The Business of You with Rachel Gogos

What if the most important people in a company are the ones no one talks about? They're the builders behind the scenes. The operators who organize chaos, fix what's broken, and quietly turn vision into reality. Scaling isn't glamorous — but it's essential. In this episode, we explore what it really takes to grow companies fast and smart , and how AI is accelerating the shift toward adaptable, cros...

If you've ever dreamed of launching a physical product—turning an idea into something tangible—you've probably noticed how overwhelming the process can feel. Manufacturing, sourcing, quality control, logistics, global suppliers…every step has layers most founders never see until they're already in trouble. In a world where disruptions happen daily and the global economy shifts without warning, the...

If you've ever looked at Amazon and wondered how some brands scale effortlessly while others disappear into a sea of competitors, you're not alone. Amazon can feel like an unpredictable giant—full of opportunity, but also packed with complexity. And as more entrepreneurs jump in, the brands that win aren't the ones chasing trends…they're the ones building with intention. Today's guest, Pasha Knish...

Have you ever wondered why some brands seem to crack the code with paid ads while others burn through budget with nothing to show for it?  If you've ever dabbled in Google Ads—or avoided them out of fear of expensive mistakes—this conversation will open your eyes to what's possible when strategy and execution align.  John Horn, CEO of StubGroup, has helped hundreds of companies transform underperf...

You know that moment when someone sees something in you long before you're ready to claim it? For many leaders, that moment becomes the spark that changes everything. For Vicky Brown, it was the gentle (yet persistent) nudge that pushed her from devoted "number two" to founder of a thriving HR firm that's been supporting high-performance companies for more than two decades. Too often, business own...

When success starts to feel like stress, what if your body could tell you why? For high-achievers, it's easy to push harder, hustle faster, and ignore the quiet signals of exhaustion. But for Keri Ford, those signals became her greatest teachers. A former Creative Director turned award-winning CEO, Keri discovered that the real key to high performance isn't found in strategy or mindset — it's foun...

What if the fastest way to grow your business isn't marketing harder, but speaking smarter? In this episode, Dr. Danny Brassell shares how to make storytelling and public speaking your most powerful tools for attracting clients, building authority, and confidently closing deals.  Known as the "Jim Carrey with a Ph. D.," Danny has spoken to over 3,500 audiences worldwide and co-founded The WellCraf...

What happens when business growth outpaces the guardrails that keep it sustainable? This week, I sit down with Bennett Maxwell, serial entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Franchise KI—best known for scaling Dirty Dough Cookies from one store to over 450 franchises sold in just two years.  After experiencing both the highs and the chaos of hypergrowth, Bennett now helps entrepreneurs build wealt...

Most founders focus on selling their products, but few take the time to teach people why they matter. For Shizu Okusa, that difference has become her biggest advantage in business. A former Wall Street trader turned wellness entrepreneur, Shizu is the founder and CEO of Apothékary–a brand known as "Mother Nature's Pharmacy."  What started in her kitchen, mixing herbs like maca and ashwagandha, has...

When your past has been uprooted, how do you hold on to who you are? For Haleh Shoa, that question shaped her life. At just nine years old, she fled Iran with her family during the Revolution — carrying little more than a few cherished photos. Those images became her connection to home, her culture, and her story. Decades later, after a thriving career in luxury advertising, Haleh realized that st...

Billboards are back–and smarter than ever. Forget pop-ups and crowded social feeds. Forward-thinking marketers are reimagining out-of-home advertising as a precision growth channel and yielding real results. Today's guest is Greg Wise, Co-Founder and Chief Customer Officer at OneScreen.ai, where he's helping modern brands move beyond the screen and back into the streets.  After starting his career...

What really happens behind the glossy headlines of startup success? For every bold founder story, there's a quiet trail of "scar tissue"—the hard-earned lessons that shape how leaders grow. In this episode, Jonathan "JJ" Jeffries , Co-Founder and CEO of Think & Grow , shares what 16 years in the trenches with companies like Stripe, Square, Dropbox, and Peloton have taught him about scaling—and why...

Has your business hit a growth plateau? If so, this episode is for you. Because building a brand isn't just about good design or smart strategy–it's about finding your voice and using it to create opportunities. In this special conversation, I joined Brian Mattocks on The Hard to Market Podcast to talk about the lessons I've learned running The brandiD for more than 15 years, and why your voice is...

Have you ever wondered why your content isn't converting into clients?  The answer might be that posting is not the same as selling. Today's guest breaks down how to build an online personal brand that attracts attention and a sales pipeline that closes deals. Danielle Cevallos is the President of The Conviction Marketing Agency, The Advance Innovation Society, and Kelly Roach International. With...

What if your brand wasn't just about marketing, but about rethinking every single touchpoint your customer experiences? That's the approach Michael Jacobson took when he bought his uncle's struggling flower shop. Today, French Florist has grown from the brink of closure to Los Angeles' largest flower shop, generating over $9 million in revenue and expanding nationally through franchising.  Under M...

Want to be seen as the go‑to expert in your space?  Start with a book. Not just for sales, but for shaping a brand that people recognize, trust, and remember. This is a special episode where I joined Christine on the Your Daily Writing Habit. I shared how, over 14 years at The brandiD, I've helped entrepreneurs, authors, and thought leaders grow their businesses online. Why Your Book Can Be the Fa...

How do you go from two people and an idea to 32 employees and 125+ clients in just 12 months?  That's exactly what Dennis Meador did, and in this episode, he shares the strategies that made it possible. Dennis is the CEO and Founder of The Legal Podcast Network, where he helps legal professionals transform their expertise into content that drives authority and growth.  With over two decades of ent...

If "you" online isn't the same you who shows up in person, you're not alone.  Most founders haven't taken the time to align their personal identity with how they present themselves online. But that clarity–on the inside and out–is what gives your brand staying power. This is a special episode where I joined Jesse Paliotto on FastSpring's Growth Stage podcast to talk about personal branding, founde...

Writing a book can transform your personal brand and business, but too many authors get stuck battling that nagging inner critic:  "Will anyone even read this?" Susie deVille and AJ Harper explain how that voice isn't a stop sign. It's a signal you're onto something worth sharing. Susie is the founder of the Innovation and Creativity Institute and bestselling author of Buoyant: The Entrepreneur's...

Is the way you handle your business finances helping you grow or holding you back? From starting out in a small Alaska town to running a thriving, multi-location accounting firm, Tanya Akimenko has seen firsthand how financial missteps can derail even the most promising small businesses. As the founder of Golden Apple Agency, she helps business owners across the U.S. organize their finances, save...

76% of buyers Google you before they reach out. If your brand isn't showing them the real you, it might be holding you back more than you think. In this episode, I sat down with Chris at FlowChat to talk about one of my favorite topics: how personal branding and your identity as a founder shape every part of your business, from the copy on your homepage to the culture inside your team. What Person...

What would you do if your first major order, worth $400,000, fell apart in your customer's hands…and there was no one to refund you? For Mike Watts, it wasn't the end. It was the beginning of a comeback story that transformed a product idea into an America-made brand built on grit, values, and legacy. Mike is a serial entrepreneur with six product-based startups and over $80 million in retail sale...

Your website has 5 seconds to make a first impression. Is yours working for you, or against you? If your homepage is cluttered, confusing, or unclear, chances are your visitors aren't sticking around. And in today's digital-first world, that could be costing you more than you think. This is an episode where I take part in a Super Learning Session with Page Two, a publishing company. We covered eve...

What if the fastest way to grow your business was simply…asking? Referrals aren't just nice to have–they're the most trusted and efficient way to land new clients. But most business owners either forget to ask or are concerned about appearing too pushy. This week, we're joined by Brandon Barnum, CEO of HOA.com and author of Raving Referrals. After growing his income 10X in only 18 months by master...

What if the real key to scaling your business isn't strategy or capital, but empathy? That's the belief driving today's guest, David Steele. With a career spanning finance, hospitality, and the arts, David is the Founder and CEO of One Wealth Advisors, Executive Chairman of Flour + Water Hospitality Group, and Managing Partner at Great Gold Hospitality Group. He's also a playwright, visual artist,...