How to Scale a Business

Katie Krispin, founder of Katie Krispin Law, reveals why estate planning isn't just for the wealthy or elderly—it's a critical business protection strategy that most entrepreneurs ignore until it's too late. Through real-world stories, including three young children who lost their mother without a plan, Katie explains how proper estate planning protects your business during incapacity (which affects 67% of people before death), avoids probate court delays of 12-18 months, and can save millions in taxes. She breaks down the difference between trusts and wills, debunks common misconceptions, and explains the four core documents every business owner needs: financial power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, last will and testament, and revocable living trust. Katie emphasizes that estate planning is an ongoing process that should grow with your business, not a one-time event you handle at the end of life. She shares how recent tax law changes affect the $15M federal estate tax exemption and why starting the conversation now—even in 90-day sprints—can protect both your business and the people you love. Chapters: (00:00:00) - Introduction and overview of estate planning for business owners (00:02:15) - Why business owners struggle with long-term planning and the 90-day sprint mindset (00:04:45) - Estate planning as an ongoing process, not a one-time event (00:07:20) - The Sam Walton story: How early estate planning saved billions in taxes (00:09:10) - The tragic story of three young kids who lost their mom without an estate plan (00:12:30) - Common misconceptions: Trust vs Will explained (00:15:45) - Recent tax law changes and the $15M federal estate tax exemption (00:18:20) - The four core documents every business owner needs (00:21:40) - Incapacity planning: 67% of people become incapacitated before death (00:24:15) - How to get started: Education and taking action Links And Resources: Website Katie Krispin on LinkedIn Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Hector sits down with AI strategist Dan Cumberland to explore how businesses can effectively leverage AI beyond the hype. Dan introduces his POWER Framework for giving AI the context it needs—Person (persona), Others (audience), Work (output format), Expression (style), and References (examples)—and explains why most people get generic outputs. He shares real client success stories, including a consultant who reduced a 2-week hospital assessment report to just a couple of afternoons, and his own automated system for filtering hundreds of daily media opportunities down to 3-4 relevant ones. Dan addresses AI pitfalls like the "gaslighting" effect and emphasizes that domain expertise combined with good AI workflows creates an unstoppable combination, with key takeaways including brand voice training, specific workflows for repeated tasks, and understanding that AI excels at narrow, specific tasks rather than broad searches. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Meet Dan Cumberland: From Fractional CMO to AI Implementation Expert 00:01:00 - The Turning Point: Why Dan Pivoted His Entire Business Model to AI Strategy 00:03:00 - Breaking Down the Black Box: How AI Tools Actually Think and Process Information 00:04:00 - The POWER Framework Revealed: Your Blueprint for Getting Quality AI Outputs Every Time 00:10:00 - Agentic Workflows Explained: How to Make AI Agents Work for Your Business (Not Against It) 00:15:00 - The AI Gaslighting Problem: When Your AI Assistant Confidently Gives You Wrong Answers 00:18:00 - Search vs AI: Why You're Using the Wrong Tool for the Job (And How to Fix It) 00:20:00 - Real-World Marketing Wins: How Business Owners Are Using AI to Create Content That Converts 00:23:00 - The 2-Week to 2-Afternoon Transformation: Advanced Workflows That Scale Your Client Deliverables 00:26:00 - The Unfair Advantage: Why Domain Expertise + AI Workflows = Unstoppable Business Growth Links And Resources: Dan Cumberland's Website AI Training Guide Dan Cumberland on LinkedIn Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

In this episode, Hector sits down with Jay Berkowitz, founder of the Ten Golden Rules and a digital marketing pioneer who's been in the internet space since before most people knew what Google was. Jay shares his journey from managing a $40 million ad budget at McDonald's to running a $60 million online diet company in the early 2000s, giving him unprecedented insights into internet marketing before it became mainstream. He reveals his Ten Golden Rules framework that's helped countless businesses scale, including why "there are no rules" is actually the first rule, how subscription models still dominate despite predictions of their death, and why the four P's of marketing remain fundamental even in the AI age. Jay breaks down the massive opportunity in YouTube (the second biggest website with 42 million daily views), explains why answering questions is the new SEO strategy for AI search optimization, and shares proprietary conversion technologies his agency has developed. He also discusses the importance of creating a unique value proposition, why you need to catch trends within the first six months before competitors pile in, and his personal "rule of three" for evaluating new marketing opportunities. Whether you're a service provider, attorney, or scaling any business, Jay's data-driven approach and real-world experience provide actionable strategies you can implement immediately. Chapters: (00:00:00) - From McDonald's $40M Budget to Internet Marketing Pioneer (00:03:42) - The First Golden Rule: There Are No Rules (Let Data Drive Decisions) (00:07:15) - Why Subscription Models and Email Lists Still Dominate in 2025 (00:10:28) - How 1 Million YouTube Views Built Jay's Agency (Without Paid Ads) (00:13:51) - The Four P's of Marketing That Never Go Out of Style (00:17:36) - Answer Engine Optimization: The New SEO for AI Search (00:20:14) - Google's Secret Algorithm for Local Service Ads Revealed (00:23:47) - The Rule of Three: How to Catch Trends Before Competitors Pile In (00:26:29) - Run Your Business Like a Business: Systems, SOPs, and the E-Myth Links And Resources: Ten Golden Rules Ten Golden Rules YouTube Channel Jay Berkowitz on LinkedIn Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Hector sits down with Ryan Pereus, the Cold Call CEO, to explore how cold calling has evolved in 2025 and why it's still one of the most effective channels for B2B growth when done right. Ryan shares his journey from offering cold call scripts on Fiverr to building a premium outsourced SDR agency that's tested messaging across 100+ industries. He breaks down the Product Relevance Pyramid, revealing why some businesses struggle with cold calling not because of the channel itself, but because their offer is commoditized or poorly positioned. Ryan introduces the Four Elements of Cold Call Success—product relevance, target market accuracy, messaging strength, and SDR fit—and explains how each variable impacts campaign performance. He also dives into the three main objectives of every cold call: sparking genuine interest, selling the next step, and diffusing the salesperson stigma. Throughout the conversation, Ryan tackles common misconceptions about cold calling, discusses the impact of AI and iOS updates on outbound sales, and shares why quality appointments that actually show up matter more than vanity metrics. Whether you're scaling an in-house SDR team or considering outsourced cold calling, this episode is packed with tactical insights on messaging, positioning, and building trust from zero to one. Chapters: (00:00:00) - Why cold calling isn't dead—and how to make it work in 2025 (00:01:42) - From Fiverr side hustle to building a cold calling empire (00:04:28) - The biggest mistakes killing your cold calling results (and how to fix them) (00:06:45) - The Product Relevance Pyramid: Why your offer matters more than your script (00:09:18) - What actually works in cold calling today (iOS updates, AI, and all) (00:13:42) - The 4 elements that determine cold call success—and which one you're missing (00:17:23) - The 3 objectives every cold call must hit to book quality appointments (00:20:15) - Can AI replace cold callers? Ryan's take on the future of outbound (00:23:47) - How to work with Ryan and access his cold calling frameworks (00:25:41) - The one secret that separates businesses that scale from those that stall Links And Resources: Website The H2H Method Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Founders don’t scale by working harder; they scale by capturing the “essence” of the work locally, then documenting, delegating, and automating the repeatable parts with the right global talent. In this conversation, systems architect Patrick Doyle Brown explains how retention outperforms simple labor arbitrage, why automations need human oversight, how to map a customer journey before you spend on acquisition, and practical first wins like offloading social monitoring, inbox triage, and competitor price tracking into an AI-assisted loop. We cover region-by-strength role matching, the “first 100” rule for founders, and the mindset that keeps growth durable: don’t overspend, avoid shiny objects, always be selling. Chapters: (00:00:00) - Cold open and setup: why founders hit scaling bottlenecks (00:02:12) - Local first, then global: capturing the “essence” before you scale (00:06:45) - Retention over raw savings: compounding human capital (00:10:02) - Region strengths: sales, dev, ops, and hospitality by market (00:14:18) - Where to start: social management and inbox triage wins (00:18:40) - Market intel loop: competitor pricing + simple AI dashboards (00:22:55) - Automate vs. delegate: “trust, verify” and QA in the loop (00:27:31) - Customer journey map before ad spend (00:32:10) - Founder “first 100” rule and SOP handoff (00:36:48) - The scaling mindset: stay in lane, avoid shiny objects, always sell Links And Resources: Patrick Brown on LinkedIn Website Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Jake Wysocki, founder of Intention Craft, shares how design thinking, structured exercises, and tiny experiments help leaders scale by solving the right problems in the right order. We explore the Double Diamond framework, human‑centered research, constraints that spark creativity, and how to use AI to think better rather than outsource judgment. We close with Jake’s surprising “secret” to scaling: make it fun and make it human. - 00:00:00 – Intro: Jake's path to entrepreneurship - 00:03:55 – Talk to customers: research beats assumptions - 00:07:00 – Apply frameworks to every problem-solving stage - 00:07:58 – Double Diamond: problems first, solutions second - 00:09:44 – Find the problem that unlocks progress - 00:15:33 – Learn fast through tiny experiments - 00:17:30 – Sprint to create urgency and momentum - 00:18:44 – MVP mindset: scope down to learn - 00:22:24 – AI enhances human connection, not replacement - 00:32:14 – Scaling secret: make it fun, humanLinks And Resources: Jake’s crash course: https://course.intentioncraft.com Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

In this episode, host Hector Santiesteban sits down with bestselling author and founder of Sell Your Smarts, John Meese, to unpack the proven blueprint for scaling a wisdom-based business. John reveals why most entrepreneurs fall into the trap of “death by a thousand eBooks,” how to turn decades of experience into a profitable sold-out group coaching program, and why the real opportunity lies in shifting from information to insight in today’s digital age. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, or business owner ready to monetize your expertise, John’s insights will help you avoid burnout, build a resilient business model, and unlock scalable income without sacrificing your Saturdays. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Welcome to How to Scale a Business Podcast 00:01:06 – Mission is to steward wisdom by multiplying knowledge and experience. 00:02:26 – Shift from blogging to group coaching. 00:03:21 – Video game story shows frustration with starting over. 00:05:05 – Wisdom only matters when solving real problems. 00:05:41 – Wisdom is book smarts plus street smarts. 00:08:49 – “Death by a thousand eBooks” causes burnout. 00:10:28 – Start with high-ticket group coaching. 00:12:00 – Group coaching added $100K in six months. 00:13:30 – Model works across diverse niches. 00:16:16 – Success comes from flagship, gateway, and subscriptions. 00:19:42 – The age of information is over. 00:22:45 – The age of insight has begun. 00:23:46 – Free copy of Serve to Sell available. 00:24:52 – Scaling requires empathy to stay connected to customers. Links And Resources: Sell Your Smart Website Serve to Sell by John Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Chapters: 00:00:00 - Welcome to How to Scale a Business Podcast 00:00:45 - Meet Nolan 00:04:21 - Why business success doesn't always lead to personal fulfillment. 00:05:58 - Introduction to the "Numbers for Freedom" framework. 00:07:19 - Common blind spot: Misaligned personal and business goals. 00:09:00 - Four common mistakes in traditional goal-setting. 00:15:16 - Prioritizing the family's well-being over the business's. 00:16:47 - Step 1: Quantify your current personal spending. 00:19:43 - Step 2: Analyze the business's financial performance. 00:23:01 - Step 3: Define your ideal lifestyle and its cost. 00:24:00 - Step 4: Calculate what the business needs to fund that lifestyle. 00:24:48 - Step 5: The critical role of accountability. 00:26:05 - How to connect with Nolan Links And Resources: Nolan Bradbury on LinkedIn Bradfield Accounting Numbers for Freedom Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

In this episode of How to Scale a Business, host Hector Santiesteban talks with Justin Rashidi, co-founder of SeedX, about why he hires for “smart problem solvers” over experience and how that philosophy fuels growth. Justin explains why many companies that think they have a marketing issue are actually facing problems with data, sales integration, or margins, and how understanding core metrics like CAC, LTV, and gross margin reframes decisions as investments. He shares why rigid frameworks fail compared to a flexible tool-belt approach, how cutting the wrong activities can literally save millions, and why AI—though often misunderstood—is transforming processes. Ultimately, he highlights that a company’s growth is often limited not by its market, but by the adaptability of its leadership Chapters: 00:00:00 - Welcome to How to Scale a Business Podcast 00:00:54 - What SeedX Does: Business Consulting for Marketing, Sales, and Tech 00:02:11 - The Real Reasons Companies Aren't Growing 00:04:05 - A "Tool Belt" vs. "Recipe" Approach to Consulting 00:04:47 - The Importance of Understanding Core Business Metrics 00:06:29 - The Emotional "Therapy" Aspect of Business Consulting 00:07:33 - Balancing Bespoke Strategy with Flexible Processes 00:08:51 - Key Metrics Owners Overlook: CAC, LTV, and Margins 00:12:47 - Is AI Overhyped or Underhyped? 00:14:13 - The Power of Tightly Scoped AI 00:16:01 - A Practical Approach: Using AI for Tasks You Don't Want to Do 00:17:59 - How Resistant Organizations Can Start with AI 00:19:30 - Advice for Early-Stage Scaling: Prepare for People and Operations 00:21:06 - Where to Find Justin Rashidi Online 00:21:58 - Leadership Self-Transformation Links And Resources: SeedX Website Jusstin on LinkedIn Justin on Instagram Justin on Twitter/X Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Hector Santiesteban talks with Wilson Zehr, CEO of Cendix and Zairmail, about his career as a serial entrepreneur. Wilson shares his journey from software engineer to entrepreneur, driven by a desire for more control over the direction of his career. He discusses how he navigated challenges like the triple whammy of the dot-com meltdown, 9/11, and the anthrax scare. Wilson explains how his company's responsible financial management during these contractions allowed them to acquire their largest competitor. He also offers his perspective on AI, calling it an enabling technology rather than a single disruptive application. Finally, he reveals his secret to scaling a business: being passionate about using it to change the world rather than focusing solely on money. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:01:13 – Experience at Sequin Computer Corporation and first startup, Fusion 00:01:38 – Launching and selling Zairmail 00:02:10 – The “triple whammy”: dot-com meltdown, 9/11, and anthrax scare 00:02:32 – Starting Cendix and reacquiring Zairmail 00:02:51 – Raising capital and teaching career 00:03:17 – Comparing current economic uncertainty to 2001 00:04:15 – High failure rates and the role of good fortune 00:04:41 – Managing funds responsibly and acquiring a competitor 00:06:05 – Strategy and business cycles 00:07:29 – Opportunities during downturns: acquisitions and growth 00:08:31 – Economic downturns as trailing indicators 00:09:33 – Disappearing industries: paper checks and Yellow Pages 00:10:24 – Are cycles accelerating? 00:11:16 – Pace of innovation and rapid change 00:11:54 – Technology compared to building road systems 00:12:58 – Timeless advice for business owners 00:13:32 – Downturns as a time to reset and prepare 00:15:34 – How businesses secure funding 00:16:16 – Venture capital as portfolio investing 00:18:28 – How to connect with Wilson 00:19:14 – The secret to scaling a business 00:19:23 – Running out of capital as the #1 failure point 00:19:42 – Why money should never be the sole motivator Links And Resources: Zairmail Cendix Wilson on LinkedIn Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

In this episode of How to Scale a Business, Brianna Greenspan—author, genetics consultant, and CEO of Brianna Greenspan International—reveals how scaling with heart, integrity, and intentionality creates sustainable success. Born with a chronic illness and shaped by adversity, Brianna shares how self-leadership, conscious reflection, and asking the right questions became her ultimate growth tools. She discusses the real science behind wellness, how she “fails fast and pivots faster,” and why traditional hustle culture often leads to burnout. From skipping pop culture to leading a wellness village in a Las Vegas casino, Brianna brings a bold, evidence-based approach to growth mindset, leadership, and business evolution. If you’re looking for a soulful yet strategic roadmap to scale, this conversation is a must-listen. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Kicking Off with Purpose and Presence 00:00:32 - Why Scaling with Heart Actually Works 00:01:24 - Success Starts on the Inside 00:03:56 - From Chronic Illness to CEO 00:06:28 - Protecting Your Time Like Your Life Depends on It 00:10:17 - Self-Care Is the Strategy 00:20:55 - The One Question That Changes Everything 00:24:30 - Where to Find Me + A Final Invitation Links And Resources: Website Brianna Greenspan on LinkedIn Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Scaling a remote business isn’t just about growth—it’s about creating operational clarity and building systems that don’t depend on the founder. In this episode, Hector sits down with operations strategist Madi Waggoner to unpack the L.I.F.T. Framework, a powerful four-part system focused on Leadership, Infrastructure, Fuel, and Team. Madi shares real-world tactics for overcoming founder bottlenecks, setting up trust-building weekly reports, and using tools like Slack and Asana the right way. If you’ve been “driving blind” without KPIs or overwhelmed by constant communication breakdowns, this episode offers a practical roadmap to scale with clarity. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Meet Madi Waggoner: Scaling Expert Extraordinaire 00:01:16 - From Tech Startups to Ops Success: Madi's Journey 00:02:48 - Unlocking Business Growth: Why KPIs Matter 00:08:28 - The Secret to Building High-Performing Teams 00:12:33 - Discover the L.I.F.T. Framework for Scaling Success 00:19:14 - Picking the Perfect Tools for Remote Teams 00:26:52 - Madi’s Final Wisdom: How to Scale with Ease Links And Resources: Building Remote Website Madi on LinkedIn Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Eric Collett — CEO of A Mind For All Seasons — reveals how entrepreneurs can upgrade their operating system by mastering brain health fundamentals. Drawing on decades of experience reversing cognitive decline, Eric unpacks why your brain is your tool in the knowledge economy and how sleep, stress management, nutrition, and cognitive training sharpen your thinking like a hardware upgrade. Discover why neuroplasticity is your secret edge, what myths are sabotaging your performance, and how to scale smarter with a sharper mind. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Meet Eric Collett and Kickoff 00:00:26 - From Unexpected Beginnings to Brain Health 00:02:38 - Founding the Company and Meeting His Partner 00:03:15 - Creating Practical Tools for Sharper Minds 00:03:48 - Why Brain Health Changes Everything 00:07:01 - Busting Common Brain Health Myths 00:09:47 - Simple Daily Habits for a Stronger Brain 00:13:18 - How Food and Supplements Boost Your Brain 00:20:39 - The Hidden Impact of Stress and Dental Health 00:21:25 - Final Takeaways and Action Steps Links And Resources: Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

In this episode of How to Scale a Business, Dr. Lani Jones—clinical psychologist, executive advisor, and founder of HBL Advisory Group—joins host Hector Santiesteban to explore how internal growth fuels scalable success. Drawing from her transition out of corporate healthcare and into entrepreneurship, Dr. Jones unpacks the powerful role of emotional intelligence, communication, and self-leadership in building high-performing teams. She challenges the notion that employee wellness is just “corporate fluff” by showing its direct impact on retention, productivity, and profitability. Whether you’re leading a small team or scaling a growing company, this conversation reveals how investing in yourself and your people is not just good practice—it’s smart business. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Kicking Off: Meet Dr. Lani Jones 00:00:24 - From Burnout to Bold Business Moves 00:01:39 - Blending Psychology with High-Impact Leadership 00:02:05 - Why Team Wellness Is a Profit Strategy 00:02:32 - Inner Work That Drives Outer Growth 00:03:34 - Scaling Pains: What’s Holding You Back 00:07:30 - Letting Go of Control to Grow 00:20:16 - Communication and Clarity: The CEO Superpowers 00:22:11 - Final Wisdom and Where to Learn More Links And Resources: Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Hector sits down with Cassie Shea, a somatic business coach who helps high-performing founders collapse time and expand their businesses by re-engineering the one thing most people overlook: identity. Instead of leading with tactics, Cassie shares why scaling sustainably demands a transformation from within. She explains how heartache, burnout, and boredom are often signs that a founder’s identity story is misaligned with their next level. Whether you’re a $500K founder stuck in overwhelm or a $2M CEO looking for more presence and fulfillment, this episode dives deep into the inner architecture of success. Plus, Cassie reveals how she’s using AI as her co-founder to scale with soul, and offers three powerful questions to help leaders rewrite their story and unlock exponential growth. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Meet Cassie & the Real Reason You’re Stuck 00:01:10 - What It Means to Be a Visionary Guide 00:03:27 - Your Next Level Requires a New Identity 00:06:03 - The Subtle Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Current Role 00:07:21 - When Business Growth Demands Personal Evolution 00:09:29 - Why Identity Is Your Greatest Business Lever 00:15:17 - The 3 Questions That Transform Everything 00:19:12 - How Cassie Uses AI as Her Creative Co-Founder 00:23:31 - Final Sparks of Insight for Scaling with Soul Links And Resources: Website Cassie Shea on LinkedIn Aligned Freedom Assessment: Available via homepage ("Ready to Get Aligned" prompt) Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Hector sits down with Jonathan Logan, founder of Green Lit Growth Strategies, to unpack what’s really stopping small businesses from scaling. With a diverse background in food service, cybersecurity, and full-scale marketing, Jonathan shares how he grew a company from $3M to $25M using his proprietary G.R.O.W.T.H. Framework. He reveals why most brands “talk about themselves backwards,” how to build emotional resonance, and what it takes to create a “marketing machine” that scales. Learn the power of positioning, community-building, and nurturing relationships for real bottom-line growth. Chapters: 00:00:00 - From Food Service to $25M 00:01:03 - The Accidental Marketer 00:03:06 - Launching a Purpose-Driven Agency 00:04:29 - The #1 Marketing Mistake 00:05:43 - How to Build a Brand Tribe 00:11:44 - Proven Frameworks That Actually Work 00:17:07 - The G.R.O.W.T.H. Formula Revealed 00:23:53 - Scaling Secrets & Final Takeaways Links And Resources: Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Wes Chyrchel—fractional COO, consultant, and author—joins Hector to unpack the real operational backbone behind successful scaling. With over 27 years of experience turning vision into execution, Wes breaks down how founders can escape the chaos of doing it all and move into their zone of genius. From crafting goal-driven strategies to choosing the right KPIs and daily actions, Wes reveals how small, consistent reps—just like in fitness—build scalable, sustainable companies. He also explores how AI is reshaping organizational structure and why creating multiple income streams is no longer optional. Whether you're a startup founder stuck in the weeds or a seasoned CEO preparing for acquisition, Wes delivers practical, battle-tested insights for building the systems that make big ideas actually work. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Meet Wes: The Scaler Behind the Curtain 00:00:27 - Why Every Visionary Needs a Bulldozer 00:02:04 - From Laid Off to Launching 7-Figure Systems 00:03:28 - The Pain Points Founders Don’t Talk About 00:05:46 - Scale Math: Goals + KPIs = Growth 00:08:20 - The Founder’s Greatest Obstacle: Control 00:19:58 - When the Economy Shifts, Do You? 00:25:18 - Your Org Chart Is About to Be Replaced by AI 00:27:29 - Wes’s Book & the Mindset Shift That Changed Everything Links And Resources: Website Wes on LinkedIn Book (Coming Soon): Create Your Own Job Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Laura Humphreys shares the unfiltered journey of building—and selling—a $15 million agency, only after nearly burning out in the process. Now a mentor to agencies worldwide, Laura unpacks the seven strategies she teaches to help owner-operators escape the hamster wheel, reclaim their time, and create scalable, high-performance businesses. From using AI to future-proof service delivery to building deep sea sales pipelines, this episode is packed with both war stories and winning tactics for founders who are ready to lead like CEOs. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Meet Laura Humphreys: The Mentor Who Turned Agency Burnout into a $15M Exit 00:00:26 – From Copywriter to CEO: Laura’s Unfiltered Path to Building and Selling Her Agency 00:02:15 – Stuck on the Hamster Wheel: Why Owner-Operators Struggle to Scale (and How to Get Off) 00:04:35 – How to Build a Team That Actually Delivers (Without You Micromanaging Everything) 00:06:39 – CEO Mode Activated: The Power Shift from Managing to Leading 00:09:45 – If You Don’t Know Where You’re Going, How Will Your Team? Creating a Vision That Works 00:19:49 – AI, Market Shifts, and What Agencies Need to Do Now to Stay Ahead 00:21:42 – Final Word from Laura: Let Go, Trust More, and Build Something That Lasts Links And Resources: Laura Humphreys on LinkedIn Join SMASH Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Hector sits down with Aaron Reiter, Managing Partner at InterProse, to challenge everything you thought you knew about debt collection. With a background in communication, sales, and psychology, Aaron shares how he unexpectedly found purpose in an industry often overlooked—or even misunderstood. Discover how InterProse uses education, technology, and empathy to support family-owned businesses and drive revenue recovery without compromising integrity. If you're looking for hidden profit levers in your business, or ways to scale with compassion, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Meet Aaron Reiter & Discover the Unexpected World of Debt Collection 00:00:42 - From Broadcast Journalism to the Frontlines of Financial Recovery 00:01:36 - What Most People Get Wrong About Collections 00:02:51 - Debunking Debt Collection Myths 00:04:08 - A New Era: Smarter, Softer Collections 00:06:13 - Why Debt Recovery Matters More Than You Think 00:08:58 - Innovating in One of the Most Regulated Industries in the U.S. 00:19:30 - Why Self-Service Isn’t Just for Retail Anymore 00:21:21 - How AI is Reshaping the Way We Recover Debt 00:24:32 - Final Insights & How to Connect with Aaron Links And Resources: InterProse Website Aaron on LinkedIn Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Hector Santiesteban sits down with Kash Fadaie, founder of Fadaie Insurance Services, to explore how an internal spiritual awakening transformed into a thriving business. Kash shares how escaping Iran as a child, diving into sacred texts, and seeking divine alignment laid the foundation for scaling a purpose-driven insurance company. If you’ve ever felt called to grow a business without losing your soul, this conversation will resonate deeply. Chapters: 00:00:00 - A Powerful Welcome: Meet Kash Fadaie 00:01:05 - From Fleeing Iran to Founding a Movement 00:02:55 - Merging Mindfulness and Money-Making 00:06:49 - Consciousness: The Secret Weapon of Scalable Leaders 00:13:02 - Real-World Strategies Rooted in Inner Work 00:14:52 - Why Rest Isn’t Lazy—It’s Strategic 00:21:51 - Deepening Spiritual Practices for Business Alignment 00:25:47 - Kash’s Final Word: Alignment Over Everything Links And Resources: Fadaie Insurance Services Kash Fadaie on LinkedIn Amplafy Media Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn Hector Santiesteban on Twitter Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to How to Scale a Business? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!