AI can help you scale your content—but without a plan, it leads to chaos, not results.
In this episode of Growth-Minded Marketing, we dive into a question every business leader should be asking: Is AI truly helping your marketing—or is it just helping you create more noise, faster?
Host Steve Phipps reveals why strategy—not speed—is the most important variable in today’s AI-driven marketing environment. With insights from Wayfind Marketing’s proprietary GUIDE Framework, this episode helps growth-minded CEOs avoid the trap of “faster chaos” and instead use AI as a purposeful multiplier.
In this episode, you'll learn:
🎧 Episode Breakdown:
About the Host
Steve Phipps is the CEO and Chief Strategist at Wayfind Marketing. As a seasoned entrepreneur and marketing leader, Steve helps B2B companies navigate the complexity of modern marketing with clarity and purpose. With years of executive experience and hands-on work across the marketing spectrum, Steve understands that marketing should be a business driver—not a distraction. He leads clients with a rare mix of curiosity, creativity, and strategic focus.
🔗 Related Resources
Next Steps
🧭 Take the Free B2B Marketing Assessment
🎯 Grab the Free AI Marketing Guide
💼 Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn:
Leadership, Culture, and Honest Sales: A Conversation with Jonathan Torres
What if your company’s culture was your greatest sales and marketing tool? CEO Jonathan Torres shares how aligning vision, values, and strategy leads to growth with purpose. This episode is packed with real talk on leadership, honest sales, and building a business that actually lives its values.
Summary
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Guest Bio
Jonathan Torres, more affectionately known as “Torres”, is currently a Chair for C12 Memphis, a faith-based peer advisory group for business leaders and owners. He most recently served as the CEO at Frase Protection, a local residential and commercial security company. Torres’ background also includes experience as the CEO of Memphis Athletic Ministries and more than two decades of non-profit leadership experience serving the city of Memphis. He has been married to Janna for 20 years and they have three beautiful daughters, Jaidyn, Jazlyn and Joia.
Timestamps:
Time | Segment
00:00 | Introduction: The Loneliness at the Top
00:27 | Guest Introduction: Jonathan Torres
00:54 | The Power of Peer Groups
02:28 | Podcast Overview and Episode Focus
03:13 | Jonathan Torres' Leadership Journey
04:24 | Transition from Nonprofit to For‑Profit
06:16 | Building a Compelling Strategy
06:55 | Aligning Vision and Purpose
08:38 | Challenges in Sales and Marketing
14:38 | The Importance of Company Culture
21:40 | C12: Faith‑Based Peer Advisory
26:16 | Conclusion and Takeaways
Related Resources:
Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn:
What happens when a new CEO steps into a decades-old business? Tyler Whitney, CEO of Mid-South Safety Services, shares how he reshaped the company through rebranding, clarifying its value proposition, leveraging market tailwinds, and building a strong people strategy. His insights offer practical takeaways for CEOs looking to scale with clarity and purpose.
This episode is part of our CEO Interview Series—host Steve Phipps sits down with business leaders to unpack real-world lessons on growth, leadership, and marketing.
Guest Bio:
Tyler Whitney grew up in Memphis, was homeschooled, and graduated from Mississippi State. He's been married 11 years and is raising three boys—with a fourth on the way. Since 2020, he's proudly owned and led Mid-South Safety Services.
Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn.
Quotes & Resources:
Related Resources from Wayfind Marketing:
CTA:
Grab the Free AI Marketing Guide:
👉 https://wayfindmarketing.com/ai-marketing-guide/
Take the Free B2B Marketing Assessment:
👉 https://wayfindmarketing.com/b2b-marketing-assessment/
Timestamps:
00:00 – Why your company’s name might be holding you back
01:19 – Introducing Tyler Whitney and Mid-South Safety Services
02:10 – Tyler’s path to business ownership and early influences
04:00 – Why he chose to buy vs. start a business from scratch
06:30 – Negotiating the business purchase during a pandemic
08:00 – Lessons on leadership and knowing your strengths
09:15 – Rebranding from Mid-South Emergency Lighting to Mid-South Safety Services
11:00 – How the old brand limited growth opportunities
13:00 – Executing a successful rebrand and client communication
14:30 – Expanding services based on market demand
16:00 – The power of tailwinds: identifying the right opportunities
18:00 – Developing a strong people strategy to support growth
20:00 – Letting go: Building a team and hiring for strengths
22:00 – Why knowing your value prop is critical for scaling
24:00 – Final thoughts and takeaways
Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn:
Steve Phipps
AnnieLaurie Walters
What happens when a teenager turns a side hustle into a thriving business? David Perdue, founder and owner of Greenview Landscape Services, shares how he launched his company in high school and scaled it into a 26-person commercial operation. In this conversation with host Steve Phipps, David breaks down his journey of grit, mentorship, and purpose. He reveals the leadership lessons that shaped him, why acting fast beats perfection, and how his mission to beautify the city drives everything he does. This episode is part of our CEO Interview Series—host Steve Phipps sits down with business leaders to unpack real-world lessons on growth, leadership, and marketing.
Guest Bio:
David Perdue is the founder and owner of Greenview Landscape Services, a commercial landscaping company based in Memphis. He started the business at just 17 years old while still in high school and has grown it into a thriving team of 26 employees. With a mission to beautify the city and help others grow, David leads with vision, humility, and a commitment to building people.
Connect with David on LinkedIn:
David Perdue
Highlights:
Timestamps:
00:00 – What were you doing at 17? David was starting a business
01:00 – Launching Greenview with a rake, some hustle, and a flashlight 04:00 – Trading mulch jobs for mowers: how David scaled fast
06:30 – Graduating and going all in on entrepreneurship
08:00 – Transitioning to commercial landscaping and managing a 26-person team
10:00 – Winning major contracts and the advantage of being underestimated
12:00 – Why mentorship and coaching fueled David’s leadership growth
15:00 – Lessons in decisive action over perfection
17:00 – Sales strategy: just walk in and ask
19:00 – David’s mission: beautify the city and help others grow
21:00 – How purpose reignited his passion
22:00 – Recap and key takeaways from David’s growth journey
Related Links from Wayfind Marketing:
CTA:
Grab the Free AI Marketing Guide:
👉 https://wayfindmarketing.com/ai-marketing-guide/
Take the Free B2B Marketing Assessment:
👉 https://wayfindmarketing.com/b2b-marketing-assessment/
Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn:
Steve Phipps
AnnieLaurie Walters
AI is redefining how buyers search. Learn how to adapt your marketing to get cited in AI-generated answers.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction: The Shift to AI-Driven Search
00:35 Welcome to the Growth-Minded Marketing Podcast
00:48 Understanding Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
03:30 The Role of Schema Markup in AEO
07:58 The Importance of Content Quality and Authority
08:15 AI Citations and Page Authority
13:14 Adapting to Changing User Behavior with AI
18:34 The Future of SEO and AEO
22:02 Leveraging AI in Marketing: Insights from the Field
28:27 Conclusion: Taking Action with AI-Driven Marketing
Resources & Links:
Before You Go:
Grab the Free AI Marketing Guide:
https://wayfindmarketing.com/ai-marketing-guide/
Take the Free B2B Marketing Assessment:
https://wayfindmarketing.com/b2b-marketing-assessment/
Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn
Steve Phipps
AnnieLaurie Walters
Tired of scrambling for leads? A marketing coach can help you build a real strategy.
In this episode of the Growth Minded Marketing Podcast, hosts Steve Phipps and AnnieLaurie Walters delve into the importance of marketing coaching for businesses feeling stuck in their marketing efforts. They discuss the pitfalls of relying on disconnected tactics and the need for cohesive marketing leadership. The episode explores how marketing coaching provides strategic guidance to CEOs and their teams, helping them build internal capacities and make informed decisions. With real-world examples, the hosts illustrate how coaching can bridge the gap between current efforts and achieving long-term growth goals, ultimately making companies self-sufficient in their marketing endeavors.
In this episode, you'll also learn:
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction: The Marketing Gamble
00:24 The Need for Strategic Marketing Leadership
01:20 Welcome to the Growth Minded Marketing Podcast
01:43 The Marketing Wall: Challenges and Solutions
02:55 The Role of Marketing Coaching
03:23 Common Pitfalls in Marketing
04:45 What Real Marketing Coaching Looks Like
06:32 Addressing Objections to Marketing Coaching
13:56 The Difference Between Coaching and Fractional CMO
24:50 Practical Steps for CEOs and Marketing Managers
33:05 Conclusion and Resources
Quotes & Resources
Book Mentioned: Endless Customers by Marcus Sheridan
Related Resource: 🧭 GUIDE™ Framework Series:
Get More Free Marketing Coaching: Wayfind Marketing Learning Center
Related Articles:
Grab the Free AI Marketing Guide: https://wayfindmarketing.com/ai-marketing-guide/
Take the Free B2B Marketing Assessment: https://wayfindmarketing.com/b2b-marketing-assessment/
Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn:
Steve Phipps
AnnieLaurie Walters
You’ve got the GUIDE™ Framework—now what? In this “Ask the Coach” episode, Steve and AnnieLaurie answer the real-world marketing questions that come up as business leaders turn marketing strategy into action. From personas to KPIs to content that actually works, you’ll walk away with practical tips and renewed clarity to keep your marketing moving.
In this episode, you'll learn:
This episode launches a new occasional format we’re calling "Ask the Coach," where Steve and AnnieLaurie tackle real marketing questions drawn from conversations with business leaders and clients. These episodes will pop in from time to time to offer practical, no-fluff coaching outside of our regular podcast series.
If you have a question for Steve, email us at team@wayfindmarketing.com.
Timestamps:
00:00 - What’s the hardest part of marketing for small teams?
01:00 - Practical application of the GUIDE™ Framework
02:00 - Real questions from business leaders
03:00 - Who is your ideal client and how do you figure that out?
05:00 - What is your story and how does it impact strategy?
07:00 - Is your marketing strategy aligned with your goals?
10:00 - Silos between sales and marketing
11:00 - Top metrics to track alignment and progress
13:00 - Strategy vs. Plan: What’s the difference?
15:00 - How to build a tactical marketing plan
21:00 - Is your website helping or hurting you?
25:00 - Traffic vs. leads: what’s wrong?
27:00 - Why your new website may not be working
28:00 - What to know about social media for B2B
31:00 - Posting content that gets engagement
33:00 - Inform with Content: what works in B2B
35:00 - Should you put pricing on your website?
38:00 - What kind of blog content builds trust
41:00 - How to start content marketing from scratch
42:00 - Easy wins with AI in marketing
46:00 - Aligning sales and marketing as a revenue team
48:00 - What should a documented sales process include?
50:00 - Do small teams need formal meetings?
52:00 - Who should be in the room for planning?
54:00 - Can alignment still work with unbalanced teams?
56:00 - Can marketing say no to sales?
59:00 - What a 90-day review should look like
01:01:00 - Top three metrics to track
01:03:00 - When to pivot your strategy
01:06:00 - Final thoughts and encouragement
🧭 GUIDE™ Framework Series:
Additional Resources from Wayfind Marketing:
Next Steps:
Take the Free B2B Marketing Assessment:
https://wayfindmarketing.com/b2b-marketing-assessment/
Grab the Free AI Marketing Guide:
https://wayfindmarketing.com/ai-marketing-guide/
Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn:
Steve Phipps: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevephipps/
AnnieLaurie Walters: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annielauriewalters/
When was the last time you asked, “Is our marketing actually working?” In the final episode of our GUIDE ™ Marketing Framework series, we unpack the power of evaluation. You’ll learn how to measure the right metrics, track ROI, optimize with intention, and build a repeatable review rhythm that helps you scale with confidence. Whether you’re a CEO or a marketing lead, this episode will give you the tools to stop guessing and start leading.
👋 New to the podcast? Click here to start with Episode 1 and learn how the GUIDE Marketing Framework begins. Each episode builds on the last—so it’s worth going back to the beginning if you want the full picture.
Episode Highlights:
Mentioned in this episode:
Next Episode:
We’re answering your biggest questions about the GUIDE Framework. It’s a rapid-fire Q&A, so don’t miss it!
🧭 The GUIDE™ Framework Podcast Series
Connect with us:
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction: Is Your Marketing Working?
00:43 Welcome to the Growth-Minded Marketing Podcast
00:57 The Guide Marketing Framework Overview
02:10 The Importance of Evaluating Your Marketing
03:18 Tracking What Matters: Key Metrics
16:24 Using Tools and CRMs Effectively
22:23 Testing and Optimizing Your Marketing
29:43 Building a Rhythm of Reflection and Refinement
38:56 Conclusion: Implementing the Guide Marketing Framework
42:14 Next Episode: Answering Your Questions
👋 New to the podcast? Click here to start with Episode 1 and learn how the GUIDE Marketing Framework begins. Each episode builds on the last—so it’s worth going back to the beginning if you want the full picture.
What if your sales team doesn’t need more leads—they just need better alignment? In this episode of the Growth-Minded Marketing Podcast, Steve Phipps and Annie Laurie Walters unpack the fourth step of the GUIDE Marketing Framework: Develop & Execute Your Sales Plan.
Whether you're a CEO, sales leader, or marketing manager, this episode gives you practical ways to:
Steve and Annie Laurie also share how to overcome the tension between sales and marketing, how to use AI to generate content ideas, and why your bottom line depends on internal alignment.
🧭 Take the Free GUIDE Marketing Assessment:
wayfindmarketing.com
📚 Mentioned in this episode:
🎯 Your Action Step This Week:
Sketch your sales process—from first contact to closed deal. If you already have one, review it with your team. Then, identify and create the content your sales team needs to move leads forward faster.
🔗 Connect with us:
⏱️ Episode Timestamps: How to Develop and Execute a Sales Plan That Actually Works
[00:00] Why more leads aren’t the answer—alignment is
[01:00] Recap of the GUIDE Framework and where “D” fits in
[02:00] The sales/marketing disconnect: where revenue goes to die
[03:00] Step 1: Start with regular sales + marketing meetings
[04:30] Why shared goals matter more than finger pointing
[05:30] What alignment looks like even with a one-person team
[06:00] Step 2: Move from coexisting to actual collaboration
[07:30] Building empathy between marketing and sales
[09:00] How CEOs can reframe sales + marketing as one revenue team
[10:30] Visual analogy: Interlaced hands vs. just pressed palms
[11:00] Step 3: Document your sales process (even if it’s rough)
[12:30] What to include in your sales process and why
[13:30] Examples of tools: Miro, ActiveCampaign, CRM pipelines
[14:30] Step 4: Use content to support sales conversations
[15:30] What is assignment selling and how does it work?
[17:00] Real-world examples of content that accelerates sales
[19:00] The 80% Video: A must-have for qualifying leads
[20:00] How CEOs can help sales use content more strategically
[21:00] Step 5: Sales and marketing plan content together
[22:30] Why sales input makes content sharper and more effective
[23:30] Using AI to identify buyer questions from sales calls
[24:30] How to get your sales team on board (even if they resist)
[26:00] What’s at stake if you don’t align your teams
[28:30] Final coaching: Where to start, even if you feel behind
[30:00] Your action step this week + how to get the Guide Playbook
[31:00] Preview of Episode 5: Evaluate and Adjust
📝 Show Notes
In this episode of the Growth-Minded Marketing Podcast, hosts Steve Phipps and Annie Laurie Walters explore the “I” in the GUIDE™ Marketing Framework: Inform with Content. They share how smart, strategic content can function like a trustworthy sales team—educating your buyers, answering their questions, and building confidence before a sales call even happens.
👋 Missed the previous episodes?
This episode is part of our GUIDE™ Marketing Framework series. If you’re just joining us, we recommend starting from the beginning to get the full picture:
🎧 Start with Episode 1 – GUIDE™ Framework Overview
In this episode, you'll learn:
Whether you're a one-person marketing team or a CEO looking for better ROI, this episode will help you inform with purpose and make content creation more practical and powerful.
⏱ Episode Breakdown:
Grab the Free AI Marketing Guide:
https://wayfindmarketing.com/ai-marketing-guide/
Take the Free B2B Marketing Assessment:
https://wayfindmarketing.com/b2b-marketing-assessment/
Other Resources Mentioned:
Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn
Steve Phipps
AnnieLaurie Walters
🎙️ Episode 3: Is Your Website Earning Its Keep? How to Upgrade Your Online Presence
In this episode of the Growth-Minded Marketing Podcast, hosts Steve Phipps and Annie Laurie Walters dive into the "U" in the GUIDE™ Marketing Framework: Upgrade Your Online Presence.
💡 New to the GUIDE Framework? Start with Episode 1 to get the full overview before diving in.
If your website were a salesperson, would it still have a job? Many B2B websites look polished but quietly underperform—leaving prospects confused, not converted. This episode lays out practical ways to turn your website into a 24/7 sales machine.
🔑 What You’ll Learn:
Whether you're planning a full website redesign or just looking for small wins, this episode will help you identify what's working, what's not, and what to fix first.
⏱ Episode Breakdown:
🔗 Resources and Links:
🎧 Subscribe & Stay Tuned
In the next episode, Steve and Annie Laurie will tackle the “I” in GUIDE—Inform with Content—to help you create content your buyers actually want and need. Subscribe so you don’t miss it!
Connect with Us on LinkedIn
Steve Phipps
AnnieLaurie Walters
In this episode of the Growth Minded Marketing Podcast, hosts Annie Laurie Walters and Steve Phipps dive into the first step of the GUIDE™ Marketing Framework—Generate Your Story and Strategy.
If you're a B2B business leader relying on random tactics, referrals, or sheer hope to grow, this episode is your wake-up call. You’ll learn how to build a real marketing strategy that drives clarity, alignment, and measurable growth.
🔑 In This Episode:
Steve and Annie Laurie walk through six strategic guideposts that every B2B company should use to build a solid foundation for marketing:
Guidepost 1: Do you have clear marketing and sales goals for the next 12 months?
→ Break revenue goals into actionable marketing and sales benchmarks.
Guidepost 2: Do you have a written marketing strategy that aligns with your business goals?
→ Define your audience, messaging, value prop, and primary tactics. Get it out of your head and onto paper.
Guidepost 3: Are you mapping your marketing to each stage of the buyer’s journey?
→ Learn how to align content and tactics to top, middle, and bottom of funnel questions.
Guidepost 4: Do you have a clear description of your ideal client persona?
→ Specificity is key. Without clarity on your target customer, you're wasting budget and missing opportunities.
Guidepost 5: Have you talked to your customers lately?
→ Your best messaging and insight come from the people who already buy from you.
Guidepost 6: Is your marketing aligned with your internal team or external partners?
→ Whether you have a freelancer, agency, or in-house marketer, strategy gaps lead to execution gaps.
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
00:28 – Hope vs. Strategy
00:53 – GUIDE Framework Recap
03:34 – Guidepost 1: Set Clear Goals
05:33 – Guidepost 2: Write Down the Strategy
07:54 – Guidepost 3: Map the Buyer’s Journey
12:22 – Guidepost 4: Define Your Ideal Client
15:47 – Guidepost 5: Talk to Your Customers
18:29 – Guidepost 6: Align Your Team or Partners
20:55 – What’s at Stake if You Skip This Step
23:14 – Next Episode Preview: Upgrade Your Online Presence
✅ Resources Mentioned:
🎯 Take the free GUIDE™ Marketing Assessment
📚 Explore the Wayfind Learning Center
🔧 Learn about EOS and the Vision/Traction Organizer (VTO)
🚀 Take Action:
Follow Your Hosts on LinkedIn:
Steve Phips
AnnieLaurie Walters
🎙️ Episode 1: Why Your Marketing Isn’t Working (And What to Do About It)
Welcome to the first episode of the Growth-Minded Marketing Podcast! Hosts Steve Phipps and AnnieLaurie Walters kick things off by tackling a challenge many B2B business leaders face: marketing that feels scattered, unclear, or ineffective.
They introduce the GUIDE™ Marketing Framework—a five-part approach designed to bring clarity, focus, and real results to your marketing efforts. Whether you're a CEO or a marketing lead, this episode lays the groundwork for aligning your marketing with your business goals and building trust with the right audience.
You’ll learn:
👉 Take the free B2B Marketing Assessment at wayfindmarketing.com to see where your strategy is strong—and where it needs work.
GUIDE™ Framework Highlights:
00:00 – The Marketing Struggle Most Businesses Face
00:34 – Welcome to the Growth-Minded Marketing Podcast
01:20 – Why Marketing Often Misses the Mark
02:57 – The GUIDE™ Framework at a Glance
05:04 – G: Generate Your Strategy and Story
08:20 – U: Upgrade Your Online Presence
12:12 – I: Inform with Content
17:25 – D: Develop and Execute a Sales Plan
22:11 – E: Evaluate and Adjust
24:12 – Final Thoughts + What’s Coming Next
🔗 Links & Resources from This Episode
Connect with us on LinkedIn:
✏️ Episode Description:
Marketing shouldn’t feel like a guessing game—especially for growth-minded CEOs. In this trailer episode of the Growth-Minded Marketing Podcast, hosts Steve Phipps and AnnieLaurie Walters introduce the show and share why they created it: to simplify marketing for B2B leaders who are ready to scale with confidence.
Drawing from decades of experience guiding CEOs, marketing teams, and service-based businesses, Steve and AnnieLaurie share what you can expect from this podcast—real strategies, step-by-step coaching, and candid conversations with leaders who've walked the growth path before you.
If marketing feels overwhelming, frustrating, or like it’s just not working… you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place.
🔑 What You'll Learn:
🎧 Your Hosts:
Steve Phipps is the founder of Wayfind Marketing and a strategic coach for CEOs and marketing leaders across the country.
AnnieLaurie Walters is a seasoned communicator with a passion for helping leaders connect with their audience and message.
✅ Your Next Step:
Take the free GUIDE Marketing Assessment and discover where your strategy needs the most attention—so you can grow with fewer headaches and more results.
