Referrals Done Right

We all have people in our lives who seem to take up more of our time and energy than we'd like. Maybe it's a coworker who turns every conversation into a complaint or a friend who never knows when to hang up. But how much of that time are we actually obligated to give? In this episode of Time Lies, Scott Grates challenges the belief that we have no choice over who gets our attention. He...

What if the freedom you're working so hard to achieve is actually being held back by the way you're working? In this episode of Time Lies, Scott Grates sits down with franchise entrepreneur and business advisor Meg Schmitz to explore the relationship between success and personal freedom. With more than 30 years of experience in business ownership, Meg has learned a thing or two about tak...

If someone looked at your calendar over the past month, would they know what matters most to you? Or would they just see a list of people and things that needed your attention? In this episode of Time Lies, Scott Grates challenges us to take a closer look at how we're spending our time. It's easy to get caught up in daily responsibilities and routines without realizing how far we've...

What if everything you've been taught about success is missing the bigger picture? In the very first episode of Time Lies, Scott Grates sits down with Jennifer Johnsen-Nazareth, a successful business leader turned leadership and equine-assisted coach. Together, they challenge the traditional definition of success and explore what it really means to live a fulfilling life. From finding your ca...

In this final episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates reflects on the relationships and lessons that have shaped the podcast over the past two and a half years. What began as a mission to help business owners grow through meaningful connections became something much more personal. Scott shares how the people he's met along the way have challenged his thinking and changed his perspective...

In this episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates sits down with Frank Agin, founder of AmSpirit Business Connections and host of NetworkingRx. Frank shares why so many professionals struggle to ask for referrals and what it really takes to earn someone's trust. They explore how small actions and consistent follow-through can build a reputation that makes people confident in recommending...

In this solo episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates reflects on how the relationships he's built over the past two and a half years have changed the way he thinks about success. What started as a mission to help business owners grow through meaningful connections has led to some much bigger questions. Scott shares why he's started looking beyond growth and achievement to consider...

In this episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates sits down with business coach and entrepreneur Eva Safar to explore what it really means to build a successful business. After 25 years in the corporate world, Eva realized that financial success and impressive titles weren't giving her the freedom she wanted. She shares how redefining success helped her create a business built around her...

In this solo episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates explores the hidden cost of always being available to everyone. For business owners and leaders, being responsive and helpful can feel like a measure of success. But constantly saying yes can leave little time for the people and priorities that matter most. Scott challenges listeners to consider whether their desire to be needed is actuall...

In this episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates sits down with author and leadership coach Dawn Cazedessus to explore how our past can shape the way we approach success. Dawn shares her journey from growing up in a Louisiana trailer park to becoming a CEO. She explains how fear and scarcity continued to influence her decisions long after she escaped poverty. Through her book Trailer Park CEO...

In this solo episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates explores why building a bigger network does not always lead to better relationships or more referrals. Through a recent introduction from a trusted connection, Scott shares how quickly meaningful relationships can develop when people share similar values. Sometimes the best opportunities come from finding the right people rather than const...

In this episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates sits down with psychotherapist and coach Karen Conlon to explore what can exist beneath the surface of success. Karen explains how childhood conditioning can shape the way high achievers approach work and relationships. They discuss how the drive to achieve can sometimes come from a need for validation instead of genuine fulfillment. The conver...

In this solo episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates challenges the idea that being busy means being productive. A packed calendar and a long to do list can create plenty of movement. That does not always mean you are moving toward something that matters. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is stop long enough to choose the right direction. Scott shares a simple approach for creat...

In this episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates sits down with Jennifer Gomez to explore why joy should not be something we wait to experience after success. Jennifer shares her journey as a high achiever who spent years chasing the next accomplishment. Eventually, she realized achievement alone was not creating the fulfillment she expected. Jennifer explains how joy can become a strategy fo...

In this solo episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates explores what happens when we stop treating every conversation like it needs an agenda. Business conversations can quickly become tactical without us even realizing it. Instead of searching for an opportunity, Scott challenges us to become genuinely curious about the person in front of us. Scott explains why great conversationalists often...

In this episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates sits down with Imelda Mendoza to talk about the mindset behind nearly 14 years of building her insurance agency. Imelda shares how competition and consistent action helped her build from the ground up. She also explains how her parents shaped the belief that she could figure things out along the way. The conversation explores leadership, execut...

In this solo episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates explores why hard work alone does not create a great team. Everyone can be working hard while still rowing in different directions. The missing piece is often clarity around where the business is going and why that destination matters. Scott introduces the idea of a vision and value meeting to help leaders create that alignment. He shares...

In this episode we rewind to a conversation that originally aired in May 2025. Kari Hargrave is the definition of grit, creativity, and community. From launching a scratch insurance agency in a town with no stoplights to bagging groceries for free just to meet people, Kari’s story is a masterclass in hustle, heart, and doing things differently. In this conversation, Scott and Kari unpack what it r...

In this solo episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates reflects on the lessons he brought home from The Space Between Retreat. After three days of slowing down and creating space, one idea stood above the rest. The questions we are willing to sit with may be more important than the answers we constantly chase. Scott explores what he learned about joy, simplicity, and being present. He also sha...

In this solo episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates explores one simple idea with a much deeper meaning. Serving needs to become an identity instead of an activity. Acts of service can be great for building relationships. The real test is whether you would still serve if you knew nothing was coming back in return. Scott explains how genuine service builds the trust and reputation behind a r...

In this episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates sits down with marketing strategist Samantha Calderón to talk about simplifying marketing for solopreneurs. Samantha shares why trying to be everywhere can quickly become overwhelming. Instead, she encourages entrepreneurs to understand their ideal audience and focus on the marketing activities that actually work. Scott and Samantha also explor...

In this solo episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott explores the difference between your personal brand and your reputation. Your brand is what you tell the world about yourself. Your reputation is what people say about you when you are not in the room. When it comes to earning referrals, that distinction matters. Scott explains why a referral is more than a lead. It is a transfer of trust from on...

In this episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates sits down with revenue growth strategist Sue Clement to rethink how entrepreneurs approach referrals and sales. Sue shares lessons from more than 26 years of coaching and building businesses. She explains why networking should focus on relationships instead of chasing an immediate sale. Scott and Sue also explore how workshops can create trust...

In this solo episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott challenges the traditional way we think about winning in business. Instead of asking how to get more customers or referrals, he offers a different question. How many other people can you help win? Through stories from his own relationships and insurance agency, Scott explores how servant leadership can create a deeper sense of purpose. It can als...

In this episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates sits down with Alex Canavan, founder of the CNY Women's Network and host of Cultivate. Alex shares the unconventional path that took her from bridal makeup to building a growing professional community. Along the way she learned the value of showing up before you feel ready and letting people see the journey as it unfolds. Scott and Alex di...