Noob School

On this episode of Noob School, I sit down with Jean-Michel Moreau — entrepreneur, growth strategist, and host of the Rapid Product Growth podcast — to talk about what actually helps businesses scale sustainably. Jean-Michel’s background is anything but typical. Starting in device physics and the Bay Area startup world, he eventually led global tech commercialization efforts for billion-dollar com...

In this episode of Noob School, I sit down with Jay Jackson—a former Major League pitcher who spent nearly two decades grinding it out across the MLB, minor leagues, and international baseball circuits. Jay’s story isn’t just about baseball—it’s about resilience. From getting drafted later than expected to navigating the ups and downs of a global career that took him from the U.S. to Japan, Mexico...

Welcome back to Noob School! Today, I’m joined by a very special guest and a longtime friend of the show, Amy Brusky. Amy is the President of Kolbe Corp, and the work her company does is a huge reason reason I was able to grow a tiny company into a massive success.  Years ago, I was a young sales manager struggling to get my team to make cold calls. A consultant named Bill Lee introduced me to the...

In this conversation with Dan Rundle, we talk about what human-centered AI actually looks like inside a business. Dan shares his journey from early employee to CEO, why technology should strengthen people instead of sidelining them, and what separates leaders people want to follow from those they quietly leave. This episode isn’t about chasing tools. It’s about clarity, consistency, and using tech...

Capers Easterby has spent his career building teams, businesses, and relationships that actually last — the kind that aren’t driven by hype, but by doing the right things the right way, over time. He’s one of those people who naturally blends sales sense with leadership instincts, and that combination has made him successful across every chapter of his career. More than that, he’s a longtime frien...

My son Jack Sterling returns to Noob School for his fourth appearance — officially becoming the most frequent guest on the show. This one dives deep into what Jack’s been up to lately — from his growing business, Cloud Hound, to his work with Upstate Warrior Solution helping veterans transition into entrepreneurship. We start off trading thoughts on our favorite podcasts and how shows like Lions L...

In this episode of Noob School, we sit down with Jake Bennett (via Zoom), cofounder and Principal of Well Street Partners. You can find him on LinkedIn here: linkedin.com/in/jake-bennett314  Jake is a Virginia native whose journey spans systems engineering at West Point, five years of active duty in the U.S. Army (with assignments in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Afghanistan), and an MBA from Michigan R...

When I sat down with Lamar Flatt — former Harvard basketball player, USC law graduate, and now partner at Best & Flatt, P.A. — I knew we’d cover a lot of ground. Lamar’s story takes him from the court to the courtroom, starting his law career in Savannah, GA, before returning to South Carolina, and he’s built a reputation as both a sharp attorney and a lifelong learner.  In our conversation, we ta...

Michael Pace is back on Noob School for the third time, and every conversation with him feels like catching up with an old friend. We swap stories from our careers, dig into the pros and cons of comp plans, and talk about how AI tools are changing the way we work in sales and entrepreneurship. One of my favorite parts of this conversation is how Michael frames “being a noob” — not as a weakness, b...

In this episode of Noob School, I catch up with Scott Millwood, a familiar voice in the Greenville startup scene and co-founder of Founderville, a venture capital fund based right here in Greenville, SC. Scott shares his journey after Datastream, diving into some of the ventures he’s led and the successes he’s achieved along the way. We spend time discussing his current focus at Founderville. The...

I’m thrilled to welcome Bill Rice to Noob School for Episode 151 — joining us over Zoom to talk about how counterintelligence thinking, data-driven marketing, and AI are reshaping lead generation and business exits. Bill’s one of those rare people who’s walked serious, structured careers in two very different worlds. He started his professional life as a U.S. Air Force officer running counterespio...

In Episode 150 of Noob School , I sit down with David Shaner of Greenville, SC—Principal of CONNECT Consulting LLC and longtime advisor to leaders who want to strengthen culture and performance. Our conversation touches on a wide range of leadership lessons, from the small signals that can shape company culture, to how leaders build trust across an organization, to why transparency—financial and o...

Dive deep with us in Noob School Episode 149, featuring Diana Herrmann Davis, Assistant Director of Employer Recruitment and Center Operations at The Citadel. Diana walks us through her multifaceted career—from her polished beginnings at NASCAR, where she shaped media communications and archival storytelling, to dynamic roles in higher education career services at institutions like the University...

In Episode 148 of Noob School, I talk with Kevin Farrell — a retired U.S. Army Colonel and now the President and CEO of Battlefield Leadership. Kevin’s career has spanned the military, academia, consulting, and even Hollywood, where he served as the senior military advisor on the Brad Pitt film Fury. But through all of it, one theme has stayed constant: leadership matters, especially under pressur...

On this episode of Noob School, I sit down with Monica Seitz—a sharp young professional who’s already packing a lot of experience and perspective into the early stages of her sales career. Monica grew up on a farm in Kentucky, where she spent her early years showing horses and getting her first hands-on experience with sales at horse auctions.  That kind of upbringing tends to shape a person—teach...

Marty Osborn is back on the show, and we’re digging into some serious business strategy in this episode. If you’ve ever thought about buying a business—or selling one—this conversation is packed with value. We talk through what makes a company an attractive acquisition, how to evaluate opportunities, and what the process really looks like when you’re trying to find the right fit. Whether you’re a...

Jack Sterling is back, and this time, we’re getting straight into business—what works, what doesn’t, and what entrepreneurs need to know. We kick things off with an important discussion about the Rupert Huse Veterans Center and how they’re helping veterans successfully transition into new careers. Then, we dig into the nuts and bolts of entrepreneurship. Jack shares insights on the biggest differe...

In this episode of the Noob School podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Marion Crawford, the dynamic founder and CEO of Crawford, a full-service marketing and brand strategy firm based in Greenville, South Carolina. Marion's journey from her early education to leading a successful agency is both inspiring and insightful. Marion began her career in journalism, working on the Nightly New...

What does it take to go from an All-American athlete to a Navy SEAL, then transition into a successful sales career in the tech industry? In this episode of Noob School , I sit down with Troy Pusateri , whose journey is a masterclass in discipline, purpose, and perseverance. Growing up around Baltimore, Troy excelled in swimming, becoming an All-American at Clemson University . But instead of taki...

Get ready for an inspiring conversation on Noob School as I sit down with Chuck Crumpton—an entrepreneur who truly knows the ups and downs of business. Chuck shares how his determination helped him score a pivotal deal with Johnson & Johnson, even when the odds were stacked against him. We dive into his experiences founding Medpoint, selling successful companies, and now leading Bull Street Merger...

In this episode of Noob School, I sit down with Scott Thomas, a man who has built an impressive career at the intersection of leadership, strategy, and growth. From leading high-stakes missions as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force to serving as Group CEO at Constellation Software, Scott has spent decades perfecting the art of building and scaling businesses. Now, as a as an advisor and guide to CEOs...

In this episode of Noob School , I sit down with John McDonald—Navy veteran, entrepreneur, and the mastermind behind Fabtech Solutions. John’s story is one of discipline, adaptability, and a relentless drive to build something bigger than himself. We kick things off with a deep dive into John's journey—from his college days to his time in the Navy, where he specialized in avionics. His military ex...

In this episode of Noob School , we’re joined by Parker Smith, president of Golf Trek, a premier provider of Myrtle Beach golf vacations and packages. Since taking the helm in 2006, Parker has played a key role in shaping the company’s growth and establishing its reputation for exceptional service in the competitive golf tourism market. Parker talks about his journey into the family business and t...

In this episode of Noob School , I’m joined by an incredibly insightful guest, Walker McKay, a sales coach and expert who’s helping businesses transform their sales strategies and close deals faster and more profitably. Walker is the founder of No BS Sales School Podcast and a seasoned sales consultant based in Greenville, South Carolina. He’s worked with a wide range of industries—everything from...

In this special episode of Noob School, the tables are turned. Instead of hosting, I’m in the hot seat, with Marty Osborn leading the conversation. We take a deep dive into my journey through the sales world, from my early days as a rookie to where I am now. Marty and I talk about the people, the challenges, and the key moments that have shaped my career over the years. Throughout the episode, we...