Closing Conversations

A lot of companies do something valuable.Far fewer know how to explain it in a way that makes people care.Laura Burkemper joined me on Closing Conversations to talk about what actually makes a brand land — with investors, with customers, and with the people inside the company.Laura is the founder of Scaleblazer, where she helps companies with investment, scale, and sale. In plain English, that means helping them raise capital, sharpen their message, grow with more clarity, and position themselves for stronger exits.In this episode, we talk about:- Why the clearest companies usually win- How brand, sales, and marketing all need to speak the same language- What makes a company’s story actually investable- Why bad wording can quietly kill momentum- How strong brands evolve without losing themselves- Why internal alignment matters more than most founders realizeLaura has worked with major brands like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Express Scripts, and she brings the kind of perspective that makes complicated things feel simple.If you’re building something, selling something, pitching something, or trying to make your company easier to understand, this one will help.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.comConnect with us:Laura Burkemper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraburkemper/Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Max Notis started Closing Conversations with no grand plan — just a belief that the conversations he was having while building his company were too valuable not to share. One year later, the podcast has grown into a global platform connecting sellers, founders, and leaders through real, unfiltered discussions.In this episode, we talk about:Why Closing Conversations started without a master planThe shared pressure that connects salespeople, founders, and leadersWhy real conversations matter more than polished contentHow sales, leadership, and company growth are deeply interconnectedWhat Max has learned from speaking with operators, investors, and buildersThe journey from starting a podcast to building something realMax reflects on a year of conversations with people across the ecosystem — from sellers in the trenches to founders building companies, to investors shaping what gets funded and scaled.Whether you’ve been listening from day one or just found the show, this episode is a reminder of the power of honest conversations — and why we’re just getting started.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at commissionsales.comConnect with us:Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Dan Bauer has done a little bit of everything — founder, operator, marketer, mentor, advisor — and somehow makes it all sound simple.In this episode, we talk about:Why cold outreach keeps getting harder The difference between real connection and fake familiarityWhy founders need other founders in their cornerHow to sell to pain instead of pitching featuresWhy retirement is the wrong goal for entrepreneurial peopleDan brings decades of experience across startups, consulting, brand strategy, founder mentorship, and business building — from scaling an Inc. 5000 company to advising entrepreneurs on growth, positioning, and exit strategy.Whether you’re building something from scratch, trying to find traction, or just figuring out how to stay sane while doing it, this conversation is packed with perspective.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at commissionsales.comConnect with us:Dan Bauer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bauerdan/ Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Itai Karelic has built revenue in some of the toughest environments there are: deep tech, long sales cycles, tiny buyer universes, and deals where every conversation matters.In this episode, we talk about:• Why enterprise sales in telecom and energy is nothing like high-volume SaaS• The difference between hunters, farmers, and technical sales in complex deals• Why experienced sellers still need leadership, structure, and honest forecasting• How discipline, rejection tolerance, and pattern recognition shape great sales talent• What it means to lead with optimism without becoming delusionalIf you care about enterprise sales, revenue leadership, or building a real sales engine in a technical market, this one is loaded with practical insight.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at commissionsales.comConnect with us:Itai Karelic: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itai-karelic-53a4a9/Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Elias Moosman is the founder of ThetaDriven, and he’s building something that feels inevitable in hindsight: a sales “CRM” that’s less about data entry—and more like a flight simulator + checklist that coaches you through real conversations.But the bigger story is the tech underneath it: a framework designed to fight drift—the way meaning, context, and outputs warp over time inside complex systems (and especially inside AI-powered workflows).In this episode, we talk about:* Why AI drift isn’t a gimmick—it’s a compounding risk* “Grounding” as the missing ingredient in sales training and in AI systems* Why scripts fail, and why questions win* How practice actually creates confidence (and saves real leads)* Elias’s rollout plan, pricing, and where this goes next for agentic workflowsIf you’re a founder selling deep tech, a leader training reps, or a seller who’s tired of feeling unprepared—this one will click.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at commissionsales.comConnect with us:Elias Moosman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliasm/ Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

David Foos is the CEO and President of Massive Dynamics, a global management consulting firm built by entrepreneurs—and run like it.In this episode, we talk about:* Why “time and capital” are the only two resources that matter (and neither is renewable)* The anti-consulting model: 30-day contracts, zero ego, and clients who stay for years* The “dirty half dozen” problems most leadership teams keep repeating* Why most modern sales scripts are painful—and how to sell by actually helping* The rise of “business trauma,” and why Massive Dynamics brought therapists into executive engagementsIt’s a candid conversation about leadership, execution, sales, and what’s happening to founders and CEOs when the ground shifts under them—especially with AI accelerating everything🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at commissionsales.comConnect with us:David Foos: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidfoos/Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Lincoln Murphy has been in the CS world since before most people knew what “customer success” even meant—and he’s blunt about what actually makes companies grow.In this episode, we get into:* Why sales overstuff deals (and what it signals about your post-sale motion)* How to build trust between Sales and CS so customers don’t feel the seams* The handoff play that prevents “surprises, unknowns, and repeating yourself”* Strategic unbundling: holding back the right features so expansion becomes the obvious next step* Why CS isn’t about making customers happy—it’s about getting them out of their own wayIf you’re a founder, CRO, sales leader, or CS leader trying to drive expansion without turning CS into a pushy sales org—this one’s for you.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at commissionsales.comConnect with us:Lincoln Murphy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lincolnmurphy/ Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Brian J. Esposito doesn’t do small talk—and neither do I. We sat down, poured a bourbon, and went straight into the stuff most founders and leaders avoid saying out loud.In this episode, we talk about:* Why “taking the L” is sometimes protection, not failure* How work becomes a socially acceptable addiction* The difference between wanting more and needing more* Integrity when you’re broke, winning, or rebuilding from zero* Why the wrong people can’t look you in the eye—and what to do with that* How pain, setbacks, and pressure season you (if you let them)This one’s equal parts mindset, leadership, and life—through the lens of business, resilience, and a little hockey.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at commissionsales.comConnect with us:Brian J. Esposito: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianjesposito/ Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Sarah Hardwick has raised $140M+ and helped spark one of the most passionate communities in crowdfunding. In this episode, we get real about:* Why vulnerability and values beat “slick” every time* Cadence over quota—building routines that keep you sane and productive* Saying the unpopular thing (and why “no” is a power move)* Genius zones, Kairos vs. Chronos, and designing your week to win* How to build a movement that funds itself—without faking itWhether you’re coaching a team, leading a round, or trying to sell like a human again, Sarah brings clarity, courage, and zero fluff.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.comConnect with us:Sarah Hardwick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhardwick/Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

This is a solo, year-in-review episode of Closing Conversations.After a year of conversations with founders, operators, consultants, and sales leaders, certain themes became impossible to ignore. Rather than recap individual guests or moments, this episode pulls together the patterns that showed up again and again—regardless of industry, title, or experience level.In this reflection, Max shares what hosting Closing Conversations clarified about sales, leadership, and building teams that actually last. From why behavior always beats tools, to how mis-hiring quietly compounds, to why compensation is culture whether you intend it to be or not, this episode is about what actually held up in real conversations throughout the year.This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a synthesis.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.comConnect with us:Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

John Salzinger builds products that matter and the markets around them. As the founder behind MPOWERD’s category-creating solar lights (5M lives impacted, B Corp score 140) and now Haven Lantern, John blends purpose with ruthless practicality. In this episode, we get into:* Why “play to learn” beats “play to win” for founders and sellers* Lean, founder-controlled go-to-market (and when capital quietly becomes a boss)* Culture you don’t manufacture—people you actually want to work with* How category creation really happens (and how it gets cheapened)* Designing products for hard places first—then winning everywhere else* Haven Lantern: 1200-lumen solar + USB-C, 10,000 mAh, ~20 nights, SOS—priced for NGOs to scale impactIf you lead revenue, build product, or care about doing good without the fluff, this one hits.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.comConnect with us:John Salzinger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsalzinger/Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Hope Brick has sat on every side of the table—fashion operator, VP, and now Founder of BRICK Executive Search placing leaders across luxury, fashion, and beauty. In this episode, we talk about:* The 3 hiring signals that never go out of style: hungry, coachable, personable* Why “work–life balance” as a #1 priority can be a tell—and how to probe it without being a jerk* Boundaries vs. burnout: on-days, off-days, and protecting your battery so you can win the week* Remote vs. in-person for “textural” work (color, fabric, fittings) and how to make remote actually work* Moving fast on elite candidates (and the ROI case for flexibility)* Retention over transactions: how great hiring cascades through the whole orgWhether you’re scaling a sales team or hiring creative leaders, Hope brings candid, hard-won perspective on what great talent looks like—and how to keep them.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.comConnect with us:Hope Brick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hopebrick/Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Sales compensation should be simple, fast, and trusted—but too often it’s the opposite. Antoine Fort (Cofounder & CEO, Qobra) joins me to break down what really works in 2025 and what to ditch for good. We talk about:* Why spreadsheets and clever-but-confusing plans destroy trust* The “two KPI” rule for clarity and motivation* Paying monthly on quarterly/yearly targets (and how pacing actually works)* Accelerators vs. decelerators—and when they help or harm* Setting achievable quotas without sandbagging* The manager’s job: pipeline volume, honest coaching, and removing panic from the saleWhether you’re a founder, CRO, or RevOps lead, this is a playbook for comp that aligns behavior with outcomes—and keeps your best reps.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.comConnect with us:Antoine Fort: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoine-fort/Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Casie Gillette has spent nearly two decades turning demand gen into pipeline—from agency days and SEO’s rise to leading member & sponsor marketing at The Suite. In this episode, we get into:* Why the last 5 years changed marketing more than the previous 15* Getting beyond generic content: publish the specifics buyers can’t Google* True ABM (really contact-based): precision ICPs, lists that actually qualify, and where Clay fits* Email is saturated—what still works (and where humanity wins)* Cold calling vs. inbox: Max’s “two-call” tactic and Casie’s counter-take* Community-led growth: dinners, networks, and playing the long game* Using BDs as your on-the-street insight engine (tight feedback loops > guesswork)* Sponsor strategy without the cringe (value to members first, always)Whether you run demand, carry a bag, or need GTM that compounds, Casie brings a grounded, no-fluff view on what’s working now—and what to stop doing.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.comConnect with us:Casie Gillette: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casiegillette/Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Adam Brown doesn’t run ads. He doesn’t cold call. He doesn’t outsource sales.And yet, his social agency, Sircle Media, has been growing strong for 13+ years—powered entirely by trust, content, and a daily presence on LinkedIn. In this episode, we dig into:* How Adam built a no-outreach business through consistency and transparency* Why lazy AI posts actually repel good leads* The difference between posting for clicks vs. posting for clients* Tactical tips to make content a real sales channel* How to sell without “selling”Whether you’re a founder trying to build inbound momentum or a seller looking to stand out in a noisy feed, Adam brings clarity, simplicity, and a no-BS mindset to all of it.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.comConnect with us:Adam Brown: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjbrown23/Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Brano Vargic has seen every side of HR—from CHRO at major banks to founder of a fast-scaling HR tech platform. In this episode, we talk about:* Why employer branding starts with the business—not HR* The danger of building a company people “like” (instead of one people want to work for)* How to reverse-engineer job ads that actually attract the right candidates* What e-commerce can teach us about recruiting top talent* How to convert passive candidates—without wasting a single leadIf you’re building a sales team, hiring at scale, or just sick of copy-paste job descriptions that never land, this episode’s for you.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.comConnect with us:Brano Vargic: https://www.linkedin.com/in/branovargic/Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Dave Sifry is the definition of a serial entrepreneur—founder of nine tech companies, from Technorati to Warm Start, and a former exec at Lyft and Reddit.Dave’s built category-defining companies, worked inside some of tech’s biggest names, and now he’s helping others rediscover the power of their own networks—with the help of AI. Whether you’re a founder looking for your first 10 customers or a seller trying to hit quota without burning out, this one hits home. In this episode, we talk about:* Why cold email is broken—and how to fix it* Using AI to reawaken relationships, not replace them* What most people get wrong about “being of service”* How great sales still comes down to sincerity and timing* The difference between outreach that’s clever and outreach that connects🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.comConnect with us:Dave Sifry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsifry/Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

What happens when you let go of pressure, stop chasing the next thing, and start really living the work you’re doing?Amos Schwartzfarb has led six companies, authored two books, advised hundreds of founders—and somehow still found the time to release a new indie rock single. He’s someone who’s learned (and earned) perspective, and in this episode, we get deep into it.We talk about:* Letting go of outcome obsession* Why “being in sales” doesn’t mean selling* The self-imposed pressure that sabotages performance* Why sucking for a while is actually a superpower* The mental habits that top performers build on purposeThis one’s for every founder, seller, or leader trying to stop white-knuckling their way through the journey and actually enjoy it.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.comConnect with us:Amos Schwartzfarb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amosschwartzfarb/Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

In this episode of Closing Conversations, Max sits down with Yusuf Ongel, founder of XDRhub and self-proclaimed cold calling beast. With over 140,000 dials under his belt, Yusuf shares what most teams get wrong about sales development—and how to fix it.They dig into:* Why most SDRs fail (and what real enablement looks like)* What’s changed in outbound over the past 5 years* Why coaching is the job of sales leadership* How cold calling is still the #1 channel—if you know how to use itIf you're hiring SDRs, building pipeline, or coaching reps—this one’s for you.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.comConnect with us:Yusuf Ongel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yusufongel/Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Kristen Habacht has done it all—CSM, CRO, COO, and now CEO of Elly.ai. In this episode, we talk about:How product-led growth really worksWhy most hiring processes are totally brokenThe art of simple, honest marketingHow great sellers don’t all come from SalesforceWhat it takes to scale a product that actually sells itselfWhether you’re a founder trying to build GTM from scratch or a seller figuring out where the industry’s headed, Kristen brings clarity, humor, and no-BS insight to all of it.🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.comConnect with us:Kristen Habacht: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-habacht-80288780/Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Ken Pouliot has led enterprise sales teams at Box, Gigya, Percolate, and SheerID—scaling revenue from $10M to $75M. In this episode, he joins Max to break down why most teams stall, what real enablement looks like, and how the best sellers stay relevant while the rest rely on shortcuts. No fluff. Just what it takes to win.In this episode, we cover: – How AI is changing sales roles and startup strategy – Why real enablement (not onboarding theater) drives performance – The rise of RevOps and what great sales training actually looks like – How to cut through noise with personalization and active listening – What sales leaders are getting wrong about buyer behavior and churn – And why the best sellers still thrive—even in a world of shortcuts and confusionWhether you’re launching a company or scaling one, this is a must-listen for anyone selling into uncertainty.Connect with us:Ken Pouliot: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pouliot-244b7b1/Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

Bryan Lemster has advised hundreds of startups across AI, blockchain, wearable tech, and beyond. But he’s not interested in buzzwords—he backs companies solving real problems for real people.In this episode, we cover: How to succeed in founder-led salesWhy social proof should be your GTM backboneWhat happens when startups chase the wrong ICPWhen to flex your roadmap for big-name clients—and when to walkHow macro-economic conditions shape product successAnd Bryan’s wild (but deeply practical) vision for MirrorNet, a hyper-personalized hotel experience powered by biodata.Whether you’re launching a company or scaling one, this is a must-listen for anyone selling into uncertainty.Connect with us:Bryan Lemster: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-lemster-5252b41/Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

In this no-BS conversation, host Max Notis sits down with Deepak Srivastava, co-founder of Sunrise AI, to unpack the art—and the necessity—of founder-led sales. Dive into the “Wild West” of scaling where your first round of funding means nothing without real market validation. Learn how to:🔥 Presell before you code – use customer conversations as your R&D lab.🤫 Listen 70% of the time – measure airtime, not buzzwords, to unearth raw pain points.🤝 Be a missionary, not a mercenary – build trust with brutal transparency, not fake-it-’til-you-make-it hype.Whether you’re pre-product or plotting your next growth leap, Deepak’s battle stories from Dropbox to Porter & Sale will show you why the heartbeat of every startup is in the founder’s own sales pitch—and why outsourcing that relationship is a death knell. Tune in for candid tactics on turning your vision into revenue—and keeping the magic alive as you scale.Linkedin:Deepak Shrivastava: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepak-shrivastava-3baa12/Connect with me:Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

In this episode of Closing Conversations, Max Notis is joined by Josh Epstein, who has scaled revenue to over $200M across roles at VMware, HashiCorp, and now as CRO at Coder — but what makes him stand out isn’t just the numbers. It’s how he leads. Josh deepdives on what great revenue leadership really looks like: from gut-check accountability tools (“If I get defensive, they’re probably right”), to hiring with integrity, to creating a culture where sellers feel safe to speak up and motivated to win. They cover the red weddings, the rebuilds, and the reality of running a GTM org that doesn’t implode under pressure.If you lead sales, want to lead sales, or are hiring someone who does — this one’s for you.Linkedin:Josh Epstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-epstein-5783aa/Connect with me:Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

In this episode of Closing Conversations, Max Notis is joined by Rob Gibbons, a seasoned sales leader who remains deeply involved in the day-to-day sales processes. Rob shares insights from his journey scaling teams, leading companies through transformational growth, and coaching sales reps. They discuss the importance of leading from the front, the nuances of effective coaching at scale, and the crucial 'pipeline gut check' that ensures deal closings. With practical advice on building relationships, handling enterprise sales, and fostering a loyal, high-performing sales team, this conversation is a must-listen for founders, sales leaders, and reps alike. Linkedin:Rob Gibbons: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertgibbonsonline/Connect with me:Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

In this episode of Closing Conversations, Max Notice sits down with Tiffany Slowinski, CEO of Team Spark Advisors, to discuss the keys to hiring and leading top-performing sales teams. Tiffany shares her expertise on using data-driven tools like Culture Index to ensure the right hires, and emphasizes the importance of personalized management styles to retain and empower employees. The discussion covers practical strategies for effective sales leadership, including persistence, coaching, and fostering a collaborative team environment. If you’re building a team—or trying to join the right one—this one’s for you.Linkedins:Tiffany Slowinski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanyslowinski/Connect with me:Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

In this premiere episode of Closing Conversations, Max Notis sits down with Chris Brady, Betty Bungard, and Emily Botero from Sage’s GTM team to dissect one of the most important—and most misunderstood—topics in sales leadership: hiring.We explore why the “hire someone from that company” mentality is lazy, what actually makes top sellers say yes, and how the interview process often reveals more about the company than the candidate. From sales managers who can’t sell the role to founders looking for quick fixes, this episode breaks down the myths and offers a more honest, effective approach to building a winning team.Whether you're hiring your first rep or your fiftieth, this is the episode to listen to before your next interview.Linkedins:Chris Brady: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissourcer/Betty Bungard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bdbungard/Emily Botero: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-pearce-botero-859a36127/