What if you could spend less time chasing cold leads and more time closing deals?
In this episode of Purpose Driven Progress, I sit down with Tony Koenig—tech veteran, entrepreneur, and founder of Connect Digital—who’s been building sales systems since the ’90s. From selling MS-DOS farming software to leveraging AI-driven automation for modern B2B sales, Tony shares his journey and reveals how businesses can scale smarter, not harder.
We dive into:
Tony’s early days in tech and e-commerce before SEO was even a buzzword
How AI is transforming lead generation and pipeline segmentation
Using AI voice assistants to qualify prospects and book sales calls automatically
Speed-to-lead strategies: why the first 5 minutes make or break conversions
The role of prompt engineering in getting better AI results
Creating content that converts vs. chasing vanity metrics
The “Dream 100” strategy for targeting your highest-value clients
Avoiding tech stack overload while still leveraging automation effectively
Why personal branding and thought leadership are more important than ever
Whether you’re a sales leader, entrepreneur, or consultant, Tony’s insights will show you how to work less, sell more, and stay ahead in a world being reshaped by AI.
#AIForSales #SalesAutomation #B2BSales #PromptEngineering #LeadGeneration #SalesSystems #AIInBusiness #ConnectDigital #ScalingFounder #PurposeDrivenProgress #TonyKoenig #PodcastInterview
What does it take to turn your sneaker obsession into a full-fledged business and cultural movement?
In this episode of Purpose Driven Progress, I sit down with Jean-Luc Daigle, a sneakerhead-turned-event-organizer and hospital budget analyst by day, who's quietly building one of the most buzzed-about sneaker conventions in New England—For the Culture CT.
We dive into:
Why Jean-Luc left investment banking ambitions to pursue community and culture
The terrifying moment just days before launch when they had <10 vendor tables sold
How he and his friends built brand trust by hitting every event they could
What makes a truly great sneaker event in an oversaturated market
How sneaker culture has evolved from niche hobby to global force
The counterfeit challenge: how to spot fakes and protect your collection
How to get started as a sneaker collector (or reseller) in 2025
Scaling an event business while working full-time
What it means to build for the community, not just the hype
This conversation is packed with raw entrepreneurial insights, community-first thinking, and sneaker wisdom from someone who's been in the trenches—from long lines and fake kicks to scaling up a passion project with purpose.
#Sneakerhead #SneakerCon #ForTheCultureCT #EventMarketing #Entrepreneurship #SideHustle #CommunityBuilder #StreetwearCulture #FakeSneakers #SneakerAuthenticity #PodcastInterview #PurposeDrivenProgress #JeanLucDaigle
What do you get when you combine relentless grit, sales mastery, and a fresh approach to enterprise tech? You get Austin Younglove.
In this episode of Purpose Driven Progress, I sit down with Austin Younglove, the CEO and founder of Titan, and Director of Sales at Tech Launch Solutions, to unpack his nonlinear journey from underdog in IT staffing to leading a fast-scaling, no-cost tech brokerage that’s changing how companies buy and optimize technology.
Inside this conversation:
Why not finishing college gave Austin the edge to outwork everyone in the room
How he built confidence and credibility in enterprise sales
What makes a great consultant—not just a great closer
Why pruning bad clients led to his biggest income leap
How Titan helps companies cut tech costs without sacrificing performance
The brokerage model that lets them serve clients at zero cost
What most businesses get wrong about their tech stack—and how to fix it
The mindset shift every early-career salesperson needs to hear
This one's a must-listen if you're in sales, tech leadership, or scaling a high-trust business. Austin brings honesty, humility, and serious strategic insight.
🔗 Learn more: https://techlaunchsolutions.com
🎯 Want to grow your sales with the right people, systems, and structure? Start here → Jacob Hicks Coach
#SalesLeadership #TechStrategy #StartupGrowth #ITConsulting #Entrepreneurship #AustinYounglove #Titan #TechLaunchSolutions #PurposeDrivenProgress #PodcastInterview
How does a Marine go from promising never to enter the family business… to leading international sales in the car wash industry?
In this episode of Purpose Driven Progress, I sit down with Kyle Martin—a leader shaped by military discipline, family values, and his deep faith. Kyle shares his unlikely journey into the car wash industry, his rise through the ranks, and what really drives success in sales and leadership today.
We dive into:
The power of consistent follow-up and relationship-first sales
How Kyle builds personal boundaries while still giving out his personal cell
Smart subscription strategies in a competitive market
The shift from tunnel car washes to in-bay models
Why faith and integrity guide every decision Kyle makes
The role of CRM systems and personalized service post-sale
And how pricing psychology impacts subscription conversions
Whether you're in sales, leadership, or building something of your own, Kyle’s story is packed with actionable insights and purpose-driven wisdom.
Learn more at Oasis
👉 Interested in sales coaching or building a team that sells with purpose? Let’s talk: JacobHicksCoach
#SalesLeadership #FaithInBusiness #CarWashIndustry #SalesStrategy #CRM #SubscriptionModel #Entrepreneurship #PurposeDrivenProgress #PodcastInterview #KyleMartin
What do you do when your degree doesn't feel like your destiny?
In this inspiring episode of Purpose Driven Progress, I sit down with Lulu Wang — a software engineer turned creative entrepreneur — who transformed her digital artwork into a thriving clothing brand built on experimentation, emotion, and human connection.
We cover:
How Lulu pivoted from computer science to design
Turning passion projects into income through real-world hustle
The behind-the-scenes of her 100+ Black Friday order day
Finding identity in your art — and creating a brand around it
Knowing when to scale up… and when to scale back
The power of consistency, inspiration, and staying true to yourself
Whether you're a creative, entrepreneur, or just someone questioning your current path — this conversation is packed with wisdom, warmth, and wildly real stories.
💬 Want help building a business that actually fits your life? Reach out for coaching at:
👉 https://www.jacobhickscoach.com
🔗 Connect with Lulu:
LinkedIn: Lulu Wang
#CreativeEntrepreneur #PurposeDrivenProgress #FromCodeToCreative #ClothingBrand #WomenInTech #AnimeArt #SmallBusinessJourney #BlackFridaySales #PassionToProfit #ArtAndBusiness #SalesCoach #PodcastInterview
What if the next level in your business or life doesn’t come from working harder — but thinking better?
In this powerful episode of Purpose Driven Progress, I’m joined by Michael Mahoney, mental performance coach and director of Upgrade Academy. Michael has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and leaders rewire their thinking and unlock elite performance — not with hype, but with real transformation.
We talk about:
The identity shift that happens when people start thinking differently
Why willpower isn't enough (and what works better)
The neuroscience behind change and peak performance
What separates high-level thinkers from the average
How to reframe setbacks and find power in your story
If you’re tired of surface-level advice and ready to actually upgrade your operating system, this is the conversation for you.
👉 https://www.jacobhickscoach.com
🔗 Check out Upgrade Academy:👉 https://www.upgrd.com
Intagram: Michael Mahoney
#MentalPerformance #MindsetUpgrade #NeuroscienceForSuccess #EntrepreneurMindset #PurposeDrivenProgress #LeadershipGrowth #HighPerformanceHabits #SuccessCoaching #SalesCoach #PodcastInterview
What do you do when your first film fails? If you're Danny Mercado, you respect the craft, double down on learning, and keep showing up.
In this powerful episode of Purpose Driven Progress, I sit down with Danny Machado —sales leader, and filmmaker — to unpack how grit, storytelling, and relentless follow-up helped him sell his first script to a major studio.
We talk about:
How a movie inspired Danny to move to Alaska and change his life
The lessons learned from producing a failed short film
What it really takes to pitch and sell a screenplay in Hollywood
The power of storytelling in both sales and filmmaking
Why perseverance beats raw talent every time
The insane story behind a script about the disciples — and the dream that helped it sell
If you’ve ever felt like you're behind or unsure how to break into a new space, this episode is for you.
💬 Want to build a business or sales system that actually fits your story? Reach out for coaching at:
👉 https://www.jacobhickscoach.com
🔗 Connect with Danny on LinkedIn:
👉 Danny Mercado on LinkedIn (add actual link to his profile)
—
#FilmmakingJourney #SalesAndStorytelling #ScreenwritingTips #PurposeDrivenProgress #HollywoodHustle #FaithAndFilm #StorytellingMatters #SalesCoach #FirstGenSuccess #PodcastInterview
What do you get when you mix grit, vision, AI, and a little shark obsession? You get McKenzie "Macka" Pemberton Whiteley.
In this episode of Purpose Driven Progress, I sit down with serial entrepreneur Macka, whose grandfather once said he'd end up in jail or become a multimillionaire — he's halfway there.
We dive into:
The highs and lows of real entrepreneurship (and why it's not for everyone)
Building sales and marketing systems that scale
The power of AI in prospecting and business growth
What most people get wrong about LinkedIn outreach
And how a four-year follow-up turned into a rapper wearing Macka’s $5,000 custom tracksuit 👀
Whether you're a founder, salesperson, or creative, this conversation will challenge the way you think about hustle, patience, vision, and building systems that don’t burn you out.
💬 Want to build a sales system that actually works for you? Reach out and let’s talk coaching:
👉 https://www.jacobhickscoach.com
🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:
Macka’s biz: https://www.qualityclientacquisitions.com
Book: Influence by Robert Cialdini
—
#EntrepreneurLife #SalesStrategy #AIForBusiness #PurposeDrivenProgress #LinkedInOutreach #FollowUpMatters #SalesCoach #MarketingTips #FounderJourney #CustomFashion #PodcastInterview
In this high-energy episode of Purpose Driven Progress, I sit down with Dalton Jensen—sales pro, player-coach at P Club, and a man who thrives in the trenches of outbound strategy. We dig into why cold calling still works, the mindset you need to survive in sales today, and why real success comes from systems, not just goals. If you've ever wondered what separates top performers from everyone else, this episode is your mirror. Let’s go.
You don’t build resilience in the spotlight—you build it in the shadows, brick by brick. In this episode of Purpose-Driven Progress, host Jacob Hicks (speaker, success coach, and longtime sales pro) reveals the power of feeding the foundation—the often-overlooked daily habits that create lasting personal and professional growth.
Whether you're an entrepreneur scaling your business or a salesperson chasing big goals, this episode is a wake-up call to stop skipping the basics. Jacob walks through five powerful strategies that create a strong foundation:
Weekly family dinners
A simple daily gratitude practice
Spiritual or mindfulness routines
Movement that feels good
Intentional, consistent sleep habits
Backed by research and real stories, this episode will help you reconnect with your purpose, reduce burnout, and build systems that support sustainable success. If you’ve ever felt like your life or business was outpacing your peace, this one's for you.
Quick Update — Purpose-Driven Progress is taking a short break, but don’t worry — we’ll be back with fresh episodes starting July 1st!
In the meantime, check out some of our past conversations or grab my Entrepreneur’s Starter Kit for actionable insights you can use right away. Thanks for listening — talk soon!
“If nobody saw it… then it didn’t flop.”
In this powerful episode of Purpose-Driven Progress, Jacob Hicks is joined by Miles Harmon, founder of Mogul Money World and a creative powerhouse behind brand campaigns with the NFL, Amazon, Ulta Beauty, and Roc Nation. Miles shares his journey from DIY web developer to building a storytelling-centered media company that redefines what it means to connect with culture.
You’ll hear:
Why perfectionism kills momentum—and what to do instead
How Miles helps founders tap into authentic, long-game branding
The importance of cultural storytelling and why “hidden figures” matter
Why experimentation is the key to progress in creative business
How to pivot without losing purpose
The future of Mogul Money World and untold fashion & entertainment stories
🔗 Follow Miles Harmon:
@mogulmoneyworld
💥 Whether you’re a marketer, creative, or founder trying to get out of your own head and tell a story that matters, this conversation is packed with insight, soul, and actionable advice.
#PurposeDrivenProgress #MilesHarmon #MogulMoneyWorld #BrandStorytelling #CreativeEntrepreneur #RunTheExperiment #OvercomePerfectionism #CulturalStorytelling #StartupJourney #BuildTheBrand
“The only way you don’t succeed is if you quit.”
In this episode of Purpose-Driven Progress, Jacob Hicks sits down with Brady Gaschler—a serial entrepreneur, restaurant owner, corporate leader at Plexus, and a man of faith navigating new fatherhood. From DJing weddings and launching restaurants to leading teams in the corporate world, Brady shares his gritty, grounded approach to growth, leadership, and living intentionally.
You’ll hear:
How Brady balances entrepreneurial chaos with structured execution
What it means to fail forward—and how he trains his team to reframe failure
The “scurvy clock” metaphor for staying spiritually and mentally grounded
How faith shapes his leadership and decision-making
Why intention, not just busyness, creates real progress
How he challenges team members to lead themselves
🔗 Connect with Brady Gaschler on LinkedIn
💡 This episode is packed with wisdom on leadership, faith in the workplace, mindset shifts, and how to keep going when it gets hard—whether you're a founder, team leader, or just trying to show up with more purpose every day.
What if the only thing standing between you and 80% more business... is your follow-up?
In this solo episode of Purpose-Driven Progress, Jacob Hicks breaks down one of the biggest mindset blocks in sales: the fear of being annoying. If you've ever worried that you're pestering people by following up, this episode is for you.
You'll learn:
Why 80% of sales happen after 5 or more follow-ups
What actually makes follow-ups annoying—and what doesn’t
How to create a system for consistent, value-driven follow-up
Why answering common questions can transform your outreach
How to shift your mindset from pest to pro
A practical next step to start today
🎁 Grab Jacob’s free Entrepreneur Sales Toolkit mentioned in this episode: https://jacobhickscoach.com/entrepreneurs-sales-toolkit/#
✅ This toolkit includes follow-up strategies like:
The 10x10 system
The 36-touch model
Rejection handling tips
CRM selection insights
...and more.
Don't let fear or inconsistency kill your momentum. Learn how to follow up like a pro—and watch what happens to your pipeline.
#PurposeDrivenProgress #SalesFollowUp #EntrepreneurTips #SalesSystems #OvercomeFear #FollowUpLikeAPro #SalesMindset
What do two national championships, a coffee app, and a dual-use defense VC firm have in common? One incredible founder: Kati Findling.
In this episode of Purpose-Driven Progress, Jacob Hicks dives into Kadi’s wild and purpose-driven journey—from selling Happy Meal toys as a kid to building My Coffee Pass, a startup that helped local coffee shops thrive... until COVID hit. Now the VP of Stony Lonesome Group, Ka brings a founder’s lens to investing in companies at the cutting edge of national security, AI, and defense tech.
You’ll hear:
Why great teams matter more than great ideas
What to look for (and avoid) when raising capital
How to pitch a VC the right way—and what makes them instantly say no
Lessons from startup failure, and how they shaped her success in VC
Her newest project, Digital Athlete, and what’s coming in 2025
🔗 Connect with Kadi Findling:
💡 Kadi also shares powerful mindset tips on abundance vs. scarcity, how to spot “bad capital,” and why your early-stage team will make or break your startup.
This is one of the most wide-ranging, tactical, and inspiring episodes yet. Whether you're building your first business or fundraising your fifth, don’t miss this one.
What do building toilets in Ghana and scaling startups have in common?
In this powerful episode of Purpose-Driven Progress, host Jacob Hicks sits down with Tagan Horton, a growth strategist whose career has taken her from international development work in West Africa to leading growth for major tech companies. Tagan shares how her nonprofit work shaped her ability to empathize, ask better questions, and drive mission-aligned success in the for-profit world.
You’ll learn:
How building sanitation solutions in Ghana sparked a passion for scalable change
Why empathy is a superpower in sales and strategy
How to balance metrics-driven growth with purpose-driven impact
Why curiosity and diagnostic thinking make better leaders
How Tagan uses tools like ChatGPT to vision-cast her next big moves
🔗 Connect with Tagan Horton:
💡 Tagan’s next step? An MBA from Clark Atlanta University—and continuing to create meaningful change at every level.
Whether you're a nonprofit leader, startup founder, or sales strategist, this episode will challenge you to lead with purpose and think globally.
What does it really take to turn a simple idea into a seven-figure product business?
In this episode of Purpose-Driven Progress, host Jacob Hicks sits down with Nick Barrett, founder of Cord Brick, a sleek, practical solution to cord chaos that’s now sold over $1 million in products. Nick shares his journey from failed jobs and self-doubt to successful entrepreneur—and why taking action is more powerful than endless research.
You’ll learn:
How Cord Brick was born from a personal frustration
Why prototyping is more important than perfection
The truth about manufacturing, patents, and design iteration
How to build lean using freelancers over employees
Why users don’t always know what they need—and how to lead them anyway
🔗 Links from the episode:
💡 And keep an eye out for Nick’s next launch: Mug Brick, a desk-friendly drink holder built with the same design philosophy.
Whether you're building your first product or trying to scale smarter, this conversation is packed with real talk and sharp insight.
Are you holding onto something that doesn’t deserve space in your head?
In this raw solo episode of Purpose-Driven Progress, host Jacob Hicks shares a story from his early sales days—a frustrating customer interaction that stuck with him long after it should have. But what if there was a better filter for deciding what to hold onto?
Jacob introduces two powerful questions that can help you clear your mental clutter:
“Is this a story I’ll tell a year from now?”
“Do I know this story is true, or am I making it up?”
If you’ve ever replayed a bad interaction on loop or assumed someone’s silence meant something personal, this episode will help you take back control. It’s time to stop letting small moments write your narrative.#MindsetShift #LetItGo #PurposeDrivenProgress #EmotionalGrowth #InnerPeace #StoryWorthTelling #ReframeYourThoughts #PersonalDevelopment
What if changing your outfit could change your life?
In this powerful episode of Purpose-Driven Progress, host Jacob Hicks sits down with fashion stylist and entrepreneur Yasmine Jean. From styling at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue to seeing celebrities like Megan Fox wear her jewelry, Yasmine shares how style can uplift, empower, and transform your confidence.
You’ll learn:
Practical style tips for both men and women
Why fit and fabric matter more than labels
How Yasmine uses HR and recruitment to build her fashion empire
The power of celebrating your wins and slowing down
How fashion can be a tool for healing and reinvention
🔗 Connect with Yasmine Jean:
Whether you're reimagining your personal style or building your brand from scratch, Yasmine’s journey blends fashion, confidence, and purpose in a way that will inspire you to think—and dress—boldly.
What do you do when your startup gets scammed out of $7,000?
If you're Jacob Kirstein, you double down, find a new manufacturer, and build a viral brand that’s now selling thousands of vacuum-insulated cosmetic containers — and launching its own line of floating backpack coolers.
In this episode, Jacob Hicks sits down with inventor and entrepreneur Jacob Kirstein, the founder of Chapie and TERA, to explore the wild ride from NASA and SpaceX engineer to multi-product e-commerce success story.
🔥 Inside this episode:
The viral TikTok that launched a million-dollar brand
How to de-risk overseas manufacturing (and bounce back from a scam)
Why you should test cheap, fail fast, and learn quickly
Building systems around experimentation, rebranding, and customer feedback
How content creators and TikTok Shop are changing the game for product-based businesses
Whether you're an aspiring founder, a product designer, or just obsessed with cool innovations, this is a masterclass in building with grit and strategy.
🔗 Connect with Jacob Kirstein
Instagram: @jacob.kirstein
Chapie Products: Chapie
TERA Products: TERA
#JacobKerstein #Chapie #TERAGear #PurposeDrivenProgress #ProductInnovation #EcommerceTips #TikTokShop #StartupResilience #ConsumerGoods #CoolioCooler #ContentStrategy #FoundersJourney
