Podcast
Your Business Growth Podcast
Hosted by Jeremy B. Shapiro | Entrepreneurship and Business Growth Coach · EN
Welcome, fellow business owner, to Your Business Growth Podcast, the companion show to Jeremy Shapiro's book Your Business Growth Playbook, dedicated to helping you break through those frustrating plateaus and get back to scaling your business!
If you’re an established entrepreneur who’s seen success but now feels like more hustle just isn’t working anymore, or if your expenses keep getting higher but revenue isn’t keeping up, then you’re in the right place.
Our goal is to uncover the tactical and strategic methods that help businesses like yours increase not just revenue, but also profits.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Stop Overthinking Business with Rael Bricker
1w ago00:43:04Tap to summarizeWhat would you do if you built a successful consulting business—and then watched your revenue disappear almost overnight?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro interviews entrepreneur, author, and professional speaker Rael Bricker about the series of high-stakes decisions that took him from losing a major consulting contract to building an education company with thousands of students and eventually acquiring nine companies in just 18 months.Rael's entrepreneurial career began with confidence, ambition, and two young MBA graduates convinced they could build a consulting firm.They landed a major contract and delivered results.Then an international consulting firm entered the picture, advised their client to eliminate other consultants, and Rael's business suddenly lost its primary source of revenue.That setback forced a completely different direction.Rael and his partner entered education with just 20 students. Through aggressive guerrilla marketing, strong timing, and a growing demand for education in South Africa, that small operation eventually grew to approximately 4,000 students.Then another event changed everything.After an armed man entered the business carrying an AK-47 and threatened Rael and his students, Rael decided it was time to find an exit.What followed was an extraordinary period of expansion.Rael shares how:✔️ A major consulting loss created an entirely new business opportunity✔️ 20 students eventually became approximately 4,000✔️ A massive physical guerrilla marketing campaign drove student acquisition✔️ One frightening incident forced him to rethink his future✔️ A reverse listing provided an alternative path to the public market✔️ Nine companies were acquired in approximately 18 months✔️ Acquisitions expanded the company from diploma education into degrees and private schooling✔️ The company's share price moved from approximately 90 cents to 14 rand during the expansionIn this episode, we discuss:✔️ What to do when a major client disappears✔️ Why self-belief has to be backed by customer value✔️ Finding opportunity when outside events disrupt your plans✔️ How guerrilla marketing helped build an education company✔️ Growing from one location into multiple campuses✔️ How a reverse listing works✔️ Building an acquisition strategy around products and customer groups✔️ The dangers of acquiring companies without enough attention to culture✔️ Why 27 spreadsheets may be 26 too many✔️ Acting before every detail is perfect✔️ Changing direction without abandoning your larger mission✔️ The KPIs Rael uses to manage his financial services businessRael also shares lessons on:✔️ The 2013 health scare that changed his priorities✔️ Selling approximately $1 billion in mortgages from the stage✔️ Turning decades of business experience into professional speaking✔️ Writing and publishing Dive In✔️ Using a book as a business calling card✔️ Why Radical Candor shaped his approach to leadership✔️ Finding mentors who challenge how you think👉 Connect with Rael Bricker: • Rael Bricker's website: https://raelbricker.com/ • Rael Bricker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rael-bricker • Rael Bricker on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rael.bricker • Rael Bricker on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raelbricker📘 Hosted by Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth Playbook ( https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/ )Chapters:00:00 Office Gun Threat01:02 Podcast Setup01:19 MBA Confidence Origins03:00 Landing Eskom Contract06:54 Client Loss Pivot09:58 Campus Startup Hustle11:56 Guerrilla Marketing Boom16:25 Activism And AK4720:28 Reverse Listing Exit22:25 Acquisition Rollup Strategy27:04 Share Price Surge28:44 Beating Analysis Paralysis31:30 2013 Health Wakeup35:01 Writing Dive In37:40 KPIs And Rapid Fire41:37 Final Recap And Links🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!
Transcribe →
Your Business Owns You with Maria Gallucci
2w ago00:38:01Tap to summarizeWhat happens when your business is growing—but you're working nonstop and every decision still depends on you?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro interviews Maria Gallucci about how she went from handling nearly everything herself to building a team and national referral network that helped her scale to approximately $30 million in annual real estate sales volume.Maria's connection to real estate started early. As a child of deaf adults (CODA), American Sign Language was her first language. At just 12 years old, she helped her parents through the purchase of their first home after seeing firsthand how difficult the process could be without accessible communication.That experience eventually became the foundation of a 35-year real estate career serving the deaf and hard of hearing community.But success created another problem.Maria found herself working constantly. Clients could reach her at virtually any hour, every problem came through her, and the business was consuming the life she had worked so hard to build.Instead of simply working more, she began building systems, delegating responsibilities, and creating leverage.In this episode, we discuss:✔️ How Maria turned a personal experience into a highly specialised real estate business✔️ Why working 24/7 eventually became unsustainable✔️ Moving from solopreneur to team-based business owner✔️ Why letting go was one of the hardest parts of scaling✔️ Building a nationwide ASL real estate referral network✔️ How specialisation generated stronger word-of-mouth referrals✔️ Becoming highly visible in traditional search and AI results✔️ Using YouTube, books, speaking, and testimonials to build authority✔️ Why relationships outperform cold leads for Maria✔️ Creating systems that allow a business to operate without the owner doing everythingMaria also shares lessons on:✔️ Serving deaf and hard of hearing buyers and sellers✔️ Making business communication more accessible✔️ Building trust through American Sign Language✔️ Maintaining client relationships after the transaction✔️ Surviving changing real estate markets✔️ Investing in real estate for long-term wealth✔️ Using a team to create more time for advocacy, writing, and nonprofit work👉 Learn more about Maria Gallucci:• Maria Gallucci: https://galluccihomes.com/• Raised in Silence: https://raisedinsilence.com/• Maria Gallucci on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-gallucci-18725b9/📘 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth Playbook ( https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/ )Chapters:00:00 Burnout Wake Up Call00:18 Meet Maria Gallucci02:07 First Deals and Real Estate Grind03:49 CODA Roots and ASL Advantage05:33 Advocacy and Accessibility Barriers07:40 Building a Team and Systems10:49 Letting Go to Scale12:37 Niching Down for Impact14:24 National Referral Network16:37 Book and Speaking Visibility19:33 AI Search Rankings Strategy21:21 Market Shifts and Value Communication25:52 Investing Beyond Commissions28:12 Advocacy and Raised in Silence32:46 KPIs Referrals and Client Care34:24 Rapid Fire and Wrap UpKeywords: Maria Gallucci, Jeremy Shapiro, real estate business, ASL real estate, deaf real estate agent, real estate referrals, business systems, real estate marketing, American Sign Language, CODA, entrepreneurship, scaling a business, referral marketing, real estate investing, delegation, business growth, real estate podcast#RealEstate #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #RealEstateInvesting #Leadership #PodcastWant to be a guest on Your Business Growth Podcast? Send Jeremy Shapiro a message on PodMatch, here: https://podmatch.com/hostdetail/your_business_growth_podcast🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, and business leaders sharing real lessons on growth, leadership, and building sustainable companies. @YourBusinessGrowthPlaybook
Transcribe →
How a Business Pivot Created an 8-Figure Exit | Aaron Jensen
3w ago00:55:48Tap to summarizeWhat if the business model that made you successful became the very thing holding your company back?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro interviews entrepreneur Aaron Jensen about how he built one of the world's largest GoHighLevel reseller businesses, survived a collapsing real estate market, pivoted into insurance, and ultimately achieved an eight-figure business exit.Aaron explains why recurring revenue, pricing strategy, operational control, and continuous testing became the keys to building a stronger and more valuable company.In this episode, we discuss:✔️ Building a multi-million-dollar business from door-to-door sales experience✔️ Becoming one of the largest GoHighLevel resellers in the world✔️ Why one-time revenue models eventually become stressful✔️ The risks of outsourcing your core operations✔️ Bringing fulfillment back in-house for higher quality and better margins✔️ Pivoting from real estate to insurance after the housing downturn✔️ Using recurring revenue to stabilize cash flow✔️ The "popcorn pricing" strategy that increased average sales✔️ Managing remote sales teams with KPIs and accountability✔️ Building businesses that buyers actually want to acquireAaron also shares lessons on:✔️ Entrepreneurship and resilience✔️ Pricing psychology✔️ Remote leadership✔️ Business systems and operations✔️ Building companies with the end in mind👉 Connect with Aaron Jensen: • Climb with Ridgewell Insurance: https://www.climbwithridgewell.com/ • Aaron Jensen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-jensen101/📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth Playbook ( https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/ )Chapters:00:00 Scaling Stress Begins01:36 Door to Door Grit03:37 Brick and Mortar Lessons05:07 Real Estate Offer Breakthrough07:08 Top Reseller Growth Story09:58 Hamster Wheel Fulfillment11:20 Outsourcing vs In House16:01 Market Crash Reality Check19:33 Pivot to Insurance21:16 Recurring Revenue Model26:17 Popcorn Pricing Playbook30:11 Popcorn Pricing Psychology30:59 Trust Based Selling32:16 Modernizing Insurance Sales33:53 Upsells And Sales KPIs37:16 Remote Team Accountability39:43 Selling The Company40:55 Building An Insurance Agency44:40 Audit Your Life For Fit48:52 Entrepreneur Archetypes And Partners50:36 Rapid Fire And Wrap UpKeywords: Aaron Jensen, Jeremy Shapiro, GoHighLevel, business growth, recurring revenue, insurance marketing, real estate marketing, entrepreneurship, pricing strategy, business systems, business pivot, scaling a business, remote teams, business exit, leadership#podcast #businessgrowth #Entrepreneurship #RecurringRevenue #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #PodcastWant to be a guest on Your Business Growth Podcast? Send Jeremy Shapiro a message on PodMatch, here: https://podmatch.com/hostdetail/your_business_growth_podcast🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop! Additional Resources:Full Episode Details with Aaron Jensen: https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/s2e31-growth-nearly-killed-us-aaron-jensen/Your Business Growth Podcast: https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/podcast/Your Business Growth Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourBusinessGrowthPlaybook?sub_confirmation=1Watch this episode with Aaron Jensen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2J7F3dTQ-lQGet the Book, Your Business Growth Playbook today: https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/#signup
Transcribe →
How to Recover After Losing a Major Client (40% Revenue Drop) — Jon Morris, Rise Interactive and Fiscal Advocate
4w ago00:46:26Tap to summarizeJeremy Shapiro interviews Jon Morris, founder of Rise Interactive and Fiscal Advocate, about surviving a sudden loss of a top client that cost 40% of revenue. Jon shares the financial decisions, leadership mindset shifts, and growth strategies he used to stabilize cash flow, diversify clients, and rebuild for long-term growth. Key takeaways: practical steps to recover after client loss, how to prioritize short-term liquidity vs. strategic investments, and leadership actions to guide teams through crisis.What would you do if your biggest client disappeared overnight and took 40% of your revenue with them?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro interviews Jon Morris, founder of Rise Interactive and Fiscal Advocate, about the financial decisions, leadership mindset, and growth strategy that transformed a major business crisis into the foundation for building one of the world's largest independent digital marketing agencies.Jon shares how disciplined decision-making, investing in sales, and focusing on the right business metrics allowed his company to recover stronger than ever.In this episode, we discuss:✔️ Losing 40% of revenue during the 2008 financial crisis✔️ Why salary reductions saved the company from layoffs✔️ Building one of the earliest digital marketing agencies✔️ The power of incremental business growth✔️ Hiring a salesperson who transformed company growth✔️ Why customer retention is every CEO's top priority✔️ The three KPIs every founder should monitor✔️ Building predictable sales systems and partnerships✔️ Scaling professional service businesses sustainably✔️ Preparing a business for long-term success and exitJon also shares lessons on:✔️ Leadership during economic uncertainty✔️ Cash flow management and financial discipline✔️ Sales hiring and performance management✔️ Agency growth strategies✔️ Long-term thinking for entrepreneurs👉 Learn more about Jon Morris:• Fiscal Advocate: https://fiscaladvocate.com/📘 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth Playbook (https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/) Chapters00:00 Pay Cut Gamble01:12 Origin Story Prize Money02:08 Pivot to Done For You03:44 Early Digital Marketing Days07:04 Incrementalist Mindset08:30 Losing the Biggest Client10:24 Salary Cuts Not Layoffs12:38 All Hands Comeback Plan15:43 Hiring for Hustle Culture21:36 Big Sales Hire Howard26:16 Diversifying Revenue Streams29:07 Scaling Sales and Marketing32:25 From Twelve to Forty Million35:53 KPI Framework for Exit40:37 Rapid Fire Lessons45:25 Wrap Up and Where to Find JonKeywords: Jon Morris, John Morris, Jeremy Shapiro, Rise Interactive, Fiscal Advocate, digital marketing, agency growth, entrepreneurship, leadership, customer retention, sales strategy, financial management, business growth, CEO, marketing agency, business podcast#businessgrowth #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #DigitalMarketing #BusinessStrategy #PodcastWant to be a guest on Your Business Growth Podcast? Send Jeremy Shapiro a message on PodMatch, here: https://podmatch.com/hostdetail/your_business_growth_podcast 🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop! @YourBusinessGrowthPlaybookAdditional Resources:Full Episode Details with Jon Morris: https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/s2e30-growth-isnt-accident-jon-morris/Your Business Growth Podcast: https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/podcast/Your Business Growth Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourBusinessGrowthPlaybook?sub_confirmation=1Watch this episode with Jon Morris on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4b5Jp5LEGsEGet the Book, Your Business Growth Playbook today: https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/#signup
Transcribe →
Business Growth Mindset: Profit and Scaling Lessons from a Family Floral Business — Steve Barton
Jul 700:53:01Tap to summarizeJeremy Shapiro interviews Steve Barton, former owner of a third‑generation family floral business, about how mindset — not just operations — can block growth. Steve shares unconventional decisions and leadership shifts founders can use to improve profit and scale. Ideal for established small‑business owners and entrepreneurs seeking tactical mindset changes to break growth plateaus.What if the biggest obstacle to growing your business isn't your operations—but your mindset?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro interviews Steve Barton, former owner of a third-generation family floral business, about the unconventional decisions that transformed a stagnant company into a highly profitable business that ultimately sold successfully.Steve explains how he unexpectedly took over the business at age 22, overcame years of growth plateaus, dramatically improved profit margins by moving up the supply chain, and built a company that attracted buyers.In this episode, we discuss:✔️ Taking over a family business after an unexpected crisis✔️ Growing from six figures to more than $2 million in revenue✔️ Why revenue without profit creates unnecessary stress✔️ Becoming your own wholesaler to increase margins✔️ Using acquisitions to expand market share✔️ Creative marketing strategies that dominated a local market✔️ Simplifying customer buying decisions through packaging✔️ Why entrepreneurs should create their own opportunities instead of competing for existing ones✔️ The financial metrics every business owner should monitor✔️ Building a business with a successful exit in mindSteve also shares lessons on:✔️ Leadership inside family businesses✔️ Marketing psychology and branding✔️ Profit-first thinking✔️ Business exits and succession planning✔️ Awareness, mindset, and entrepreneurial growth👉 Connect with Steve Barton:• SteveBartonCoaching.com/📘 Hosted by Jeremy B. Shapiro, Author of Your Business Growth Playbook ( https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/ )Chapters:00:00 Vow To Sell Big01:49 Family Flower Shop Roots02:51 FTD And Early Expansion04:40 Direct Mail Growth Playbook05:46 Family Business Boundaries06:49 Taking Over After Stroke09:28 Leading At Twenty Two10:30 Marketing Mindset No Box12:07 Becoming Your Own Wholesaler15:58 Competing With Supermarkets18:09 Mural Not Billboard Branding25:01 Yellow Pages Packaging Wins28:09 Yellow Pages Dominance28:37 Brand Awareness Proof30:10 Selling With Visuals30:34 Plateaus And Breakthroughs31:34 Exit Plan And Rollups33:41 Wedding Business Scale35:06 Premium Pricing Tactics38:44 Tracking Key Metrics40:29 Coaching And Harvard Pitch42:42 Game Of 10 Explained46:02 Books And Mentors51:15 Wrap Up And Next StepsKeywords: Steve Barton, Jeremy Shapiro, family business, business growth, business exit, entrepreneurship, acquisitions, wholesale business, profitability, marketing strategy, leadership, mindset, business coaching, scaling a business, business podcast#BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #BusinessExit #podcastWant to be a guest on Your Business Growth Podcast? Send Jeremy Shapiro a message on PodMatch, here: https://podmatch.com/hostdetail/your_business_growth_podcast🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!Additional Resources:Your Business Growth Podcast: https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/podcast/Your Business Growth Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourBusinessGrowthPlaybook?sub_confirmation=1Watch this episode with Steve Barton on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YVt7G_IMRuUGet the Book, Your Business Growth Playbook today!: https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/#signup
Transcribe →
Pricing Strategy to Scale Without Employees — Joel Miller (The Sky Floor)
Jun 3000:51:10Tap to summarizeLearn the pricing strategy Joel Miller (co-founder, The Sky Floor) used to sustain 18 years of growth without employees or outside investment. Jeremy Shapiro and Joel unpack practical pricing choices and business trade-offs you can apply today: setting profitable price points, pricing to reduce operational complexity, and pricing as a growth lever. Ideal for solo founders and bootstrapped businesses seeking repeatable, low-overhead scale.What if you could grow your business for 18 straight years—without employees, outside investment, or working around the clock?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro interviews Joel Miller, co-founder of The Sky Floor, about the pricing strategy that transformed his agency from exhausting 80-hour workweeks into a sustainable, profitable business built around value instead of time.Joel explains why hourly billing keeps agencies trapped, how asking better questions creates better clients, and why success doesn't have to mean building a massive team.After years of defending invoices and tracking every hour worked, Joel and his twin brother Alan completely changed their approach by focusing on client outcomes rather than billable time.In this episode, we discuss:✔️ Why hourly billing creates conflict with clients✔️ How value-based pricing changes the sales conversation✔️ Asking strategic questions that uncover real business problems✔️ Building six-year average client relationships through trust✔️ Why publishing pricing can improve lead quality✔️ Overcoming the fear of charging premium prices✔️ Growing revenue without hiring employees✔️ Why proactive problem-solving creates loyal clients✔️ Setting healthy business boundaries without hurting customer service✔️ Rejecting the "scale or die" mindsetJoel also shares lessons on:✔️ Pricing psychology✔️ Long-term client retention✔️ Premium positioning for service businesses✔️ Entrepreneurship and lifestyle design✔️ Building a business around your own definition of success👉 Learn more about Joel Miller and The Sky Floor:• https://TheSkyFloor.com/• Joel Miller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelelliottmiller/• Joel Miller on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelemiller/📘 📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth Playbook ( https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/ )Chapters:00:00 Scale or Die Myth01:10 Meet Joel Miller01:44 Twin Founders Origin03:11 Leaning Into Twins04:22 Early Agency Hustle05:46 Hourly Billing Hell06:59 Switch to Value Pricing08:51 Probing Questions Win11:38 Transitioning Old Clients13:08 Pricing by Outcomes16:22 Raising Prices Mindset22:01 Publishing Prices Debate23:31 Subscribe Break24:35 Silence Reveals Truth25:49 Ask Better Questions27:51 Trust Through Honesty29:17 Challenge Sacred Cows29:50 Long Term Upside31:16 Clients Leave Return32:22 No Hostage Assets34:30 Proactive CRM Rescue37:38 Turn Off At Five41:35 Reject Scale Or Die43:23 Define Success Together44:47 Shift To Value Pricing46:52 Rapid Fire Wrap Up49:45 Final Recap And LinksKeywords: Joel Miller, Jeremy Shapiro, value based pricing, hourly billing, agency business, pricing strategy, marketing agency, consulting business, entrepreneurship, business growth, premium pricing, client retention, service business, agency owner, business podcast#podcast #businessgrowth #Entrepreneurship #ValueBasedPricing #AgencyGrowth #PricingStrategy #PodcastWant to be a guest on Your Business Growth Podcast? Send Jeremy Shapiro a message on PodMatch, here: https://podmatch.com/hostdetail/your_business_growth_podcast🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!
Transcribe →
Season 1 Wrap Up with Jeremy Shapiro, Host, Your Business Growth Podcast
Jun 2300:27:28Tap to summarizeIn this Season 1 recap of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro breaks down the biggest lessons from 27+ business owners who got stuck at a plateau and found their way back to growth.If you’re looking for practical strategies to scale a business, improve profit, build systems, and create entrepreneurial freedom, this episode is packed with proven insights you can apply right away.Across the season, Jeremy explores what really drives growth at every stage of business — from early validation to seven-, eight-, and nine-figure scale. You’ll hear the recurring themes that showed up again and again: radical niching, automation, recurring revenue, vertical integration, value-based pricing, education-based selling, and using fewer people with better systems.Jeremy also shares the top books, lead sources, and strategic moves that helped these founders get unstuck and back on track.Whether you’re a founder, operator, or service business owner, this recap gives you a clear framework for getting out of the hustle trap, making smarter decisions, and building a business that grows with more intention.Subscribe for Season 2 as Jeremy continues interviewing high-growth business owners and sharing the lessons behind their breakthroughs.🔔 Subscribe Today!📘 Hosted by Jeremy B. Shapiro, Author of Your Business Growth Playbook ( https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/ )Guests and Episodes Mentioned:Ryan Crownholm: https://youtu.be/JfjnHTTPBG8Wes Schaeffer: https://youtu.be/N8Oc4a7lC5oDavid Hilton: https://youtu.be/224Ao_OGwO0Dom Cassone: https://youtu.be/ucfP5VfsRKcTed Miller III: https://youtu.be/ocVe05g3vosEmily Crookston: https://youtu.be/-FXCHGzyF8gDavid Schomer: https://youtu.be/GUJQ1xLWuk4Damien Zamora: https://youtu.be/lwbFdDejy0AAndrew Ackerman: https://youtu.be/-23HpYm1_UANick Bonitatibus: https://youtu.be/6yQEl7VY1JUSimone Little: https://youtu.be/SH78QjUQbnsLance Cayko: https://youtu.be/13wMP56ru9wWilliam Holsten: https://youtu.be/labofo2Z56AMarc Walton: https://youtu.be/KIQUJ7Ivc_IEric Lowe: https://youtu.be/1nhK1StaZ5sVirginia Elder: https://youtu.be/shw_w2IpYEkLeo Young: https://youtu.be/mq3r0vEqwWYAri Rastegar: https://youtu.be/14kWmPTK4YsShawn Boehme: https://youtu.be/EuZTZT5Bg4MAlbert Butler: https://youtu.be/j1Fga45SuKgWes Towers: https://youtu.be/IAF4EgA5flgSam Berman: https://youtu.be/Uh2k4DFFiq0Jon Chintanaroad : https://youtu.be/UdqNDXZV0f8Len May: https://youtu.be/LCOy49bF4G4Michael Ritsema: https://youtu.be/1k4PqPU4tU8Rachel Allen: https://youtu.be/m1Oe2LzHTroStephan Bajaio: https://youtu.be/8h3LUb8MpHIKeywords: business growth, how to scale a business, business plateau, entrepreneurship, systems and automation, recurring revenue, value-based pricing, education-based selling, business strategy, niche marketing, founder mindset, business growth podcast, scaling a business, leadership, entrepreneurship podcastWant to be a guest on Your Business Growth Podcast? Send Jeremy Shapiro a message on PodMatch, here: https://podmatch.com/hostdetail/your_business_growth_podcastMore about this episode: https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/s1-season-1-wrapup/🔔 Subscribe on YouTube🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, and business leaders sharing real lessons on growth, leadership, and building sustainable companies.
Transcribe →
SaaS Growth Strategy and Customer Success: The Path to a Half‑Billion Valuation with Stephan Bajaio
Jun 1600:58:15Tap to summarizeStephan Bajaio overcame a major growth plateau by shifting from selling software to driving measurable customer outcomes. Hear SaaS growth strategies for customer success, product adoption, reducing churn, and scaling revenue.What happens when your software is excellent, but your customers still fail?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro interviews Stephan Bajaio, former Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist at Conductor, about how the company overcame a major growth plateau by shifting from simply selling software to helping customers achieve measurable results.Conductor had already become a leader in enterprise SEO software and reached roughly $20 million in revenue.But growth stalled.Customers had access to powerful tools, yet many struggled with implementation, adoption, and execution.Stephan shares how:✔️ Enterprise customers struggled to use the platform effectively✔️ Growth flattened despite strong demand✔️ Customer satisfaction suffered due to poor adoption✔️ Teams lacked the internal expertise needed for success✔️ Traditional onboarding wasn't producing resultsThen came the breakthrough.Instead of simply providing software, Conductor built managed services, enablement programs, and customer success systems that helped clients implement recommendations and achieve outcomes.That shift unlocked significant new growth and helped drive millions in additional revenue.In this episode, we discuss:✔️ Building one of the first enterprise SEO platforms✔️ Educating a market that didn't understand SEO✔️ Why SaaS companies often hit adoption ceilings✔️ The difference between product success and customer success✔️ How managed services created a new growth engine✔️ Using customer feedback to drive innovation✔️ Why implementation is often the real bottleneck✔️ Improving NPS through accountability and guidance✔️ Building company culture during rapid growth✔️ Creating ownership mindsets across teams✔️ Hiring people who genuinely care about the mission✔️ Why founders must think beyond the productStephan also shares lessons on:✔️ Leadership and culture at scale✔️ Founder identity after success✔️ Documenting organizational knowledge✔️ Enterprise sales and customer education✔️ Building communities around products✔️ The future of search and digital visibility👉 Learn more about Stephan Bajaio:• https://vibelogic.com/• Stephan Bajaio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanbajaio/📘 Hosted by Jeremy B. Shapiro, Author of Your Business Growth Playbook ( https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/ )Chapters:00:00 Growth Stalls at 20M01:30 Origin Story Link Experts03:44 Building Enterprise SEO SaaS06:12 Selling Search Before Software10:01 Evangelism and Competitive Wakeup13:27 Scaling Culture and Ownership17:33 Hiring for Passion19:26 Founder Identity and Town Halls23:30 Escaping the Founder Trap27:22 Visionary vs Operator Balance28:26 Fast Forward to Plateau28:45 Implementation Plateau29:41 Acceleration Onboarding31:51 Managed Services Shift35:06 Culture Not Role37:07 Enablement Training Wheels41:01 Speedboat vs Cruise Ship43:55 Founder Identity Passion46:03 Memorialize Your Playbook50:44 Reflection Kilimanjaro53:57 Rapid Fire WrapKeywords: Stephan Bajaio, Jeremy Shapiro, SEO software, SaaS growth, customer success, managed services, enterprise software, business growth, company culture, leadership, customer retention, NPS, startup growth, scaling a business, recurring revenue, search marketing, digital marketing, software adoption#BusinessGrowth #SaaS #CustomerSuccess #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #PodcastWant to be a guest on Your Business Growth Podcast? Send Jeremy Shapiro a message on PodMatch, here: https://podmatch.com/hostdetail/your_business_growth_podcast 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, and business leaders sharing real lessons on growth, leadership, and building sustainable companies.
Transcribe →
The Price Multiplier Breakthrough: Rachel Allen on Dismantling an Agency and Surviving a 6‑Month Lead Drought
Jun 900:38:04Tap to summarizeJeremy Shapiro interviews Rachel Allen on the Price Multiplier breakthrough: how she dismantled a successful agency, survived a six‑month drought with zero new leads, and moved past burnout. For agency owners and entrepreneurs facing outward success but internal stress, this episode delivers real lessons on pricing, recovery, and rethinking operations to restore momentum and profits.What happens when your business looks successful on the outside—but leaves you exhausted, stressed, and stuck?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro interviews Rachel Allen about how she dismantled a successful agency, survived a six-month drought with zero new leads, and completely transformed her business into a multi-seven figure business by making one bold pricing decision.Rachel shares how:✔️ She started freelancing during the 2008 recession with only $200✔️ A copywriting side hustle became a successful business✔️ Building an agency created more stress than freedom✔️ Six years at the same revenue level left her feeling stuck✔️ A six-month dry spell nearly pushed her out of entrepreneurship✔️ One unconventional pricing decision changed everythingThen came the breakthrough.Instead of competing as a copywriter, Rachel repositioned herself as a high-level marketing strategist and quintupled her prices.Within weeks, she landed the largest client of her career and began building the business she actually wanted.In this episode, we discuss:✔️ Why scaling isn't always the right growth strategy✔️ The hidden downside of agency ownership✔️ How pricing influences client perception✔️ Moving from service provider to strategic advisor✔️ Why premium positioning attracts different buyers✔️ The psychology behind charging more✔️ Building referral-driven businesses✔️ Networking strategies that create long-term growth✔️ Working with larger organizations and enterprise clients✔️ Creating a business designed around freedom and lifestyleRachel also shares lessons on:✔️ Business reinvention and repositioning✔️ Overcoming pricing fears✔️ Qualitative and quantitative business metrics✔️ Building meaningful professional relationships✔️ Creating sustainable growth without a large team✔️ Making difficult decisions as an entrepreneur👉 Connect with Rachel Allen: • Bolt From The Blue Copywriting: https://boltfromthebluecopywriting.com/ • Rachel Allen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelallenwrites/📘 Hosted by Jeremy B. Shapiro, Author of Your Business Growth Playbook https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/Chapters:00:00 Dry Spell Breakthrough01:29 From Journalism to Hong Kong03:02 Early Freelance Hustle03:50 Boutique to Agency Shift07:17 Six Figure Plateau Lessons09:24 Shutting Down the Agency12:33 Cabin Retreat Price Leap15:35 Repositioning as Strategist17:47 Pricing Transparency Strategy20:04 Landing Fractional CMO Client21:45 Scaling Through Client Teams24:36 Multi Revenue Streams Freedom27:21 Referrals and Social Capital31:48 Metrics and Weekly Tracking35:04 Rapid Fire and Wrap UpKeywords: Rachel Allen, Jeremy Shapiro, pricing strategy, premium pricing, marketing strategy, entrepreneurship, copywriting, consulting business, business growth, scaling a business, agency owner, referrals, marketing consultant, business pivot, personal branding, entrepreneur mindset, high ticket services, business transformation#BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #MarketingStrategy #Consulting #BusinessOwner #PodcastWant to be a guest on Your Business Growth Podcast? Send Jeremy Shapiro a message on PodMatch, here: https://podmatch.com/hostdetail/your_business_growth_podcast🔔 Subscribe right now for more conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, and business leaders sharing real lessons on growth, leadership, and building companies.Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourBusinessGrowthPlaybook?sub_confirmation=1Watch this episode with Rachel Allen: https://youtu.be/m1Oe2LzHTro
Transcribe →
IT Services CEO: How Mike Ritsema Scaled to $10M+ Recurring Revenue: Acquisitions, Specialization & Systems
Jun 200:50:41Tap to summarizeMike Ritsema, CEO of i3 Business Solutions, explains how he transformed a struggling IT services firm into a $10M+ recurring-revenue business using targeted acquisitions, niche specialization, and repeatable operational systems. Hear practical steps to simplify scale, reduce founder stress, and build predictable revenue—examples, pitfalls, and systems you can apply to established service businesses.What if growing your business actually made life LESS stressful?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro interviews Mike Ritsema, CEO of i3 Business Solutions, about how he scaled a struggling IT services company into a $10M+ recurring revenue business through acquisitions, specialization, and operational systems.Mike shares the difficult realities behind entrepreneurship: ✔️ Maxing out personal credit lines ✔️ Going months without taking a paycheck ✔️ Surviving the 2001 tech recession ✔️ Watching 9/11 unfold while fearing the business would collapse ✔️ Navigating the Great Recession and COVID ✔️ Managing complicated business partner buyoutsInstead of slowing down, Mike leaned into growth and built a stronger company through recurring revenue, acquisitions, and organizational focus.In this episode, we discuss: ✔️ Why buying a business can outperform starting one from scratch ✔️ The hidden operational cost of employees wearing multiple hats ✔️ How specialization improves service quality and execution ✔️ Why recurring revenue transformed the company ✔️ The operational benefits of scaling beyond 50 employees ✔️ How acquisitions simplified leadership responsibilities ✔️ EOS, Traction, and operational accountability systems ✔️ Why referrals remain the highest-quality lead source ✔️ Building premium service businesses with stronger margins ✔️ The value of peer groups, masterminds, and mentorshipMike also shares lessons on: ✔️ Leadership during economic uncertainty ✔️ Scaling service-based businesses ✔️ Delegation and operational clarity ✔️ Managing company culture after acquisitions ✔️ Why lifelong learning matters for entrepreneurs👉 Connect with Michael Ritsema and learn more about i3 Business Solutions:* i3 Business Solutions: https://i3bus.com/* Michael Ritsema on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljritsema📘 Hosted by Jeremy B. Shapiro, Author of Your Business Growth Playbook ( https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/ )Chapters:00:00 On the Brink01:11 From IBM to Ownership02:32 Buying Not Starting05:37 Early Struggles and 9 1109:16 Recession Pivot and Plateau11:41 Too Many Hats13:43 Partner Buyouts and Recurring Revenue16:58 Bored Then Bought a Rival20:46 Scale With Less Stress24:30 Systems and Priorities26:02 Weekly Priority Discipline26:47 Client Value Over Noise27:23 Networking for Acquisitions28:25 Merging Company Cultures30:56 One Role One Rock34:27 Specialization at Scale36:20 Pricing Power and Saying No38:07 Scaling Advice and Mentors41:50 Peer Groups and Benchmarks43:56 Owner KPIs for Growth45:36 Rapid Fire Takeaways47:37 Unlikely Mentor Story49:34 Wrap Up and Where to ConnectKeywords: Mike Ritsema, Jeremy Shapiro, recurring revenue, IT business, managed services, EOS, Traction, business acquisitions, entrepreneurship, business systems, MSP growth, leadership, scaling a business, service business growth, business strategy#businessgrowth #Entrepreneurship #RecurringRevenue #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #PodcastWant to be a guest on Your Business Growth Podcast? Send Jeremy Shapiro a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/your_business_growth_podcast🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!
Transcribe →