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…

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 usin…

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, a…

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…

In this episode of How to Scale a Business, host Hector Santiesteban is joined by Kurt Schmidt, an agency business coach, Inc. 5000 leader, and former extreme sports pro. Together, they dive deep into the highs and lows of growing a service-based business. From the profitable "sweet spot" of 6–12 employees to the leadership transitions that trip up…

Chad Harrison—head of franchise development at Authority Brands—shares how scalable businesses are built through proven systems, strong leadership, and the power of franchising. From supporting new owners in the “number two business” (Doody Calls) to guiding semi-absentee entrepreneurs, Chad breaks down how following a playbook and leveraging a sup…

Hector Santiesteban sits down with transformational leader Amber Vilhauer to explore the deeply personal roots behind her meteoric rise as an entrepreneur and marketing powerhouse. Amber shares how her early experiences with isolation and bullying shaped her drive to create meaningful change in the world. From selling Cutco knives at 17 to launchin…

Michael Barbarita, founder of Next Step CFO, digs into what actually drives profit in a business. He shares how he went from thinking he 'held the keys to the business kingdom' to realizing that following the competition was a fast track to failure. They talk about why most business owners are stuck in 'I hope so' marketing, how to craft offers tha…

Logan Altman, the Chief Impact Officer at Doing Good Works, comes on to share how Doing Good Works is using the power of for-profit business to create life-changing outcomes for young adults who have aged out of the foster care system. He dives into the challenges of scaling a mission-driven company, the impact of brand marketing in fostering socia…

In this episode, Hector sits down with Nico Seedsman, a former Special Forces operator who went from running kill-capture missions to battling for his own survival. After years of pushing his body to the extreme, Nico found himself completely wrecked—crippling exhaustion, PTSD, chronic illness, and a body that was shutting down. Traditional medicin…

On this episode of How to Scale a Business, Hector sits down with Raul Hernandez Ochoa, the head honcho over at Do Good Work, to talk about expanding revenue and increasing capacity without the stress that usually comes with growth. Raul breaks down the three biggest constraints that hold businesses back—leads and sales, operations and fulfillment,…

Hector sits down with David "Ledge" Ledgerwood, a guy who’s cracked the code on turning content into closed deals. Ledge doesn’t just talk about B2B sales—he’s done it, closing $50M in enterprise deals and landing Fortune 1000 clients using podcasting as his secret weapon. They get into the strategy behind why most agencies and service businesses s…

James Davis isn’t your typical PR guy—he’s a strategist who tells CEOs the hard truth and helps them win big. As the founder of Touchdown Strategies, he’s worked behind the scenes of some of the most high-stakes political and corporate battles, from shaping Supreme Court confirmations to crisis-managing BP’s Deepwater Horizon response. In this epis…

Hector's chatting with Rusty Shields, the big boss at Develefy Consulting, about how awesome game-changing relationships are in business. Rusty's journey is wild - he started in opera, then switched to leadership consulting, always shaking things up! He shares why most people totally miss the mark when it comes to business relationships and how dit…

Caroline Voaden, founder of Story Copywriting, talks about how impactful storytelling in the B2B world is. Having a background in corporate PR and reputation management, Caroline explains how she flipped the script, turning dry, product-focused messaging into compelling, customer-centered stories that drive growth. Caroline and Hector explore the c…

Hector and Aaron Hageman, a business whiz who's aced scaling companies and leading teams, have a chat. Aaron shares his journey, from selling his company to Walmart to realizing personal growth is key to success. He drops actionable advice on emotional intelligence, building systems, and investing in people to grow. It's a real and honest look at w…

Hector sits down with Logan Speights, co-founder of Proxxy, to discuss the world of scaling service-based businesses. Logan, a self-proclaimed ops and automation enthusiast, shares how his journey from the dot-com boom to agency ownership shaped his obsession with creating seamless systems. They talk about the biggest pitfalls agency owners face, t…

Hector sits down with Erik Huberman, CEO of Hawke Media, to peek into the mindset, strategies, and lessons behind building one of the most recognized marketing agencies today. Erik shares how discipline, clarity of vision, and a willingness to adapt have been central to Hawke Media’s growth. From internal crises to identifying market trends and lev…

Hector sits down with Robert Manasier, CEO of InFocus Brands, to explore the realities of scaling a business by reading market trends and removing ego from decision-making. Robert shares how failure became his greatest teacher, why execution always outweighs ideas, and how simplifying processes is the key to sustainable growth. They discuss the imp…

Hector sits down with Jacob Kelly for a conversation about the intersection of marketing, content creation, and genuine connection with audiences. Jacob shares his experiences from growing one of the top podcasts in the world to building impactful marketing campaigns, breaking down why chasing trends often leads to hollow results. They explore the …

Hector sits down with Maresa Friedman to discuss her unique approach to helping businesses thrive. Maresa, known as the "Executive Cat Herder," shares how she handles the messy realities of entrepreneurship, cuts through the noise, and identifies the blind spots holding founders back. She explains why integrating personal and professional lives is …

Hector welcomes Natalie Doyle Oldfield; an incredible author, coach, and speaker. Natalie shares her journey from navigating the 2008 market crash to developing a research-backed framework for building trust in business. She talks about the role of trust equity in solving common business challenges like client retention, sales slumps, and customer …

Hector welcomes Dr. Shikha Goodwin to the show. She’s a neuroscience expert with a passion for exploring how the brain shapes resilience, decision-making, and growth. Together, they discuss the connection between brain health and entrepreneurship, breaking down ways leaders can improve focus, manage stress, and navigate challenges. Dr. Shikha share…

Hector sits down with Georgia Vanderville to discuss her journey as she went from an accidental candle maker to a thriving entrepreneur. Georgia shares how a simple gift sparked the beginning of her candle business, the challenges she faced in scaling her vision, and the personal growth required to embrace her role as a leader. She opens up about t…

Ross McDaniel joins the show for a follow-up conversation that takes us through his journey of building Trellis Coffee Bar. Ross shares what he experienced while moving from the digital marketing space into launching a brick-and-mortar coffee shop. Plus, lessons learned about community partnerships, navigating local permitting, and creating a space…

Ben Catley takes us on a journey through the power of accountability and what it truly means to take ownership of one’s growth. Sharing his own transformation into the “Accountability Viking,” Ben dives into the struggle many entrepreneurs face with procrastination, burnout, and staying on course. He breaks down the Five Gates of Growth, revealing …

Hector has a conversation with Steve Cummins to dig into the challenges and strategies that define effective tech marketing. Steve shares how companies can avoid common pitfalls, get past flashy trends, and focus on what really moves the needle for their audiences. They talk about the importance of consistency, picking the right platforms, and stay…

Julie Boll talks about her journey of self-discovery and growth as an entrepreneur, focusing on the emotional and psychological barriers many business owners face. She opens up about overcoming her own scarcity mindset, imposter syndrome, and the limiting beliefs that kept her from reaching her potential. Through her story, Julie explains how tools…

Tonya Eberhart shares how she went from selling vacuums door-to-door to becoming a leader in personal branding. She breaks down why your personal story is the key to standing out in today’s crowded market and explains the real difference between rebranding and refreshing. Tonya also talks about common mistakes businesses make when it comes to brand…

Chad Brown shares his journey from building a successful media production company to facing a major leadership crisis that nearly cost him everything. He opens up about how his relentless pursuit of success strained his family and burned out his team, leading to a wake-up call that transformed the way he runs his business. Chad explains how he shif…

In this episode of Legal Rank, host Emma Edmonds sits down with J.B. Harris, a distinguished attorney from Miami known for his impactful work in tobacco litigation and his adventurous spirit. With a legal career spanning over four decades, J.B. has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers in 2020 and 2021. Beyond …

Jon Morrison shares his journey from struggling entrepreneur to building a scalable, successful business. He explains how focusing on customer service, finding the right niche, and delivering consistent results helped him break through the noise in a competitive market. Jon talks about the importance of understanding who you’re serving, creating a …

In this episode of the How to Scale a Business Podcast, host Casey Haakinson welcomes April Elizabeth, owner of Innovative Commercial Capital, to discuss how her firm is revolutionizing the lending industry for small businesses. April shares her journey from high net worth banking to creating a more intentional lending platform that offers solution…

Asmâa Methqal, founder of Fire and Flow, shares how business leaders often become their own biggest obstacles to success, getting in their own way. She explains the importance of balancing drive and action with intuition and self-awareness. Asmâa also talks about how leaders can break through internal roadblocks by focusing on personal growth and f…

Alex Nghiem breaks down why chasing small clients might be holding your business back and shows how landing mid-market and high-paying clients can make a huge difference in your profits and stability. He explains the hidden costs of working with low-budget clients and offers strategies for targeting businesses that will stick around longer and pay …

In this episode of How to Scale a Business, host Casey Haakinson welcomes Gene Volfe, the partner and head of Growth & Scale Partners. With nearly three decades of marketing experience, Gene shares invaluable insights into demand generation and lead strategies that empower startups and established businesses alike to thrive in competitive landscape…

David Allen Tracy shares how his unexpected path—from nonprofit work and battling cancer to becoming the CEO of Northgate Marketing—shaped his unique approach to business. David talks about the importance of understanding a company's core values and story to create effective marketing strategies. He explains how subtle branding changes, like adjust…

In this exciting episode of the Legal Ranked podcast, host Casey Haakinson sits down with digital marketing expert Chris Moreno, owner of Wonderful Websites. Chris shares his journey from importing steam cleaners to becoming a specialist in helping attorneys dominate Google search rankings. Discover how his company blends Google Ads and SEO strateg…

In this episode, Michelle Gifford shares how she grew her Instagram following from 18,000 to over 238,000 in just two years by focusing on strategy instead of trends or gimmicks. She breaks down how using Instagram to connect with your audience, rather than just promoting your business, can completely change the game. Michelle also gives practical …

In this episode of How to Scale A Business, host Casey Haakinson sits down with Dr. Frank L. Douglas, Ph.D., M.D., a renowned problem solver and innovator. Dr. Douglas shares his incredible journey from academia to the pharmaceutical industry, and his groundbreaking work in addressing systemic discrimination. As the founder of Safe Haven Dialogues,…

In this episode of How to Scale a Business, host Casey Haakinson sits down with Tanya Shrivastava, co-founder and CEO of Moktality Inc. Tanya dives into the world of grant writing and strategic consulting for nonprofits, sharing how Moktality Inc. helps organizations secure funding to drive meaningful change. With over 11 years of experience, Tanya…

In this episode, Geoff Woods takes us through his journey from a successful career in medical device sales to becoming a leader in the AI-driven business world. He shares how AI has reshaped his approach to leadership and decision-making, and its role as a powerful tool for strategic thinking. Geoff discusses the challenges executives face in adopt…

In this episode, Jessica Miller shares insights on how entrepreneurs can grow significantly by sprucing up what they already have, rather than constantly chasing new opportunities. She discusses the importance of creating an offer that resonates with potential clients and explains how optimizing existing processes can lead to higher profits with le…

In this episode, Robert Brill, CEO of Brill Media and recognized by the Inc 5000 list, unpacks the critical role of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in scaling a business effectively. From starting as a solopreneur to orchestrating a top-tier media buying agency, Robert shares his transformative journey and the pivotal insights he gained along …

Roy Dekel shares how his experiences as a SEAL operator and entrepreneur intersect, shaping his approach to leadership and business growth. He reveals the intense challenges and lessons learned from the military that have directly influenced his journey in the startup world. Roy also discusses the importance of resilience, adaptability, and making …

Zack Zeller is a sales expert who achieves high-ticket sales without relying on traditional sales calls. He’s here today to talk about a fresh approach that leverages strategic communication and targeted messaging to close significant deals. This conversation is a game-changer for anyone struggling with outdated sales tactics! Tune in to revolution…

In this episode of "How to Scale a Business," host Casey Haakinson sits down with Joe Thull, CEO and head of American operations at Radaro, a company revolutionizing logistics and trucking. Joe shares his unique background, starting with his time scaling Geek Squad at Best Buy, to now leading Radaro in North America. He discusses the biggest challe…

Welcome to another episode of the How to Scale a Business podcast! Today, Casey Haakinson sits down with Chris Walcher, Senior Director of Sales at CollectCO & Cedar Financial, to delve into the revolutionary debt collection platform, CollectCO. Chris explains how CollectCO's unique two-phase system combines a flat fee and contingency model to save…

In this episode of the How to Scale a Business podcast, host Casey Haakinson sits down with William (Bill) McGinnis, founder of K2 Transportation, and Jim Gussman, sales executive, to explore the fascinating story behind this Chicago Land Area logistics company. Bill shares his journey from being introduced to the industry by his father-in-law to s…

In this episode, Danielle Bornowski shares her journey from a nonprofit communications director to a successful entrepreneur. She explains the importance of clear messaging using the StoryBrand framework and offers lead generation and sales strategies. Danielle also discusses the significance of nurturing client relationships and building a support…