Dr. Marquel Russell is a former 9th-grade dropout turned multimillion-dollar business strategist and CEO of Strategic Scale Institute. He’s the creator of the Predictable Scale Flywheel™—a proven system that helps service-based entrepreneurs scale from six to eight figures by streamlining operations, automating marketing, and building high-performing teams. His strategies have helped over 3,000 clients generate more than $1 billion in revenue.

Marquel has built multiple 7-figure businesses and landed on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list. But for him, true success is freedom—working just four days a week, taking unplugged vacations each quarter, and celebrating Christmas abroad with his family. He lives what he teaches, using the same systems that have transformed his clients’ businesses and lives.

Through Strategic Scale Institute, Marquel empowers entrepreneurs to escape burnout and grow with intention. Whether they’re earning $30K or scaling past 7 figures, his Predictable Scale Flywheel™ turns businesses into self-sustaining, profit-generating machines. Simply put, Dr. Marquel Russell doesn’t just teach growth—he lives it.

During the show we discussed:

• The Predictable Scale Flywheel™ for burnout-free growth
• Building a 20-hour workweek system
• Morning and bedtime rituals for peak performance
• The power of quarterly vacations
• Mastering your calendar with the 80/20 Power Grid
• Delegating to focus on high-level tasks
• Creating a yearly War Map for business clarity
• Using a scorecard to track health and performance
• Weekly mapping for consistent productivity

Resources:

https://scalethesmartway.com/
https://scalemadeeasy.com/

Benjamin Dennehy is an engaging and entertaining trainer and speaker who blends humour, psychology, and raw insight to challenge everything you think you know about sales. Known as The UK’s Most Hated Sales Trainer—a title he unapologetically made up for marketing purposes—Benjamin isn’t here to coddle. He’s here to disrupt. With brutal honesty and sharp observations, he holds up a mirror to the sales industry, exposing uncomfortable truths that many recognise… and few want to admit.

Originally called to the bar as a qualified Barrister in New Zealand, Benjamin never planned on a career in sales—like most people in the profession. Very few dream of sales as kids, yet somehow find themselves selling by default, not design. Young, articulate, and presentable? That’s often all it takes to land a sales role. But doing a job you never truly wanted? That’s a recipe for mediocrity, and Benjamin is on a mission to change that.

Through his no-nonsense, laugh-out-loud style, Benjamin helps sales professionals break out of autopilot and into purpose. He doesn’t teach gimmicks—he teaches mindset. Whether speaking from a stage or leading a training session, he’ll leave you thinking, laughing, and maybe just a little bit uncomfortable. And that’s exactly the point.

During the show we discussed:

• Spotting high-value prospects quickly
• Leading sales conversations with confidence
• Building a top-performing sales mindset
• Sales script vs. process — what works best
• Disqualifying prospects faster and smarter
• How prospects deceive you—and what to do
• Creating a consistent sales pipeline
• Opening calls with clarity and purpose
• Handling objections without losing control
• Following up without sounding desperate
• Mindset shifts to earn more with less effort

Resources:

https://uksmosthatedsalestrainer.com/

Eric’s journey into the financial world was born from personal experience. Growing up, he watched his hardworking father battle a debilitating illness and saw the financial strain it placed on his family. It became clear to Eric that many hardworking professionals, like his parents, were navigating a complicated financial landscape without the personalized guidance they needed. This realization sparked his lifelong mission: to become the trusted advisor families could count on during life’s most challenging moments.

With a degree from the University of Rhode Island, Eric began his career at Merrill Lynch in Retirement Plan Services, laying the foundation for his expertise in long-term financial planning. He later joined Bloomberg, LP, where he deepened his knowledge and expanded his ability to deliver impactful financial solutions. Over the last 13 years, Eric has helped clients save millions in taxes and move confidently toward financial independence.

What sets Eric apart is his empathy-driven approach. He takes the time to understand each client’s unique story and crafts personalized strategies that align with their goals and values. His mission is to provide more than just financial advice—he offers clarity, security, and peace of mind, helping clients transform uncertainty into confidence and turn aspirations into lasting legacies.

During the show we discussed:

• Tax planning vs. tax prep: the big misconception
• How tax strategy can save millions—and why few use it
• Real client example of proactive tax savings
• Why advisors must show up in tough times, not just wins
• Common financial traps before hiring an advisor
• The overlooked human side of financial advising
• Balancing ambition and risk in high-stakes decisions
• An investment to avoid—and the reason behind it
• Why one-size-fits-all advice is risky
• Crafting strategies based on life, not just income
• How empathy shapes better financial plans
  

Resources:

https://www.emangold.com/

Glenn Poulos is a seasoned sales leader and entrepreneur with over four decades of experience. He began his career in 1985 as a technical sales rep and quickly found his passion in customer-facing roles. In 1991, he founded his first company, mmWave Technologies Inc., and later served as President of Anritsu Electronics Ltd. for nine years. In 2007, Glenn founded Gap Wireless, which became a leading distributor for the mobile broadband and test & measurement equipment markets. He successfully sold the company to NWS in 2022.

Throughout his career, Glenn has spent thousands of hours in the field, working closely with customers and mentoring sales teams. His hands-on experience has given him a deep understanding of what it takes to start, scale, and succeed in business. Glenn is particularly passionate about sales strategy, consumer behavior, and the emotional drivers behind decision-making, which has helped him create and lead several successful companies.

Now, Glenn is exploring new opportunities to share his expertise. Whether through collaborations, podcast appearances, or speaking to sales teams, he brings a proven, results-driven approach. In his personal life, Glenn enjoys hiking, skiing, and playing pickleball near his home in Toronto, Ontario.

During the show we discussed:

• Use the WSP method to make your product more attractive
• Get sales reps to dig deeper at the start of each call
• Handle 10 types of tough customers with ease
• Avoid common sales negotiation mistakes
• Stop costly sales mistakes before they happen
• Keep your sales reputation strong under pressure
• Turn objections into closed deals

Resources:

https://glennpoulos.com/

Maxwell Finn is an accomplished marketer, entrepreneur, and investor with over a decade of experience in digital marketing. He was one of the first advertisers on both Facebook and TikTok, becoming a go-to expert in scaling businesses with paid ads. His journey started with his first e-commerce company, Startup Drugz, which he grew rapidly before selling it to Russell Brunson, founder of ClickFunnels.

Maxwell then co-founded Quantum Media, a full-service digital marketing agency with Kevin Harrington from Shark Tank. There, he led successful ad campaigns for major clients like 3M, Goodwill, and Sam’s Club. Today, he owns a portfolio of businesses, including agencies, e-commerce brands, and SaaS companies, generating over $250 million in direct revenue for clients and training over 10,000 marketers.

A sought-after speaker, Maxwell has shared his expertise at top events like Traffic & Conversion Summit and Social Media Marketing World. He’s also created educational programs for industry leaders like DigitalMarketer, ClickBank, and Kajabi, helping thousands master paid advertising and digital marketing strategies.

Interview Questions:

• The power of getting to “no” and why it’s essential in client relationships
• How brilliant brands stand out—and how you can apply the same strategies
• Lessons from Liquid Death’s unconventional rise to success
• The compounding advantage of entrepreneurship over time
• How to identify and choose the right mentor to accelerate business growth
• Why doing what others won’t do is the shortcut to hyper success
• The critical advantage of being first in your market or niche
• How human illogical behavior can be leveraged for business success

Resources:

https://www.maxwellfinn.com/
https://unicornadsmanager.com/

Hugo Blankingship III is a highly respected attorney based in Washington, D.C., specializing in identity theft and false credit reporting issues. With over 30 years of experience, he has built a strong reputation for advocating on behalf of consumers who are struggling with inaccurate credit information. His mission is to help clients get incorrect data removed from their credit reports, allowing them to move forward with their financial lives.

A graduate of the University of Virginia (B.A., 1982) and the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary (J.D., 1986), Hugo began his career as a law clerk to the Honorable Albert V. Bryan, Jr., former chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. This foundation shaped his career and led him to become a passionate consumer rights advocate.

Throughout his career, Hugo has fought tirelessly against major credit reporting agencies like Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, ensuring they adhere to the rules. In 2004, he argued the case Nigh v. Koons Buick Pontiac GMC before the U.S. Supreme Court, and has represented clients before the Supreme Court of Virginia and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Hugo's clients know him as a tenacious attorney who won't back down in the pursuit of justice.

Thomas B. Christiano received a B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1993 and a J.D. from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary in 1999. Mr. Christiano has handled numerous consumer protection cases and specializes in cases involving inaccurate credit reporting under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. He has reviewed the credit reporting procedure process from the major credit reporting agencies and the dispute investigation procedures of many banks who have furnished inaccurate credit information. As an experienced credit report lawyer, he can identify the actual damages associated with credit report problems, including emotional distress damages, the loss of employment opportunities, inability to obtain a mortgage, and loss of use of credit., Mr. Christiano also publishes a blog at yourfaircreditreportlawyernow.com, which is an excellent informational resource on the subject. Thomas B. Christiano has decades of experience helping clients who have been the victim of credit fraud and identity theft. Discover how he can help you!

During the show we discussed:

• Common credit report errors and their impact on consumers
• Effects of identity theft on credit and first steps to take
• Challenges in disputing false credit report information
• Overview of the dispute process with credit bureaus
• How bureaus respond to disputes and what to do if ignored
• Consumer rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
• Role of Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion in disputes
• What to do when bureaus don’t fix errors and how attorneys help
• Issues with mixed/merged credit files and how to resolve them
• Fraud tactics in credit manipulation and identity theft prevention
• Importance of checking credit reports and common review mistakes
• Steps to fix credit scores after finding report errors
• How bad credit affects loans, housing, and employment
• Benefits of working with a credit report attorney vs. doing it alone

Resources:

https://www.yourfaircreditlawyer.com/

Michael Jacobson became CEO of French Florist in late 2018, rescuing the company from near closure and driving it to $10 million in revenue by 2024, making it the largest flower shop in Los Angeles. His leadership has propelled the business into a new era of innovation, with a focus on technology and a robust model for global expansion through licensing.

Before French Florist, Michael honed his strategic skills at Slalom, a $1 billion consulting firm, and as a real estate broker. He also contributed to the Washington Hyperloop project, advising on innovative transportation solutions. These experiences shaped his ability to drive change and create growth across industries.

Outside of work, Michael is an avid swimmer and promotes wellness within his team. He supports the Little Miracles Foundation, helping orphans, and is an active member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), believing true success lies in both business achievements and societal impact.

During the show we discussed:

• Turning a struggling business into an 8-figure success
• The rise of “order aggregators” and why they’re the future
• How lack of innovation can kill your business
• Global floral industry size and future growth potential
• Most profitable floral segments: retail, events, online delivery
• Why tech and retention are key growth drivers
• Floral industry vs. others in market size and growth
• Why floral franchises are cheap and easy to start
• 5 unique ways to boost your business’s value
• The power of branding in a crowded floral market
• How florists use tech to boost efficiency and profits
• Is it easy to enter the floral industry?
• Big opportunity: franchising in the floral space

Resources:

https://frenchfloristfranchise.com/

Carter Cofield is one of the co-founders of Melanin Money, a platform dedicated to empowering Aspiring 1st Generation Melanin Millionaires.

He’s a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Personal Financial Specialist (PFS), is the Lead Advisor at Cofield Advisors, LLC. He is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs to thrive by strategically navigating their taxes. Carter’s dedication to financial literacy led him to co-create Melanin Money, the #1 brand for wealth builders of color, with a mission to close the racial wealth gap by 10%.

Melanin Money was born out of the need to bridge the wealth gap for people of color. With a focus on providing trusted education, resources, and a supportive community, the platform equips individuals with the tools to start building wealth and securing financial freedom.

Through a combination of financial education, branded initiatives, and merchandise, Melanin Money is creating a movement to help individuals of color build generational wealth and leave a legacy for future generations.

During the show we discussed:

• Understand the $100B wealth gap and how to close it.
• Learn how to reach your first $1M in net worth.
• Discover legal ways to pay less in taxes.
• Use proper strategies to shelter money from the IRS.
• Turn everyday expenses into tax deductions.
• Apply income shifting to reduce taxes.
• Invest while saving on taxes using real estate and other assets.
• Know key financial principles before investing.
• Believe wealth is possible to achieve it.
• Avoid common mistakes new investors make.
• Align investments with business growth goals.
• Assess risk and diversify your portfolio.
• Invest wisely with limited time and resources.
• Choose the right assets to grow your wealth.
• Balance business reinvestment with personal investing.
• Structure finances for business and personal wealth.
• Build passive income while growing your business.
• Balance short-term and long-term investments.
• Explore overlooked wealth-building opportunities.
• Plan taxes smartly to boost investment returns.
• Leverage compound interest for long-term gains.

Resources:

https://melaninmoney.com/