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Close The Deal Podcast

Ewell Smith

119 episodes

3 days ago

Why do so many founders hit a wall at one, three, or ten million in revenue? Sales strategist Nicole Vorkapic reveals the three hidden gaps that keep businesses from scaling—and how to fix them fast. In this episode, Close The Deal Podcast host Ewell Smith sits down with Nicole to unpack the patterns that cause sales to plateau and what it takes to create systems that scale. Drawing from her experience leading national sales teams managing over $120 million in revenue, Nicole breaks down the ...

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Entrepreneurship

Self-Improvement

All content for Close The Deal Podcast is the property of Ewell Smith and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Why do so many founders hit a wall at one, three, or ten million in revenue? Sales strategist Nicole Vorkapic reveals the three hidden gaps that keep businesses from scaling—and how to fix them fast. In this episode, Close The Deal Podcast host Ewell Smith sits down with Nicole to unpack the patterns that cause sales to plateau and what it takes to create systems that scale. Drawing from her experience leading national sales teams managing over $120 million in revenue, Nicole breaks down the ...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Self-Improvement

Episodes (20/119)

Close The Deal Podcast

5 Minutes of Guts: How Courage Closes More Sales (+ DISC explained) Angie Weidel #107 | Close The Deal

Fear stops more deals than rejection ever will. In this episode of The Close The Deal Podcast, host Ewell Smith sits down with Angie Wedell, founder of Blended Strategies, to talk about courage, confidence, and the mindset that helps salespeople close with authenticity. Angie shares her “Five Minutes of Guts” philosophy — a practical way to overcome fear one moment at a time — and explains how understanding the DISC profile can improve communication, strengthen relationships, and boost result...

1 week ago

42 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

The #1 Mistake People Make in a 1-Minute Pitch (BNI, Chamber, etc.) #106 | Close The Deal

Most business owners and sales professionals make the same mistake when giving their 1-minute pitch at a networking meeting — they try to promote more than one thing. In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, Ewell Smith explains why a clear, single-message pitch is far more powerful. You’ll learn how to grab attention, connect emotionally, and be remembered long after the meeting ends. Perfect for BNI, Chamber of Commerce, and local networking events. ## Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to s...

2 weeks ago

1 minute

Close The Deal Podcast

Stop Chasing Leads: Dealership Goldmine Revealed:Russell Richardson @RussFlipsWhips #105 Close The Deal Podcast

Learn how top sales and marketing trainer Russell Richardson turned social media into a dealership goldmine - and why consistency closes more deals. What if you could stop chasing leads — and make customers come looking for you? In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, Ewell Smith sits down with automotive sales trainer Russell Richardson, known online as @RussFlipsWhips, who built a dealership empire by turning social media into a 24/7 lead engine. Russell shares how he went from washi...

2 weeks ago

29 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

How AI is Flipping SEO on Its Head / 5 Big SEO Mistakes: Lonnie Jones #104 Close The Deal

SEO isn’t what it used to be—and AI is changing the rules faster than anyone expected. In this Close The Deal Podcastepisode, host Ewell Smith talks with Lonnie, founder of Local SEO Help, about how AI, Google updates, and voice search are transforming visibility for every business online. From website redesign mistakes that destroy rankings to why Google now rewards human expertise over algorithms, this conversation reveals what’s working, what’s broken, and how to stay ahead of the wave. Wh...

3 weeks ago

44 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

AI or Die? !!! How to Leverage AI In Sales (AI Tools to Use) : Kevin Hays - #103 Close The Deal

Sales is changing faster than most people realize, and artificial intelligence is leading the charge. In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, I sit down with Henry Hayes, founder of Disrupt Ready and adjunct professor at LSU, to unpack what AI really means for sales pros today. We dig into why buyers instantly spot self-serving sales tactics, how mentorship pulls your career forward, and why ignoring AI is like ignoring the internet back in the ’90s. Henry shares practical ways to get ...

1 month ago

30 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

Role Playing Overcoming Top 5 Sales Objections W/Lisa Laird (Part 2) #102 Close The Deal

Knowing how to overcome objections is one thing - but hearing it in action is where the real learning happens. In Part 2 of this Close The Deal conversation, sales trainer Lisa Laird role-plays the most common objections salespeople face from owners and demonstrates exactly how to respond with confidence. You’ll hear Lisa walk through: > The perfect response when prospects ask you to “Send an email with prices” > What to say when you hear “I’m not interested” > Tur...

1 month ago

16 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

How To Overcome Top 5 Sales Objections (Part 1) Role Playing with Lisa Laird #101 Close The Deal Podcast

Every salesperson has heard it before: “Leave your card.” “Just email me.” “I’m not interested.” In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, sales trainer and 20-year insurance veteran Lisa Laird reveals how to flip the top 5 most common objections into opportunities that close. Lisa shares: Why confidence (not aggressiveness) is the key to salesHer GET Method for securing appointments fastHow to respond when a prospect wants you to “just email prices”The persistence strategy that turns “n...

1 month ago

24 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

Creating Opportunity Through Change: Harlon Pearce #100 Close The Deal

At 79 years old, Harlon Pierce is still leading, innovating, and creating opportunities in the seafood industry. From Katrina to catfish, hear how he embraced change, built new markets, and mentored a generation of leaders. This milestone episode dives deep into crisis management, pricing strategies, and the power of mentorship. ## Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes. Ewell Smith is talking with sales and marketing pros who help professionals and business owners drive more leads ...

1 month ago

29 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

Avoid Insurance Nightmares This Hurricane Season: Jonathan Frazier #99 Close The Deal

Hurricane season isn’t just about weathering the storm - it’s about surviving the insurance battle afterward. In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Frazier of Forefront 360 to reveal how preparation, documentation, and technology can save homeowners and businesses millions. Takeaways: Why most policyholders fail to prepare for claimsThe five most common insurance mistakesHow property data transforms the claims processReal-world examples of claims increased by 3x or moreHow businesses leve...

2 months ago

35 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

Mentorship: How Painter1 Franchise Fast-Tracks Success - #98 Close The Deal

What if you could fast-track your franchise success by learning directly from someone already doing it? That’s exactly what Painter1’s mentorship program delivers. In this episode of the Close the Deal Podcast, host Ewell Smith talks with mentor Keith and two new franchisees, Mikeand Dallas, about their experience going from training to revenue in record time. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: Why Painter1’s mentor-led onboarding helps new owners gain confidence fastHow Mike leveraged his...

2 months ago

43 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

The Sales Fix Most CEOs Don’t Know - Mike Pedersen #97 Close The Deal

What if you could overhaul your life—and your business—in 30 days? At 61, Mike Pedersen did just that. On this episode of Close The Deal, he reveals how he left a comfortable life in Arizona to travel the world, and in the process, built a powerhouse B2B consulting practice. We talk sales systems, CEO blind spots, the 21-Day Revenue Sprint, and his viral “Decide Fast” app. 🔥 Key Topics: Rewiring sales teams for resultsOvercoming crisis with clarityWhat stops CEOs from actingAnd why action bea...

3 months ago

32 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

Refuse the Ripoff: The Franchise That Fights Insurance Games - Ted Patestos #96 Close The Deal / Franchise Profits Episode

Are you done getting lowballed (screwed) by insurance companies? Ted Patestos was too—and now his franchise, Tiger Adjusters, helps homeowners and business owners fight back. With a model that puts franchisees in control and customers first, this low-overhead, high-impact business is rewriting the playbook on public adjusting. 💥 Real franchisee: $861K in revenue, $655K profit 🛠️ Work from home, control your schedule 💸 Be a hero for people who feel powerless after disaster If you’ve ever felt ...

3 months ago

30 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

Jungle Driving: A Franchise Saving Teen Lives - Zachery Buetler #95 Close The Deal

What do you get when you mix UPS-level safety protocols, jungle animals, and teenagers learning to drive? A franchise that’s saving lives and building a business around it. Zach Butler joins me to share the story of Jungle Driving—a radically better, more effective, and wildly memorable driver’s ed franchise. Backed by 20+ years of data and a mission-focused mindset, this brand is making the roads safer for all of us. In this episode: ✔ Zach’s early failures and mindset reboot ✔ The power of ...

4 months ago

33 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

How to Build a Business That Runs Without You - Adi Klevit - #94 Close The Deal

Want more time, profit, and peace of mind in your business? Start with systems. On this episode of Close The Deal, Ewell Smith chats with Adi Klevit - founder of Business Success Consulting Group—about how entrepreneurs can document their way to freedom. You’ll learn: How to identify the first process to documentThe 90-minute framework that changes everythingHow SOPs reduce training time and increase business valuationThe secret to franchising with confidenceIf you're serious about growth, do...

4 months ago

20 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

When Politics Impact Sales - Chris Peterson #93 Close The Deal

Is your business unintentionally taking a political stance? In this episode of Close The Deal, Ewell Smith sits down with Chris Peterson, author of Red and Blue Customers, to explore how political identity subtly (and sometimes explosively) affects consumer behavior. Chris shares fascinating insights about liberal vs. conservative buyers, real-life brand case studies, and why most businesses are completely unaware of the worldview signals they send. If you’re a franchise leader, small busines...

4 months ago

38 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

What It Takes To Open A Diesel Barbershop - Shayne Brown - #92 Close The Deal

In this episode, Shayne Brown, founder of Diesel Barbershops, shares 10 success mindset quotes every franchise owner should know. From overcoming setbacks to leading creative teams, Shane has built a standout brand by doing things differently—and staying focused on what actually matters. You’ll Hear: Why following the system is non-negotiableHow to lead artists (not just employees)What it takes to succeed in a creative, edgy franchise modelWhy Shane doesn’t want to be the biggest—he wants to...

5 months ago

28 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

OVERWHELMED!!? This 3-Minute Practice Erases Stress Now - Rachel Wixey #91 Close The Deal

What if your stress isn’t just a feeling—it’s a signal from your nervous system? And what if there’s a daily practice that could help rewire it? In this episode, Ewell Smith interviews Rachel Wixey, founder of the Wixey Center for Wellness and creator of workplace meditation programs. Rachel shares how she left her business career to pursue mindfulness full-time, the science behind why it works, and how anyone—yes, even you—can start a simple daily habit that improves mental and physical heal...

5 months ago

34 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

Franchise Stacking, AI Tools & Building Empires W. Tony Hulbert #90 Close The Deal (Franchise Profits episode)

Tony Holbert is the CEO of Horsepower Brands—one of the fastest-growing home service franchise groups in the U.S. With over 400 franchise territories and nine brands under their umbrella (like Mighty Dog Roofing and Varsity Zone HVAC), Tony shares what makes franchisees succeed, why “going all in” matters, and how AI is changing how sales teams operate. 💡 We talk franchise stacking, recurring revenue, market resilience, and how you can build real wealth through home services. ## Visit www.Cl...

5 months ago

31 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

Close More Deals Without Being Pushy W/ Sean Lyden #89 Close The Deal

In this episode of the Close The Deal podcast, host Ewell Smith sits down with sales strategist Sean Lyden, founder of Systematic Selling. Sean breaks down why traditional high-pressure tactics are broken — and what to do instead. From boosting proposal conversion rates to smart upselling and increasing volume through networking and referrals, Sean shares practical, no-fluff strategies that work. Whether you're a founder, franchisee, or home services pro, this is your playbook for sales witho...

6 months ago

43 minutes

Close The Deal Podcast

Mentor others to make a real impact: Chris Widener #88 Close The Deal

Chris Widener joins the Close The Deal podcast to share his powerful journey from personal adversity to international speaker, bestselling author, and faith-based mentor. With mentorship from icons like Zig Ziglar and Jim Rohn, Chris explores how belief, mentorship, and faith fuel success. We dive into how his early experiences—from working with the Seattle Supersonics to selling 20,000 flower pots at 14—shaped his purpose-driven approach to life and business. Chris also unpacks the heart beh...

7 months ago

38 minutes