Your Business Growth Podcast

What happens when your business valuation comes back far lower than expected because AI is threatening your entire industry?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast⁠, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360, to break down how a shocking valuation forced him to rethink his agency.Wes had built a successful web agency, but the business was still too dependent on him, margins were tightening, and custom projects were becoming harder to scale. Then came the wake-up call: the market saw his agency as vulnerable to AI disruption.Instead of ignoring the warning, Wes rebuilt the business.That shift led to: ✔️ 60% recurring revenue ✔️ Higher-margin service delivery ✔️ Stronger niche positioning ✔️ Faster project turnaround ✔️ Better internal systems ✔️ Less founder dependency ✔️ His most profitable year yetIn this episode, we break down: ✔️ Why AI forced Wes to rethink his agency model ✔️ How niching into construction changed his positioning ✔️ Why taking the wrong clients can destroy margins ✔️ How productized services made delivery easier ✔️ Why recurring revenue changed the business ✔️ How AI can support better workflows ✔️ Why removing services can create more growthIf you run an agency, service business, or founder-led company, this episode will help you think differently about focus, systems, and long-term value.👉 Connect with Wes Towers: • Website: https://uplift360.com.au/ • Wes Towers on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/westowers/ • Wes Towers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Uplift360Aus • Wes Towers on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@westowers • Wes Towers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uplift_360/ • Wes Towers on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@uplift_360/streams • Wes Towers on X: https://x.com/uplift_360📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth PlaybookChapters:00:00 Niching Painful Lessons00:48 AI Threat Wake Up Call01:14 Show Intro And Guest01:46 Wes Origin Story03:24 Finding The Trade Niche05:02 Lifestyle First Growth Plan06:50 Plateau And Margin Squeeze09:16 Valuation Shock Explained11:23 Personal Brand Exit Risk12:44 Team Led AI Overhaul15:17 Exit Mindset And Systems17:15 Niching Horror Story20:42 Productized Website Frameworks24:17 Pricing Power And Delegation25:53 Maintenance Saves Clients27:05 AI Content Workflows28:31 SEO Automation With Rank Math31:50 Recurring Revenue Stability35:00 Niche Attracts Bigger Clients37:33 Standardizing Delivery With ClickUp40:16 Eliminate Low Value Work44:00 Mentors And Decisive Focus46:13 Rapid Fire Growth Questions50:39 Wrap Up And Where To Find WesKeywords: Wes Towers, Uplift 360, web agency growth, recurring revenue, business valuation, AI in business, niche marketing, construction marketing, digital agency, productized services, agency systems, founder dependency, SEO, service business growth, Jeremy Shapiro, Your Business Growth Podcast#podcast #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #DigitalMarketing #AgencyLife #RecurringRevenueWant to be a ⁠guest on Your Business Growth Podcast⁠? Send Jeremy Shapiro a message on ⁨PodMatch here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetail/your_business_growth_podcast🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!

What happens when the biggest contracts in your business are actually slowing you down?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Albert Butler, a CPA and business advisor, who shares how chasing large government contracts nearly limited his firm’s growth—and what happened when he shifted focus instead.Albert built his career working across multiple industries before stepping into a firm heavily focused on government proposals. While these contracts looked prestigious, they required massive effort, long timelines, and high risk—often delaying revenue and draining resources.Instead of continuing down that path, Albert made a bold decision—shift focus to smaller, high-value clients with faster turnaround and stronger relationships.That shift led to: ✔️ 3X revenue growth ✔️ Faster sales cycles (months to weeks) ✔️ Higher profit margins ✔️ Stronger client retention and referrals ✔️ Long-term, lifetime customer relationshipsIn this episode, we break down: ✔️ Why large contracts can limit business growth ✔️ The hidden cost of long sales cycles ✔️ How to reduce customer acquisition time ✔️ Building a client-for-life business model ✔️ Why accounting is the heartbeat of business ✔️ The mindset shift from transactions to relationshipsIf you're a business owner, consultant, or service provider chasing big deals but struggling with growth, this episode will challenge how you think about profitability, scale, and focus.👉 Connect with Albert Butler: • Albert Butler on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@albertbutlercpa• Albert Butler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/butleralbert• Albert Butler on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/albertbutlercpa• Albert Butler on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577977890720• Albert Butler's Book: https://www.amazon.com/LIFE-Success-Failure-Quotes-Advice-ebook/dp/B0FKGJD7LD 📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth PlaybookChapters:00:00 Proposal Pain Points00:59 Meet Albert Butler01:46 Origin Story Accounting03:11 Entering Government Contracts06:00 Client Experience Matters07:24 Partner Disagreements08:43 Partner Exit Buyout12:58 New Growth Strategy15:26 ROI And Sales Cycle20:57 Training Team Shift23:24 Heartbeat Framework24:28 Accounting Heartbeat25:46 Tripling Through Niche27:44 Client For Life29:15 Legacy Life Strategy32:13 Margins And Value34:35 Purpose Over Money35:53 Plan Act Review37:58 Hire Better People39:06 Retention Referral Metrics43:14 Rapid Fire Wrap Up45:05 Final Recap And LinksKeywords: Albert Butler, accounting business, CPA growth, small business strategy, client retention, business scaling, profit growth#podcast #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Accounting #SmallBusinessWant to be a guest on Your Business Growth Podcast? Send Jeremy Shapiro a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/your_business_growth_podcast🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!

What happens when your team is working harder than ever—but your revenue refuses to grow?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Shawn Boehme, a sales leader in cloud communications, who shares how poor alignment across product, sales, and marketing nearly stalled his business—and what happened when he fixed it.Sean started his career during the early days of cloud communications, joining a fast-growing company and riding the wave of VoIP adoption. But as competition increased and the pandemic accelerated the market, growth stalled despite increased effort and hiring.Instead of accepting the plateau, Sean made a bold decision—realign product, redefine the ideal customer, and restructure the entire offer.That shift led to: ✔️ 20%+ growth after a complete plateau ✔️ Quadrupling overall revenue ✔️ Higher close rates (up to 50% inbound) ✔️ Reduced churn by nearly half ✔️ Stronger alignment across teamsIn this episode, we break down: ✔️ Why high activity doesn’t equal high growth ✔️ How misalignment silently kills revenue ✔️ The importance of defining your ideal customer profile (ICP) ✔️ Why product should lead sales strategy ✔️ How tiered pricing increases deal size and revenue ✔️ Leveraging partnerships as scalable lead sourcesIf you're a business owner, sales leader, or entrepreneur stuck in a growth plateau, this episode will reshape how you think about scaling, alignment, and execution.👉 Connect with Shawn Boehme: • Panterra Networks: https://www.panterranetworks.com/ • Shawn Boehme on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-boehme-72934469/📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth PlaybookChapters:00:00 Doing More With Less00:24 Podcast Setup And Guest Intro01:08 Sean's Origin Story03:50 Why Pantera Networks05:18 Early Cloud Growth Years06:29 Pandemic Plateau Hits09:06 Sales Team Morale And Poaching11:05 Redefining ICP And Offer14:28 Product Led Alignment Wins17:45 New Seat Tiers Drive Revenue20:05 Cutting Team And Value Pricing21:42 Pivot Toward Channel Sales22:46 Channel As Lead Source24:32 Hybrid Sales Model25:34 Scaling With Owners28:48 Product As North Star30:39 Differentiation Boosts Close33:17 Churn Cut In Half38:07 Metrics And Feedback40:02 Hindsight Customer Engagement41:20 AI Content Lead Gen42:48 Books And Mentors45:12 Wrap Up And Subscribe Keywords: Shawn Boehme, sales growth, SaaS sales, business scaling, cloud communications, VoIP, sales leadership, product market fit, revenue growth strategies, ICP strategy#podcast #BusinessGrowth #SalesStrategy #Entrepreneurship #SaaSWant to be a guest on Your Business Growth Podcast? Send Jeremy Shapiro a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetail/your_business_growth_podcast🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!

What happens when you stop charging upfront fees—and tie your entire business to performance?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Ari Rastegar, founder of Rastegar Capital, who shares how aligning investor success with his own transformed his business—and helped him scale from a law student building houses to managing a billion-dollar real estate portfolio.Ari began his journey while still in law school, taking on risky real estate deals with little experience and learning everything in real time. After early wins and failures, he transitioned into institutional-level investing, raising capital, structuring deals, and eventually building a vertically integrated real estate platform.But along the way, he made a key decision: move away from fee-heavy models and instead build a performance-driven business where he only wins when investors win.That shift led to:✔️ Stronger investor trust and long-term relationships✔️ More disciplined deal selection and risk management✔️ Alignment between performance and profitability✔️ Scalable growth into a multi-billion dollar development pipelineIn this episode, we break down:✔️ Why traditional fee-based real estate models can misalign incentives✔️ How Ari raised capital early without experience or track record✔️ The crawl → walk → run framework for scaling any business✔️ Why most entrepreneurs underestimate psychological resilience✔️ How vertical integration builds long-term competitive advantage✔️ The role of mindset, failure, and adaptability in business growthIf you're a real estate investor, entrepreneur, or operator trying to scale while managing risk, this episode will reshape how you think about growth, alignment, and long-term success.👉 Connect with Ari Rastegar: • Rastegar Capital: https://rastegarcapital.com/ • Ari Rastegar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arirastegar/ • Book – The Gift of Failure: https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Failure-Turn-Missteps-Success/dp/1544523211📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth Playbook (https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/) Chapters:00:00 From law school to real estate investing03:20 First deal with no experience08:40 Scaling into institutional investing14:10 The KPMG building deal breakdown20:00 Raising capital without a track record26:30 Crawl → walk → run business model32:00 The real risks entrepreneurs ignore38:10 Why performance-based models win44:20 Fee structures vs investor alignment50:30 Building a vertically integrated platform56:00 Mental resilience in business1:02:00 Lessons from failure and setbacks1:08:00 Final insights and takeawaysKeywords: Ari Rastegar, real estate investing, capital raising, private equity real estate, performance based investing, real estate development, vertical integration, business growth, entrepreneurship mindset, scaling a business#podcast #RealEstateInvesting #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #PrivateEquity🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!

What happens when the people managing your properties are the biggest reason your business is stuck?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Leo Young, a real estate investor and operator who shares how poor third-party property management nearly limited his growth—and what happened when he took full control instead.Leo started his career in sales before transitioning into real estate investing, eventually building a portfolio focused on manufactured housing communities. But as he scaled, he realized a major bottleneck: outsourced property managers were slowing down operations, increasing costs, and holding back property performance.Instead of accepting the inefficiencies, Leo made a bold decision—bring property management fully in-house.That shift led to:✔️ Up to 60% cost savings on property management✔️ Faster unit infill and occupancy growth✔️ Stronger operational control and execution✔️ Significant increases in property valuation (up to $160K–$240K impact per asset)In this episode, we break down:✔️ Why third-party property management often fails at scale✔️ The real economics behind manufactured housing communities✔️ How vertical integration improves both cash flow and valuation✔️ The trade-offs of bringing operations in-house✔️ Systems, processes, and hiring needed to make it work✔️ The mindset shift required to move from investor to operatorIf you're a real estate investor, business owner, or operator relying on external partners, this episode will challenge how you think about control, efficiency, and growth.👉 Connect with Leo Young: • Cornell Communities https://cornellcommunities.com/ • Leo Young on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/leo-young • Leo Young on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leoyoungrealestate📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth PlaybookChapters:00:00 The hidden cost of bad property management01:10 From Tesla sales to real estate investing05:20 Why manufactured housing made sense09:40 Scaling to multi-million dollar transactions13:00 The property management bottleneck17:30 Why third-party managers limit growth22:10 Decision to bring management in-house26:00 Early chaos: handling calls, rent, and systems30:45 Building internal systems from scratch35:20 Faster unit infill and execution gains39:00 Cost savings: 60%+ reduction explained42:30 How operational changes increase valuation47:00 Vertical integration vs outsourcing51:30 Lessons from the transition phase55:00 Key KPIs for property performance58:30 Advice for investors facing poor management1:02:00 Final insights and takeawaysKeywords: Leo Young, real estate investing, property management, vertical integration, manufactured housing, mobile home parks, real estate operations, business growth, asset management, property valuation, passive income, real estate podcast, scaling real estate, investor strategies, cost reduction, property investing tips, real estate portfolio growth#podcast #RealEstateInvesting #PropertyManagement #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #passiveincome 🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!

What do you do when referrals slow down, revenue starts shrinking, and the strategy that built your business stops working?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Virginia Elder to unpack how she rebuilt her podcast production business after hitting a painful plateau. Virginia shares how she first entered business after transforming her own finances, launched a personal finance podcast, and then discovered that other financial professionals wanted her help launching and producing their shows.But the early momentum did not last forever. As the market changed, referrals became less dependable, buyer behavior shifted, and Virginia found herself buried in production work with too little time spent on growth. Instead of going back to a traditional job, she made a series of focused moves: refining her niche, changing her messaging, building new service tiers, leaning into strategy, and using personal outreach to connect with higher-value leads.You’ll hear about:✔︎ How her first podcast opened the door to a completely new business✔︎ Why referrals alone became too risky✔︎ The shift from “podcast manager” to podcast strategist✔︎ How the rise of video podcasting changed buyer expectations✔︎ Why she stopped spending time in the wrong networking rooms✔︎ The difference between busy production work and true growth work✔︎ How she built lower-ticket strategy offers that led to stronger client relationships✔︎ Why personalized outreach on LinkedIn worked better than generic pitching✔︎ The role of webinars, email list growth, and Facebook ads in building demand✔︎ How identity shifts inside the founder often come before business shifts outsideIf your business has felt stuck, overdependent on referrals, or too tied to execution work, this episode gives a practical look at how to reposition your services and create a stronger path to growth.👉 Connect with Virginia Elder • Virginia Elder on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginiaelder/ • Virginia Elder on YouTube https://⁨youtube.com/@PodcastingforFinancialPros⁩ • Virginia Elder on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcastabundance📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth Playbook (https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com/) Chapters:00:00 Revenue plateau and the need to reposition01:20 From corporate accounting to financial coaching04:25 Paying off debt and launching a podcast07:15 Finding a gap in the personal finance media space10:05 How the first podcast created a new business opportunity13:20 Why she stopped her own show after 30 episodes16:10 Building a podcast production niche for financial professionals19:40 Early warning signs that growth was slowing23:10 The risk of relying on one referral channel26:30 How video podcasting changed the market30:00 Busy work vs actual growth work33:45 Why she pulled back from the wrong networking groups37:10 Choosing better rooms and better referral sources40:20 Creating lower-ticket strategy offers44:30 The podcast audit and conversion lab model48:15 Personalized LinkedIn outreach that works52:10 Webinars, email growth, and Facebook ads55:40 Identity shift: from podcast manager to strategist 59:00 What she would have done sooner 1:01:30 Final thoughts and where to find VirginiaKeywords: Virginia Elder, Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro, podcast production, podcast strategist, podcast growth, financial professionals, niche marketing, podcast audit, business growth, referrals, LinkedIn outreach, video podcasting, Facebook ads, webinar marketing, service business growth, offer creation, email list growth, entrepreneur mindset, podcast agency#podcast #PodcastGrowth #BusinessGrowth #ServiceBusiness #NicheMarketing #Entrepreneurship🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!

What happens when your business is growing—but your model quietly starts holding you back?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Eric Lowe, co-founder of Aptiva Health, to break down how he identified a hidden operational bottleneck and turned it into a major growth opportunity.Eric shares how his early virtual healthcare model—built on part-time providers—worked at first, but eventually began limiting scale, consistency, and patient experience. Instead of pushing harder or hiring more contractors, he stepped back, analyzed the data, and made a bold decision: bring key parts of the operation fully in-house.That decision reshaped the business—and helped scale it into a $30M healthcare system.Inside this episode:✔︎ Why part-time providers created a hidden growth ceiling✔︎ The real cost mismatch: 60% spend for only 30% productivity✔︎ How patient experience exposed operational weaknesses✔︎ The turning point that led to hiring full-time physicians✔︎ Why culture and consistency matter more than flexibility✔︎ How bringing services in-house improved margins and outcomes✔︎ The strategy behind building specialized healthcare centers✔︎ Using AI to increase efficiency without replacing people✔︎ How COVID forced rapid adaptation—and created new growth opportunities✔︎ The simple mindset shift that helps founders get unstuckEric also breaks down how solving one problem at a time—rather than trying to fix everything—was the key to sustained growth.This episode is a strong lesson in operations, scaling strategy, and making the hard decisions that unlock the next level of your business.👉 Connect with Eric LoweEric's Upcoming Book, Broker Driven: https://www.brokerdriven.com/Eric Lowe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericloweaptiva/Eric Lowe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eric.lowe.139945Eric Lowe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eric.j.lowe/📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth Playbook00:00 Solve One Problem00:25 Bottleneck Breakthrough01:19 Origin Story Luck03:29 Virtual Practice Model06:53 Building Supply Demand10:17 Scheduling Hits Limits12:23 Full Time Economics15:18 In House Commitment17:06 Culture Over Contractors18:58 Scaling Clinics Operations22:09 Leadership Systems Loops24:28 AI For Clinician Support27:38 COVID Growth Catalysts29:30 Building Mental Wellness31:49 Cost Control Playbook33:59 In House Radiology Decision36:18 Bundled Surgery Pricing39:10 Founder Problem Solving40:57 Leverage Debt To Scale42:02 Rapid Fire Takeaways45:09 Wrap Up And Next StepsKeywords: Eric Lowe, Aptiva Health, healthcare business growth, medical practice scaling, operational bottleneck, healthcare management, business systems, scaling strategy, patient experience, healthcare operations, AI in healthcare, medical entrepreneurship, vertical integration, healthcare marketing, business growth podcast, Jeremy Shapiro, healthcare startup, physician business model #podcast #BusinessGrowth #HealthcareBusiness #ScalingBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Operations🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!

What do you do when your business hits a ceiling—not because demand disappears, but because your pricing model traps you there?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Mark Walton to break down how he went from a low-ticket Forex education model that kept stalling out to a premium coaching business with a waiting list and far more freedom.Mark shares his path from selling a physical business in the UK, moving his family to Lanzarote, struggling through failed website work, and learning Forex trading the hard way—before finally finding a mentor who helped him turn things around.Later, when his education business hit a wall, he realized the answer was not more volume. It was better positioning, better offer structure, and a much higher value conversation.You’ll hear about:✔︎ Why his original monthly membership hit a psychological pricing ceiling✔︎ How annual and lifetime offers increased customer value fast✔︎ Why some clients stay only a few months in low-ticket programs✔︎ How premium pricing led to better clients and stronger commitment✔︎ The shift from DIY education to high-ticket private coaching✔︎ Why he screens clients before accepting them into coaching✔︎ How a waiting list helped him protect his time and quality of service✔︎ Why multiple income streams matter, especially when markets shiftThis episode is a strong lesson in pricing, positioning, and building a business that gives you freedom instead of more complexity.👉 Connect with Marc Waltonhttps://www.forexmentorpro.com/https://yourinvestingfuture.com/ William Holsten on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcwaltonMarc Walton on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@marcwaltonMarc Walton on X: https://x.com/marcwaltonMarc Walton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcwaltonfx/📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth Playbook: https://www.youtube.com/@YourBusinessGrowthPlaybookChapters:00:00 Island Leap and Income00:36 Forex Wake Up Call04:34 Mentor and Breakthrough06:06 Multiple Income Mindset07:20 Course Launch Partnership10:39 From Fund to Clients12:09 Pricing Ceiling Lessons18:08 High Ticket Coaching Shift21:12 Tiered Offers Explained22:02 Daughter Sparks Pricing22:52 Doubling Coaching Fees24:34 Switching to Crypto26:05 Multiple Income Streams28:14 Membership Pricing Tiers31:02 Side Brand Cross Sell32:44 Waitlist and Selectivity35:51 Scaling Without Employees37:46 Avoiding Tiered Upsell Traps38:58 Advice for Stuck Owners42:57 KPIs and AI Search Shift45:07 Where to Find Mark45:48 Final Thanks and SubscribeKeywords: Mark Walton, Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro, Forex mentor, trading education, high ticket coaching, pricing strategy, membership business, customer lifetime value, annual offer, lifetime offer, waiting list business, premium pricing, online course business, trading coach, multiple income streams, Lanzarote entrepreneur, offer structure, business freedom, serial entrepreneur#HighTicketCoaching #PricingStrategy #MembershipBusiness #BusinessFreedom #tradingeducation🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop! https://www.youtube.com/@YourBusinessGrowthPlaybook

What happens when your side hustle is an instant hit… and then starts falling apart the moment you scale it?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with William Holston to unpack the hard lesson behind an early product success that almost collapsed under real-world demand. William shares how a backyard charity carnival inspired a breakout game idea, how early customer demand validated the concept fast, and how scaling with the wrong materials created a wave of product failures, refunds, and hard decisions.Instead of hiding from the problem, William made customers whole, rebuilt the product in steel, raised the price, and created a more durable business model with add-ons, repeat purchases, and a stronger market position.You’ll hear about:✔︎ How a “dunk tank without 500 gallons of water” became a real business✔︎ Why MVP success does not guarantee scale-ready execution✔︎ The difference between top-line excitement and trueprofitability✔︎ What to do when product quality starts breaking trust✔︎ Why William chose refunds over reputation damage✔︎ How rebuilding the product in steel led to a premium priceincrease✔︎ The role of add-ons, consumables, and repeat purchases in improving margins✔︎ What his later national study found about stress, fatigue, distraction, and business mistakesThis episode is a strong reminder that one bad scaling decision does not have to end the business—if you are willing to protect trust, learn fast, and rebuild the model the right way.👉 Connect with William HolstenWilliam Holsten on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-holsten Mistake Risk Quiz: https://MistakeRiskQuiz.com 📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth Playbook: https://www.youtube.com/@YourBusinessGrowthPlaybookChapters:00:00 Scaling Loan Blunder01:23 Dunk Tank Problem02:28 Pitch Burst MVP04:10 Early Demand Surge05:13 Wow Moment Differentiation06:30 Customers And Channels07:26 Quality Crisis Hits09:52 Refunds And Retrench10:28 Steel Redesign Win13:06 Pricing And ROI15:07 Upsells And Consumables17:12 Goof Proof Testing20:43 From Games To Research24:11 STORM And SAFER27:44 Study Surprises28:49 Advice And Routines32:25 Looking Back Lessons34:34 Using The Risk Quiz35:46 Recap And Where To Go36:40 Final Thanks And SubscribeKeywords: William Holston, Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro, product failure, product scaling, MVP, minimum viable product, pricing strategy, premium pricing, refunds and reputation, customer trust, entrepreneurship, business mistakes, risk management, mistake prevention, product market fit, side hustle growth, add-on sales, repeat purchases, innovation, small business lessons#podcast #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #PricingStrategy #ProductDevelopment #riskmanagement 🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop! https://www.youtube.com/@YourBusinessGrowthPlaybook

What do you do when you’ve built an award-winning, nationally recognized firm… and still can’t find profit?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Lance Cayko (F9 Productions) to break down a counterintuitive turnaround: instead of hiring more people and chasing bigger volume, Lance capped headcount, tightened operations, and used pricing strategy to change the economics of the business.You’ll hear how Lance and his team created an “expedite” option that cut delivery time in half—and in many cases, prospects happily paid double. He also shares what happened when they raised fees (including for repeat clients), tracked time and KPIs at the employee level, and built a real feedback loop between architecture and construction to reduce field issues and improve outcomes.In this episode, you’ll hear about:✔️ Why “busy” doesn’t mean profitable (and how to prove it with time tracking)✔️ The hidden ceiling around headcount and customer service quality✔️ A simple premium “speed” add-on that converts fast✔️ How a 25% fee increase landed with clients (and why most didn’t blink)✔️ The culture play: revenue visibility, shared targets, and 5-star review tracking✔️ Why vertical integration (design + build + development) changes margins✔️ The mindset shift: hearing “no” is part of winning long-termIf you’re stuck at a plateau, drowning in overhead, or afraid to raise prices—this episode is a practical playbook for making profit without piling on more staff.👉 Connect with Lance CaykoLance Cayko on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-cayko-1227031a/Lance Cayko on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@FishingWithLanceLance Cayko on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fishingwithlance/📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, https://www.youtube.com/@YourBusinessGrowthPlaybookChapters:00:00 The “half the time, double the fee” moment01:12 Meet Lance Cayko + the profit problem03:05 Builder-first background and why it matters in design06:10 Design-build as a differentiator and feedback loop from the field09:05 Early survival mode and building systems for volume12:20 Tiny house project, viral growth, and big brand opportunities16:35 Vertical integration: architect + builder + developer20:10 The confusing plateau: busy team, no profit23:40 Time tracking, KPIs, and finding the real leak27:10 Why headcount growth can break customer service30:05 Raising fees and the “attorney letter” model33:10 The expedite add-on: faster timeline, higher fee37:05 Premium pricing vs race-to-the-bottom thinking40:20 Revenue transparency: the office thermometer + reviews44:10 Hiring lessons: training, standards, and culture47:30 Turning losses into profit with better pricing mechanics51:10 Advice: hear “no,” take ownership, and protect the model54:40 Where to find Lance + wrap-upKeywords: Lance Cayko, F9 Productions, Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro, premium pricing, price increase, value-based pricing, expedite fee, faster delivery, profit margins, service business profitability, time tracking, KPIs, architecture firm growth, design build, vertical integration, headcount cap, customer service, operations strategy, revenue transparency#podcast #PremiumPricing #ProfitTurnaround #ExpediteFee #ServiceBusinessGrowth #DesignBuild🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop! https://www.youtube.com/@YourBusinessGrowthPlaybook

Most successful podcasts aren’t just about the guests—they’re about the preparation behind the scenes. In this special Behind the Scenes episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, host Jeremy Shapiro reveals the proven episode planning system that transforms ordinary conversations into compelling stories that resonate with your audience. If you’re tired of aimless recordings and want to craft episodes that hook listeners from the first second, this episode is your blueprint for intentional, impactful content.Delve into Jeremy’s step-by-step process for designing episode plans that set a clear narrative arc and ensure every conversation feels structured, yet natural. You’ll discover how he screens guests with laser precision—using application forms, pre-interview calls, and in-depth research—to find stories that truly fit his show’s focus on entrepreneurs who broke through a growth plateau. Jeremy shares how to tease out those pivotal moments that turn an average episode into a story worth sharing.We break down the core components of a standout episode plan—crafting unique titles that draw curiosity, developing a compelling backstory that hooks listeners, and plotting questions to highlight a guest’s transformation. Jeremy emphasizes the importance of aligning the episode arc with your show’s format, using research (books, social profiles, bios) to deepen the conversation, and preparing a flexible outline that keeps the dialogue engaging and dynamic.Why does this matter? Because skipping planning often leads to scattered, forgettable episodes. With a strategic framework, you can elevate your podcast’s quality, attract better guests, and deliver content that truly impacts your audience. Jeremy’s approach isn’t about strict scripting—it's about creating a roadmap to guide authentic dialogue while maintaining clarity and focus.Perfect for podcasters serious about quality, guest-driven shows, or entrepreneurs wanting to harness the power of storytelling—this behind-the-scenes look reveals how meticulous planning directly correlates with audience growth, guest satisfaction, and content longevity. If you’re ready to stop winging it and start producing episodes that stand out, listen now. Your audience—and your metrics—will thank you.Recommended Resources:Subscribe to Your Business Growth Podcast today!David's podcast ⁨Firing the ManBrad's podcast Beyond a MillionKeywords: Podcast Planning, Episode Structure, Guest Screening, Narrative Arc, Podcast Growth, Storytelling Techniques, Entrepreneur Success, Audience Engagement, Podcast Tips, Content Strategy#PodcastPlanning #EpisodeStructure #GuestScreening #NarrativeArc #PodcastGrowth #Storytelling #EntrepreneurSuccess #AudienceEngagement #PodcastTips #ContentStrategy #podcast #bts #behindthescenes #behindthemusic Chapters:00:00 - Why episode planning enhances podcast quality00:30 - Jeremy’s three main guest sourcing methods00:59 - Simplifying the guest intake and screening process01:27 - Crafting the initial episode concept from applications02:23 - Conducting pre-interview calls to shape the narrative03:44 - Selecting stories that illustrate overcoming business growth plateaus04:51 - Setting up for research: author bios, social media, and other background info06:17 - Filtering pitches: understanding proper fit for your show07:08 - Prepping for episode creation after research and interviews08:04 - Deep research: exploring books, social media, and website content09:00 - Developing effective episode titles and hooks10:00 - Structuring the narrative arc: from origins to lessons learned11:04 - Defining call-to-action points for guests12:01 - Sharing detailed episode plans with guests for feedback12:30 - How a flexible outline improves natural conversation flow13:26 - The value of structured prep vs. winging it14:26 - Final encouragement to develop your own episode planning process🛎️ Subscribe to Your Business Growth Podcast today!

What do you do when your business is profitable, referrals keep coming in, and yet every “yes” means longer days, more stress, and less of your life?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Simone Little, who hit that breaking point while running a growing VA agency. The money looked great, but... her life didn’t.Simone made a bold call: a six-week sabbatical where she let all clients go with no promises… so she could rebuild her business model from the ground up.Simone shares how she shifted from selling tasks to selling outcomes as a fractional COO, using a five-part business framework, a deep-dive audit process, and firm boundaries that protect strategic thinking time.The result: more revenue, less chaos, a healthier team, and a business that can keep moving while she steps away.In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why burnout isn’t solved by “more self-care” (it’s structural)The real reason agencies break: capacity without planningHow Simone used a sabbatical to redesign her life and businessThe pivot from VA work to fractional COO strategy and leadershipHer 5 core business areas: sales/marketing, team, CEO development, operations, financeThe 4-hour business audit that reveals what’s costing time, money, and cultureHow boundaries protect outcomes (and how to get clients to respect them)The KPIs Simone watches: leads, revenue, tech spend, and capacity planningIf your business depends on you for everything - and you’re tired of paying for growth with your health - this episode will give you a clear way to rebuild with structure, team leverage, and calmer execution.👉 Connect with Simone LittleChief Alignment Agency: https://www.chiefalignmentagency.com/exploreSimone Little on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesimonelittleSimone Little on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesimonelittle/ 📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, https://www.youtube.com/@YourBusinessGrowthPlaybookChapters:00:00 Taking a Risk: The Start of a Sabbatical00:16 Understanding Burnout: A Structural Issue00:42 Guest Introduction: Simone's Breaking Point01:31 Simone's Entrepreneurial Journey: From Hair Salon to VA Agency03:25 Challenges of Rapid Growth: Burnout and Overwork07:41 The Turning Point: Taking a Sabbatical10:53 Redesigning Life and Business: Post-Sabbatical Insights13:13 Transition to High-Level Strategy: Discovering the COO Role18:37 Implementing Strategic Changes: Client Success Stories23:01 Meeting KPIs and Value-Based Pricing23:49 Challenges of Transitioning Business Models24:56 Enforcing Boundaries for Business Health25:48 Personal Boundaries and Client Communication29:51 Inspiration to Prioritize Well-being Over Hustle33:24 Helping Founders Overcome Bottlenecks37:27 Unexpected Benefits of Value-Based Products41:51 Key Performance Indicators for Business Success44:37 Conclusion and Contact InformationKeywords: Simone Little, Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro, VA agency, virtual assistant agency, burnout recovery, business systems, SOPs, delegation, team building, capacity planning, fractional COO, operations strategy, business audit, boundaries for entrepreneurs, scaling service business, leadership, KPI dashboard, profit planning, operations management#podcast #FractionalCOO #BurnoutToBusiness #AgencySystems #CapacityPlanning #FounderBoundaries🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!

What do you do when you move to a new city, revenue stalls, debt starts stacking up—and the idea of getting a job suddenly feels real?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Nick Bonitatibus to break down how Nick went from general “video marketing for small businesses” (his words: “classic mistake”) to committing to one clear niche.Nick shares the turning point where he opened Indeed, looked at jobs for less than five minutes, and decided Plan B was done. From there, the growth came from two key moves.You’ll hear about:Why “helping everyone” makes selling harderHow focusing on senior care created referrals and authorityThe shift from DIY courses → coaching → “digital directing” (done-with-you execution)What changed once Nick rebuilt the offer around client follow-throughWhy more sales conversations solved more than funnel tweaksHow systems + delegation improved margins and reduced chaosThe mindset: action creates clarity, and clarity makes selling easier🎧 If you’re stuck between “I need revenue now” and “my offer isn’t clicking,” this episode will give you a simple path forward.👉 Connect with Nick BonitatibusWebsite: https://www.thedigitalchamps.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDigitalChampsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedigitalchamps/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx4wiQ6uo6Wi5LpwPWewNCwLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjboni/LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thedigitalchamps/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thedigitalchamps📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth PlaybookChapters:00:00 The Struggles of Starting a Business01:31 Finding a Niche in Senior Care03:52 From DIY to Done-for-You Services11:58 The Turning Point: Moving to San Diego15:48 The Importance of Niching Down20:06 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome22:53 The Power of Testing and Iteration25:03 Overcoming Sales Aversion25:48 Aligning Your Offer with Customer Needs27:27 The Importance of Niching Down29:22 Pricing Strategies and Customer Value35:59 Systematizing Your Business42:40 Advice for New Entrepreneurs45:18 Reflecting on the Journey48:17 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsKeywords: Nick Bon, Nick Bonitatibus, Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro, senior care marketing, home care marketing, niche marketing, niching down, video marketing strategy, sales calls, offer creation, service business growth, done with you services, systems and SOPs, delegation, pricing strategy, premium offer, referrals, entrepreneurship mindset#EntrepreneurLife #BusinessOwner #ServiceBusiness #NicheMarketing #SalesCalls #BusinessCoaching #OfferCreation #MarketingStrategy #ScaleYourBusiness #BusinessSystems #SOPs #Delegation #ContentMarketing #HomeCareBusiness #SeniorCare🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!

What do you do when you’re running one of the top programs in the world—but realize staying there means slow decline?Andrew Ackerman faced that exact moment. As a leader inside one of the world’s most respected startup accelerators, he saw the writing on the wall: the market was crowded, competition was scaling faster, and doing “more of the same” wouldn’t win.In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast⁠, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Andrew to break down how a blank-sheet rethink led to a category-defining pivot—and how redefining the customer unlocked growth almost overnight.You’ll hear how Andrew:Recognized the danger of being “top five” in an oversaturated marketStopped competing with giants and found a place to win outrightIdentified unmet supply and unmet demand hiding in plain sightRebuilt the entire program model from scratchShifted from early-stage startups to more mature companiesChanged pricing, structure, and messaging to fit a new ICPLearned why messaging fails even when product-market fit existsUsed customer interviews to validate the pivot before launchAndrew also shares lessons from reviewing more than 10,000 startups, investing in over 70 companies, and turning years of experience into his book The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey.🎧 Tune in to learn why growth often comes from stepping sideways—not pushing harder—and how redefining your market can make everything easier.👉 Connect with Andrew Ackerman:www.andrewbackerman.comAndrew Ackerman on LinkedInThe Entrepreneur’s Odyssey on Amazon 📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, ⁠Your Business Growth PlaybookChapters:00:00 Introduction to the Startup Dilemma01:22 Meet Andrew Ackerman: From COO to Investor01:50 The Birth of Bunk One: Revolutionizing Summer Camps03:49 Challenges and Breakthroughs in Early Growth07:05 Transitioning to Venture Capital and Accelerators13:12 Redefining the Accelerator Model15:53 Niching Down: The Path to Becoming Number One25:33 The Blank Slate Moment25:57 Liberating Experience of Redefining Business26:17 Considering a Career Shift26:33 Developing a New Business Model27:43 Market Research and Validation32:06 Implementing the New Model33:41 Unexpected Benefits of Niching Down36:41 Advice for Business Owners Facing Decline40:05 Reflections and Lessons Learned42:14 The Entrepreneur's Odyssey Book48:45 Where to Learn More About AndrewKeywords: Andrew Ackerman, business strategy, market repositioning, niche strategy, accelerator model, startup growth, business pivot, redefining your market, category creation, customer discovery, ICP strategy, startup accelerators, venture investing, entrepreneurial leadership, business reinvention, scaling strategy, Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro, The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey#podcast #marketdominance #accelerator #startup #startuplife #ycombinator #strategicpivot #entrepreneurship #businessgrowth #MarketNiching #startupsuccess #innovation #productdevelopment #businessstrategy #customerengagement 🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!

In 2019, Damien Zamora hit the lowest point of his life.After decades as a serial entrepreneur - helping over 300,000 businesses get online and generating more than $500 million in revenue - his company began to spiral. Overhead ballooned. Focus disappeared. Debt stacked up. Lawsuits loomed. Key partners walked away. Payroll became impossible.Then came the personal tragedy.In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Damien for a raw, honest conversation about collapse, clarity, and rebuilding from the ground up.You’ll hear how Damien:Took over every executive role when the company began unravelingFaced more than $1 million in business debt and near insolvencyAsked for mentorship for the first time—and followed hard advice to stop the bleedingSlashed SaaS expenses from $36,000/month to $5,000/monthNarrowed his focus back to one core offer instead of chasing new ideasDoubled monthly recurring revenue to stabilize the businessUsed content, community, and consistency to reduce churnFound renewed growth by leaning into done-for-you services and data-driven offersThis episode is a masterclass in leadership during crisis - and a reminder that rebuilding doesn’t start with innovation. It starts with focus, discipline, and clarity.🎧 Tune in to hear how Damien held his team together, walked away from distractions, and rebuilt momentum when everything pointed toward failure.👉 Connect with Damien Zamora:Damien Zamora on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damienzamora/https://gomobilesolutions.com/📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth PlaybookChapters:00:00 The Lowest Point: A Million Dollars in Debt02:03 The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins03:39 The Internet Toolbox: A Game Changer06:02 Navigating the Dot-Com Boom15:13 The Rise of Go Mobile Solutions19:15 The 2019 Crisis: Personal and Professional Challenges23:59 Navigating Financial Challenges24:15 Life-Changing Event in Costa Rica24:59 Sweat Lodge Revelation25:44 Refocusing Business Strategy27:12 Impact of COVID-19 on Business27:59 Expense Reduction and Revenue Doubling32:52 Strategies to Reduce Churn34:41 Happy Hour Series and Community Engagement39:11 Launching New Products and AI Integration41:58 Building a Championship Team44:08 Advice for Entrepreneurs46:28 Tracking KPIs and Ensuring Growth49:10 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsKeywords: Damien Zamora, business recovery, business collapse, entrepreneur comeback, recurring revenue, cutting expenses, reducing churn, leadership during crisis, business debt recovery, mentorship for entrepreneurs, business pivot, mobile app business, content marketing strategy, KPIs for founders, Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro, scaling after failure, business resilience, subscription business#podcast #leadership #EntrepreneurJourney #BusinessTurnaround #DebtToSuccess #StrategicPivot #LeadershipLessons #BusinessInnovation #OvercomingChallenges #EntrepreneurialInsights #BusinessGrowth🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!

If you’re not growing, you’re dying - and in e-commerce, the “one winning product” trap can kill a business fast.In this episode of  ⁨Your Business Growth Podcast, host Jeremy Shapiro sits down with David Schomer, CEO of Build Grow Scale and host of Firing The Man to break down how he went from a stalled business headed toward bankruptcy to building an Amazon operation with 1,000+ ASINs and a system that supports predictable, profitable scaling.David shares the strategy that pulled him out of multiple plateaus: consistent product launches - plus the financial discipline most sellers ignore. He explains why revenue is a vanity metric, why net income is what matters, and how to avoid launching products that were doomed from day one using his “fail on paper” method.You’ll hear how David:Built his first e-commerce cashflow selling textbooks, then transitioned into private labelUsed product launches as a growth engine — and felt the pain every time he pausedManaged cashflow constraints with low MOQ negotiation, better payment terms, and U.S. manufacturingAvoided bad launches with a simple rule: 3x landed cost pricing (or he won’t sell it)Systemized launching with a 60-step checklist + videos so products ship with minimal owner involvementUses the 80/20 rule to focus on the few products producing most profits — and retire the restThinks about premium pricing, bundles, and upsells instead of racing to the bottomTracks metrics like gross profit after ad spend and conversion rate to keep growth profitableIf you sell physical products online - Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, or anywhere else - this episode is a masterclass in building a catalog that prints profit instead of stress.🎧 Tune in to learn how to build a product launch machine, protect margins, and keep your business growing even when competitors pile in.👉 Connect with David Schomer:David Schomer on InstagramDavid Schomer on YouTubeDavid Schomer on FacebookFiringTheMan.com📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth Playbook⁩ Keywords: David Schomer, Build Grow Scale, Firing The Man, e-commerce scaling, Amazon FBA, Amazon seller, product launch strategy, launching products on Amazon, cash conversion cycle, MOQ negotiation, payment terms, landed cost, profit margins, net income, fail on paper, 80 20 rule, SKU strategy, ASIN catalog, premium pricing, bundle strategy, upsells, conversion rate optimization, ad spend profitability#podcast #amazon #amazonproducts #fba #amazonfba #firingtheman #ecommerce #dropshipping #etsy #shopify #shopifydropshipping🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!

What do you do when your premium offer stops selling, even though the right prospects are still showing up?In this episode, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Emily Crookston (ghostwriter, developmental editor, and author of Unwritten) to unpack the toughest stretch of her career: 12+ months without landing a single ghostwriting client. The calls were still happening, but people kept saying no. Then one prospect dropped the line every premium service provider dreads: “You’re too expensive.”Instead of discounting her core offer, Emily rebuilt her business model and used the new model to convert the same market that was already saying no. The result: BIG growth, easier selling, better-fit clients, and a path to scale beyond her personal time.You’ll hear how she:Went from academia burnout to building a flexible ghostwriting businessDiagnosed the real problem: demand was there — her offer structure wasn’tCreated a new tier using Claude to speed up outlines, structure, and synthesisKept quality high by staying transparent, hands-on, and expert-ledBuilt a path to lower-priced tools for DIY authors without doing book coachingTracked funnel metrics (email + calls) to spot dips and adjust quicklyIf you sell high-end services and you’ve felt stuck, this is a clean example of how to adjust the product, not just “do more marketing.”🎧 Tune in to learn how tiered offers, smart process changes, and practical AI use can revive a service business without trashing your brand.👉 Connect with Emily Crookston:ThePocketPhD.comEmily Crookston on LinkedIn📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Your Business Growth PlaybookChapters:0:00 The Worst Business Year: A Period of Shame and Self-Doubt00:21 Reinventing High-Price Services for Massive Growth01:06 Welcome to Your Business Growth Podcast01:20 From Academia to Ghostwriting: Emily's Journey03:58 Building a Business in the Business Book Market05:46 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Business Growth08:28 The AI Pivot: Transforming Services and Pricing15:09 Becoming an Action Taker: Lessons from Entrepreneurship17:44 Implementing a New Service Delivery Model19:25 Challenges and Adaptations with AI21:21 Inspiration and Industry Perspectives24:04 Expanding Service Offerings29:19 Advice for Business Owners33:23 Key Metrics and Final ThoughtsKeywords: Emily Crookston, Unwritten book, ghostwriting, book ghostwriter, developmental editor, nonfiction ghostwriting, business book writing, premium service business, tiered offers, service tiers, pricing strategy, client acquisition, plateau in business, no clients for a year, AI writing tools, Claude AI, AI assisted writing, sales calls, conversion rate, email marketing metrics, entrepreneurship mindset, Business Growth Playbook, Jeremy Shapiro#ai #ghostwriting #claude #sales #podcast #funnel #pivot #premiumpricing #bookpublishing 🔔 Subscribe today to get notified of new episodes, interviews, and shorts when they drop!

What happens when you do everything “right” — pick a niche, dial in your offer, and rack up thousands of clients — and still hit a wall?In this episode, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Ted Miller III (CEO of TM3), who went from sleeping in his truck “broke as a joke” to building a business that scaled hard — after discovering a brutal truth: his niche had a ceiling. Ted had amassed 7,000 chiropractic clients, then hit a plateau because the market itself wasn’t big enough.You’ll hear how Ted used an education-based sales model to convert leads into paying clients without aggressive closing — and the three growth levers that helped drive revenue from $3M to $34M:Cast a wider net by moving into a scalable marketIncrease frequency of purchase through recurring revenue and coachingIncrease transaction value with high-ticket done-with-you / done-for-you services (starting at $36K/month)Ted also breaks down why charging $250 for a small-group workshop changed the quality of buyers, how to think about customer lifetime value, and why his favorite KPI isn’t vanity metrics — it’s raving fans.🎧 Tune in if you’re stuck, plateaued, or trying to grow past the “owner-operator” stage without turning your business into a bigger prison.👉 Connect with Ted Miller III:Ted Miller III on YouTubeTed Miller III on LinkedInTed Miller III on FacebookTed Miller III on InstagramTed Miller III on X 📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Your Business Growth Playbook

What happens when hard work stops working?In this episode of Your Business Growth Podcast, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Dom Casone, a long-time entrepreneur who faced layoffs, stalled growth, failed ventures, and eventually personal bankruptcy — and still rebuilt a stable, profitable business.Dom’s story is raw, honest, and deeply practical. He shares how sticking with bad decisions too long nearly ended everything, and what finally helped him reset his business, his finances, and his mindset.Inside this conversation, Dom breaks down:How a layoff pushed him into entrepreneurship — and why excitement quickly turned into fearThe mistake of trying to serve everyone and why it nearly stalled his growthHow repeated plateaus forced him to rethink revenue, pricing, and expensesWhy profitability mattered more than headline revenue numbersHow membership models and recurring income changed everythingWhat bankruptcy taught him about limits, decision-making, and recoveryWhy implementation matters more than ideasHow mental resilience and perspective influence sales, leadership, and relationshipsThe importance of staying close to your core business while testing new ideasThis episode is for business owners who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of their next move — and want a grounded, experience-based path forward.🎧 Listen to hear how Dom rebuilt stability step by step and why sustainable growth starts internally.👉 Connect with Dom Cassone:⁠Dom Cassone on LinkedIn⁠⁠Dom Cassone on FacebookMental Fitness Coaching📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, ⁠⁠⁠Your Business Growth Playbook

Most small business owners stay trapped in the same cycle: long hours, low margins, unreliable income, and a business that falls apart the moment they step away. Today’s guest broke that pattern in a spectacular way.In this episode, host Jeremy Shapiro sits down with David Hilton, a former studio owner who transformed a struggling family business into one of the top 10 photography companies in the entire country, scaled it across multiple locations, and took it to a high seven-figure exit — all while working normal hours and taking four weeks of vacation every year.David reveals the exact steps that took him from:A single, owner-dependent studioTo a business that multiplied sixfold in the first yearTo multiple profitable locationsTo a company that ran without himTo an exit timed perfectly at the market peakInside this conversation, you’ll learn:Why trying to serve “everyone” was killing the businessHow niching down unlocked pricing power and demandWhy premium pricing attracts better customers, higher margins, and stronger loyaltyThe difference between growth and profitable growthHow to build systems that remove you from daily operationsThe real reason a second location destroys most businesses — and how David survived itHow to spot the constraint that’s quietly blocking your revenueHow to prepare a company for a major sale years before the exitDavid’s story shows what happens when you stop chasing volume, start focusing on profit, and use systems to create freedom. His approach works in nearly any industry — not just photography — because the fundamentals don’t change.🎧 If you want to grow, step back from daily chaos, or build a business you can eventually sell, this episode gives you the roadmap.👉 Connect with David Hilton:David Hilton on LinkedIn⁠Spark (Book on Amazon)📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, ⁠⁠Your Business Growth Playbook

Feeling stuck in your business is exhausting. When expenses rise faster than revenue, when hustle stops working, and when you’re grinding without getting ahead — everything feels heavier. Today’s guest knows that cycle all too well.In this episode, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Wes Schaeffer — The Sales Whisperer — who rebuilt his business after facing repeated stalls, income instability, and burnout. Instead of trying to outrun every setback, Wes made a series of strategic shifts that changed the entire trajectory of his business.Inside this conversation, Wes breaks down how he:Hit multiple plateaus and turned each one into a launchpadShifted from unpredictable income to dependable monthly revenueRebuilt his sales approach using clarity, boundaries, and value-driven communicationCut out anxiety-driven work and focused on what truly moves the needleStopped doing low-value tasks and invested in systems that run without himCreated recurring revenue streams that cover his bills even on days he doesn’t workWes also reveals the mindset shifts that made the difference — from pricing confidence to removing desperation from the sales process. His story is proof that progress doesn’t come from doing more; it comes from doing the right things consistently.🎧 Listen in to hear how Wes built a business that supports his family, funds their lifestyle, and gives him real control over his time.👉 Connect with Wes:Wes Schaeffer on LinkedInWes Schaeffer on YouTubeWesSchaeffer.com📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, ⁠Your Business Growth Playbook

When a devastating accident left Ryan Crownholm in a wheelchair and the housing market collapse wiped out his income overnight, his business looked finished. Instead, he used the setback to rebuild smarter.In this episode, Jeremy Shapiro sits down with Ryan, a U.S. Army veteran turned entrepreneur, who transformed crisis into growth. From hauling junk to becoming America’s largest swimming pool removal contractor, Ryan reveals which of the key strategies from Your Business Growth Playbook turned struggle into sustainability.You’ll hear how he:Pivoted from general contracting to a high-margin niche businessUsed data (not guesswork) to uncover hidden profit opportunitiesBuilt bulletproof systems that scaled without him on siteEscaped the “Hustle Trap” and built a business that ran on metricsDoubled revenue year over year — by doing less, not moreRyan’s story proves that sometimes losing control of your business is the best thing that can happen to it.🎧 Tune in to learn what Ryan did that can transform any business — even in a downturn.👉 Connect with Ryan:RyanCrownholm.comDirtmatch.comMySitePlan.comThe Hustle Trap: A How-To Guide for Doing Less and Making More with Your BusinessLinkedIn: @RyanCrownholmInstagram: @RyanCrownholmX / Twitter: @RyanCrownholm 📊 Hosted by: Jeremy B. Shapiro, Host and Author, Your Business Growth Playbook

Get ready, fellow business owners, for Season 1 of Your Business Growth Podcast, the companion show to Jeremy Shapiro’s book Your Business Growth Playbook, dedicated to helping you break through those frustrating plateaus and get back to scaling your business!If you’re an established entrepreneur who’s seen success but now feels like more hustle just isn’t working anymore, or if your expenses keep getting higher but revenue isn’t keeping up, then you’re in the right place.Our goal is to uncover the tactical and strategic methods that help businesses like yours increase not just revenue, but also profits.Most of our episodes are in the form of interviews with business owners just like you who were growing, and then… hit the wall. They got stuck. Despite the challenges, however, they found a way through and got back to the growth they deserve.You’ll meet the founders of B2B business, e-commerce businesses, retail stores, consumer brands, consultants, agencies, service providers, and more. All of them got stuck. And then found their way back to growth. And you can, too!Don’t miss out on the growth strategy that could get you back to growth.Subscribe today and let’s breakthrough that wall together.Meet Your Host, Jeremy ShapiroJeremy B. Shapiro is a serial-entrepreneur. Since 1996, every single one of his many businesses have been in the service of fellow entrepreneurs.For decades, through structured mastermind groups, one-on-one coaching, and consulting work, Jeremy has been helping entrepreneurs discover the core strengths in themselves and their business, and realize their true potential combining passion and expertise to grow their businesses and attain the freedom they deserve.In his role as a mentor and coach to entrepreneurs, Jeremy has helped small business owners make the transition from “solopreneur” to “business owner” – an important distinction that many entrepreneurs can easily miss when working “in” their business instead of “on” their business.Jeremy has been interviewed extensively by the media for his expert opinions and has been interviewed and featured on NPR Morning Edition, the Boston Business Journal, Fox News, ABC, NBC, PBS, the Boston Globe, New England Cable News, The Australian, California Biz Journal, Market Watch, and was even interviewed by the Toyo Keizai – the Business Week of Japan.When not helping other entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level, you’ll likely find Jeremy traveling the world with his family, soaking up language and culture like a sponge, cycling unreasonably long distances for vegan pastries and craft coffee, running, or cooking for friends and family.Episode Resources:📘 Your Business Growth PlaybookSubscribe today and let’s breakthrough that wall together!