What if scaling your business didn’t mean overcomplicating it? In this episode of we sit down with Makena Finger Zannini, founder of The Boutique COO, who scaled her operations agency to seven figures in under a year by focusing on simplicity, profitability, and people. We dive deep into the operations blueprint every founder needs to master, from understanding ROI on every hire, to building incentive-based compensation plans, and creating systems that run without you. Makena shares her...

Most deals aren’t lost in the close, they’re lost in the first seven seconds. In this sales mastery episode, we break down what really separates top closers from everyone else. From mastering frame control to showing up as the authority in every call, you’ll learn the psychology of instant credibility and how to win trust before you even pitch. These first moments decide everything. You’ll discover exactly what to say, how to say it, and how to bring the energy that commands respect and close...

Most entrepreneurs hit a point where growth feels like quicksand, more clients, more revenue, yet everything starts to break. In this conversation, Chris Hallberg, known as The Business Sergeant, reveals why scaling without systems is the fastest way to implode. Chris has taken companies from millions to tens of millions in revenue, implemented EOS across hundreds of leadership teams. He shares the truth about why most businesses collapse, the mindset shift that saves founders from their own ...

Think you need three, five, or even ten calls to close a B2B deal? Think again. In this episode, we’re shattering one of the biggest myths in sales and showing you exactly how to position your offer so a CMO at a 500-employee company can say “yes” on the spot. From mindset shifts to call structure, you’ll discover the exact framework we use to close enterprise and mid-market deals in just one conversation. Whether you’re tired of proposals sitting in inboxes or you’re looking to speed up your...

What does it take to build a business that not only thrives today but stands the test of time? In this episode, Julie Rotuno, CEO of Mid Atlantic Packaging, reveals what it’s like to carry forward a 44-year family legacy. From painting office walls to leading a multimillion-dollar company, Julie shares her unfiltered journey of proving herself, sustaining culture, and innovating in a shifting market. She opens up about the pressure of being second-generation and how mentorship prepared her fo...

What happens when the referrals dry up? When inbound slows down? Most businesses stall out, not because they lack opportunity, but because they never audited the core of their client acquisition strategy. In this episode, we walk through a 5-step audit that reveals why some companies scale effortlessly while others stay stuck. You’ll discover the hidden mistakes that sabotage growth and the exact checkpoints we use to create predictable client acquisition systems. This is the same framework w...

What does it take to build an agency that lands global brands like Adidas, Audi, and H&M? In this episode, we sit down with Steve Rock, Partner & Creative Director at Good Kids, to uncover the mindset and strategies that fueled his agency’s growth from scrappy beginnings to global recognition. Steve reveals why clarity always beats cleverness, how to find the right balance between chaos and growth, and why relationships still drive the biggest wins in business. From building wit...

Most agencies don’t fail because of bad talent or weak ideas. They fail because they miss the very things that separate short-lived shops from thriving, dominant businesses. After working with 400+ agencies, from solo hustlers to 8- and 9-figure giants, we’ve identified the seven moves that winning agencies make every single time. These are hard-hitting truths that determine whether your agency becomes irrelevant…or unstoppable. If you’re ready to see what the most successful agencies a...

Imagine being told you don’t fit the mold, and then creating a whole new table to sit at. That’s exactly what Crystal Foote did. In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Crystal Foote: award-winning executive, founder of Digital Culture Group, and creator of ARI, the groundbreaking AI platform making waves across Fortune 500 brands. From breaking glass ceilings to building the only woman- and Black-owned ad tech company in the country, Crystal shares her raw insights on what it really ...

We’re back. Season 2 of The Takeover kicks off with a conversation that’s been years in the making. Ever looked back at your own beliefs and thought, “How did I even believe that?” That’s the power of growth. In this episode, we take you behind the curtain on the philosophies we once held onto tightly… but no longer believe. From offers vs. sales skills, to when and how to niche, to the role of technology in every business today, we unpack the very shifts that changed the trajectory of our co...

Growth doesn’t always look like what you think. Sometimes, it’s not about pushing harder but getting radically honest about what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to shift. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on some major moves happening inside PEMA, from how AI is reshaping our daily operations to launching a brand-new lead gen platform, and the internal shifts we’ve made to scale smarter and serve better. If you're in build mode, you’ll want to hear this. Because the next p...

What if your entire go-to-market strategy had to change overnight? In this episode, you’ll hear how Ryan Davis, co-founder of People First, pivoted from political influencer marketing to public health campaigns at the height of the pandemic—and used that momentum to scale a thriving agency. Ryan breaks down how they won high-budget clients, built strong referral pipelines through white-label partnerships, and used newsletters and case studies to close million-dollar deals—without chasing ever...

What if the secret to scaling a startup wasn’t raising millions, but creating an ecosystem that lets everyone win? In this episode of The Takeover, Jake Schoenberger, the Head of Strategy and Operations for Ads at Beehive reveals how he scaled a newsletter platform into a powerhouse with unicorn potential. From his journey at Facebook partnerships to launching and selling Swapstack, Jake breaks down the strategies he used to build and monetize a thriving newsletter ecosystem. Whether you’re a...

Ever had a prospect say, “No real problems here…just curious what you do”? That’s where most sales calls fall apart. In this final episode of the 5-part B2B Sales Training Series, we walk you through Full Circle Questioning—a 4-step framework designed to turn vague, surface-level responses into real, actionable problems and clear goals you can actually sell to. You’ll learn how to navigate conversations when prospects are unclear, resistant, or “just browsing,” and how to bring the discussion...

No Problem = No Sale. In part 4 of the B2B Sales series, we’ll discuss how to get to the REAL pain and problem your prospect is facing. The reality is people don't get on sales calls just for fun, and as a salesperson if you don't uncover the real problem or challenge your prospect is facing, you won't get the close. This is an easy, step-by-step way to uncover your prospect’s true pain and challenge (not just what they say on the surface) so you can effortlessly position your service a...

Yes, you’re using AI, but are you using it ethically and in a way that builds trust? In this episode, you get a masterclass on ethical technology from James French, the founder of Ludulluu, a pioneering AI governance platform. James shares his fascinating journey from leading high-stakes finance deals in West Africa, to transforming a U.S. museum's board through stakeholder-led governance, to now building the trust layer missing in today’s AI revolution. He breaks down what AI gov...

Your most asked Sales, Scaling and AI questions answered in our 100th episode special! In this special edition, we go rapid-fire on the most common (and critical) questions we’ve been asked over the years about sales, lead generation, operations, team building, and AI. If you’re a founder, sales leader, BDR, or just someone scaling a business in 2025, this one’s packed with insights from the front lines of high-growth leadership. You’ll walk away with practical answers you can apply today, an...

What’s the one thing elite salespeople do differently that average reps miss completely? In this part 3 of the 5-part B2B Sales Training Series, we break down the entire sales process from start to close. Whether you're selling $50K deals or multi-million dollar contracts, this episode outlines the exact 5-step playbook top B2B sales pros use to warm up prospects, uncover objections early, and keep momentum strong until the deal is signed. You’ll also get a bonus strategy at the end to double...

Ever feel like you nailed the sales call... but still got ghosted? In this part 2 of the 5-part B2B Sales Training Series, we dissect the critical middle of every winning sales process. Whether you’re closing $50K contracts or $5M enterprise deals, these frameworks will show you how to lead powerful sales conversations, uncover what really matters to your prospects, and keep deals moving forward with confidence and clarity. Key Points & Chapter Marker 00:00 – Introduction: Series Kickoff ...

Are you showing up like a boss, a buddy, or a beggar? The way you speak determines your perceived status in every sales interaction. Welcome to the first part of our special B2B Sales Training Series! Whether you’re a founder, a sales leader, or a quota-carrying rep, this five-part sprint will sharpen your pitch, shorten your sales cycles, and boost your win rate. In this kickoff, Tim breaks down the three most POWERFUL SALES TECHNIQUES every high-performer needs to master.. If you’ve ever fe...