Purpose-Driven Progress

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...

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 i...

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 broker...

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...

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...

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 transformatio...

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 inspir...

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&#39...

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 el...

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 sales...

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 connec...

“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, leaders...

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...

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 L...

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 questi...

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...

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...

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...

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 TE...

How do you build a life of purpose when the world keeps throwing obstacles in your way? In this powerful episode, Jacob Hicks sits down with fitness coach and entrepreneur Kelvin Tata , who shares his raw and inspiring journey from door-to-door sales at 17 to launching a purpose-driven fitness business that serves sales professionals. They dive into the truth about entrepreneurship, faith, fitness...

Ever had your entire day fall apart before 10 a.m.? You're not alone. In this solo episode of Purpose-Driven Progress , host Jacob Hicks introduces a game-changing strategy called “Chaos Time.” Born from his years in sales and built to help you take back your calendar, this approach gives you the margin you need to breathe, stay productive, and still handle those daily fires without losing you...

What does mastering five languages, leading global sales teams, and thriving during COVID have in common? In this episode, Jacob Hicks sits down with sales leader and world traveler  Nicole Roski  to uncover her powerful story of creativity, grit, and leadership. From her early days living on a kibbutz to driving business growth during one of the toughest markets in history, Nicole shares how adap...

What do baseball and biotech have in common? More than you think. Former pro baseball player turned scientist and entrepreneur James "Jimmy" Bosco joins Jacob Hicks to share his extraordinary journey from the St. Louis Cardinals to founding a cutting-edge biotech company. Jimmy reveals how the mindset of resilience, experimentation, and grit shaped both his athletic and scientific careers—and how...

If you’re undercharging for your expertise, this episode is your wake-up call. Pricing and business development strategist John Ray joins Jacob Hicks to unpack why so many service-based professionals — consultants, coaches, attorneys, accountants — undervalue their work. Learn how to overcome fear-based pricing mistakes, master value conversations, and confidently charge what you're worth. In this...