Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

• 1096: REDEFINING LEARNING and changing the world of education w/ David Martelli

  Send us a textWhat happens when traditional education fails to ignite passion and creativity? Dave Martelli, a visionary in STEM, shares his groundbreaking journey from struggling in conventional schools to becoming a leader in educational innovation. Learn how embracing failure and defying the standard mold can lead to revolutionary teaching methods like micro-credentialing and skill-based learning. These approaches offer fresh pathways for neurodivergent individuals and those from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, proving that standard education is not the only road to success.Discover the transformative power of Guild Hall Learning, an innovative platform reshaping personalized education. By tapping into the power of AI with the Guided Universal Intelligent Learning Device (GUILD), Guild Hall Learning creates tailored educational experiences that resonate with each student’s unique needs and interests. The challenges and triumphs of rolling out this initiative during a global pandemic highlight the importance of flexibility and creativity in education. Explore the integration of the arts into STEM, evolving it into STEAM, and how this fusion not only makes learning more engaging but also expands its reach globally.Join us in celebrating the vital role of collaboration and the nurturing of entrepreneurial spirit in education. Hear about the significant support Dave receives from his wife in balancing ambitious dreams with reality, and the crucial role of collaboration in achieving groundbreaking results. As we explore the evolving role of AI in education, we consider its potential to enhance practical learning while cautioning against its use where personal reflection is key. This episode is a tribute to the power of entrepreneurship in education and a call to embrace change for a brighter future.ABOUT DAVIDDavid Martelli is a pioneering force in STEM education with over 20 years of experience in developing innovative learning environments and programs. As Founder of Guild Hall Learning and president ofGlobal Educational Advancement, he works to revolutionize education by empowering institutions with forward-thinking tools and strategies. His expertise lies in anticipating technological advancement's impact on education and designing experiential learning methodologies that integrate multiple disciplines. Martelli's crowning achievement is creating and operating a state-of-the-art makerspace serving hundreds of students, featuring computer-centric design, game development, virtual reality, and robotics facilities.As former Head of Computer Science and Engineering at a leading Massachusetts private school, Martelli spearheaded technology integration initiatives. His background includes technical program management with the Department of Defense and Northrop Grumman. A respected thought leader, he frequently speaks about the future of education, STEM integration, and creating inclusive learning environments, driven by his commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Guild Hall Learning’s WebsiteFollow Guild Hall Learning on InstagramFind David on FacebookFollow Guild Hall Learning on FacebookConnect with David on LinkedIn

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• 1095: No more boring marketing! Use THESE strategies to captivate audiences w/ Leslie Youngblood

  Send us a textWhat if you could turn even the most mundane industry into a riveting story? Meet Leslie Youngblood, a marketing maven with 19 years of experience, who believes in the power of storytelling to transform any business. Together, we explore the art of captivating writing in marketing, especially in our AI-driven world. Leslie's journey from a childhood filled with creativity to establishing Youngblood MMC is a testament to the magic that authentic, emotion-driven writing can weave. Tune in to discover how to harness the profound influence of well-crafted words on business growth and customer connections.The episode takes a closer look at the creative dance of marketing, where deeply understanding a business is the first step toward success. Leslie shares her unique perspective on finding excitement and uncovering hidden stories in any sector, even those that might seem dull at first glance. Inspired by Henry Ford’s philosophy on innovation, we discuss becoming a passionate advocate for a business, breaking down goals into manageable steps, and the significance of conveying a distinct excitement that resonates with customers. From wastewater treatment to hospitality, every industry's story holds the potential for engagement with the right approach.Navigating the world of marketing platforms can be tricky, but Leslie shares insights on consistency and learning from failures, drawing parallels to sports icons like Tom Brady and Serena Williams. With real-world examples, such as a live music venue, we highlight the importance of understanding your audience and iterating strategies based on performance data. As we venture into the realm of AI, Leslie enlightens us on its role in optimizing marketing strategies, particularly in the hospitality industry. Her call to action? Embrace risks and prioritize courage over clarity in decision-making. Join us to gain a wealth of insights from Leslie Youngblood and leave inspired to transform your approach to marketing.ABOUT LESLIEWith over 19 years of experience in advertising and marketing, content creation, and business development, Leslie Youngblood has helped transform companies from local startups to nationwide impact makers utilizing innovative marketing efforts while driving optimal business outcomes.She's a proud boy mom and wife, as well as a non-stop thinker, and can do-doer who also actively supports the American Cancer Society, ACLU, and National PTA Association.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Youngblood MMC’s WebsiteFollow Youngblood MMC on LinkedInConnect with Leslie on LinkedIn

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• 1094: Turn your CUSTOMER STORIES into your most powerful marketing and sales assets w/ Andy Stauffer

  Send us a textWhat if you could transform customer experiences into your biggest asset for overcoming sales challenges? Join us with Andy Stauffer, the visionary founder of Proofmap, as we unpack his journey from a startup sales rep to the VP of sales and marketing at CloudCoach. Andy sheds light on the pivotal role of social proof in fostering business credibility and success, revealing powerful tactics to harness customer stories for elevating your SaaS enterprise. Learn how his career evolution inspired Proofmap's mission to maximize the impact of social proof across the B2B space.Facing content marketing hurdles with limited resources? We explore strategic solutions for SaaS companies to rejuvenate their marketing efforts by turning a single customer interview into a robust, multi-use marketing asset. By embracing a mindset that values customer goodwill and enthusiasm, businesses can achieve remarkable outcomes. Andy discusses the seamless integration of AI in crafting compelling case studies while ensuring that every customer interaction remains respectful and valuable. This episode highlights the fine balance between technology-driven efficiency and maintaining a genuine customer-focused approach.Peek into the future of productized services and how they can serve as a launchpad for aspiring SaaS entrepreneurs. Andy shares his insights on achieving software-like margins and scalability without the need for complex infrastructure. Uncover the art of "sell then build," leveraging rapid AI advancements to test market ideas and grow your concept swiftly. We emphasize the essence of go-to-market strategies and social proof in carving out a competitive edge, offering you actionable strategies to differentiate your business and accelerate growth in today's dynamic SaaS landscape.ABOUT ANDYAndy Stauffer is the former VP of Sales & Marketing at Cloud Coach, an Enterprise Saas company recently acquired by Main Capital. Today Andy is the Founder of Proofmap, leveraging his experience as a start-up Sales rep and a GTM executive to address a distinct challenge for growing SaaS companies without full marketing teams: Maximizing the impacts of social proof.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Proofmap’s WebsiteConnect with Andy on LinkedIn

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• 1093: Mastering sales through "Emotional Insight Questioning" and guiding people to SELF DISCOVERY w/ Zach Sabin

  Send us a textZach Sabin, the mastermind behind Ignite Agency Training, joins us to share his extraordinary transformation from top sales agent to a leader in sales excellence. Discover how Zach’s journey, fueled by the competitive spirit of his college athlete days and his passion for teaching, led him to redefine sales as an act of service. His story is a testament to the power of betting on oneself and taking bold leaps of faith, as he now channels his insights into a virtual training system designed to empower insurance agents worldwide.Unlock the secrets to effective sales with Zach as we explore the art of questioning to facilitate customer self-discovery. Through the innovative technique of "emotional insight questioning," Zach reveals how empathetic listening and strategic questions can uncover the emotional drivers of decision-making. By prioritizing the customer's needs and fostering a trust-based relationship, sales professionals can guide clients toward informed choices, ensuring their best interests are always at heart.Immerse yourself in the core strategies for successful sales training, as Zach emphasizes the significance of practice, accountability, and a genuine interest in people. He dismantles the myth that only extroverts excel in sales, highlighting that dedication and a coachable attitude are key. Drawing parallels between podcasting and sales training, Zach shares invaluable advice on the commitment required to truly thrive in any endeavor.ABOUT ZACHZach Sabin is a master trainer and leader with over 15 years in the insurance and financial services industry. Known for transforming agents into top producers, he’s trained thousands to achieve breakthrough results. Starting as a sales agent, Zach built one of Michigan’s top-ranked agencies before moving into leadership, where he led his territory to #1 in the market and a national top-30 ranking. With CLU®, ChFC®, and RCIP® designations, Zach specializes in building scalable businesses, high-performing teams, and a culture of excellence.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Ignite Agency Training’s WebsiteFollow Zach on InstagramFind Zach on FacebookSubscribe to Ignite Agency Training’s YouTube ChannelConnect with Zach on LinkedIn

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• 1092: Billion-dollar companies haven't cracked this code, so THIS entrepreneur is doing it with RESULTS w/ Prynce Karki

  Send us a textGet ready to rethink education and edtech through the eyes of a mission-driven innovator. In this episode, Brian sits down with Prynce Karki, founder of Studyverse and creator of MyMCAT.ai, a revolutionary AI-powered MCAT prep platform that feels more like a video game than a study session. With an obsession for empathy, Prynce is bringing tutoring to the masses—at scale—by transforming how students learn, engage, and improve.This episode dives deep into the mindset, decisions, and resilience it takes to launch a product, challenge the norm, and build from personal pain points. If you're building in AI, edtech, or just want to hear what hustle with purpose sounds like—this one's for you.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🚀 Why solving your own problem can be the spark to a breakthrough business🧠 How to turn a “Google Sheet hack” into a scalable SaaS product🎮 Why gamification and simulation are the future of education🤖 How to build AI products that enhance humans rather than replace them💬 The underrated power of empathy in pitching, leadership, and product design📈 A creative go-to-market strategy using “atomic networks” on college campuses🔥 How to overcome imposter syndrome and keep building even when no one’s watching📝 About the Guest Prynce Karki is the founder of Studyverse and the creator of MyMCAT.ai, an AI-powered MCAT prep platform that reimagines tutoring through empathy, gamification, and smart scheduling. A Rice University grad and former top-tier MCAT taker and tutor, Prynce took the MCAT four times—not out of necessity, but from obsession with improvement.That obsession became a mission: to put a tutor beside every student, starting with pre-meds. He left his full-time job, dove into 80-hour work weeks, and built a product that’s outperforming billion-dollar competitors. With bold vision and relentless grit, Prynce is shaping the future of education—one empathetic algorithm at a time.🎯 Guest’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs“Empathy is the #1 superpower in business. If you want to build something that lasts, start by listening.” – Prynce KarkiKey Takeaways from His Advice: ✔️ Understand what investors, customers, and your team truly want ✔️ Empathy isn’t a feeling—it’s an active skill you must develop ✔️ Your ego is your biggest obstacle—real success starts when you step outside yourself📢 Memorable Quotes“The hardest part is waking up and knowing no one cares if I give up… so I don’t.” – Prynce Karki “It’s not about building cool tech. It’s about improving students’ lives in real, measurable ways.” – Prynce Karki “Failure gives you the clearest signals—if you’re listening.” – Prynce Karki💡 Actionable Takeaways ✅ Talk to your customers weekly—real insights beat assumptions ✅ Use gamification intelligently to drive engagement and retention ✅ Build in public—even a scrappy MVP can unlock valuable traction ✅ Don’t be married to your ideas—iterate fast, learn faster ✅ Ask yourself: am I building FOR myself, or for the person I used to be?🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit MyMCAT WebsiteConnect with Prynce on LinkedIn

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