepreneurs today: getting noticed in a noisy digital world.
With more than two decades of experience across radio, print, digital, and brand strategy, Ginna has helped established companies, emerging founders, and industry leaders transform their expertise into magnetic brands that attract premium clients.
As David frames early in the conversation, “building a successful brand isn’t enough anymore… the struggle today is getting noticed” . Ginna brings the roadmap for solving that struggle.
Episode Highlights:
Why Great Companies Stay Invisible
Ginna explains why so many exceptional businesses remain “the best kept secret” — and why today’s market demands a face behind the brand.“Your company… needs to have a face to it… that is going to get your ideal clients to want to pay attention to you” .
The Leap From Corporate to EntrepreneurshipGinna shares the story behind leaving her high‑performing corporate role — even during her highest revenue month — and the mix of exhaustion, motherhood, and red tape that pushed her toward entrepreneurship.“I did it very scared… my husband was a huge support… and I never looked back” .
Showing Up on Camera — Even When You’re TerrifiedFrom sweating through her first livestreams to coaching introverts into confident creators, Ginna explains why video is now the anchor of modern marketing.Her advice is simple and powerful:
“You just have to do it the first time… it’s kind of like riding a bike” .Premium Buyers vs. Broad BuyersGinna outlines the difference between selling low‑ticket volume and attracting premium clients who aren’t price‑sensitive — they’re certainty‑sensitive.“Premium buyers… want to know you’re going to take this off their plate and get it done” .Using AI Without Losing Authenticity
Ginna shares how HYPE Media uses AI responsibly — for backend systems, trained copywriting, and operational efficiency — while avoiding the “AI clone” trend that erodes trust.“If you show up as yourself… now is your opportunity to stand out” .Her perspective is refreshing, practical, and grounded.Guest Contact InformationGinna Tassanelli
Founder & CEO, HYPE Media38 min - Fix Your Broken Onboarding | Unfinished Business | Bradley Rausch
In this episode of Unfinished Business, host David Sliman sits down with Bradley Rausch, Owner of Level Up Influence, to unpack one of the most overlooked drivers of revenue growth: customer retention. Bradley brings years of experience in sales, customer success, and backend optimization — and he makes a compelling case that the real money isn’t in closing the deal… it’s in keeping the client.
As Bradley puts it early in the conversation, “the industry overall… glamorizes the marketing… and the sales and the front end… I’m just here to say there’s something to add to that equation” . This episode dives deep into that “something.”
Episode Highlights
- Retention Starts in the Marketing Bradley explains why customer success begins before the sale — in the promises you make, the expectations you set, and the way you position your offer. “If we just stop making these promises on the front end, we don’t have to fix so much retroactively on the back end.”
- The Unmarketed Delivery Moment One of Bradley’s signature strategies: delivering a high-value, unexpected touchpoint 20–40% into the customer journey to spike belief, deepen trust, and prime clients for referrals and testimonials.
- The Four Sales Framework Bradley breaks down his model for maximizing lifetime value:
- The First Sale
- Onboarding
- Advocacy (Referrals & Testimonials)
- Ascension He explains why most companies obsess over step one and ignore the other three — leaving massive revenue on the table.
- Onboarding That Actually Works Bradley shares his 72-hour onboarding philosophy: “What happens in the first 72 hours will decide whether the client becomes a liability or an asset.” He walks through the four emotional shifts every new client must experience: Safety, Clarity, Momentum, and Identity.
- How to Ask for Referrals the Right Way Bradley outlines his “soft ask” and “hard ask” method — and why timing matters more than results. “Ask when the belief that they will get results is the highest… usually 30–50% of the way through the container.”
- Culture, Hiring, and Cross-Team Alignment From DISC profiles to sales-CS collaboration, Bradley explains how to build a company culture where retention is everyone’s job — not just the CSM team.
Guest Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-rausch/
34 min - The Fundamentals of Elite Sales: Showing Up Every Day with Drew Norton
In this episode of Unfinished Business, host David Sliman sits down with Drew Norton, the voice behind The Everyday Sales Leader. They dive deep into the mindset and discipline required to move from an average salesperson to an elite performer. Drew shares his philosophy that you don't have to be spectacular to be elite; you just have to master the fundamentals and show up with consistency.
Episode Highlights:- The Power of Discovery: Why a thorough discovery process is more valuable than a "product vomit" presentation, and how it builds long-term value for the client.
- Mindset and Affirmations: How elite sellers use mental conditioning and affirmations to overcome limiting beliefs and show up with confidence.
- The Future of Sales in the AI Era: Why relationship-based selling and "being human" will become even more critical as AI handles more marketing and automation.
Guest Contact Information:- Website: theeverydaysalesleader.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Social Media: Look for @TheEverydaySalesLeader on all major platforms.
"It's not about titles. It's about how you show up every day."
40 min - Map My Customers With Matthew Sniff | Unfinished Business
Episode is LIVE — and if you run an outside sales team, you need to hear this.
On this episode of Unfinished Business, I’m joined by Matthew Sniff, Founder of Map My Customers, and we break down what’s really happening in field sales today
Here’s the reality:
Most outside sales teams are working hard…
But not always working smart.We dive into:
- The KPIs sales leaders should be obsessed with
- How to build accountability without micromanaging
- Why territory intelligence = competitive advantage
- How to maximize rep time in the field
- Where field sales still wins in an AI-driven world
One line that stuck with me:
You have to inspect what you expect.If you don’t know what’s happening in your territories, you can’t scale performance.
This conversation is practical, tactical, and built for leaders who want transparency and results.
🎧 Streaming everywhere now.
#UnfinishedBusinessPodcast #DavidSliman #MatthewSniff #SalesLeadership #FieldSales #SalesManagement #RevenueGrowth #SalesTools #B2BLeadership #MapMyCustomers
39 min - The KPIs sales leaders should be obsessed with
- The Missing Secret to Success: John Mitchell on Rewiring Your Brain in Just 12 Minutes a Day
What if everything you were taught about success left out the one thing that actually makes it work?
In this episode, John Mitchell, entrepreneur, author, and founder of the 12 Minute-a-Day methodology, joins host David Sliman for a powerful conversation on how to bridge the gap between knowing what to do—and actually doing it.
This isn’t theory. John used this process to 25x his income, coach elite NCAA coaches, and get his course The Science of Success approved at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas.
💡 You’ll learn:
- Why most success advice doesn’t work long-term (and what’s missing)
- The neuroscience behind why your brain ignores your goals
- How to rewire your subconscious in 21 days using a simple daily practice
- The exact 12-minute method John used to radically change his health, income, and relationships
- Why 98% of people never achieve their potential—and how to join the 2% who do
This episode is a must-watch for high performers, entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to stop winging it and start living with clarity and intention.
📘 Learn more about John's methodology:
👉 https://themissingsecret.org📧 Contact: [email protected]Connect with David Sliman
- Website: http://salesproformance.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidslimansalespro/
- Linktr: https://linktr.ee/salesproformance
- YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UnfinishedBusinessPodcastShow
- Email: [email protected]
1 hr 13 min - Why most success advice doesn’t work long-term (and what’s missing)
- Scaling Without Losing Culture | Rick Meekins | Unfinished Business with David Sliman
In this episode, host David Sliman sits down with seasoned entrepreneur and strategist Rick Meekins to talk real growth—and why so many companies stall when they try to scale.
If you're a founder, leader, or operator trying to grow your business without losing control, this episode is a masterclass in systems thinking, culture building, and team alignment.
🔍 What we cover:
Why most scaling efforts fail before they start
How to avoid the “key employee vacuum” that cripples momentum
Building plug-and-play systems that outlast your hires
The power of org charts, clarity, and communication
Why growth plans must be pressure tested (and how to do it)
Rebuilding team culture after fast growth or fragmentation
📈 Rick shares proven strategies from his 30+ years of experience helping businesses scale from $6M to $24M+ while keeping teams aligned and focused.
💡 Favorite quote: "If you don't document it, you can't improve it."
Whether you're stuck between stability and scale, or trying to lead through chaos—this episode gives you real tools to move forward with clarity.📌 Connect with Rick Meekins:
LinkedIn: http://salesproformance.com/- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidslimansalespro/
- Linktr: https://linktr.ee/salesproformance
- YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UnfinishedBusinessPodcastShow
- Email: [email protected]
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you get your podcasts.
📣 Like, comment, and share this episode if it resonated with you!#UnfinishedBusinessPodcast #DavidSliman #RickMeekins #LeadershipDevelopment #ScalingBusiness #OperationsStrategy #OrganizationalGrowth #BusinessSystems #CompanyCulture #ChangeManagement #TeamLeadership #PodcastInterview #EpiphanyConsulting
41 min - Mastering B2B Sales & Cold Email Systems | Kevin Downey | Unfinished Business with David Sliman
In this powerhouse episode of Unfinished Business, host David Sliman sits down with B2B sales systems expert Kevin Downey to break down what really works in lead generation, outbound email strategy, and scaling sales teams in today’s competitive landscape. From cold emailing at scale (think 6,000+ per day!) to hiring and managing sales reps who actually move the needle, Kevin shares hard-won insights that flip the script on traditional sales ops.
If your business depends on qualified leads, consistent pipeline, and performance-driven salespeople—this is your playbook.
🔑 Episode Highlights:- 📧 Cold Emailing at Scale: Why sending thousands of emails daily is more effective than you think—and how to do it without getting blacklisted
- 👥 Sales Team Structure: Why most reps fail at prospecting—and how to hire for real activity, not just résumés
- 💰 Tech Stacks & ROI: From Apollo to Smartlead to Mailreef, Kevin breaks down the most cost-effective tools to power your outbound engine
“Activity breeds business—it’s that simple.” – Kevin Downey
If your B2B pipeline is struggling—or if you're tired of sales reps who look great on paper but can’t generate leads—this episode will open your eyes. Subscribe to Unfinished Business with David Sliman and share this with your sales team, C-suite, or anyone responsible for growth.
📬 Connect with Kevin Downey:🌐 Website: https://kevinmdowney.com
📧 Email: [email protected]💼 Services: Sales recruiting, SDR training, and high-volume outbound infrastructure consultingConnect with David Sliman
- Website: http://salesproformance.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidslimansalespro/
- Linktr: https://linktr.ee/salesproformance
- YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UnfinishedBusinessPodcastShow
- Email: [email protected]
This episode is brought to you by Unfinished Business, where we dive deep into the journeys of people who are reshaping what success looks like. Make sure to tune in for more episodes that’ll inspire your own entrepreneurial path!
Developed by TMX Creative – making podcasting easy and professional. Learn more about our video editing services and how we can help you grow!
#UnfinishedBusiness #Sales #Leadership #DavidSliman #Growth #Mindset #Business #FamilyBusiness #SalesDevelopment #Strategy #TMXCreative
#UnfinishedBusinessPodcast #DavidSliman #KevinDowney #B2BSales #ColdEmailMarketing #SalesOps #OutboundStrategy #SalesHiring #SDRRecruiting #EmailAutomation #LeadGenerationTools
48 min - 📧 Cold Emailing at Scale: Why sending thousands of emails daily is more effective than you think—and how to do it without getting blacklisted
About Unfinished Business
From the publisher's feed
Join host David Sliman on ”Unfinished Business,” where sales meet personal development. Get ready to explore the latest sales strategies and expert insights to boost your professional and personal…
growth. Tune in and unlock your true potential in the world of sales and business.