Beyond A Million

Most founders dream of selling their company once. John Arrow sold the same company twice. He bootstrapped a mobile product development firm (Mutual Mobile) in college, scaled it to 300 people, and pushed nearly $50M a year in revenue. But the real unlock came from one bold decision: moving upstream into enterprise clients. Prior to that, his model was unsustainable. He and his co-founders made the decision to fire all of their customers and only work with companies with a spend of at least $1M/year. That's when their company took off. In this episode, John breaks down the decisions that unlocked explosive growth, the typical traps most founders never see coming, and why selling a services company is far more about timing and terms than topline revenue. You'll hear why he and his co-founders turned down a $100M offer, the minority deal that allowed him to take chips off the table, and how John was able to come back as CEO years later to orchestrate an 8-figure exit. Key Takeaways 00:00 Intro 01:05 How He Started & Scaled Mutual Mobile 02:55 Why Shifting to Enterprise Clients Changed Everything 07:48 What Uber Taught Him About Testing Ideas Fast 09:34 The Pros & Cons of Using AI and No-Code to Prototype 11:04 The Life-or-Death App That Validated Their Model 14:20 How Mutual Mobile Found Its Identity Along the Way 16:47 The 2nd Dumbest iPhone App of All Time 20:22 An Unusual That Attracted Enterprise Deals 24:56 Why Austin's Tech Scene is a Recruiting Goldmine 29:22 The Real Economics of Owning a Private Plane 44:47 How He Ended Up Selling the Same Company Twice 53:06 The Earnout Terms That Actually Matter 55:43 Creating AI Software with Zero Censorship 57:42 Why Operators Make Better Investors 58:57 When (And When Not To) Invest in Side Ventures 01:01:50 John's Advice for Entrepreneurs in the AI Era Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zHnqoPxen0k Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

Robin Alex is the co-founder of HighLevel, a marketing automation and CRM platform that has grown to more than two million users since launching in 2018. The company scaled rapidly—doubling and tripling year after year—largely through a white-label model that allows agencies and implementation partners to resell the platform under their own brand. HighLevel now operates with roughly 2,000 employees worldwide and continues to ship new features, including AI-driven tools, at an unusually fast pace. In this conversation, Robin talks through the real reason HighLevel gained traction, how they've structured support to handle growth without a sales team, and why simplicity always wins. He also shares how they prioritize product development and decide what to build, what to ignore, and how to test ideas quickly. The episode offers a clear look into the operational principles behind HighLevel's rapid growth, its product philosophy, and how the team continues evolving the platform for agencies, implementers, and small businesses. Key Takeaways 00:00 Intro 00:58 What Really Drove HighLevel's Early Growth 03:20 The Breakdown of HighLevel's User Base 05:47 Handling Customer Support at Scale 07:45 Leveraging AI to Improve Customer Support 09:12 Growing to 2,000 Global Employees 10:33 The Biggest Downside of White Labeling 12:24 Why the Best Product Doesn't Always Win 14:04 The Real Key to Faster Customer Outcomes 15:02 The Fastest Path to Early Agency Revenue 17:11 How HighLevel Decides What to Build Next 21:48 How HighLevel Users Are Leveraging AI Today 25:49 The STL Framework for Implementing Quickly 30:40 Why They Only Plan One Quarter at a Time 32:17 How the Three Founders Divide Responsibilities 38:10 Why They Raised Money Despite Not Needing Capital 43:19 The One Thing Agency Owners Need to Stop Doing Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/u1_hXrRTbho Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

For nearly two decades, Pat Flynn has been creating content. What's interesting is how that work has fueled multiple 7-figure businesses. Over the years, he's launched and scaled companies across education, media, software, community, and physical products—from Smart Passive Income and SwitchPod to niche websites, podcasting tools, and more recently, a Pokémon YouTube channel that pulls in 10 million views a day. What ties all of these ventures together is the way Pat builds them. Through his Lean Learning philosophy, he's able to use content to test ideas, reduce risk, and explore a wide range of opportunities while still staying super focused. In this episode, you'll learn exactly how Pat's able to start so many ventures, his approach to mastering any skill, the merger that freed up his time and allowed SPI to scale, and the viral short-form content strategy that's driving millions in both views and revenue.= Key Takeaways 01:16 Finding the Fun That Fuels Momentum 03:41 Why Pat Abandoned Blogging 04:47 The Problem With Audio-Only Podcasts 05:30 10M Views/Day from Pokémon Short-Form 07:21 Letting Data Drive Your Content Strategy 11:46 The Mental Shift That Separates Creators Who Win 15:32 The 20% Rule Powering Pat's Side Ventures 22:14 The 12-Minute Workflow Generating $25K–$40K Videos 25:30 The Smart Acquihire That Became SPI Media 33:25 Designing Your Business Around the Life You Want 36:21 Just In Time Learning vs. Just In Case Learning 43:12 How Community 3.5x's Your Odds of Success 47:03 Micro-Mastery to 10X Results in ANYTHING 54:12 Using Voluntary Force Functions to Take Massive Action 1:03:02 Pat's Advice to New Entrepreneurs 1:03:53 What No Longer Works in Content Creation Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hFRAiXt4lAU Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

Too many business owners are trying to use AI as a shortcut to fire people instead of using it to multiply the output of their best people. And that mindset is killing their growth. Matt Leitz has been building automation systems for 7- and 8-figure companies long before AI went mainstream. He's seen inside the machines powering 9-figure brands… and the truth is simple: automation isn't optional anymore. If you want to scale, you need a business that compounds output without requiring more of your time. Matt breaks down how to use AI as leverage — not as a crutch. He shares where founders get stuck, which systems create the highest ROI, how to turn funnels profitable even when ads lose money on day one, and how to build automations that drive revenue for years. If you've been trying to figure out how to integrate AI without breaking your business, this conversation will completely reset your framework. Key Takeaways 00:00 Intro 01:36 You're Thinking About AI All Wrong 02:54 AI Agents and Chatbots 05:24 Start With Strategy, Not Technology 08:09 Why You Shouldn't Automate Reporting 11:22 Prompt Engineering is Easier Than You Think 16:04 How To Build & Leverage Custom GPTs 20:41 Collaborating With AI For Better Results 27:10 AI Tool that Boosts Sales Rep Performance 30:06 Why Tool-Hopping Slows Your Growth 31:50 Why Automation Is Required To Scale Big 35:35 Are Traditional Marketing Funnels Dead? 41:03 When to Focus ON or IN the Business 45:42 The Real Path To Scaling Ad Spend 54:03 Lead Offers vs. Maximizer Offers 01:02:06 Protecting Your Time Above Everything Else Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/F96ncjHK8jI Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

This is a clip from the Beyond A Million podcast where I talked to Steve Sims – entrepreneur, speaker, coach, and bestselling author, best known as the creator of the world's first luxury concierge service. Here Steve shares a killer strategy for getting the attention of high-level people (like billionaires or big-time investors). His approach is simple, but a bit unexpected… and it definitely doesn't involve pitching or pretending to be someone you're not. He also tells a wild story about how this exact move led to a long-term consulting deal with a serious player in Silicon Valley. If you want to start real conversations with people who seem out of reach but aren't sure how, this is the tip for you. Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Steve: https://youtu.be/f6SMUx45gB8

Starting a business is hard. Starting a beverage company is almost impossible. With a 95% failure rate in year one and 99% by year five, most founders never make it out alive. That's what makes Aaron Hinde's story so compelling. As the Co-Founder of FITAID, a clean-ingredient beverage brand now valued north of $100M, he's navigated a landscape that destroys nearly everyone who steps into it. In our conversation, Aaron breaks down the truth behind building in one of the harshest categories in consumer goods, from the retail relationships that quietly drain millions to the dozens of moments his company nearly went bust. If you're building a brand, scaling a team, entering a competitive market, or simply trying to figure out how to keep going when the pressure of entrepreneurship hits, this episode will reframe what's possible. Key Takeaways with Aaron Hinde 00:00 Intro 01:40 The Hidden Retail Fees That Kill Beverage Brands 05:09 The Most Important Metric Beverage Founders Should Track 07:56 The Real Differentiator Behind FITAID Energy Drinks 10:34 "Clean" Energy Brands That Aren't Actually Clean 12:16 Deciding When to Launch (or Kill) a Product Line 17:13 Why Entrepreneurship Isn't for Most People 21:12 Dean Jackson's Framework for Defining Success 24:01 Resourcefulness, Persuasion, and Relationships at Work 31:29 How to Save Your Company When the Market Collapses 35:36 How Great Leaders Keep Their Teams Aligned 38:59 Facing Your Blind Spots As a Leader 45:24 The Non-Negotiable That Would Kill a $500M Offer 48:28 What He'd Do Differently If He Started Again 52:06 The Freedom That Comes From Dropping the Mask 53:39 Aaron's Advice for New Entrepreneurs Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wSrXlTixjCc Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

"If Apple CEO Tim Cook needs a board of directors to help him make decisions, what makes you think you can do it all by yourself?" That's the question Brian Will – serial entrepreneur with multiple exits under his belt – poses in this clip from Beyond A Million. Brian explains why letting go of ego makes it easier to grow your business. He talks about how financial stability helps you become less reactive, more collaborative, and why failing without learning is just wasting time. If you've been stuck in perfectionism, control, or thinking you need (or worse – have) all the answers, this one is to remind you that the best leaders listen more than they talk. Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Brian: https://youtu.be/7e1gid6rMWI

Collin Ship built his YouTube channel for one purpose: drive qualified leads into his business. He wasn't trying to grow an audience or chase viral moments. He wanted a predictable system that pointed people toward his offer. And it proved how effective a small channel can be when it's built the right way. Collin took an "unsexy" niche (blogging) and paired it with a search-driven YouTube strategy built entirely around keywords, intent, and simple videos that matched what people were actually looking for. That combination led to a multi-7-figure business powered by steady, targeted traffic. In this episode, Collin breaks down the framework that fueled early traction, the surprising advantage YouTube gives new creators that Google doesn't, and why staying niche made sponsorships and affiliate deals far more lucrative. Key Takeaways 00:00 Intro 01:22 Blogging Isn't Dead - $1.2M in 18 Months 05:23 Why Personal Branding Holds You Accountable 09:56 Using YouTube Strictly for Lead Generation 12:35 YouTube Keyword Strategy That Drove Early Growth 15:17 Does Going Broad on YouTube Hurt Lead Quality? 17:47 YouTube Publishing Frequency – The Sweet Spot 18:18 Why Long YouTube Videos Build Massive Trust 19:11 Make Your Free Content Better Than Paid 19:46 The Four Pillars of YouTube Monetization 21:35 YouTube Channels That Land Affiliates & Sponsors 26:19 Intent vs. Interruption Content Marketing 27:12 Using Paid Ads AND Organic Content to Scale 28:16 How to Run YouTube Ads Without Being Punished 31:20 Getting 6,000+ Leads per Month From YouTube 32:45 The Pros/Cons of Becoming Internet Famous 34:12 Where AI Fits in Your Content System 39:54 The Biggest Mistake People Make with AI 40:49 How He Revived His Offer With an AI Rebrand Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/li6jI6YsT3A Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

In this clip, Brad Sumrok talks about why apartments have turned out to be one of the most dependable ways to invest in real estate. Some properties look good at first, but fall apart when the market shifts. Apartments tend to stick it out. Brad's not hyping anything. He's just explaining what's worked over 20 years of doing deals – and why more investors are starting to take notice. If you've ever wondered where real estate actually holds up long-term, this is a good place to start. Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Brad: https://youtu.be/l1NP4NWlcLw

As an entrepreneur, once you hit 7-figures, the game changes. Scaling isn't just about more revenue, it's about smarter systems, better people, and the mindset required to lead at the next level. In this special compilation episode of Beyond a Million, I've pulled together powerful clips from past guests — 8- and 9-figure founders who share the unfiltered lessons behind building and scaling successful companies. Whether you're a founder, CEO, or investor scaling your business beyond 7-figures, these are proven tactics that actually move the needle. Key Takeaways 00:00 Intro 01:00 Jake Setterlun: If You're Not Getting Leads, Your Offer Sucks 01:38 Michael Erath: Mediocrity Is a Cancer in Business 02:52 Chandler Bolt: Scare Away the Wrong Hires 03:54 Stela Roznovan: The 3 Fundamentals of Sales 07:36 Allan Dib: The Best Marketers Leverage Tech, Not Tools 08:20 Corey Lilburn: How a Singing Telegram Closed a Deal 10:29 Patrick Dillon: Using AI to Conduct 300 Interviews 11:58 Andy Kolodgie: Why Sustainability Beats Growth 14:32 Patrick Riddle: Low-Ticket Offers That Actually Convert 16:22 Mike Koenigs: The $1,000 Cup of Coffee Offer Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QcMHaNedlb0 Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

In this clip, David Hassell, co-founder of 15Five, breaks down why hiring someone who's not aligned with your culture – even if they check every box on the skills side – is a ticking time bomb. He shares how culture shapes behavior more than we think, why execs especially need to embody company values, and how even small misalignments can kill trust inside a team. He also talks about the mistakes they made scaling from 70 to 200 people in a year and how those lessons led to a values-first hiring system every founder should be thinking about. Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with David: https://youtu.be/pcZg3i1o3PI

Tons of entrepreneurs claim to be "scaling" their business, but when you look under the hood, they're actually just growing fast. And there's a big difference. Growth can be exciting, but without structure, systems, and the right leadership in place, it's not sustainable. That's where Allison Maslan comes in. She's built and scaled 10 companies across multiple industries, and as the CEO of Pinnacle Global Network, she's helped more than 150,000 founders and leadership teams do the same—earning a spot on the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies list four years running. In this episode, we dig into why so many founders fail to scale, unpack Allison's 5 Pillars of Scale framework, and explore how to turn big vision into an operational reality your team can rally behind. Key Takeaways 00:00 Intro 01:35 Why Scaling is an Overused Word 03:10 Early-Stage vs. Late-Stage Scalability 04:40 Why So Many Founders Fail to Scale 07:13 The SCALEit Framework Explained 10:27 The 5 Pillars of Scale (S.C.A.L.E.) 11:04 Can SCALEit & EOS Work Together? 13:30 Creating a Strategic Vision That Drives Growth 19:49 Balancing Big Vision with Tactical Reality 23:36 Case Study: Vision Turned Into $100M+ Growth 25:40 Balancing Long-Term Vision with Rapid Change 31:39 Delegation vs. Abdication 40:51 Defining Hiring Metrics for Scalable Success 47:32 Mental Shifts That Enable Massive Growth 52:45 Advice for New Entrepreneurs Getting Started Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LFABrEvlf0Q Let's Connect: Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook

What if you could close high-value clients... without pitching, posturing, or even talking about what you sell? This week's guest, Corey Lilburn, is a senior consultant and shareholder at Acrisure, a $35B global insurance and fintech firm. From selling Cutco knives to advising enterprise clients, Corey's success comes from mastering the timing, psychology, and nuance of complex sales. Corey shares the real sales skills that matter in today's market, the habits that create consistent closers, how to make renewals a non-event, and why self-funding might make sense sooner than you think. He also shares what Mark Cuban is getting right about pharma... and how a Sinatra impersonator helped him close a major deal. Plus, we dig into the evolution of Bay Area Advisors and how their Martinis for Moffitt event has raised over $4 million for cancer research. If you're selling high-ticket services or navigating long sales cycles, this one's packed with real strategies that actually work. Tune in and learn how to sell anything to anyone. — This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark. — Key Takeaways: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:37 Essential skills for mastering sales 00:05:03 How AI will impact insurance in the next 5 years 00:07:08 The challenges of risk assessment 00:09:17 Sales cycles and client relationships in insurance 00:22:18 Can you make insurance less boring? 00:23:41 Renewal vs. assumptive close 00:28:23 Keeping healthcare costs down 00:40:45 Self-insurance and level funding 00:53:38 Selling insurance companies to bigger insurance companies 01:06:26 Bay Area Advisors and Martinis for Moffitt 01:20:42 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 01:24:35 Outro — Additional Resources: 🔹 Patrick's website: https://patrickriddle.com/ — ➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/ ➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8 ➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 — Let's Connect: 🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil 🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert 🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787 -- Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work. If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU! Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building. Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

What if you could create a marketing funnel that works for you while you sleep? Today's guest, Patrick Riddle, is here to show you how to turn cold traffic into cash with a high-converting funnel. Patrick is a seasoned entrepreneur and the CEO of a multi-million-dollar educational publishing company. After getting his start in real estate, he shifted to the info product space, where he's helped thousands of students grow their businesses using smart marketing strategies. But Patrick's strategy isn't just about driving traffic or having a good offer. It's about owning the customer journey from start to finish. He explains how to create front-end offers that bring in the right leads and then maximize profit with smart back-end partnerships, allowing you to scale without risk. We're talking recurring revenue, software upsells, and affiliate partnerships that pay you long after the first sale. Plus, he reveals why email marketing is still king and how you can take advantage of the most underutilized tool in your marketing arsenal to grow your business. Tune in to learn how to turn your funnels into money-making machines and stop leaving cash on the table. — This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark. — Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 02:22 The impact of AI on the info product space 03:32 Building a marketing funnel that actually works 05:25 Patrick's winning business model 18:17 Building an all-star team 21:58 Order bumps and upsells 28:10 Scam reviews, reputation management, and compliance 38:46 Becoming a CEO 53:08 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 56:56 Outro — Additional Resources: 🔹 Patrick's website: https://patrickriddle.com/ — ➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/ ➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8 ➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 — Let's Connect: 🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil 🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert 🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787 -- Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work. If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU! Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building. Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

He lost $40 million in 2008... and built a real estate empire from the rubble. Today's guest, Levi Benkert, went from running coffee shops to flipping houses, losing $40 million in the 2008 crash, relocating his family to Ethiopia to run an orphanage and start businesses, and then returning to the US to build a thriving Class B industrial real estate empire in Texas. He breaks down the mindset shifts, lessons from failures, and disciplined strategies that turned what looked like a disaster into the comeback story of the century. If you've ever wondered how to recover from a huge setback, this episode gives you the playbook straight from someone who's done it. Tune in to hear Levi's journey from collapse to empire... and why the lessons he learned can help anyone in business or life. — This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark. — Key Takeaways: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:55 Understanding interest rates and market cycles 00:04:08 The Chatham forward curve 00:11:36 Levi's early business ventures 00:16:42 Fear and feelings in business 00:19:09 Transitioning to property development 00:27:05 Institutional lending 00:32:12 Losing $40M during the 2008 crash 00:41:49 Building an orphanage in Ethiopia 00:49:22 Building a beef farm in Ethiopia 00:57:51 Moving back to the US and starting Harbor Capital 01:03:15 Industrial real estate and fundraising 01:11:16 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 01:13:53 Outro — Additional Resources: 🔹 Levi's Website: https://harborcap.com/ 🔹 Levi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levi-benkert-81a18895 — ➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/ ➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8 ➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 — Let's Connect: 🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil 🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert 🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787 -- Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work. If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU! Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building. Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

What happens when you've built multiple companies, lost control, got burned by partners, and then finally get it right? Patrick Dillon has done it all. He's built several digital agencies, and even a janitorial company. He's taken on investors, lost equity, made painful pivots, and come out the other side with a lean, wildly profitable agency. Today, his company, WISE Digital, is scaling steadily without the risk of it all collapsing from one bad client, partner, or decision. In this episode, we break down how Pat used AI to scale without bloat, what really went wrong with his first three ventures, and why he'll never niche down again. We also get into the recruiting system that saved him thousands of hours, the legal dispute ChatGPT helped him settle, and how to avoid toxic positivity while building something that actually lasts. If you're in agency life, you'll feel this one. Listen in and find out what it really takes to build a growth engine you actually want to run. — This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark. — Key Takeaways: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:53 Undervalued marketing tactics 00:04:24 Unusual AI use cases 00:08:03 Patrick's entrepreneurial journey 00:18:38 Interacting with investors 00:21:29 When to pull the plug 00:27:57 Transition to WISE Digital 00:37:43 Focusing on SMB 00:40:02 Growing the business through AI 00:51:57 SEO strategies and the impact of AI 00:58:58 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 01:01:21 Outro — Additional Resources: 🔹 Website: https://www.wisedigitalpartners.com/ 🔹 Meet with Pat: https://meetwithpat.com/ 🔹 Patrick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickjamesdillon/?hl=en — ➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/ ➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8 ➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 — Let's Connect: 🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil 🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert 🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787 -- Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work. If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU! Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building. Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

How do you make an offer so irresistible that you don't even need a sales team to sell it? Jake Setterlun is 29, runs four different companies, and somehow manages to make offer-building look easy. He started out doing Facebook ads for real estate agents, but everything changed when he figured out what makes an offer irresistible. That insight led to The Offer Code, his "Purple Ocean" framework, and multiple agencies doing seven and eight figures. In this episode, we get into how Jake thinks about creating offers that do the selling for you, why most agency owners are still stuck in 2018, and what it really takes to use AI in a way that actually boosts conversions. He also breaks down how he tests new offers, the biggest mistake he made while scaling, and how he rebuilt after stepping away too soon. If you're an agency owner, or honestly, anyone selling something online… this one's going to hurt a little. But it's worth it. Tune in to learn how to make your offer the only one your customer wants to buy. — This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark. — Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 01:47 From concept to money 02:33 Biggest business mistakes in the agency space 06:48 How to get into the agency space 08:47 Jake's offer code 15:24 Creating the offer 20:12 Changing the game with AI 34:25 Biggest mistakes when implementing AI 37:08 Testing offers 38:54 Traffic sources and marketing strategies 49:36 LinkedIn's role in the ad ecosystem 53:09 Biggest mistake in the last 5 years 57:02 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 58:03 Outro — Additional Resources: 🔹 Jake's Website: https://jakesetterlun.com/ 🔹 Jake on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optimizedjake/ — ➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/ ➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8 ➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 — Let's Connect: 🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil 🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert 🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787 -- Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work. If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU! Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building. Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

Is SEO really dead… or are you just doing it wrong? Andy Kolodgie has already built a multi–eight-figure business by mastering SEO in a space most people think is too competitive: real estate. And he's only 29! Andy started out wholesaling but quickly realized it wasn't his game. With a background as a Navy software developer, he shifted gears and leaned into his strength – building systems that drive motivated seller leads online. That shift led to Property Leads, which now helps real estate investors scale through SEO. In this episode, Andy explains why SEO for real estate is far less crowded than people think, how Google treats housing searches differently than other industries, why he refuses to scale anything that isn't sustainable, how he measures lead quality, and what are the red flags he's learned to spot in partnerships. Have you written off SEO as too crowded… or maybe too old-school? Andy's story will definitely make you rethink that. Tune in and see why SEO might just be the biggest untapped growth channel left. — This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark. — Key Takeaways: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:44 Why real estate SEO isn't as saturated as you think 00:06:24 Real estate keywords confuse Google's local vs national intent 00:11:50 The three SEO pillars 00:16:29 AI is killing click volume, but SEO still drives deals 00:21:26 Moving from deals to data 00:34:27 Warm transfers increase close rates and trust with clients 00:42:11 How to allocate time and resources 00:45:20 Ignoring early red flags leads to poor business outcomes 00:54:01 The role of ego in business 01:03:36 When people show you who they are, believe them 01:07:13 Advice for first-time entrepreneurs 01:09:29 How to connect with Andy — Additional Resources: 🔹 Property Leads: https://www.propertyleads.com/andy-kolodgie/ 🔹 Andy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewkolodgie/?hl=en 🔹 Andy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andykolodgie/ 🔹 Andy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-kolodgie/ — ➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/ ➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8 ➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 — Let's Connect: 🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil 🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert 🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787 -- Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work. If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU! Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building. Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

Ryan Pineda talks about the system behind his daily million-view content engine. He shares a framework that drives his content strategy: get recognized, deliver value, and make timely CTAs. He explains how he integrates subtle calls to action without turning his content into ads, and why value has to come first if you want attention to convert into revenue. He spends $40K a month on his team that handles everything from filming to repurposing across platforms. That approach allows him to reach millions daily. Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Ryan: https://youtu.be/CnyC_t22OvI

She didn't have a plan. No investors. Not even a laptop. At 25, Sava Lelcaj had 60 days to figure out her next move after losing the lease on her 10-table café. Most people would've played it safe. She didn't. Instead, she convinced investors, who'd just lost money on the space, to hand her the keys to a 300-seat restaurant. And somehow, it worked. Today, Sava runs a $25M hospitality group with multiple restaurants, guest houses, and a farm. In this episode, she talks us through what it actually looked like to scale with no roadmap, why being underestimated helped her win, and what she's learned about leadership, mostly the hard way. Sava didn't have capital, experience, or a plan. She succeeded through sheer grit and determination alone. Wanna do the same? Tune in and learn from the best of the best! — This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark. — Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 02:51 The intersection of AI and hospitality 07:17 Sava's experience with being a female entrepreneur 12:41 There are no bad decisions 19:30 Sava's sheer will and determination 26:48 From a tiny cafe to a huge restaurant 32:04 Holding on or letting go? 37:43 Leasing vs. buying real estate 41:02 Becoming a good leader 47:38 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 53:47 Outro — Additional Resources: 🔹 The Pulpo Group: https://www.thepulpogroup.com/ — ➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/ ➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8 ➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 — Let's Connect: 🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil 🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert 🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787 -- Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work. If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU! Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building. Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

In this clip, Cole Gordon breaks down why so many entrepreneurs struggle to hire top-tier sales reps – no matter how many interviews they run or how flashy their job posts are. Most think they have a hiring problem… but what they really have is an offer problem. If the right candidates aren't saying yes – or aren't even showing up – it's probably because the opportunity doesn't match what elite reps are actually looking for. If you're stuck cycling through underwhelming hires, you can't miss this one. Tune in! Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Cole: https://youtu.be/Rk-D-3DnSVA

What could a Swiss Army officer possibly teach you about building and selling companies worth hundreds of millions? Turns out – everything. Today's guest, Sam Goodner, took the discipline and precision he learned in the Swiss Army and applied it to entrepreneurship. He founded Catapult Systems, scaled it through two major recessions, and eventually sold it after 20 years. Later, he helped take Flash Parking from a stuck $3M startup to $100M in revenue and a billion-dollar valuation. Now a mentor at Capital Factory and author of Like Clockwork: Run Your Business with Swiss Army Precision, Sam distills 30 years of lessons into practical principles that help entrepreneurs scale businesses that thrive without them. In this episode, Sam shares why scaling always begins with a sales playbook, how "cloud conversion therapy" won over 100% of skeptical customers, and why annual contingency planning can make your company recession-proof. He also breaks down what it really takes to prepare for a sale years in advance and how unforgettable first-day employee experiences can shape culture for decades. If you're ready to scale with Swiss Army precision and build a company that runs without you, tune in now. — This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark. — Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 00:02:03 Running a business like clockwork in practice 00:17:00 Curated client experiences turned skeptics into loyal customers 00:25:33 Starting Catapult Systems 00:28:54 Recession-proofing strategies 00:33:49 Separate teams allow multiple ventures under one umbrella 00:38:54 Selling businesses: Define your number and prepare years before exit 00:43:07 Strong EBITDA and audited records maximize company valuation 00:48:17 Choosing investment bankers 00:53:45 "Like Clockwork: Run Your Business With Swiss Army Precision" 00:59:54 First-day experiences build culture and long-term loyalty 01:01:35 Advice to young entrepreneurs 01:05:09 Wrapup — Additional Resources: 🔹 Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samgoodner 🔹 Sam on X: https://x.com/goodner 🔹 Sam's book: https://samgoodner.com/ — ➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/ ➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8 ➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 — Let's Connect: 🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil 🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert 🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787 -- Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work. If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU! Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building. Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

In this clip from Episode 191 of Beyond A Million, Mike Koenigs shares the story behind his most effective marketing campaign ever, the "$1,000 Cup of Coffee." What started as a way to qualify serious prospects quickly turned into a high-converting sales system that helped him bring in multiple six figures in just weeks. If you've ever struggled with long sales cycles or unqualified leads, this is a masterclass in turning conversations into high-value clients. Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Mike: https://podfollow.com/beyond-a-million

Have you ever thought saving a dying business might be a fun challenge—or even a legacy move? Randy Cohen did. After building TicketCity into a $100M+ company from just $1,200, he figured reviving Z'Tejas (a beloved Tex-Mex chain in Austin) would be a way to give back and preserve something special. It wasn't. In this episode, Randy opens up about what really happened when he bought the restaurant chain out of bankruptcy and tried to turn it around. Spoiler: it didn't work. And the reasons why are something every entrepreneur needs to hear. Randy and I also talk about: What it means to be an owner vs. an operator How ego can wreck even the best intentions Why culture doesn't stick unless you're showing up every single day How COVID became the final gut punch that forced Randy to shut it all down What it emotionally takes to walk away … and so much more! This one's raw, real, and loaded with hard-earned wisdom—especially if you've ever held on to a business too long or felt the weight of trying to keep it all together. Tune in now. — This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark. — Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 01:40 Why open a restaurant? 08:49 Let's talk culture 14:36 Investing in a bankrupt business 29:42 When it's time to sell 34:13 What it emotionally takes to walk away 39:06 The price of not running your own business 47:25 What's next for Randy? 51:06 The Gathering of Titans 56:03 Advice for entrepreneurs starting out — Additional Resources: 🔹 Randy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randyscottcohen/ — ➡️ Learn more at: https://beyondamillion.com/ ➡️ Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5hbIUyUb68J3nhHSAGDrmUxX4vgXQ4b8 ➡️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Beyondamillion?sub_confirmation=1 — Let's Connect: 🔹 IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradweimert 🔹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondamil 🔹Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradWeimert 🔹 FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089061999787 -- Beyond A Million is a business podcast that reveals the scaling secrets of 8, 9, and 10-figure entrepreneurs. Every week, we share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best business growth strategies that work. If you're an entrepreneur or business professional who's looking to level up & continue to scale far beyond the million-dollar mark, this podcast is for YOU! Tune in weekly for new interviews with Easy Pay Direct founder Brad Weimert and business expert guests who absolutely crush it in their area of expertise. Learn world-class marketing and sales tactics with elite-level business strategies in sales, marketing, operations, finance, and wealth building. Be sure to give us a follow wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode!

In this clip from Episode 187 of Beyond A Million, Chandler Bolt shares the 6-figure mistake that nearly cost him his business—and the lesson every founder needs to hear. From partnering out of insecurity to hiring undervalued talent, Chandler unpacks how these early missteps shaped his thinking on leadership, culture, and building an A-player team. If you're scaling and struggling with who to hire (and how much to pay them), this one's a must-watch. Enjoyed this clip? Check out our full interview with Chandler: https://podfollow.com/beyond-a-million