Close The Deal Podcast

James Trawick built one of the most ambitious rodeo and music festivals in America. But despite the success, there was still a commitment he'd been postponing. In this episode of Close The Deal, James shares the story behind Hondo Rodeo Fest, the challenge of launching in New Orleans, and the personal goal that kept getting pushed aside. The conversation ultimately reveals something many entr...

Kris Grey helps organizations recover failing projects and scale operations through better systems and project management. But behind the business success was a harder truth: years of neglecting his health, relationships, and personal priorities while trying to survive entrepreneurship. In this episode of Close The Deal, Kris shares: losing his job three days after becoming a father surviving nine...

Andrea Anderson built a massive online audience helping people buy cars and negotiate confidently. But success created a new problem: visibility. In this episode of Close The Deal, Andrea opens up about growing beyond the screen and confronting the one thing she still struggles with - public speaking and leadership visibility. Despite building 100,000+ followers online, Andrea admits she’s natural...

Success can quietly damage a marriage if couples aren’t intentional. In this episode of Close The Deal, Rock Sandretto shares the commitment he and his wife are making to protect their relationship while continuing to grow multiple businesses together. After battling addiction during the opioid epidemic and spending time in jail, Rock rebuilt his life through faith, family, and entrepreneurship. W...

This episode is about a decision most people avoid: choosing what you really want over what feels safe. The Decision Aideen had to choose: 👉 Stay focused on a stable business 👉 Or finally step into her identity as a singer The Commitment She commits to releasing an 8-song album by January 1st and performing live shortly after. Who This Episode Is For Creatives stuck in execution Entrepreneurs ba...

This episode is about a decision most entrepreneurs avoid— Do you stay comfortable, or do you scale when the opportunity shows up? Sam Caruso is facing that moment right now. The Decision Sam has momentum, clients, and opportunity. But now he must choose: → Keep things manageable and predictable → Or build a team, take bigger risks, and scale fast One path protects him. The other defines him. The...

Most entrepreneurs don’t struggle because they can’t build. They struggle because they avoid the decision that comes next. Heath Holmes already proved he can build—taking a business to $1.4M in just over a year. Now he’s at a crossroads that will define everything moving forward. Franchise the model… or build it himself and expand a different way. The Decision This isn’t theoretical. Heath has two...

Entrepreneurs are told to chase work-life balance - but what if that idea is completely wrong? In this episode, Tom Cox breaks down why trying to balance everything leads to failure in both business and family life. He shares a better approach focused on presence, consistency, and intentional decision-making. What You Will Learn: Why balance doesn’t work How to prioritize your family The power of...

Most business owners don’t have a sales problem—they have a money problem. In this episode, Tom Cox breaks down why entrepreneurs who are great at their craft still struggle financially. From misunderstanding cash flow to ignoring margin, this conversation dives into the real issues holding businesses back. You’ll also hear a powerful shift in thinking: instead of just making money, you need to le...

Pick up the phone sales may be the simplest growth strategy most companies overlook. In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, Scotty Baudoin explains how consistent outreach to warm contacts can generate stronger relationships and measurable revenue growth. The Outgrow method focuses on proactive communication—calling people you already know, leaving a message, following with a text, and ask...

Luxury brand positioning is the disciplined strategy of moving out of the commodity market and into premium authority. In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, Ewell Smith speaks with Kathryn Porritt about how founders can protect margins, reposition mastery, and stop competing on price. What You’ll Learn: Why the middle market is collapsing The structural difference between volume models an...

Most LinkedIn outreach fails because it starts with a pitch instead of a conversation. What You’ll Learn ⏺  Why feedback outperforms cold pitching ⏺ How to structure high response outreach ⏺ When automation helps and when it hurts ⏺ What cash collected really means in sales Short Episode Summary Jack Hayes joins Ewell Smith to break down a smarter approach to LinkedIn outreach. Instead of leading...

Half of all businesses fail within five years, and the leading cause is lack of product demand. What You’ll Learn Why demand generation determines survival How owned, earned, and paid marketing differ The 3D framework for structured growth Why authority and visibility matter more than ever Saul Marquez joins Ewell Smith to unpack why businesses fail and how founders can build sustainable product d...

Networking works when people understand how referrals actually happen. What You’ll Learn • How to become referable • How to create real connections • Why communication drives trust Angie Weidel explains the practical networking fundamentals most professionals never learn and how they directly impact referrals and revenue. Key Takeaways • Clarity drives referrals • Introductions matter more than le...

LinkedIn has quietly become one of the most effective demand channels for CEOs who know how to use it. What You’ll Learn How to create LinkedIn demand efficiently Why CEO visibility drives revenue What metrics actually signal buying intent Short Episode Summary Matt Hunt explains how founders can turn LinkedIn into a sales engine using lived experience, clear frameworks, and minimal time investmen...

There comes a point in every career and every life when confidence takes a hit. Sometimes what you need most isn’t another strategy or tactic. It’s belief. In this episode of Close The Deal, Ewell Smith sits down with Chris Widener to explore why belief is the foundation of leadership, personal growth, and long-term success. Chris shares stories from his own journey including rebuilding after majo...

AI is changing how buyers research, but not how they decide. What You’ll Learn ‣ Why buyers hesitate despite better information ‣ How confidence drives decisions ‣ What the last mile seller does differently Victor Antonio joins Close The Deal to explain how AI reshapes buyer behavior and why human judgment remains essential to closing complex sales. Key Takeaways Victor Antonio joins Close The Dea...

Cold calling still works, and recording it live may be the fastest way to build real sales confidence and execution skill. What You’ll Learn • Why cold calling still outperforms most outbound strategies • How recording calls live sharpens execution • What rejection teaches faster than training • Why visibility builds trust with buyers Cold calling remains one of the most avoided yet effective sale...

Creativity does not fade with age or technology. It fades when creators stop creating. You Will Learn • How a veteran music producer used AI to create 50 songs in 90 days • Why momentum matters more than perfection for creators • How to use AI without losing your creative voice • What separates real creators from prompt pushers • How modern tools can unlock dormant ideas n this episode of Close Th...

In this episode of Close The Deal, Sam Caruso, Vistage Chair,  shares why working on the business instead of in it leads to clearer thinking, better leadership decisions, and stronger long term growth.  You will learn How working in the business keeps leaders stuck Why better questions lead to better decisions How to spot when you are doing the wrong work How strong mindset improves sales and lead...

Ari reveals the system behind trust based selling and why the old way of selling no longer works. He shares the moment that changed everything, the process that stops ghosting, and how to use the One Call Trust Method to build trust fast. This episode will help you shift from chasing prospects to building clarity and confidence in every call. Key points • Why trust collapses faster than ever • The...

Logic does not close deals. Emotion does. In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, Corey Cousins breaks down the biggest mistake salespeople make and why relying on logic, features, and data often causes prospects to hesitate, stall, or disappear. Corey is the Vice President of Sales at Destination Motivation, the number one sales and lead conversion incentive company in the nation. He has t...

Standing out has never mattered more. With AI Search rewriting the rules, the voices that rise to the top are the ones backed by real authority and real conversations. That is why podcasting has become such an essential tool for entrepreneurs and creators. In this episode, Ewell Smith sits down with Parker Olson, founder of PodPitch.com, whose wild journey from living in a tent to running product...

Want to raise your in-home close rate without high-pressure tactics? Dominic Caminata from Grosso University breaks down five proven steps that turn more kitchen-table conversations into confident yes decisions. Learn how to slow down to speed up, build trust fast, present with clarity, and use the Grosso method to win more jobs at higher margins. This episode gives you simple, repeatable tools to...

Are your billboard ads doing more harm than good? In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast , veteran marketer and outdoor advertising expert Eric Murr breaks down the 11 most common billboard ad mistakes that drain budgets, confuse audiences, and sabotage sales. From bloated designs and misleading calls to action — to ignoring your digital reality — Eric shares real-world insights that could...