Close The Deal Podcast

Why do so many founders hit a wall at one, three, or ten million in revenue? Sales strategist Nicole Vorkapic reveals the three hidden gaps that keep businesses from scaling—and how to fix them fast. In this episode, Close The Deal Podcast host Ewell Smith sits down with Nicole to unpack the patterns that cause sales to plateau and what it takes to create systems that scale. Drawing from her exper...

Ever leave a networking event and realize no one remembers you? Ewell Smith shares a simple, low-cost trick that guarantees you’ll stand out and stay remembered - long after the meeting ends. ## Visit www. CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes. The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself  get made. Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with hi...

Fear stops more deals than rejection ever will. In this episode of The Close The Deal Podcast , host Ewell Smith sits down with Angie Wedell , founder of Blended Strategies , to talk about courage, confidence, and the mindset that helps salespeople close with authenticity. Angie shares her “Five Minutes of Guts” philosophy — a practical way to overcome fear one moment at a time — and explains how...

Most business owners and sales professionals make the same mistake when giving their 1-minute pitch at a networking meeting — they try to promote more than one thing. In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast , Ewell Smith explains why a clear, single-message pitch is far more powerful. You’ll learn how to grab attention, connect emotionally, and be remembered long after the meeting ends. Perf...

Learn how top sales and marketing trainer Russell Richardson turned social media into a dealership goldmine - and why consistency closes more deals. What if you could stop chasing leads — and make customers come looking for you? In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast , Ewell Smith sits down with automotive sales trainer Russell Richardson , known online as @RussFlipsWhips , who built a deal...

SEO isn’t what it used to be—and AI is changing the rules faster than anyone expected. In this Close The Deal Podcast episode, host Ewell Smith talks with Lonnie , founder of Local SEO Help , about how AI, Google updates, and voice search are transforming visibility for every business online. From website redesign mistakes that destroy rankings to why Google now rewards human expertise over algori...

Sales is changing faster than most people realize, and artificial intelligence is leading the charge. In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast , I sit down with Henry Hayes , founder of Disrupt Ready and adjunct professor at LSU, to unpack what AI really means for sales pros today. We dig into why buyers instantly spot self-serving sales tactics, how mentorship pulls your career forward, and...

Knowing how to overcome objections is one thing - but hearing it in action is where the real learning happens. In Part 2 of this Close The Deal conversation, sales trainer Lisa Laird role-plays the most common objections salespeople face from owners and demonstrates exactly how to respond with confidence. You’ll hear Lisa walk through:  > The perfect response when prospects ask you to “Send an...

Every salesperson has heard it before: “Leave your card.” “Just email me.” “I’m not interested.” In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast , sales trainer and 20-year insurance veteran Lisa Laird reveals how to flip the top 5 most common objections into opportunities that close. Lisa shares: Why confidence (not aggressiveness) is the key to sales Her GET Method for securing appointments fast H...

At 79 years old, Harlon Pierce is still leading, innovating, and creating opportunities in the seafood industry. From Katrina to catfish, hear how he embraced change, built new markets, and mentored a generation of leaders. This milestone episode dives deep into crisis management, pricing strategies, and the power of mentorship. ## Visit www. CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes. The Close The Dea...

Hurricane season isn’t just about weathering the storm - it’s about surviving the insurance battle afterward. In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Frazier of Forefront 360 to reveal how preparation, documentation, and technology can save homeowners and businesses millions. Takeaways: Why most policyholders fail to prepare for claims The five most common insurance mistakes How property data tr...

What if you could fast-track your franchise success by learning directly from someone already doing it ? That’s exactly what Painter1’s mentorship program delivers. In this episode of the Close the Deal Podcast , host Ewell Smith talks with mentor Keith and two new franchisees, Mike and Dallas , about their experience going from training to revenue in record time. What You’ll Discover in This Epis...

What if you could overhaul your life—and your business—in 30 days? At 61, Mike Pedersen did just that. On this episode of Close The Deal, he reveals how he left a comfortable life in Arizona to travel the world, and in the process, built a powerhouse B2B consulting practice. We talk sales systems, CEO blind spots, the 21-Day Revenue Sprint, and his viral “Decide Fast” app. 🔥 Key Topics: Rewiring...

Are you done getting lowballed (screwed) by insurance companies? Ted Patestos was too—and now his franchise, Tiger Adjusters, helps homeowners and business owners fight back. With a model that puts franchisees in control and customers first, this low-overhead, high-impact business is rewriting the playbook on public adjusting. 💥 Real franchisee: $861K in revenue, $655K profit 🛠️ Work from home, c...

What do you get when you mix UPS-level safety protocols, jungle animals, and teenagers learning to drive? A franchise that’s saving lives and building a business around it. Zach Butler joins me to share the story of Jungle Driving —a radically better, more effective, and wildly memorable driver’s ed franchise. Backed by 20+ years of data and a mission-focused mindset, this brand is making the road...

Want more time, profit, and peace of mind in your business? Start with systems. On this episode of Close The Deal , Ewell Smith chats with Adi Klevit - founder of Business Success Consulting Group—about how entrepreneurs can document their way to freedom. You’ll learn: How to identify the first process to document The 90-minute framework that changes everything How SOPs reduce training time and in...

Is your business unintentionally taking a political stance? In this episode of Close The Deal , Ewell Smith sits down with Chris Peterson, author of Red and Blue Customers , to explore how political identity subtly (and sometimes explosively) affects consumer behavior. Chris shares fascinating insights about liberal vs. conservative buyers, real-life brand case studies, and why most businesses are...

In this episode, Shayne Brown, founder of Diesel Barbershops, shares 10 success mindset quotes every franchise owner should know. From overcoming setbacks to leading creative teams, Shane has built a standout brand by doing things differently—and staying focused on what actually matters. You’ll Hear: Why following the system is non-negotiable How to lead artists (not just employees) What it takes...

What if your stress isn’t just a feeling—it’s a signal from your nervous system? And what if there’s a daily practice that could help rewire it? In this episode, Ewell Smith interviews Rachel Wixey, founder of the Wixey Center for Wellness and creator of workplace meditation programs. Rachel shares how she left her business career to pursue mindfulness full-time, the science behind why it works, a...

Tony Holbert is the CEO of Horsepower Brands—one of the fastest-growing home service franchise groups in the U.S. With over 400 franchise territories and nine brands under their umbrella (like Mighty Dog Roofing and Varsity Zone HVAC), Tony shares what makes franchisees succeed, why “going all in” matters, and how AI is changing how sales teams operate. 💡 We talk franchise stacking, recurring rev...

In this episode of the Close The Deal podcast, host Ewell Smith sits down with sales strategist Sean Lyden, founder of Systematic Selling. Sean breaks down why traditional high-pressure tactics are broken — and what to do instead. From boosting proposal conversion rates to smart upselling and increasing volume through networking and referrals, Sean shares practical, no-fluff strategies that work....

Chris Widener joins the Close The Deal podcast to share his powerful journey from personal adversity to international speaker, bestselling author, and faith-based mentor. With mentorship from icons like Zig Ziglar and Jim Rohn, Chris explores how belief, mentorship, and faith fuel success. We dive into how his early experiences—from working with the Seattle Supersonics to selling 20,000 flower pot...

## Visit www. CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes. The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself  get made. Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off.  This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-leve...

Thinking about investing in a franchise? Join Ewell Smith, author of Your First Franchise Roadmap and founder of CloseTheDeal.com, as he sits down with Newell Normand on WWL Radio. In this episode, Ewell shares expert insights on how franchising provides a proven playbook for success, career independence, and wealth-building. Learn why franchising isn’t just about fast food, how veterans and corpo...

In this special episode of Close The Deal , I sit down with James Groves, co-founder of Hole in the Wall Franchise , to discuss how this drywall repair brand is scaling fast and delivering big profits. From standout branding to high-margin services and franchisee training that rocks , this episode breaks down why Hole in the Wall Franchise is a winning opportunity. 💡 We cover: ✅ How a strong bra...