Best Nicole MacLean Podcasts (2025)

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#136: When It’s Time to Let Your Business Go... and What to Do Next (Sehreen Noor Ali, Te Cura Labs & Sleuth) 1:00:44

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7d ago1:00:44

1:00:44

This is our last episode of 2025! We'll see you back here in January 2026 <3 Meet Sehreen Noor Ali, a zero-to-one founder who made one of the hardest decisions in entrepreneurship: letting go of a business that was technically working. Sehreen co-founded Sleuth, a venture-backed pediatric health startup that reached 64,000+ families, earned Fast Co…

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Trends To Keep You Visible Beyond 2026 32:54

8d ago32:54

32:54

How do you build a 2026 marketing strategy when every week brings a new AI tool, a new “channel is dead” hot take, and pressure to do more with less? Mike Leonhard, Compose.ly’s Co-Founder and CEO, joins Nicole to discuss the evolving landscape of digital marketing. Mike explains why no channel is truly dead, how AI is lowering the barrier to omnic…

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#135: How to Build a Membership That 10x's Your Recurring Revenue (Mike Morrison, Membership Geeks & Membership Academy) 1:04:07

14d ago1:04:07

1:04:07

Most founders dream about launching a membership because they want predictable recurring revenue. But here’s the truth: recurring revenue only works when you create recurring value. This week, we’re joined by Mike Morrison, co-founder of Membership Academy and one of the most trusted experts in the membership space. Over the past decade, Mike has h…

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#134: How to Build a $100M Self-Funded Business (Tracy Holland, InnerFifth & GoodWill Brands) 1:09:52

21d ago1:09:52

1:09:52

Meet Tracy Holland, the founder who built HatchBeauty into a $100M+ powerhouse and more than $750M in lifetime revenue, without a single dollar of VC or PE. While most founders get told they have to raise to scale, Tracy built a completely self-funded engine that outperformed venture-backed competitors. She turned a $2M agency into her investor, ne…

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Turning Founder Conversations Into Strong Content with Imelda Wistey, Compound Content Studio 28:52

22d ago28:52

28:52

How do you execute founder-led content without losing the founder’s voice? Imelda Wistey, Content Editor at Compound Content Studio, joins Nicole to break down the real work behind producing founder-led content that feels human and not manufactured. She explains why the magic starts with deep conversation and how to pull out the stories, quirks, an…

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#133: How Entrepreneurs Survive Mental-Health Breakdowns (And Prevent Them) (Evita Robinson & Tania Kottoor) 1:06:17

28d ago1:06:17

1:06:17

Meet Evita Robinson, founder of NoMadness Travel Tribe, and Tania Kottoor, founder of WEST X EAST — two powerhouse entrepreneurs whose founder journeys include Emmy wins, global communities, brand deals, motherhood, and milestone growth… but also panic attacks, postpartum crises, leadership burnout, financial pressure, and the kind of emotional unr…

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#132: Human-First Growth: How to Scale & Bootstrap to 80 Employees (Brooke Maclean, Marketwake) 1:07:03

1M ago1:07:03

1:07:03

Meet Brooke MacLean, CEO of Marketwake, the award-winning, 5x Inc. 5000 digital agency that scaled to 80 employees by doing something radically simple: She built the business around humans. Before Marketwake, Brooke became CEO of a tech company at just 26, navigating a massive pivot, rebuilding product, and leading through chaos. But it wasn’t unti…

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Balancing AI Trends and Human Creativity with Collin Belt, Veza Digital 38:39

1M ago38:39

38:39

What can scaling content in an AI-driven world teach us about adaptability and focus? Collin Belt, VP of Growth at Veza Digital and Founder of Belt Creative (acquired), joins Nicole to share how he’s helping agencies stay nimble in a market where SEO is shifting and AI is changing how teams work. He unpacks what “nimbleness at scale” really means, …

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#131: Grieving While Building: When Life Falls Apart but the Work Doesn't Stop (Nicole Staple) 1:10:16

2M ago1:10:16

1:10:16

Meet Nicole Staple, co-founder of Brideside — once a fast-growing bridal startup with retail locations across the country and millions in venture funding. In 2019, as her company scaled, Nicole’s husband was re-diagnosed with terminal cancer. She found herself signing a $7M term sheet in the same window she learned it was the endgame. Months later,…

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The Future of Child-Safe Technology with Taylor Cote, AngelQ 32:32

2M ago32:32

32:32

What can building a safer internet for kids teach us about responsible innovation in the age of AI? Taylor Cote, Senior Director of Marketing at AngelQ, joins Nicole to discuss the mission behind building technology that protects children online. She shares how AngelQ is creating a safer, more intentional digital experience for kids, balancing the …

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#130: How to Monetize Your Content Into 5-Figure Deals in 7 Months (Dulma Altan) 43:27

2M ago43:27

43:27

Meet Dulma Altan, founder, creator, and the woman Forbes calls “the queen of business TikTok.” In just seven months, she turned a 100-day content experiment into a six-figure creator business—earning brand deals with ByteDance and fintech companies, growing an audience of 30K+, and proving that you don’t need millions of followers to make meaningfu…

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#129: How to Get Acquired (Lexi Grant & Carrie Kerpen) 59:24

2M ago59:24

59:24

Meet Lexi Grant, founder of They Got Acquired, and Carrie Kerpen, founder of The Whisper Group—two powerhouses helping founders rewrite what success looks like when it’s time to sell. While the startup world glorifies IPOs and billion-dollar exits, the truth is: less than 1% of companies ever IPO and yet thousands of founders sell their businesses …

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What One Year of Content Conversations Taught Me with Nicole MacLean 35:37

2M ago35:37

35:37

What does it mean to celebrate one year of Content Matters in the middle of a marketing landscape transformed by AI, brand building, and shifting SEO? Nicole MacLean, host of Content Matters, flips the script for this special anniversary episode as she reflects on the first year of conversations, lessons, and favorite moments. Joined by Kaylee Pete…

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#128: How to Build a Referral Flywheel that Generates 80% of Multi-Millions (Caitlin Bartley, cred) 1:04:08

2M ago1:04:08

1:04:08

Meet Caitlin Bartley, founder of Cred PR, the 7-figure, all-women agency behind some of the biggest thought leadership events in the world. When Caitlin came back from Australia with no investors, no plan, and no promise of success, she gave herself one challenge: Can I build something sustainable from scratch? What started as a one-woman operation…

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#127: How One Mom Turned $200 into $16K in 30 Days (Then a $1M Brand) (Laci Hewett, Saltwater Boys Co) 1:05:55

3M ago1:05:55

1:05:55

Meet Laci Hewett, founder of Saltwater Boys Co., the million-dollar kids’ clothing brand that started with a $200 heat press and a single Facebook post. Laci wasn’t trying to start a business—she was a hospice nurse on maternity leave, craving a creative outlet after years of burnout. But one T-shirt, made for her sons and shared in a mom group, ch…

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A Deep Dive into Generative Engine Optimization with Alexandra Gillespie, Wellhub 35:41

2M ago35:41

35:41

By Compose.ly

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#126: The $20M Build, Burnout, & Brave Goodbye: How to Grow and Let Go of Your Business (Tracy Lawrence, Chewse) 1:11:47

3M ago1:11:47

1:11:47

Meet Tracy Lawrence, founder of Chewse, the catering marketplace she scaled from a Word Doc MVP and $10 eFax line to $20M+ in revenue, 300 employees, and $40M raised. While most founders obsess over tech and funnels, Tracy built Chewse by doing the unscalable—running her first 100 orders manually, walking into restaurants cold, and building trust o…

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The Three Buckets of Impactful Video Content With Drew English, Charter and Company 35:14

3M ago35:14

35:14

What does it take to create video content that truly connects in an era of AI tools and endless scrolling? Drew English, CEO of Charter & Co and Forge Virtual Studios, joins Nicole to share why framing and storytelling—not just raw output—are what make video unforgettable. He breaks down how brands can use AI without losing the human touch, the thr…

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How AI Content Led to an SEO Crash: A Case Study with Miki Palet, Tailride 29:15

4M ago29:15

29:15

What could go wrong when using AI to scale your content? Miki Palet, founder of Tailride, joins Nicole for a live case study in what happens when AI-driven content goes too far, too fast. After three months of growth, Tailride’s traffic collapsed with a Google penalty. Miki shares the hard lessons learned, the balance between humans and AI in conte…

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#125: Sexual Harassment While Fundraising (Meghan French Dunbar & Helena Fogarty) 1:06:07

4M ago1:06:07

1:06:07

Meet Megan French Dunbar and Helena Fougner - two serial entrepreneurs who’ve raised millions, coached founders through the toughest fundraising climates, and are breaking the silence on a topic too many founders whisper about: sexual harassment while fundraising. From being propositioned at investor dinners to boundary-testing “meetings” that were…

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AI, SEO, and the New Rules of Relevance with Chris Raulf, Boulder SEO Marketing 32:53

4M ago32:53

32:53

What does it mean to optimize for search in a world reshaped by generative AI? Chris Raulf, international AI SEO expert and founder of Boulder SEO Marketing, joins Nicole to explore how search behavior, SEO methodology, and content creation are evolving fast, and what marketers need to do to stay ahead. He shares how AI has shifted both the tools a…

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#124: How to Leverage Your Network to Unlock 10x More Opportunities (Nicole Vasquez, Momentum by Design) 35:47

4M ago35:47

35:47

Meet Nicole Vasquez, serial entrepreneur, connector, and co-founder of Momentum by Design. Nicole has built and sold multiple businesses, from coworking spaces to global tech platforms, all powered by one thing: her network. While many founders burn themselves out on cold outreach and ads, Nicole built a business flywheel by nurturing authentic rel…

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#123: Co-Founder Breakups: 5 Lessons for Ending Without Burning Everything Down (Lizmarie Oliveras, Creadora) 1:16:56

4M ago1:16:56

1:16:56

Meet Lizmarie Oliveras, my first co-founder EVER. We didn’t just start a company together, we built a vision from scratch. We were scrappy, driven, and 100% convinced of our vision. But here’s the thing no one tells you: building a business together is one challenge, but building a partnership that can survive growth, personal changes, and differen…

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How Digital PR Powers Smarter, AI-Driven Content with Cristina Huré, ContactMonkey 36:20

4M ago36:20

36:20

What happens when content marketing, internal comms, and AI all converge in one role? Cristina Huré, Sr. Communications & Content Marketing Manager at ContactMonkey, joins Nicole to discuss the evolving expectations for today’s content leaders. From her roots in journalism and PR to navigating sales enablement and product marketing, Cristina shares…

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#122: How She Walked Away from a Multi-Million Dollar Business (Corri McFadden, eDrop Off) 43:41

5M ago43:41

43:41

Meet Corri McFadden, founder of eDropoff, the former multi-million dollar luxury consignment business that helped pioneer an entire industry. She launched with $36 in her bank account, scaled to national recognition, and even landed a VH1 show. But 15 years later, Corey made the kind of power move most founders are too afraid to make: she walked aw…

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Adapting Your Content Strategy for the AI Search Era with Kaylee Peterson, Compose.ly 31:32

5M ago31:32

31:32

In a world where AI is rapidly reshaping search behavior and content creation, how can marketers stay ahead of the curve? Kaylee Peterson, Director of SEO at Compose.ly, joins Nicole to talk about the evolving landscape of AI search and content strategy. They discuss how Google’s increasing reliance on AI is changing the game for SEO and content cr…

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#121: 5 Steps to 7-Figure Government Contracts (Christine Goodwin & Julianne Skinner, banduri) 1:00:06

5M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

Meet Christine and Jules, co-founders of Bandary, the engineering duo who turned a napkin sketch into a multi–7-figure government consulting firm. Christine was a single mom in a toxic job, Jules was the more risk-averse operator—but together, they walked away from a broken system to build a business that now lands multi-million dollar government c…

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Navigating the Changing Landscape of SEO with Kyle Whigham, Luxury Presence 32:07

6M ago32:07

32:07

What does it take to stand out when “good enough” no longer cuts it in today’s AI-driven content landscape? Kyle Whigham, SEO Manager at Luxury Presence, joins Nicole to explore the evolving world of content strategy and search. He shares how his journey from entry-level link builder to SEO leader taught him the value of alignment, integrity, and t…

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#120: How 1 Contact Turned Into a Global Business Deal: The Relationship Approach to a Multi-Million Dollar Brand (Mona Bavar, DLISH) 1:09:12

6M ago1:09:12

1:09:12

Meet Mona Bavar, founder of DLISH, the multi-million dollar premium gifting company that scaled without ads, a sales team, or even inventory. While most product founders chase traffic and pour cash into ads, Mona took a different route: she went deep, not wide. One thoughtfully curated gift turned into a 750-unit deal with Pfizer—and that one conne…

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#119: 5 Ways to Turn Zero Ads & No Team into 300% Growth and a Multi-Million Dollar Business (Tara Milburn, Ethical Swag) 1:08:10

6M ago1:08:10

1:08:10

Meet Tara Milburn, founder of Ethical Swag, the multi-million dollar product-based business that grew 300% in one year without paid ads, a sales team, or outside funding. In an industry known for cheap promo products and race-to-the-bottom pricing, Tara built a different kind of company. She used her full-time job to quietly fund and validate her i…

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Applying Psychology to Create Marketing Demand with Sheri Otto, Lane Strategies 37:26

6M ago37:26

37:26

What happens when a full-time growth marketer builds a thriving consultancy on the side? Sheri Otto, Founder and CEO of Growth Lane Strategies, joins Nicole to share her nonlinear path—from HubSpot to launching her own boutique firm. She talks about balancing motherhood, marketing, and momentum along the way. In this conversation, Sheri breaks down…

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#118: How to Navigate Non-Profit DeFunding & STILL Build a Multi-Million Dollar Organization (Sandee Kastrul, i.c. Stars) (VAULT) 1:04:59

6M ago1:04:59

1:04:59

Meet Sandee Kastrul, founder of i.c.stars, the multi-million dollar nonprofit that’s redefining what impact looks like in 2025. While nonprofits across the country are facing massive funding cuts, Sandee didn’t wait for a lifeline, she built a business. From bootstrapping during the dot-com bust to securing Fortune 500 partnerships, Sandee created …

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We Asked, You Answered...Now We’re Goin’ Deeper 7:35

6M ago7:35

7:35

Y’all know I keep it real with you and today’s no different. In this quick update, I’m sharing some updates we’re making on the Get Sh!t Done podcast to better meet this moment we’re all in. Because let’s be honest... this year has already been A LOT. After hearing from y’all in our latest survey (thank you!), I sat with your feedback and reflected…

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Understanding Your Audience’s Psychographics with Amanda Salem, Constant Contact 39:47

7M ago39:47

39:47

What does content marketing look like after 30 years in the business? Amanda Salem, director of content marketing at Constant Contact, joins the show to share her journey from storytelling roots to leading a digital marketing evolution for small businesses. With deep expertise in email, automation, and AI tools, Amanda offers a clear view on how ma…

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#117: How to Bootstrap from $23K to $12 Million in an ‘Unsexy’ Industry (Caitlin Murphy, Global Gateway Logistics) 1:13:30

7M ago1:13:30

1:13:30

Meet Caitlin Murphy, founder of Global Gateway Logistics, who turned a $23K personal credit line, no outside funding, and a single vendor relationship into a $12M+ global freight-forwarding business. In an industry most founders overlook like logistics, Caitlin built a resilient, systems-driven company that scales smart.. In this episode, Caitlin s…

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#116: How a $39 Pricing Experiment Turned Into $1M in 11 Months (Liz Giorgi, Soona) 59:51

7M ago59:51

59:51

Meet Liz Giorgi, co-founder and CEO of Soona, the tech-enabled content studio that’s helped thousands of eCommerce brands level up their visual content—without the agency overhead. Liz didn’t start with VC money or a big team. She bootstrapped her way to $1M in 11 months and kept the momentum going with over 40% year-over-year growth, scaling to 8-…

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Agency vs. In-House Content Strategy with Stephanie Yoder, Rebrandly 31:56

7M ago31:56

31:56

What happens when a career agency content lead takes their talents in-house? Stephanie Yoder, Director of Content at Rebrandly, joins the show to unpack her transition from agency life to leading in-house strategy—and why that shift gave her a whole new lens on collaboration, content creation, and career longevity. With two decades in the game, Ste…

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#115: How She Went from $2K to $1 Million Per Employee, Raised $14 Million with NO Network & What She'd Do Differently (Lisa Curtis, Kuli Kuli) 50:37

7M ago50:37

50:37

Meet Lisa Curtis, founder of Kuli Kuli, the superfood company that went from a Peace Corps idea and $2K in savings to raising $14M+ and landing on the shelves of 11,000+ stores across the U.S. Lisa didn’t come from the food industry. She didn’t have a network or a fancy launch budget. But she built a business that cracked into Whole Foods, scaled t…

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#114: How to Scale to 6-Figures in 1 Year Then to $3M Using Fractional Talent (Amy Giggey, Talent to Team) 59:23

7M ago59:23

59:23

Meet Amy Giggey, founder of Talent to Team, the HR consultancy helping early-stage companies build lean, high-performing teams without the burnout. After leaving a demanding corporate role—and navigating a divorce and solo parenting, Amy bootstrapped her way to a 6-figure year one and scaled to $3M using a fractional talent model that works with yo…

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The Role of Social in B2B Strategy with Paola Marino, Virtual Intelligence Briefing (ViB) 35:13

7M ago35:13

35:13

When the playbook keeps changing, how do modern marketers stay grounded and effective? Paola Marino, Digital Marketing Manager at Virtual Intelligence Briefing (ViB), joins the show to unpack what it’s really like to market in a lean, high-velocity B2B environment. From running a social agency in Mexico to building full-funnel strategies in the U.S…

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#113: Part 2: When to Shut Down a Business: How to Exit with Clarity (Yulkendy Valdez & Samantha Pratt Asante) (Replay) 57:47

8M ago57:47

57:47

Meet Yulkendy Valdez (Forefront) and Samantha Pratt (ClickEngage), two powerhouse founders who built edtech companies rooted in impact, raised capital, got the accolades and still chose to shut it all down. Why? Because scaling the wrong thing isn’t success, it’s burnout. And in this radically honest episode, they break down how walking away became…

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#112 Part 1: When to Persist After Losing 50% Revenues: Leading Through a Crisis (Elena Valentine, SkillScout) (REPLAY) 58:58

8M ago58:58

58:58

Meet Elena Valentine, founder of Skill Scout, the video storytelling company on a mission to humanize the modern workplace. Elena didn’t just survive one of the biggest economic shocks of our generation—she led through it with clarity, conviction, and zero layoffs, even after losing 50% of her company’s revenue overnight. In this episode, Elena bre…

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Standing Out in a Crowded Marketing Landscape with Myles Carter, Trolley 41:46

8M ago41:46

41:46

What happens when a storyteller learns to speak the language of the C-suite? Myles Carter, Senior Director of Content Marketing at Trolley, joins the show to talk about the real skills marketers need today: blending art and revenue strategy. He shares how his storytelling roots shaped his marketing career, why building trust is the key to standing …

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#111: From Farmers Market to 100+ Stores: How to Keep 60% Margins, Scale to 7-Figures, & Own Your Supply Chain (Jenna Huntsberger, Whisked by Jenna) 57:54

8M ago57:54

57:54

Meet Jenna Huntsberger, founder of Whisked, the bootstrapped cookie company that scaled from a $35K farmers market side hustle to a 7-figure, vertically integrated CPG brand—now in over 100+ stores, with 60%+ gross margins and zero outside capital. In this episode, Jenna breaks down her growth playbook for building a profitable food business withou…

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#110: How a Single Mom Self-Funded 2 Businesses & Scaled to 7-Figures with a Marketing Machine that Prints $$$ (Dahlia Rizk, Buckle Me Baby) 54:23

8M ago54:23

54:23

Meet Dahlia Rizk, founder of Buckle Me Baby Coats—a brand that went viral (multiple times), secured a deal on Shark Tank, and grew into a 7-figure business without outside capital. Oh, and she did it all while raising 3 kids and running a second business. In this episode, Dahlia breaks down her growth playbook for how she self-funded her dream (wit…

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How to Build Engaged Communities and Content that Converts with Adam Robles, Reach Agency 39:49

8M ago39:49

39:49

Is your marketing truly audience-first — or just going through the motions? Kaylee Peterson, Director of SEO at Compose.ly, returns to the show with a soapbox moment about the realities of working with SEO agencies, what clients should expect from partners, and why education and transparency matter more than ever. We’re also joined by Adam Robles, …

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#109: How She Bootstrapped a $1.2 BILLION Business (Liz Elting, TransPerfect) 1:02:04

9M ago1:02:04

1:02:04

Meet Liz Elting, founder of TransPerfect—the largest language solutions company in the world, built with zero outside funding. Liz didn’t just build a billion-dollar business. She did it without venture capital, scaling her company from a cockroach-filled NYU dorm room to $1.2B+ in annual revenue, 600+ salespeople, and operations in 140+ global mar…

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#108: How She Became the Mac & Cheese Millionaire (Erin Wade, Homeroom Restaurant) 54:28

9M ago54:28

54:28

Meet Erin Wade, founder of Homeroom and author of The Mac & Cheese Millionaire. Erin didn’t just create a comfort food hotspot—she built a 7-figure business with top 1% profitability in the restaurant industry (yes, the one where most fail), achieved 10X employee retention, and got acquired—all without spending a dime on ads. In this episode, Erin …

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#107: How to Use Referrals to Drive 75% of Revenues of a Multi-Million Dollar Empire (Michelle Penczak, Squared Away) 1:00:47

9M ago1:00:47

1:00:47

Meet Michelle Penczak, the founder of Squared Away, a virtual assistant powerhouse that scaled from a one-woman operation to a 300+ person team, all while leveraging a referral engine that now drives 75% of the company’s revenue. Michelle didn’t follow the traditional path—after losing her remote job while three months pregnant, she took matters in…

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From Ops to Strategy: The Rise of a Marketing Generalist with Matt Lyman 45:33

9M ago45:33

45:33

Is adaptability the secret to building a strong marketing career? Ana Osuna, Content Partnership Specialist at Compose.ly, discusses LinkedIn’s ban on Apollo and Seamless.ai and its impact on outbound sales. She and host Nicole MacLean explore data ownership and the importance of brand-building in a shifting digital landscape. We’re also joined by …