Beyond 8 Figures
by A.J. Lawrence
At Beyond 8 Figures, we believe in DELIBERATE entrepreneurship. It means creating a solid foundational framework for your entrepreneurial journey, building from a place of passion, and intentionally aligning your actions with your goals so that you can create success on your terms.Join A.J. Lawrence, the journeyman entrepreneur with several 7 figure exits, as he shares honest conversations with successful entrepreneurs about their experiences starting and scaling businesses to $10M and beyond, the realities of being a modern-day entrepreneur, advice for practicing deliberate entrepreneurship, and more!
Episodes
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How to Build Exit-Ready Companies with Niraj Shah, DKZ Equity
Thinking about selling your company someday? Most founders wait until it’s too late to prepare their business for a clean, valuable exit. In this episode, I chat with Niraj Shah, M&A Advisor and 5x Founder, about what really makes a company exit-ready. We dig into mindset traps, deal-killers, and...
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How to Reset Your Business After Burnout with Jason Long, Ascendance
Success isn’t just about hustle—it’s about surviving the chaos of growth. Jason Long knows this better than most. After building a 30-person agency, he lost it all in the 2008 crash, nearly died in a horrific car accident, and spent years rebuilding both his businesses and himself. In this…
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How To Build A Resilient Business Without Burning Out with Margo Crawford
What if stepping back from your business didn’t mean losing control—but gaining clarity? In this episode, I talk with Margo Crawford, founder of Business Sherpa Group, about the five-year succession plan that helped her shift from CEO to Chair—and the deep mental work it took to let go without...
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How to Think Like a Strategic CEO with Bruce Eckfeldt
Success doesn’t come from working harder, it comes from thinking differently. In this episode, I talk with Bruce Eckfeldt, strategic coach and 5x Inc. 500 founder, about how to shift from founder mode to CEO-level thinking. If you’re feeling the strain of growth and wondering why your business...
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How to Think Strategically in an AI World with Hamza Mudassir, Strategize
When your business is growing fast and AI is changing the game every week… how do you keep your head clear and your strategy sharp? In this episode, I sit down with Hamza Mudassir—lecturer at Cambridge and founder of Strategize—to talk about mental clarity, digital twins, and how to make smarter...
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How EOS Helped Steve Maly Break Through a Growth Plateau (After 20 Years in Business)
What happens when your agency hits a growth ceiling—and brute force stops working? In this episode, Steve Maly shares what finally pushed him to adopt EOS, how it changed his team’s rhythm and decision-making, and why hiring a $500 intern changed the trajectory of his business. Here’s what you’ll...
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How to Train Your Brain for Entrepreneurial Resilience with Paola Telfer, Sens.ai
Your brain is your business’s most valuable asset—so why aren’t you training it? In this episode, I talk with Paola Telfer, founder of Sens.ai, about how she turned a personal brain injury into a mission to help entrepreneurs perform better mentally. We dig into the science of neurofeedback, how…
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How to Rebuild Purpose After Selling Your Company with Jess Stewart, Jess Stewart LLC
What comes after the big exit? For Jess Stewart, it wasn’t freedom—it was confusion. In this episode, we unpack how she rebuilt both her purpose and leadership rhythm after selling her company. If you’re feeling stuck in your business or unsure about what comes next, Jess’s story offers a…
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How to Build Exit-Ready Growth with Philip Blackett
Success isn’t just surviving chaos—it’s building toward your exit. In this episode, I talk with Philip Blackett, founder of Dream Business Makeover and LifeAfter40.com. He’s been through the fire—literally rebuilding a cemetery business during COVID while pulling double shifts at Chick-fil-A to...
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The Truth About Buying a Business (Most People Won’t Tell You) — with Richard Parker, Diomo Corporation
Buying a business sounds like a shortcut—but most people never make it to the finish line. Why? Because they chase the wrong deals. In this episode, I talk with Richard Parker, founder of Diomo Corporation, about what really works when you're looking to acquire a business that fits you—and what...
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How to Build a Personal Capital Stack with Mark Cecchini, Quadrant Capital
Your business is growing—but is your personal wealth strategy keeping up? In this episode, I sit down with Mark Cecchini, a wealth advisor who works with high-growth founders, to break down what it really means to build a personal capital stack. 🎧 We cover: Why “just invest in Vanguard” isn’t a...
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How to Stop Profit Leaks in a Growing Business with Kevin Bees, ProfitHive
Growth doesn’t always mean profit. In this episode, I’m joined by ProfitHive founder Kevin Bees to talk about how growing businesses leak money—and how to stop it. Kevin shares the 7 hidden areas where founders lose margin, plus a tactical framework for getting your financial house in order…
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How Simplifying Your Business Drives Real Growth with Mikael Dia, Funnelytics
Success isn’t just about scale—it’s about control. And sometimes that means cutting through the chaos you created. In this episode, I sit down with Mikael Dia, founder of Funnelytics, to talk about how simplifying your operations, offers, and mindset can unlock the growth you’ve been chasing. We...
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Reclaim Control of Your Business with John F. Kettley, Sales Masters Guild
Ever feel like the business you built is running you? In this episode, I sit down with John F. Kettley, founder of Sales Masters Guild, to talk about how entrepreneurs lose their way as their company grows—and what it really takes to regain control of your business. We talk mindset, sales…
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Building a Purpose-Aligned Business with Amit Garg, Tau Ventures
Let’s be honest—most founders are chasing traction without stopping to ask: Is this still what I want to build? In this episode, I talk with Amit Garg, Managing Partner at Tau Ventures, about what it means to build a purpose-aligned business from the ground up. From launching a hospital in India…
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How to Lead a Visionary Business Without Losing What Matters with Justin Breen
Success isn’t always what it looks like on the outside. In this episode, I talk with Justin Breen about what it really means to lead a visionary business—with clarity, intention, and zero fluff. We unpack Kolbe scores, mindset patterns, and the four traits that set true visionaries apart from the...
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How to Create Copy That Converts with Will Green, Copy Road
What if everything you know about “value-driven copy” is wrong? In this episode, I talk to Will Green, Founder of Copy Road, about what actually makes copy convert. We dive into the difference between trust and tricks, and why the best copy doesn’t need a sales funnel—it needs a promise, proof…
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How to Build Trust with Storytelling (Even If You’re Not a “Natural”) with Karen Eber
Success isn’t just about strategy—it’s about how you communicate it. And when the message isn’t landing, it’s probably not your offer. It’s your story. In this episode, storytelling expert Karen Eber joins A.J. to explore how to build trust with storytelling—whether you're pitching, leading, or...
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How to Build Wealth Through Acquisition Entrepreneurship with Ben Kelly
Success isn’t just about hustle—it’s about smart ownership. In this episode, I sit down with Ben Kelly, an acquisition entrepreneur who’s scaled five businesses with little to no upfront cash. We talk about how you can skip the startup chaos and buy a business that’s already thriving. 🔥 You’ll...
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How to Scale a Business with Clarity – Lessons from Sean Si’s SEO Journey
Growth doesn’t come from hustle. It comes from clarity. Sean Si hit the wall most founders do — trying to do everything, lead everyone, and fix all the things. Then he blew it up and started fresh. In this episode, he walks us through how he scaled SEO Hacker by simplifying, delegating, and...
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How to Invest After Selling a Business (Without Losing It All) with Ben Fraser of Aspen Funds
You built the business. You cashed out. Now what? Most founders think they need to “reinvest everything” or go chase the next big thing. But in this episode of Beyond 8 Figures, I sit down with Ben Fraser of Aspen Funds to break down how to invest after selling a business — the right way. Ben’s...
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How to Scale a Tech-Enabled Business with AI, No-Code, and Reputation with Ray Deck, State Change
Most founders wait too long to adapt. Ray Deck says that’s a mistake—and shows how to scale smarter using the tools you already have. What if the biggest leverage in your business isn’t new funding or a bigger team—but the knowledge and trust you’ve already built? This week, I’m joined by Ray…
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From TikTok to Global Sales: How Kanessa Muluneh Scaled a Fashion Brand Without Shopify
🎙️ What if your biggest business breakthrough came from TikTok… in a language you barely spoke anymore? This week, I sat down with Kanessa Muluneh, the powerhouse behind the fashion brand MULU. She built a thriving clothing company in Africa—not through Shopify or ads—but through Telegram,...
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Scaling Smarter: How to Leverage Global Talent for Business Growth with Kevin Ashcroft
Hiring global talent is no longer just for massive corporations—it’s a game-changer for small and mid-sized businesses, too. In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Ashcroft, a veteran in outsourcing and remote work, to break down the exact strategies you can use to hire, manage, and scale a…
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How to Use Global Talent & Automation to Scale Your Business with Jon Matzner
💡 Think hiring global talent means outsourcing to low-level VAs? Think again. Jon Matzner shares a game-changing approach to hiring and automation that can actually help you scale. 🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ The biggest mistake founders make when hiring global talent ✅ How to structure...
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The Hard Truth About Business Success – Brad Pedersen’s Billion-Dollar Journey
This episode isn’t just another polished success story—it’s the raw, unfiltered reality of what it really takes to build something big. Brad Pedersen has been through the wringer: rapid growth, crushing failures, and three bankruptcies before finally getting it right. In this episode, Brad shares...
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Breaking Through the 7-Figure Growth Ceiling: Solving Common Marketing & Sales Bottlenecks
In this solo episode, I dive deep into the recurring marketing and sales challenges that plague seven-figure businesses trying to scale higher. Drawing from my personal experience and conversations with numerous founders, I explore how scattered marketing data, unclear ROI, and founder…
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Skip the Struggle, Buy the Growth with Jason Ehrlich, Fruition Capital
Picture this: you're grinding away, trying to scale your business, but growth feels like pushing a boulder uphill. What if the problem isn’t how hard you're working but what you're working on? Jason Ehrlich proves there’s a smarter way: one that doesn’t rely on burning out to level up. His…
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Optimize Your Mind: How Meditation & a High-Tech Device Are Elevating My Entrepreneurial Game
In today’s solo episode, I share a personal journey into how blending traditional meditation with modern neurofeedback technology is transforming my approach to stress, focus, and decision-making. I kick things off by reminding you of my Lifetime Consultant offer available at beyondcmo.com—a...
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Meet the Expert Partners Behind Our $38,000+ Business Growth Giveaway
Let’s get straight to it—growth is about making strategic moves, not taking leaps of faith. In this episode, I’m revealing the powerhouse partners behind our $38K+ Business Growth Giveaway. These aren’t just service providers; they’re battle-tested entrepreneurs with proven systems that can help...
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What It Takes to Build and Sell Multi-Million Dollar Businesses with Nikolas Hulewsky, CoFounders
From $0 to millions: learn from Nikolas Hulewsky’s success in business growth, core values, and leveraging content to connect and inspire. $3M, $7M, $11M. These numbers tell a story, but they’re not the whole story. My friend Nikolas Hulewsky has built and sold multimillion-dollar businesses by...
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How a Fractional CFO Can Transform Your Business with Carla Titus, Wealth and Worth Within
What’s your big business goal for this year? Whether it’s scaling smarter, increasing cash flow, or boosting profitability, our Beyond Growth Giveaway can help you get there. This exclusive opportunity won’t last long—go to Beyond 8 Figures to enter and make 2025 the year you crush those goals!...
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Learn from my Coach, From Losing $100K to Selling for $92M
You know that moment when everything feels like it’s falling apart, and you’re not sure what to do next? That’s where Glen Hellman, the executive leadership coach and founder of CXO Elevate, shines. He’s taken companies from the brink of failure to massive success—including a $92 million exit—and...
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Beyond 8 Figures Special: 2024's Most Powerful Lessons for Scaling Your Business
In this special year-end episode, I share the most transformative insights from my conversations with entrepreneurs who've successfully navigated the journey from 7 to 8 figures. Rather than just chasing growth, we're diving deep into how today's most successful entrepreneurs leverage AI, build...
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Custom Apps in 45 Minutes? AI Makes It Possible with Kevin Ashcroft
You know me—I’m all about breaking things down and finding the best ways to get stuff done. But this time? We’re going way beyond theory. In this episode, my good friend and collaborator, Kevin Ashcroft, jumped in and showed me how to actually build TWO apps—live. Step by step, no fluff, just...
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From Spreadsheet Chaos to Financial Freedom with Tyson Koska, OnTrajectory
Let’s face it: entrepreneurs are great at making money but often terrible at managing it. I’m talking endless spreadsheets, vague budgets, and a lot of stress that kept me up at night. If you’ve been there ( I know I have), you need to hear this week’s episode with Tyson Koska, founder of...
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What Happens When You Stop Chasing Profits and Start Building Value with Gabe Galvez, Verde Holdings
We often celebrate fast exits and quick wins, but Gabe Galvez flipped the script. In our chat, he shared why lasting value—not speed—is the ultimate entrepreneurial goal. His focus on capital preservation over chasing trends resonated deeply, reminding me that the best businesses aren’t built...
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Transform Your Hiring System, Go Global for Talent with Kevin Ashcroft
Let’s get real—hiring shouldn’t feel like a leap of faith. We’ve all been there. You’ve got a role to fill, and suddenly, you’re staring at a pile of resumes that all look the same or scrolling through job platforms, wondering how to separate the rockstars from the rest. It feels like a…
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Build an 8-Figure Business That Runs Without You with Reg Zeller, CaneKast
There’s nothing quite like watching a team take full ownership of their roles. Empowering employees means letting them make decisions, sometimes mistakes, and supporting their growth every step of the way. Talking with Reg Zeller, it was clear how he values giving his team real autonomy and...
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Redefining Strategy and Decision-Making with AI with Hamza Mudassir, Strategize.inc
A.J. here. My recent conversation with Cambridge Professor Hamza Mudassir completely changed how I think about business strategy in the age of AI. Hamza isn't just another academic—he's led three $650M+ exits and has uniquely positioned himself at the intersection of practical business success…
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Why Buying a Business Beats Building One with Walker Deibel, Acquisition Lab
When I first got into entrepreneurship, I thought starting from scratch was the only way. I built my agency from the ground up, but after learning from people like Walker Deibel, I see that business acquisition often makes way more sense. Imagine taking over a business that already has customers,...
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Build a Business That Grows Without Burning You Out with Bruce Eckfeldt
When I think about a business roadmap, I see it as the strategy that turns your vision into reality. Looking back, I wish I had one from the start. Entrepreneurs like myself often get lost in the hustle—focused on putting out fires and chasing growth without a real plan. And that’s where things...
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Build a Business That Supports Your Lifestyle with Brian Keane, Brian Keane Fitness LLC
Balancing business growth with family life has been a challenge for me for years. As a husband and father of three wonderful children, everything I do is with my family in mind. I’ve often found myself grinding, trying to scale, but feeling stuck in the day-to-day operations. When I heard Brian...
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Business Growth through Strategic Acquisitions with Lisa Forrest, Live Oak Bank
Entrepreneurship is a risky game, but you can significantly reduce that risk with strategic acquisitions. This method allows you to take over existing businesses that already have proven cash flows and established customer bases. Being particularly interested in acquiring a company, I talked to...
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Playing with AI to Grow with A.J. Lawrence
Over the summer, my team and I dove deep into experimenting with AI. AI in business has been a game changer - from automating tasks to uncovering hidden opportunities; it is reshaping how entrepreneurs like us work smarter, not harder. I’ve tried some incredible tools; this episode is all about...
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Strategic Moves to Secure a Large Exit with Mac Lackey, ExitDNA
When is the best time to sell your business? According to Mac Lackey, it’s never too early to prepare. Drawing from his six successful exits, Mac believes in the power of a strategic exit—selling based on unique value rather than financials. It’s all about thinking ahead and identifying what…
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Building a Sellable Business from Day One with Rachel Murphy, The Grafter
When I sold my last business, I struggled because I wasn't prepared from the beginning. Having a clear exit plan, knowing my business's value, and keeping important documents organized would have made a major difference. I wish I met Rachel Murphy back then because she had a solid strategy from…
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Match Your Strengths with Profitable Business Opportunities with Ray Titus, United Franchise Group
Ever wonder why some businesses thrive while others struggle? The key is strategic alignment. Ray Titus’s experience shows that aligning your company’s mission, goals, and decisions ensures everyone is working towards the same vision. For Ray, this alignment has been crucial in growing his...
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The Strategic Use of Content for Business Growth with John Hall, Relevance
We often talk about strategy—growth strategy, sales strategy, marketing strategy. When it comes to content, strategic content is a game-changer. Aligning content with clear goals builds trust and credibility, leading to sustainable growth. This strategy (pun intended) can work for any business…
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Think Smart, Go global, Build Your Life with Bakari Akil, Nomad Noir
Being adaptable isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for any entrepreneur who wants to see their business thrive for years to come. Flexibility in business helps you to navigate unexpected challenges, seize new opportunities, and pivot when necessary. My interview with Bakari Akil reminded me...
About this show
At Beyond 8 Figures, we believe in DELIBERATE entrepreneurship. It means creating a solid foundational framework for your entrepreneurial journey, building from a place of passion, and intentionally aligning your actions with your goals so that you can create success on your terms.Join A.J. Lawrence, the journeyman entrepreneur with several 7 figure exits, as he shares honest conversations with successful entrepreneurs about their experiences starting and scaling businesses to $10M and beyond, the realities of being a modern-day entrepreneur, advice for practicing deliberate entrepreneurship, and more!
Hosted by
A.J. Lawrence
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