Success Unfiltered

Latest Episodes:

085 | Melinda Emerson Shares What the Small Biz Lady Knows About Failure Jan 09, 2019

Show notes

085 | Melinda Emerson Shares What the Small Biz Lady Knows About Failure

Melinda Emerson, "SmallBizLady" is America's #1 Small Business Expert. She is an international expert on small business development and social media marketing. Melinda is also the president of the Quintessence Group, a marketing consulting firm based in Philadelphia, PA serving Fortune 500 clients who target small businesses. She has published over 5000 articles on small business on her blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com. Her advice is widely read, reaching more than 3 million entrepreneurs each week online. She is a former columnist for The New York Times and Entrepreneur. She is the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, 2nd Edition, and her latest book is Fix Your Business.

Who are the five people that you surround yourself with? Are they individuals who lift you up & help you brainstorm your way through a difficult situation?

Hopefully, you said YES, that some of the people who surround you are good people who support your work.

Being an entrepreneur can be really tough, so having a tight circle of people available to lean on, is very important.

This week's guest on Success Unfiltered, Melinda Emerson, believes that we all need a "kitchen cabinet" (as she calls it) full of trusted advisors. She even shares the top five people we need in our kitchen cabinet.

Melinda is one of America's number one small business experts, but she didn't get there without her fair share of failures. Her most devastating NO actually occurred because of her husband, one of her most trusted advisors, at the time.

If you're ready to build relationships with people you can trust to help lift you up and help you muddle through the tough times, then this episode of Success Unfiltered is a MUST LISTEN!

Enjoy, and thank you for listening and tuning into Success Unfiltered!

To share your thoughts:

Email The Pitch Queen @ hello@thepitchqueen.com
Ask a question over at www.ThePitchQueen.com
Share Success Unfiltered on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, & LinkedIn

To help the show out:

Please leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
Subscribe to the show on iTunes.

Special thanks go out to Melinda Emerson for taking the time to chat with Michelle. Be sure to join us next week for our next new episode!

P.S. The Online Business World Can Be Information Overload. How Do You Stand Out? There's unrelenting noise in the online space these days. How do you show up as you, authentically connect with prospects, and create a connection that lasts? It's the same way you make friends "IRL." By reaching out, being of service, and just being YOU. Sound impossible? It's NOT! You can be an exception in a world of samezies, and my new guide "How To Build Relationships Online: Your Checklist For TRUE Connections (And REAL Sales)," will show you how! Grab it right HERE!

Here are a few key secrets we talked about in this episode:

Michelle introduces Melinda Emerson.
Melinda shares a brief introduction to who she is and what she does.
The first crushing NO that Melinda experienced occurred while she was working for an NBC station in her hometown of Pittsburgh.
"Your brand cannot be what's on your business card. It also can't be what's in your pocket. Your brand has to be that you are a good person." ~ Melinda Emerson
It took Melinda a few years but she eventually created her own company. She realized that in order to grow her business she'd have to grow herself. She shared some of how she did that in this episode.
The number one lesson that Melinda learned is that you need a kitchen cabinet full of 5 people who fully support you and what you want to do.
In 2005, Melinda had successfully created a business that was thriving, her husband was even able to leave his full-time job.
During that time Melinda was also pregnant, and it turned into a high-risk pregnancy where the doctor kept her home on bedrest. (This was before wifi was common in the home.)
Melinda had built a business that couldn't run without her and now she couldn't run it, so her first business ended up failing.
After having her baby, and praying to God, Melinda had a vision of what she wanted to do with her business. Her husband's reaction actually led to her most devastating NO. You'll have to listen to this episode to hear what happened!
Melinda followed her dreams and by 2010 she was America's most sought-after business expert.
We all suffer from negative self-talk, Melinda shares how she remembers who she is and what she is capable of.
"At the end of the day, none of us sell anything that's incredibly unique. The difference is our service. The difference is how much we care." ~ Melinda Emerson
Melinda shares that listening to her gut is the number one way that she knows whether she should work with a brand or not. There's more that goes into the final decision, but if it doesn't feel right in the gut, she (or rather her team) will turn people away.
There are three things that Melinda recommends you look for when deciding if you should work with someone. She shares them in this episode.
Melinda shares what she would tell her younger self.

Connect with Melinda Emerson:

Music produced by Deejay-O www.iamdeejayo.com

084 | Chris Cavallini Shares How He Went from Drug Dealer to Forbes Featured Entrepreneur Jan 02, 2019

Show notes

084 | Chris Cavallini Shares How He Went from Drug Dealer to Forbes Featured Entrepreneur

Chris Cavallini is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, United States Navy Veteran, speaker, and social media influencer. He is a multi-time Forbes featured personality and the CEO and founder of Nutrition Solutions, a national lifestyle brand and meal preparation company reporting over 8 figures of annual revenue. His company has high profile clientele such as New England Patriots Tight End, Rob Gronkowski, former UFC Heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic and a huge list of WWE superstars, such as Triple H, Roman Reigns and The Undertaker. During his turbulent youth, he was arrested 17 times prior to his 18th birthday and later served jail time for the distribution of anabolic steroids. Cavallini ultimately changed his life's course by dedicating his life to personal development, philanthropy and using his platforms to educate people on the practical action steps and mindset needed to reach the next level.

Do you have an employee who constantly has a negative attitude? Have you thought about getting rid of them, but just can't bring yourself to do it?

I've experienced those employees that constantly have a bad attitude, and I tend to refer to them as cancer within my business.

These are the employees (or contractors) that bring down the positivity or just don't see your big vision. I know it can be hard to let them go because you rely on their work, but if you've considered letting them go at all, that probably means you need to let them go!

This week's guest on Success Unfiltered is Chris Cavallini, the creator of Nutrition Solutions. Chris has an incredible story of growth and change, and he shares it all with us.

Chris also shares his story of dealing with cancer within his own business. A chef he brought on to handle the culinary parts of the business didn't hold the same beliefs that Chris did and was not afraid to voice those negative opinions.

In this episode, Chris shares how he handled the negativity and what he did to remedy the situation.

If you've ever thought about firing an employee because of their poor attitude, this MUST LISTEN episode will help you overcome any fear associated with letting them go!

Enjoy, and thank you for listening and tuning into Success Unfiltered!

To share your thoughts:

Email The Pitch Queen @ hello@thepitchqueen.com
Ask a question over at www.ThePitchQueen.com
Share Success Unfiltered on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, & LinkedIn

To help the show out:

Please leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
Subscribe to the show on iTunes.

Special thanks goes out to Chris Cavallini for taking the time to chat with Michelle. Be sure to join us next week for our next new episode!

P.S. Are You An Overwhelmed Solopreneur? It's time to start bringing in the help you need and stop your business from running YOU. But where do you start? How do you know who you need to hire, and how do you hire someone with confidence and trust? I've got your back! Learn how to put together the DREAM team for your business with my FREE guide "Building Your All-Star Team: A Guide To Hiring The RIGHT People To Skyrocket Your Business". Click HERE and get your sanity back!

Here are a few key secrets we talked about in this episode:

Michelle introduces Chris Cavallini.
Chris shares a little bit about who he is and what his company does.
The first rejections that Chris experienced were when he was trying to turn his life around and go from being a drug dealer and move into the prepared food space.
When Chris first started he was struggling to get his name out there, but by staying the course he got his message out there.
Chris shares how he worked to shift people's perception of him and the business he was creating.
"Every business is essentially a customer service business and there are a lot of people doing what you do. On a continuous basis, you have to remind your customers, remind people why you're the best in town and why you're the best option for them despite many options out there." ~ Chris Cavallini
The most devastating NO that Chris experienced occurred when he was just getting started in his business and he was being arrested for something that had occurred 3 years prior. Chris tells the full story and how he turned everything around! You don't want to miss this.
By turning his life around, Chris has been able to influence so many people through his work. He got active in his community by helping homeless kids, abused kids, Veterans struggling with PTSD and more.
This whole experience was the most devastating thing that happened to Chris but he says that it was also the turning point for him to go all in on his business.
Chris believes that transparency is THE MOST important thing when pitching yourself to a client (or a judge, in Chris' case).
The most accomplished NO of Chris' career happened because of a cook that he had brought in to develop the recipes for Chris' service. Things didn't work out with the cook, but you'll have to listen to the full episode to hear what happened.
Chris shares what he learned from having an employee with a bad attitude on his team.
"It is better to be short of help than have shitty help." ~ Chris Cavallini
Chris shares what he would tell his younger self.
Chris shares a few of his favorite personal development books.

Connect with Chris Cavallini:

Music produced by Deejay-O www.iamdeejayo.com

Michelle's Best Tips of the Year | Coffee is for Closers Dec 29, 2018

Show notes

Michelle's Best Tips of the Year | Coffee is for Closers

Did you know that FITzee Foods was previously sold in The Vitamin Shoppe? It's true!

This didn't just happen, though. I didn't just call The Vitamin Shoppe one day and ask if they'd sell my fresh prepared foods in their store. NO way!! They likely would have laughed in my face.

The number one reason my food made it into The Vitamin Shoppe was because I believed in the products I sold. I had confidence in my products. Which helped me when I was at a trade show and bumped into Michael, my champion from The Vitamin Shoppe.

Michael and I hit it off, and I worked hard to build a solid business relationship with Michael. I knew that my products could help take their store in a different direction and fulfill on a vision the executive team had for the brand. A direction that their competitors hadn't yet gone in.

Once we made it into The Vitamin Shoppe, and the executives were so pleased with Michael for bringing in an ideal Company that had products that aligned with them, he was able to take full credit for his work.

It was a success for me, for Michael and of course for The Vitamin Shoppe.

That's a super condensed version of my story, but within that story, 3 different sales techniques were used. Techniques that I've taught over the past 52 weeks of Coffee Is For Closers episodes.

With that said, Happy birthday to Coffee Is For Closers!!

Can you believe it? We've made it through 52 weeks of INCREDIBLE content that will help you grow your businesses so you can live a life of abundance without ever having to do a day of selling and without being sleazy or pushy.

In this episode, I review my favorite sales tips and secrets from the past 52 weeks!

If you're through with fearing sales, or not asking for what you're worth, then this episode of Coffee Is For Closers is a MUST LISTEN!

****

Do you want to learn how to sell without the sleaze? My simple 5-step system will help you boost your confidence during your sales conversations and teach you exactly WHEN to ask for the sale – so you get a YES with confidence and ease! If you're ready to take the stress out of selling for good, get the FREE 5 step Pitch Queen System now!

***

Thank you for joining us on Saturday Morning with your morning cup of joe or tea for your special Success Unfiltered bonus episodes of Coffee Is For Closers. It was a great 52 weeks! Thank you for supporting and joining us.

To share your thoughts:

Email The Pitch Queen @ hello@thepitchqueen.com
Ask a question over at www.ThePitchQueen.com
Share Success Unfiltered on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, & LinkedIn

To help the show out:

Please leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
Subscribe to the show on iTunes.

Connect with The Pitch Queen & Join the others in the Royal Family:

Website: http://www.thepitchqueen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchqueen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepitchqueen/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepitchqueen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleweinstein/

****

Do you want to learn how to sell without the sleaze? My simple 5-step system will help you boost your confidence during your sales conversations and teach you exactly WHEN to ask for the sale – so you get a YES with confidence and easeyes! If you're ready to take the stress out of selling for good, get the FREE 5 step Pitch Queen System now!

Here's to brewing YOUR Sales Success & Thank you for spending the last 52 weeks with us!

Music produced by Deejay-O www.iamdeejayo.com

083 | Bobby Cardwell Shares Why You Need a "Red Rope" Policy for Clients and Investors Dec 26, 2018

Show notes

083 | Bobby Cardwell Shares Why You Need a "Red Rope" Policy for Clients and Investors

In 2011, Bobby Cardwell, created Health Talks Online as a full-service web, marketing and production answer for those in the functional medicine space. The company created technology solutions via individual websites, social media integration and leveraging the various technology platforms to reach a global audience and help clients reach the masses with their important health messages, products and services.

If I told you that you could hand pick the clients you work with, and could get rid of any that you're unhappy with… Would you keep all of your current clients, or would you let some go?

My guess is that you'd let a few of them go.

Entrepreneurs often take on each and every potential client that comes their way, never taking the time to determine whether they're an ideal client or not. Which often means that your client roster is full of people that you'd rather not be working with. That sucks!

In this week's Success Unfiltered, my guest, Bobby Cardwell, shares how he created a top ten list of standards (or like I call them a "Red Rope" policies) that his ideal clients or investors have to meet.

This list that Bobby and his business partner have created has proven very useful. The one time they didn't use it, they ended up with some serious financial difficulties. You'll have to listen to this episode to get the full story!

If you're done taking on clients that aren't your ideal clients, then this episode of Success Unfiltered is a MUST LISTEN!

Enjoy, and thank you for listening and tuning into Success Unfiltered!

To share your thoughts:

Email The Pitch Queen @ hello@thepitchqueen.com
Ask a question over at www.ThePitchQueen.com
Share Success Unfiltered on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, & LinkedIn

To help the show out:

Please leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
Subscribe to the show on iTunes.

Special thanks goes out to Bobby Cardwell for taking the time to chat with Michelle. Be sure to join us next week for our next new episode!

P.S. How Do You Meet Your Ideal Clients? EVERYWHERE! Here's How You Start...

Where are your ideal clients? Everywhere you look! It's just a matter of staying open to connections, taking action, and staying in the game! Connections happen in line at Starbucks. At 30,000 feet. At the car wash or at the gym. The opportunities are endless. You just have to take them! How do you start? Let my FREE guide show you the way to connect with anyone, anywhere--and maybe even meet your next new client! Get "3 Simple Steps To Building Business Relationships ANYWHERE" right HERE

Here are a few key secrets we talked about in this episode:

Michelle introduces Bobby Cardwell.
Bobby shares a little bit about what his company does.
When Bobby created his company he was told NO in many different ways. People said he'd go bankrupt and that what he was creating wouldn't work, but that didn't stop him. Bobby shares the full story in this episode.
If you're struggling with naysayers, and people telling you that you're bound to fail, Bobby offers some incredible advice to get through this.
When an incredible opportunity came up, Bobby and his business partner Bob, had to turn them away, because it was going to take them away from their goals. Bobby explains that aligning with their goals, of helping as many people as possible, it makes it easier to say NO to those bigger opportunities.
Another great way to make it easier to stayed focus on your goals, is to create a top ten list of goals / standards and keep your focus on those.
Bobby's most devastating NO occurred when he and his business partner Bob decided to bring on a third business partner. This NO cost the company $75K and led to some financial trouble. Bobby shares all the juicy details in this episode!
If you're considering bringing on a business partner, be sure to do your due diligence and research them, EVEN if you are friends with them. Friends do not always make the best business partners.
Bobby shares three additional tips for ensuring you bring on the right type of business partners.
After the trouble with the third business partner, Bobby had to be incredibly transparent with everyone involved with his company, because it financially hit them pretty hard.
Health Talks Online has basically been bootstrapped by Bobby and Bob and they're proud of that. They frequently turn investors away because they want a controlling portion of the company, and their visions just don't align with Bobby's.
Bobby shares what he does to avoid burnout within his business.
Bobby shares what he would tell his younger self.

Connect with Bobby Cardwell:

P.S. How Do You Meet Your Ideal Clients? EVERYWHERE! Here's How You Start...

Music produced by Deejay-O www.iamdeejayo.com

Persuasive Techniques for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners | Coffee is for Closers Dec 22, 2018

Show notes

Persuasive Techniques for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners | Coffee is for Closers

Do you want to know the secret to successful sales?

When it comes to sales you need an equal mix of hard work, authentic relationship building, solving your prospects problems, and then asking for the sale.

I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm a realist and I want you to know that the sales of your dreams are possible, but you need the right techniques.

There is no magic word or magic question that you can ask, to turn every prospect into a sale, but there are steps you can take to get you closer to the sale you so desire.

I work with a lot of accountants, and very often they unintentionally leave sales on the table because they never take that final step… Asking for the sale! Asking a client to get started!

When FITzee Foods was still open I worked my butt off to get into The Vitamin Shoppe and Costco. It didn't just happen! I actually had to ask the buyers to buy our products and work with me!

I built up real business relationships, I showed both companies how carrying my prepared meals or protein bars would benefit them and make them stand out from competitors, and then when the time was right, I ASKED FOR THE SALE.

This single step is probably the most important, but before you can ask for the sale you have to go through the previous 6 or so techniques to ensure the prospect is right for you, and you're right for them.

In this episode, I'm sharing 7 persuasive sales techniques that I use that will help you rock your next pitch. If you're spending all of your time at your desk and no time out looking for sales because you're intimidated by the sales process, then this episode will show you exactly what you need to do to get the process effectively rolling!

****

***

Join me every Saturday Morning with your morning cup of joe or tea for your special Success Unfiltered bonus episodes of Coffee Is For Closers. Each week I'll share my best sales tips, secrets, and tricks for entrepreneurs to learn sales without the sleaze, so that you can close more deals and serve more people with your product or service!

To share your thoughts:

• Email The Pitch Queen @ hello@thepitchqueen.com

• Ask a question over at www.ThePitchQueen.com

• Share Success Unfiltered on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, & LinkedIn

To help the show out:

• Please leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.

• Subscribe to the show on iTunes.

Connect with The Pitch Queen & Join the others in the Royal Family:

Website: http://www.thepitchqueen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchqueen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepitchqueen/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepitchqueen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleweinstein/

****

Do you want to learn how to sell without the sleaze? My simple 5-step system will help you boost your confidence during your sales conversations and teach you exactly WHEN to ask for the sale – so you get a YES with confidence and easeyes! If you're ready to take the stress out of selling for good, get the FREE 5 step Pitch Queen System now!

Here's to brewing YOUR Sales Success!

Music produced by Deejay-O www.iamdeejayo.com

082 | Pamela Slim Shares Why Rejection is Your Path to Success Dec 19, 2018

Show notes

082 | Pamela Slim Shares Why Rejection is Your Path to Success

Pamela Slim is an award-winning author, speaker and small business coach. She spent the first 10 years of her business as a consultant to large corporations such as Hewlett-Packard, Charles Schwab and Cisco Systems. In 2005, she started the Escape from Cubicle Nation blog, which led to coaching thousands of entrepreneurs, from martial art studios to software startups. Pam opened the Main Street Learning Lab in Mesa, Arizona in 2016, where she generates research and insight for small businesses, and companies and organizations who serve them.

How many NO's have you heard in the last week?

Hopefully you answered, A LOT! In order to be successful in business and sales, you want to rack up as many NO's as you possibly can. And, those NO's do not mean you're a failure. NO's are just lessons on the path to YES.

This week's guest, Pamela Slim, is no stranger to the word NO, in fact, the number one piece of advice that Pamela would tell her younger self, is to stop taking rejection personally and to keep racking up the NO.

It may seem counterintuitive to rack up NO's, but that's simply because you allow those NO's to affect your confidence. Instead, you need to start looking at them as lessons you can learn from.

If you're ready to stop fearing rejections, then this episode of Success Unfiltered is a MUST LISTEN!

Enjoy, and thank you for listening and tuning into Success Unfiltered!

To share your thoughts:

Email The Pitch Queen @ hello@thepitchqueen.com
Ask a question over at www.ThePitchQueen.com
Share Success Unfiltered on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, & LinkedIn

To help the show out:

Please leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
Subscribe to the show on iTunes.

Special thanks goes out to Pamela Slim for taking the time to chat with Michelle. Be sure to join us next week for our next new episode!

P.S. Everybody Gets Rejected In Sales. Do You Know How To Make NO An Advantage? Nobody likes to be turned down in sales. But did you know that NO is just part of the deal in business? If you use it right, you can learn EVERYTHING you need to know from a NO. Let me show you 3 ways that you can turn a NO into a YES without being pushy, sleazy, or desperate. Click here and download your FREE guide "3 Ways To Turn a NO Into a YES" right HERE!

Here are a few key secrets we talked about in this episode:

Michelle introduces Pamela Slim.
Pamela shares who she is and what she does.
The first big NO that Pamela experienced really deflated her confidence. She had left her 9 to 5, and gone to work as a consulted for her former boss, but this positive experience led to her first big NO.
Pamela used this experience to realize that she wanted to learn more and do better.
"You must be very honest with yourself about where some of the areas of true shortcomings are." ~ Pamela Slim
Pamela attributes her change in outlook to failures, to her circle of mentors.
There are always ways to learn more and do better in future pitches, Pamela shares three things she learned after her first failed pitch.
Pamela's most devastating NO happened recently in regards to a new book she is trying to write. She shares the full story in this episode.
Even after being initially turned down by her book publisher for her third book, Pamela has dedicated herself to learning more about her clients and people so that she can add to the book.
Don't be afraid to ask for help! Pamela is hiring a friend who is going to help her write a killer proposal for when she goes to re-pitch the book.
Pamela's most accomplished NO occurred when she had pitched her first book to the book publisher. They believed it to be too "pedestrian." Pamela shares the full story and how she turned it around, in this episode!
Focusing on her craft, is one way that Pamela ensures she overcomes every NO she receives.
Pamela shares a story of when she was brought in as a consultant and realized after the initial work that she wasn't the best fit for the job.
"You are not serving somebody if you know that you are unable to deliver what they want." ~ Pamela Slim
Pamela shares what she would tell her younger self.

Connect with Pamela Slim:

Music produced by Deejay-O www.iamdeejayo.com

How to Have Your Prospects Persuade Themselves to Work With You | Coffee is for Closers Dec 15, 2018

Show notes

How to Have Your Prospects Persuade Themselves to Work With You | Coffee is for Closers

Imagine a world where you no longer have to be pushy, or feel sleazy when it comes to sales.

In this world, your prospects can literally sell themselves!

Sounds too good to be true, right?

Guess what!? It's not!

This can be your reality by simply learning the subtle sales principles that Ross Jeffries has created and put in his most recent book, Subtle Words that Sell.

The very first thing you need to do is stop calling yourself a salesman or saleswoman. Instead, Ross suggests you start calling yourself a Decision Service Technician or DST, for short.

The reason this is so effective is because you should no longer be selling your products or services, but rather selling good decisions that bring about good feelings.

People are distracted and don't want to dive into the data. They want you to activate the part of the brain that allows you to believe and suspend disbelief (kind of like I did in my first sentence).

You have to remain vague and encourage your prospect to ask any questions that come up as they go through their time with you.

But it's not *quite* that simple. In this episode, Ross and I discuss his new book and the 6 subtle sales principles that he recommends you follow in order to get your prospects to start selling themselves.

We're going to show you the exact phrases you can use to allow your prospect to convince themselves to buy. Your search for sales techniques can end today!

****

To share your thoughts:

Email The Pitch Queen @ hello@thepitchqueen.com
Ask a question over at www.ThePitchQueen.com
Share Success Unfiltered on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, & LinkedIn

To help the show out:

Please leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
Subscribe to the show on iTunes.

Connect with The Pitch Queen & Join the others in the Royal Family:

Website: http://www.thepitchqueen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchqueen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepitchqueen/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepitchqueen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleweinstein/

****

Do you want to learn how to sell without the sleaze? My simple 5-step system will help you boost your confidence during your sales conversations and teach you exactly WHEN to ask for the sale – so you get a YES with confidence and easeyes! If you're ready to take the stress out of selling for good, get the FREE 5 step Pitch Queen System now!

Here's to brewing YOUR Sales Success!

Music produced by Deejay-O www.iamdeejayo.com

081 | Justin Kitteridge Shares Why Mastering Your Pitch is SO Important Dec 12, 2018

Show notes

081 | Justin Kitteridge Shares Why Mastering Your Pitch is SO Important

Justin Kittredge is a footwear veteran. Having worked with professional athletes and entertainers at Reebok for over a decade, Justin had more than his fair share of cultural experiences. In 2013 when he decided to step away from the big brand to create what is now the most dominant powerhouse in the sandal industry, ISlide, he kept one thing in mind, "Don't wait for opportunity. Create it." Since then, ISlide has worked with DJ Khaled, Antonio Brown, French Montana, Iskra Lawerence, Def Jam, NBA All-Star weekend, Dick's Sporting Goods, and over 20 Professional sports arenas.

Imagine going into the biggest pitch of your life and completely blowing it. How would you deal with that?

If you're like most the of the entrepreneurs that listen to Success Unfiltered, you take that massive mistake and you learn from it, because you know failure is NOT an option around these parts.

This week's guest, Justin Kitteridge, went into his very first big-time pitch meeting with (as he called it) diarrhea of the mouth. He couldn't stop talking and he never once shared why he believed his company would be viable.

In fact, he just kept talking for so long, he believes the investor he was speaking with, actually fell asleep!

However, Justin didn't take this as the end of his journey, he learned from his mistake and has now spent years refining his pitch. And, actually, he's now going into his second round of funding, hoping to get $1M.

If you're absolutely sick of making the same mistake over and OVER again, then this episode of Success Unfiltered is a MUST LISTEN!

Enjoy, and thank you for listening and tuning into Success Unfiltered!

To share your thoughts:

Email The Pitch Queen @ hello@thepitchqueen.com
Ask a question over at www.ThePitchQueen.com
Share Success Unfiltered on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, & LinkedIn

To help the show out:

Please leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
Subscribe to the show on iTunes.

Special thanks goes out to Justin Kitteridge for taking the time to chat with Michelle. Be sure to join us next week for our next new episode!

P.S. Your Sales Pitch Went Flat. Now What? Click HERE for 5 ways to get over rejection and get back in the sales game TODAY!

Here are a few key secrets we talked about in this episode:

Michelle introduces Justin Kitteridge.
Justin shares a little bit about who he is and what his company is all about.
When Justin first started his business, people doubted he'd find success, simply because he'd never owned a business, only managed at Reebok.
We all have a story of our first horrific pitch, and Justin shares his in this episode. He shares information that he's never told anyone else (besides his wife) before.
Justin shares how he emotionally overcame the blow of his first pitch.
It's been two years since Justin and his company have been trying to bring in investor money, and they've definitely learned a thing or two since the first time. Justin shares his top three tips for raising money successfully.
Justin often looks to his team of investors and advisors for advice to ensure they don't make the same mistake twice.
Justin took ISlide to a Shark Tank audition, hoping to make it on, but knew his chances were small at first since only 1 in 40,000 people make it on.
The whole purpose for ISlide getting onto Shark Tank was to not only get an investment but also build exposure.
Justin shares the full Shark Tank story, but let's just say a major disappointment, turned into a MASSIVE positive. Justin tells the full story, in this episode!
After Shark Tank aired, ISlide ended up creating a partnership with DJ Khaled, which did so much for their exposure.
When it comes to hiring, Justin believes that every employee will have a different personality, but have a similar DNA. Listen to this episode to learn and understand more!
Justin shares some tips on ensuring that the people he hires are going to be a good fit.
Justin shares what he would tell his younger self.

Connect with Justin Kitteridge:

P.S. Your Sales Pitch Went Flat. Now What? Click HERE for 5 ways to get over rejection and get back in the sales game TODAY!

Music produced by Deejay-O www.iamdeejayo.com

Distinguishing Between Persuasion and Manipulation | Coffee is for Closers Dec 08, 2018

Show notes

Distinguishing Between Persuasion and Manipulation | Coffee is for Closers

For any profit-oriented sales person, any tactic or technique that leads to the sale is justifiable… RIGHT?

WRONG!

Who cares if you persuade or manipulate your prospects?

THEY DO!

It's easy to fall into the trap of "just trying to get the sale" by telling your prospect that you're product or service can and will provide them the MOON, even if it's a lie.

Every time I open Facebook or scroll Instagram, I'm bombarded with ads to "buy this" or "download" that. On each of these ads are things like "only 10 spots remaining" or "act now, the price goes up in 1 hour."

Sure, these scarcity tactics get people to buy, but they're manipulative and inauthentic. And around here we believe that authenticity is key!

When it comes to sales you want to persuade prospects to make a decision that's best for them, not manipulate them.

Shameca loves to share with her new prospects what can happen by working with her. She'll share case studies from previous clients and allow the potential new client to make their own decisions.

You want the client to believe that what you can do is possible, because if they don't believe it, they won't put the effort in and their success won't come. Trust us! Authentic persuasion is the way to the heart of your dream clients.

On this episode, Shameca and I discussed persuasion vs. manipulation, and how to use it effectively in your business. If you're over trying to strong arm your clients into a sale and want to start selling with ease, this episode is for you! Shameca shares some of her biggest sales tips to use persuasion in the right way.

***

To share your thoughts:

Email The Pitch Queen @ hello@thepitchqueen.com
Ask a question over at www.ThePitchQueen.com
Share Success Unfiltered on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, & LinkedIn

To help the show out:

Please leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
Subscribe to the show on iTunes.

Connect with The Pitch Queen & Join the others in the Royal Family:

Website: https://www.thepitchqueen.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchqueen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepitchqueen/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepitchqueen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleweinstein/

***

Do you want to learn how to sell without the sleaze? My simple 5-step system will help you boost your confidence during your sales conversations and teach you exactly WHEN to ask for the sale – so you get a YES with confidence and easeyes! If you're ready to take the stress out of selling for good, get the FREE 5 step Pitch Queen System now!

Here's to brewing YOUR Sales Success!

Music produced by Deejay-O www.iamdeejayo.com

080 | Sara Brooks Shares Why Confidence is Everything as an Entrepreneur Dec 05, 2018

Show notes

080 | Sara Brooks Shares Why Confidence is Everything as an Entrepreneur

Sara Brooks brings nearly 15-years of comprehensive media experience to her role as Founder and CEO of Covet Public Relations. Sara's diverse background has provided her with extensive knowledge and expertise in the public relations sector where she is known as a leading expert in media relations across print, digital, and broadcast platforms.

Prior to starting her PR career, Sara was a freelance editor, writing feature travel, beauty, fashion and entertainment stories for a highly circulated regional publication. From there, she transitioned to the world of television, working in casting for MTV and later at E! Entertainment Networks in Los Angeles

In the fall of 2014, Sara founded Covet PR, setting out to create a PR agency like no other by focusing solely on CPG brands in the food, beverage, and beauty space. Sara's relentless passion for her clients, her extensive media relationships, and her tenacious approach to getting the job done have helped to make Covet PR one of the fastest-growing lifestyle PR firms in the country.

When an opportunity is presented to you as an entrepreneur, what's your default response? Do you let your fears take over, or do you channel your confidence and answer with a YES?

Many entrepreneurs I've coached over the years will often have someone offer them an amazing opportunity, but because they don't know how to do it and lack the confidence from the get-go, they immediately decide to turn it down.

My guest in this episode, Sara Brooks, aligns very closely with the quote by Richard Branson, "If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity, but you are not sure you can do it, say YES -- and, learn how to do it later!"

Sara believes that as entrepreneurs we have to stop letting our fear get in our way, and start seizing every opportunity we're presented with. Have confidence in yourself that if you don't know how to do something, you'll be able to figure it out later!

If you've ever struggled on whether you should say YES to an opportunity or not, this episode is a MUST LISTEN episode of Success Unfiltered!

Enjoy, and thank you for listening and tuning into Success Unfiltered!

To share your thoughts:

Email The Pitch Queen @ hello@thepitchqueen.com
Ask a question over at www.ThePitchQueen.com
Share Success Unfiltered on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, & LinkedIn

To help the show out:

Please leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
Subscribe to the show on iTunes.

Special thanks goes out to Sara Brooks for taking the time to chat with Michelle. Be sure to join us next week for our next new episode!

P.S. Why Do Most Business Strategies Fail? It's not because they don't work. It's because you're not READY for them to work. Before you can succeed, you've got to believe in yourself. And most of us don't know how. But that's all about to change! Let me show you my 3 best mindset hacks to help you raise your vibe, shift your thinking, and ultimately ROCK your business. Grab your copy right HERE and start believing in yourself, for REAL this time!

Here are a few key secrets we talked about in this episode:

Michelle introduces Sara Brooks.
Sara shares a brief synopsis of who she is and what she does.
Sara did not come from an entrepreneurial family, so when she stepped into being an entrepreneur she didn't have a "handbook" to guide her. She believes in the "fake it till you make it" mindset.
The biggest NO that Sara experienced when Covet PR was new, occurred because they didn't have a NY office. Listen to this episode for the full story.
When it comes to hearing NO, Sara takes each NO as a learning experience, she's able to ask herself and her team, "What could we have done differently?"
Sara believes that when you're struggling with the dark days of entrepreneurialism, the best thing you can do is surround yourself with a strong network of people who have been through similar situations.
Sara shares an exciting announcement about her and her company!
After working with a beauty company for over two years, they decided to leave Covet. Sara shares the full story in this episode (hint: the story has a happy ending)!
Sara shares her top three lessons from losing this beauty client.
"You can't have an ego in this field because, if you have an ego, you will constantly be disappointed." ~ Sara Brooks
When you have an agency, there isn't one person who is responsible for major losses. Sara believes that no matter what, you pick yourself back up and try again.
Through it all the YES's and the NO's, Sara wants to be a great example for her daughter. So, she gets up and works hard every day.
Sara shares a story of when Covet decided to turn away business because the company wasn't comfortable with how Covet billed and their retainer rates.
As a rule, Sara does not negotiate.
Sticking to your rates can be tough in the beginning of your business. Sara shares how she handled pricing herself when she first started out.
Sara has always been able to capture an audience, but being a talk show host wasn't necessarily in her future. Sara shares the full story in this episode!
Sara shares what she would tell her younger self.

Connect with Sara Brooks:

Music produced by Deejay-O www.iamdeejayo.com

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected