The Authority Builder Podcast

You build a business quickly… and then hit a wall. No more growth. You flatline. Paul Rush, Founder and CEO of Substantial, is a veteran entrepreneur who’s faced that problem more than once.    He shares how he pushed through. And it turns out that there are three key strategies to overcoming those obstacles and pushing on to the next level. One thing to realize is that failure isn’t failure – it’...

As a financial advisor, Nicole Middendorf of Prosperwell Financial often feels more like a psychologist. She finds she has to change her clients’ mindset about money… and even gets involved in a sort of couples counseling.    We talk about that, as well as the roundabout career path that got her to where she is today, why she wouldn’t trade it, and what she learned along the way that she still use...

SEO is the big buzzword in Internet marketing these days. But the majority of the apps, plugins, and “tricks” you hear about are just smoke and mirrors, says Brendan Hufford, SEO Director at Clique Studios.  To get that high Google ranking and the resulting traffic to your website you need a more methodical, thoughtful approach… and it’s actually easier to do. Plus, SEO isn’t the only element you...

Before you can be an effective leader, there’s one member of the team you have to get “buy-in” from first, says Deb Calvert, founder of People First Productivity Solutions. Hint: It’s not a top manager or key employee. We also talk about what many business owners perceive as a “necessary evil”: sales. But that’s exactly the wrong way to think about it, says Deb. We talk about the attitude you need...

We’re having conversations with ourselves all the time. Unfortunately, says Bert Martinez, often that self-talk is negative… and impacting your ability to achieve goals and build your business.   Bert, who consults with Fortune 500 companies, as well as small businesses, shares his simple technique for achieving a positive mindset that helps you solve problems and push past obstacles.    He also t...

Doug Hall believes in entrepreneurship… he believes in entrepreneurs. And with his business, Resources for CEOs, he strives to help them overcome the challenges that are holding them back from getting everything they want out of their business.   It’s not just money. But the freedom to live their life.  We talk about how to get there, including a unique “operating system” for companies that has no...

Many business owners, especially professional service providers, downright fear selling… or they think of it as a necessary evil.    Liz J. Simpson, founder of B2B sales consultancy Stimulyst, helps them embrace sales - and make it easy and fun. First, with techniques for changing their attitude. Second, with tools and techniques that anybody can use to boost their business development efforts and...

As they build a business, most entrepreneurs don’t understand just how much that process can impact their marriage, say doctors Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson, co-founders of Silicon Valley’s The Couples Institute and married couple for 36 years.   The good news is that the strategies to make for a successful relationship at home… also work in the business world. We talk about setting priorities, t...

In 2014, Tracy Enos fired all her digital marketing clients to focus on LinkedIn consulting… and has been unstoppable ever since.   But she’s no ordinary LinkedIn expert. She’s not a big fan of the “shiny” tools that bring in views, likes, and comments – and help your posts “go viral.”    She focuses on things that actually turn into dollars for her clients’ businesses. We discuss the foundation o...

Healthcare and insurance is on everybody’s mind these days, for both employees and employers.   There don’t seem to be any easy answers in this great national debate. Allison De Paoli is making a difference among her clients by making health coverage affordable and effective.  She’s making it more efficient and cutting unnecessary costs without sacrificing quality coverage that makes you a competi...

It’s something every professional service provider or entrepreneur learns very quickly after they start their business, says Andy Paul: They have the education, the experience, the expertise… they’re good at what they do. But they don’t know how to sell their services… maybe they’re even afraid or ashamed to sell. But this founder of The Sales House has the antidote. He says method, training, and...

Most people only seek out legal help as a last resort, when the proverbial “house is on fire.” Big mistake, says Scott Reib, because most matters could be handled simply and inexpensively.    Scott tells us about one key change he’s made when charging for his services that attracts more clients – and keeps them happy enough that they come back again and again.  It’s a business model that many prof...

If you’re a parent, especially if you have a kid in college, you can’t miss this episode. Same with any companies that might be hiring now or in the future.    Beth Hendler-Grunt, of Next Great Step, is a career coach specializing in helping recent college grads land that all important first job… which can set the stage for their whole career.   She shares what students should be doing right now t...

Back in my engineering days pricing drove me nuts. There was this thing known as a “market rate”—the sort of standard within the industry for what you should charge. But I didn’t like the standard. It didn’t leave much profit, and it was driven by the firm that was willing to sell their time for less. And, there’s always someone who will choose to sell for less. For a long time that really......pi...

In this week’s episode of the podcast, I tackle a question that has come up several times lately… “How can I connect with potential clients, without spamming them with cold emails, calls, or LinkedIn requests…and actually get them to reply?” Great question. In this episode, I’m going to show you how I reach out to prospects, and not only get replies but get excited, enthusiastic replies… they want...

The very best professional athletes are famous for their focus. In business, focus is a key to success but not the way you’d assume, says Thane Marcus Ringler.   One element is take what our mentors and teachers have taught us and take it to the next level. Thane shares how you can make that leap and propel forward progress by being… simplistic.    He says the key is a way of thinking – a mental m...

Yesterday, I was on a webinar and my friend Jim Padilla shared a picture of a cute little bear cub. It was standing on it’s hind legs in a beautiful mountain stream. You could see the cool water splashing around the cub. And, inches away, in mid-air was a mountain lion, on the attack…. The mountain lion was completely focused on the bear cub, which, it turns out is a problem. In the background of...

Entrepreneur and author Paul Jarvis has an ideal customer type: people who are paying attention. He explains what that means and how it’s connected to staying well away from social media marketing.   In a world obsessed with explosive business growth, Paul also has a more cautious take that still makes for a profitable business. The key element: the relationship you have with your customers.   Alo...

How do you go from the lowest of low points to reaching your most important goals? One decision at a time, says Adam Schaeuble, a.k.a. the PHD (Previously Heavy Dude).   Adam shares how he achieved a remarkable physical and business transformation by doing at least one thing every day. And you don’t have to be in dire straits to make it work.    His strategies work when your business has plateaued...

The true freedom of freelancing can seem out of reach at times, especially at the beginning. Jason Resnick knows all too well that you have to remember you’re building a business as a foundation for the lifestyle.   A big part of that – and securing long term clients and reliable income - is setting yourself apart from the competition. Jason also shares how he is able to form mutually beneficial r...

Referrals are one of the most lucrative sources of new business. But, says referral expert Michael Roderick, you won’t get referrals if your business and your marketing isn’t set up the right way.   Michael shares his secrets for making your brand memorable… and referable. A lot of it has to do with the language you use when talking about your business.   Michael has tips for finding and capturing...

In general, salespeople don’t like when technology is applied to the sales process, says Adam Honig. It cramps their style.  But, as founder and CEO of Spiro Technologies, Adam has found a way to inject the latest tech in order to move prospects through the pipeline faster and easier… in a way that sales teams embrace. One way is to give each salesperson a very specialized type of assistant – that...

Jason Blumer, of Blumer CPAs, specializes in helping creative, service-based companies go beyond the founder by putting together a team, one that must grow for the business to grow.  But you can’t hire just anyone. And you can’t manage and lead 20 people like you did five.  Jason has solid strategies for making that transition, creating a strategy for consistent growth…and having the patience to l...

We just hit 100 episodes!! Thank you for being a part of the journey. In this episode, I share the big lessons I’ve learned after 100 episodes on how to use a podcast to get clients. Here’s what I cover… The role of a podcast in your marketing (it’s not what most people think). How to judge success. Why a podcast is the best “door opener” in your toolkit. How to stay interesting and relevant to pr...

Jim Padilla, business coach, sales expert, and founder of Gain the Edge, says most people are going about sales all wrong. For one, they buy into a myth about how a business is supposed to grow that actually stalls growth – and causes unnecessary stress and worry. If you’re uncomfortable with sales… if you feel you must follow a rigid sales system to be successful… you need to hear the alternative...