Explore every episode of the podcast Revenue Remix - Inspiring Visionary Leaders

Your first global step probably isn’t opening an office in London or Singapore. For most North American growth-stage companies, it’s something simpler:

👉 A fantastic candidate in Toronto
👉 A customer in New York who wants local support
👉 A test market just across the border

In this panel, I’m joined by Toronto-based leaders Eric Hachmer and Komal to unpack what it really takes to operate across the US–Canada border — beyond “just add a worker” in your payroll platform.

We talk about why Canada is often the first global footprint for US businesses (and vice versa), and how to do it in a way that supports long-term growth instead of creating messy cleanup work for future you.

Why “just hire someone in Canada/the U.S.” is not a global strategy We start with the common story: a key employee moves to Toronto, or a US founder decides “Canada seems easy enough.” Eric and Komal walk through the gap between employing someone cross-border and actually doing business in another country.

Structure before headcount: what to decide before you hire Eric shares why hiring is the easy part — and why your go-to-market model, sales design, and leadership attention matter far more than how quickly you can add someone in your payroll tool.

Incorporation, tax, and comp 101 (without putting you to sleep)
Komal breaks down:

• Why you should think about incorporation in Canada
• How federal vs provincial tax structures work
• Why Canadian taxes and cost of living factors into comp strategy

Benefits aren’t “copy/paste” across the border We talk through subtle but important differences, including:

• Maternity/parental leave expectations
• How stock options are taxed and perceived in each country
• Why your benefits need to be right-sized for each country

Culture, trust, and risk tolerance: the stuff the setup guide doesn’t tell you
This is the part you won’t get from your EOR or payroll provider:

• Importance and challenge of building trust
• Why Canadian teams often put more emphasis on relationship and intention before diving into numbers
• How risk appetite differs

Tech, fintech, and cross-border payments
We touch on the reality of:

• Why data residency, AML, and server location matter if you’re a SaaS or fintech selling into Canada
• How upcoming open banking in Canada (2026) could unlock new ways to move money and serve customers cross-border

A more hopeful take on “messy times” We close on why business leaders are often the ones quietly building bridges while politics gets loud — and how thoughtful, generous leadership and clear decision-making can make cross-border work a growth engine, not a headache.

If you’re a founder, CRO, CMO, or finance/ops leader thinking:

“Canada feels like the logical first place to go global… but I don’t want to step on a landmine.”

…this episode will help you see what’s really involved, what’s easier than you think, and where it pays to slow down and set things up right.

👉 Connect with Eric
👉 Connect with Komal

You don’t have a “lead problem.” You have a go-to-market alignment problem that’s quietly capping your growth.

In this mini-panel, we dig into why revenue plateaus at growth-stage B2B companies usually aren’t about “more pipeline” – they’re about sales, marketing, customer success, product, and finance all pulling in slightly different directions.

No scolding. No “you’re doing it wrong.” Just four operators and advisors comparing notes on what actually works when you want healthy, scalable revenue, not just a noisy top of funnel.

• Why “sales & marketing alignment” is table stakes now
  And why the real unlock is treating CS, product, and finance as part of one revenue team, not downstream order takers.
• The KPI trap that keeps teams stuck in silos Marketing measures activity, sales measures outcomes, CS measures retention—and almost no one agrees on what a qualified lead actually is.
• Customer success as your GTM secret weapon How involving CS before the sale changes who you sell, what you promise, and how long customers stay—without adding more headcount.
• Product is not your feature factory What happens when sales keeps asking for “one more feature to close this deal” and product’s roadmap gets held hostage by short-term revenue.
• Finance as a growth partner (not the ‘no’ department) How to get your CFO to trust your forecast so they’ll actually support your GTM investments instead of blocking every new idea.
• Practical ways to build internal bridges (starting this week) From “bridge coffees” to shared rituals, internal problem statements, and walking a mile in each other’s roles.

This conversation will land especially well if you’re:

• A B2B founder / CEO stuck at a revenue plateau and wondering if it’s really “just pipeline.”
• A CRO / VP Sales / VP Marketing tired of attribution fights and ready to build one revenue system instead of parallel empires.
• A Head of CS, Product, or Finance who knows you impact revenue but keeps getting brought in too late.
• Any GTM leader who wants to turn internal friction into a real competitive advantage.

By the end, you’ll have:

• A more honest way to talk about GTM misalignment without blaming people or departments.
• A simple starting point for shared KPIs that don’t trigger instant defensiveness.
• Language you can use with your CFO, CMO, CPO, and Head of CS to shift from “that’s your problem” to “this is our system.”
• A few stealable rituals (like bridge coffees and cross-functional problem statements) to start stitching teams together without a giant reorg.

Jay Brandon Daniel Shimon

Follow Summer on LinkedIn

When founders decide “it’s time to grow,” the first instinct is often: “We need a salesperson.”

But your first sales hire is too important (and too expensive) to toss in the deep end and hope they swim.

In this mini-panel episode of Revenue Remix, host Summer Poletti sits down with frequent collaborators JMS (John Mason-Smith) and Sean Parnell to unpack what really needs to be in place before you add that first sales rep.

• Why “I want to grow, so I’ll hire a salesperson” is a broken equation JMS explains why half the time, when a founder says “I need a sales rep,” the real answer is: “You need a sales process, not a salesperson.”
• How founders accidentally attract the wrong salespeople Summer and Sean talk about “job-hopper reps” who are great at selling themselves into a role… and then never close meaningful business — especially when there’s no process, no messaging, and no coaching.
• Lazy, or just lost? What’s actually going wrong with new reps JMS shares the story of a rep who was “working hard” but making 10 calls a day instead of 100 because he had no guidance on what mattered and what didn’t.
• The two big levers in any sales system Volume in at the top, conversion out the bottom. If you’re not measuring these (and the steps in between), you’re guessing — not managing.
• Why founder-led sales and rep-led sales are not the same game Founders close with trust, relationships, and gravitas. Your first rep doesn’t have that halo. Expecting them to hit your close rates and sales cycles without support is setting them up to fail.
• What “good” looks like before your first sales hire
  • Clear revenue goals that are more specific than “more”
  • A basic offer, ICP, and messaging that resonates
  • At least a sketch of a repeatable sales process
  • Leading indicators defined and tracked
  • A plan for coaching, not just “sink or swim”
• How marketing, content, and AI support your first rep
  Sean dives into why cold outbound with no brand, no demand, and no content is almost always a losing game — and how thoughtful marketing + smart use of AI can keep your rep focused on the right activities.
• The pre-mortem: how to spot failure before it happens
  JMS introduces the idea of a “pre-mortem” and how founders can use AI or trusted collaborators to stress-test their plans before hiring.
• Why founders need help focusing on what they’re bad at, not just what they love
  The group talks about coaching, business mentors, and using AI as a brutally honest sounding board instead of a cheerleader.

If you’re a founder thinking about that first sales hire — or wondering why the last one didn’t work out — this episode will help you feel more confident and a lot less alone.

JMS is the founder of Hirewith, a niche hiring platform for the HCM and payroll industry. He’s a former top rep who now helps founders think clearly about when (and whether) they’re truly ready for a sales hire.

👉 Connect on LinkedIn

Sean is the founder of InnovAxis, a B2B marketing firm. He’s obsessed with measurable strategy, leading indicators, and building marketing that makes sales easier instead of harder.
👉 Connect on LinkedIn

When the board sees “record quarters” and Finance sees paper-thin margins, you don’t have a growth engine — you have a slow-motion car crash.

In this episode of Revenue Remix, Summer Poletti (Founder & CRO of Rise of Us) sits down with William Lieberman, founder and managing director of The CEO’s Right Hand, to talk about what healthy growth actually looks like when sales, finance, and operations are rowing in the same direction.

William has sat in the room for the messy growth conversations most founders avoid: discounting that quietly destroys margin, bloated sales teams after a fundraise, and “crushing it” top line numbers that never translate to cash in the bank.

If you’re a CEO, CRO, or revenue leader trying to scale without breaking your economics, this one hits close to home.

• Why “we just need more pipeline” is usually the wrong diagnosis And how CEOs miss the real problem hiding in their back office, systems, and cost structure.
• The metric William checks first to see if growth is real or fake How to look at gross margin by product, service line, and client to decide what to scale and what to kill.
• A simple rule for firing unprofitable clients (and why it’s a finance job to say it out loud) Plus: how to align sales comp so reps stop dragging loss-leader deals in the door.
• What sales should never be allowed to do alone The deal-approval process William recommends so Sales, Finance, and Customer Success all sign off on pricing and scope.
• How to use new funding without ending up with a bloated sales org and fragile unit economics Including: what to model, who to hire first, and where nearshore + AI support actually makes sense.
• Sales comp mistakes that quietly blow up your P&L Why paying full commission on signature is dangerous, and how William structures payout to keep reps invested in profitable, live customers.
• The one recurring meeting where Sales and Finance actually help each other What should be on the agenda, who’s in the room, and how to make it about solving revenue problems instead of pointing fingers.
• A practical way for CEOs to stop the “it’s their fault” food fight William’s favorite role-reversal exercise to get leaders out of blame mode and back into solving hard problems together.

William Lieberman is the founder and managing director of The CEO’s Right Hand, a firm that provides fractional CFO, CHRO, and COO services to growth-stage companies that need serious strategic finance and operations support—without building a giant back office.

He’s a long-term operator and fractional CFO who:

• Has helped CEOs navigate fundraising, scaling, and restructuring
• Knows exactly what happens when sales is “crushing it” and the numbers still don’t work
• Brings a pragmatic, operator’s lens to aligning sales, finance, and operations around real, sustainable growth

If you’re a founder or CEO who suspects your P&L is hiding more than it reveals, William is the kind of partner you want in your corner.

• 🌐 Website: The CEO’s Right Hand – tcrh.co
• 📧 Email: william@tcrh.co

If this episode hits a nerve, share it with a CEO, CRO, or sales leader who keeps saying “sales is crushing it” — and quietly worrying what Finance really thinks.

Your sales team says marketing's leads are garbage. Marketing says sales isn't following up. Product says everyone's requests are impossible. Meanwhile, customers are leaving.

This isn't a people problem. It's a systems problem.

In this episode, Brian Root breaks down the hidden bottlenecks that stall growth—even when every team thinks they're crushing it. You'll learn why sales and product teams work against each other, how to stop feature bloat, and why your compliance team might be your secret weapon.

If you're a B2B SaaS or FinTech founder stuck between $2M-$10M ARR and your teams are pointing fingers instead of solving problems, this episode is for you.

The Sales/Product Disconnect

• Why customers experience conflicting messages from different teams—and how it kills conversions
• The trade-off framework that forces sales to prioritize what actually matters
• How to align sales and product without making them best friends

Shiny Object Syndrome (AI Edition)

• Why founders chase AI features customers don't actually want
• The dual portfolio strategy: hype vs. real work
• How to focus on customer need instead of board pressure

Feature Bloat & Saying No

• Why startups keep adding features that create maintenance nightmares
• The one question every founder needs to answer before building anything new
• How to use strategic partnerships instead of building everything in-house

Fractional Leadership Reality Check

• The pattern-matching advantage outsiders bring
• Why founders are either the problem or complicit in allowing it

The Compliance Hack

• How to turn your "no hammer" compliance team into innovation partners
• Why involving compliance early unlocks faster launches in regulated industries

"Pick the Feature You're Willing to Delay"
When sales demands an urgent feature, product leaders should ask: "Which other feature on the roadmap are you okay with delaying?"

"If the Only Power Someone Has Is to Say No, They Use It Prolifically"
Compliance teams aren't the enemy—they're excluded. Invite them into ideation early, and they'll help you shape solutions instead of killing them at launch.

"You're Either the Problem or You're Allowing the Problem"
If you're the founder/CEO and your company has problems, assume you're responsible. You have the power to stop it.

"Your Customer Gets One Message From Sales, A Different Message From Product"
Even small disconnects between departments create "the ick" for customers.

"Pattern Matching Is the Fractional Advantage"
Experienced fractionals can diagnose fundamental problems quickly because they've seen the same patterns across dozens of companies.

Brian Root is the founder of Rooted in Product, where he helps growth-stage companies in fintech and beyond break through bottlenecks by aligning product strategy with business goals. With deep experience in fractional leadership and navigating heavily regulated industries, Brian has worked with companies ranging from early-stage startups to Amazon. He's also training for his eighth ultra marathon and builds mechanical watches for fun—because unlike software, you can't hack your way through either process.

Connect with Brian:

• LinkedIn: Brian Root
• Website: rootedinproduct.com

Is AI really about to take over B2B buying… or are the big firms just doing ✨Captain Obvious✨ with better branding?

In this Revenue Remix Roundtable, Summer brings back three of her top collaborators to run 2026 predictions through one ruthless filter: crystal ball or BS.

They dig into how AI agents will shape vendor research, why trusted beats loud in the new GTM reality, what happens when GenAI is left completely ungoverned, and why alignment (not more tools) is the real growth lever for B2B SaaS, fintech, and growth-stage tech.

If you lead sales, marketing, or revenue at a $2M–$20M ARR company and you’re trying to separate hype from “do this now,” this one’s for you.

00:00 – 04:30 • Setting the stage: 2026 predictions & the crystal ball vs. BS game

04:30 – 11:30 • Trend 1 – AI agents in B2B buying: sidekick or takeover?

• Sean on why agent-to-agent negotiation is mostly BS (for now) and the limits of AI without real pricing data
• Jenny on AI as a noise filter and claim validator, not a robot decision-maker
• Dave’s 3 jobs of the buyer: find vendors, shortlist vendors, validate vendors – and where AI fits in
• Summer on why we’re already living the “AI sidekick” era and why negotiation is a bridge too far

11:30 – 17:30 • Trend 2 – Trusted beats loud in 2026

• Jenny on why human connection + published policies, prices, and proof matter more than ever
• Dave on trust as the new currency and how case studies + proof assets carry more weight in the AI era
• Sean on old-school social proof (testimonials, thought leadership, real examples) as the “new” competitive moat
• Summer on why low-edit, authentic videos are outperforming polished AI content on social

17:30 – 24:30 • Trend 3 – GenAI in sales & marketing: governed systems or chaos machine?

• Dave on quality over quantity and why AI hates marketing fluff
• Sean on why volume is no longer a differentiator when everyone has AI, and why unedited AI content is “intern level” at best
• Jenny on using AI trained on your own work (LinkedIn exports, thought leadership, etc.) and where she still does things manually
• Summer on “human-led, AI-assisted” vs. “set it and forget it” and what “human in the loop” actually means

24:30 – 33:30 • Trend 4 – Alignment as the real growth lever

• Jenny on why misaligned data and siloed KPIs make AI useless (and why shared OKRs matter)
• Sean on marketing as macro selling and sales as micro selling, and why the narrative has to match across both
• Dave on how misaligned KPIs create the “your leads are crap / you can’t close” death spiral
• Summer on why she’s hard on CEOs and why “that’s just how Jimmy is” is not a leadership strategy

33:30 – 39:30 • Bonus – Getting the “quarreling siblings” to play nice

• Sean: set shared goals tied to revenue, EBITDA, and sales-qualified outcomes – not vanity metrics
• Dave: hold both sales and marketing accountable to new customers and revenue, not just MQLs or activities
• Jenny: stop the blame game, reset expectations, and get people together in person during work hours
• Summer: why sales needs to stop treating marketing as a vendor, stop taking solo victory laps, and start sharing credit

39:30 – End • Closing thoughts & 2026 send-off

• Summer’s final verdict

Women-led teams get 2% of VC funding. Add a male co-founder? That jumps to 17%. It's even worse for women of color.

Kruti Baires isn't waiting for the system to fix itself. As solo founder of The SprintFit, she's building AI infrastructure to bridge the access-to-capital gap for women and unseen founders—builders with traction who can't get in the room because they're in the wrong city, went to the wrong school, or don't fit the pattern VCs match.

In this episode:

• How Kruti launched an AI company in 90 days and shipped 4 product versions in one year
• The funding gap reality: Why underrepresented founders can't access capital even with traction
• The $4.2B workflow failure in early-stage investing keeping great deals invisible
• Avoiding product-market fit pitfalls ("this is cool" ≠ PMF)
• Why warm intros protect the status quo vs. how AI creates systemic discovery
• How The SprintFit helps small investors discover founders they'd never see while helping founders get funding-ready

Key Timestamps: [6:32] The 90-day AI MVP playbook [10:52] When data forced a complete ICP pivot [16:02] The $4.2B intake workflow failure [22:00] Funding gap stats costing investors better products [30:27] Why warm intros might be gatekeeping [37:33] Why burnout isn't a badge of honor

Steal-able Moments:

• "Your ICP isn't who you think needs you. It's who shows up and pays." [14:18]
• "If users say 'this is amazing' but never come back, you have a demo, not product-market fit." [10:08]
• "The funding gap isn't about representation. It's costing investors better products." [23:33]
• "Warm intros protect the status quo: wrong schools, wrong city, wrong background—you're invisible." [30:44]

Bio: Kruti Baires is founder/CEO of Sprintfit, bridging the access-to-capital gap for women and unseen founders. With 17 years at Fortune 500s and startups like Salesforce, she's fixing the $4.2B inefficiency in early-stage deal flow while expanding access for founders invisible to traditional VC networks.

Connect: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kruti-baires

How we met: Women X AI comment section—proof that engagement beats scrolling.

Subscribe: Revenue Remix delivers GTM strategy for B2B SaaS founders ($2M-$20M ARR). Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube.

Thank you for being part of the Revenue Remix community. This indie show was just named one of FeedSpot’s Top Revenue Podcasts of 2025—something that doesn’t happen without loyal listeners and guests who share their stories.

If you’ve found value here, a quick review helps more revenue leaders discover the show. It takes 60 seconds and makes a real difference for a one-person operation.

Want to be featured or know someone who should be?Visit theriseofus.com to connect.

* Schedule a 15-minute chemistry call

* Explore panel participation opportunities

Here’s to 2026—more guests, deeper topics, better conversations.

Putting a Remix spin on year-end reviews, Summer brought back her closest collaborators for an impactful and zero fluff roundtable.

AI didn’t just change how teams work in 2025 — it changed how buyers buy, how content performs, and which GTM motions are still worth the effort. In this Revenue Remix Roundtable, Summer Poletti brings together three of her closest collaborators — David Lee (Do What Works), Sean Parnell (Innovaxis), and Jenny Kay Pollock (Women x AI) — to unpack what actually worked this year, what flopped, and what they’re all changing for 2026.​

You’ll hear why Dave believes classic inbound is in freefall as B2B buyers move their research into long AI chats instead of Google searches, and why your website needs to act like a database for AI instead of a pretty brochure full of fluff. Sean pushes back from his world in industrial B2B, where inbound is still strong but mid- and bottom-funnel content, open case studies, and paid discovery offers are doing the real heavy lifting. Jenny zooms in on the human side, calling out the automation binge that has wrecked inbox trust and showing how community-powered learning and ruthless clarity about “who you serve and what you deliver” became her biggest multipliers.​

They close by looking ahead: smaller but stronger sales teams, old-school touches like handwritten notes and targeted mail, AI treated as a 180-IQ intern (not an autopilot), and a buyer journey where trust and specificity beat volume every time. If you’re planning your 2026 GTM and wondering what to double down on — and what to finally stop doing — this conversation will give you a candid, field-tested filter.

Resources:

* Jenny Kay Pollock

* LinkedIn

* Women x AI

* Sean Parnell

* LinkedIn

* Innovaxis

* David Lee

* LinkedIn

* Do What Works

NYT Article

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/08/26/upshot/ai-synthetic-data.html

Eda Cris’ old school wax stamped letter

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/eda-ciris_hustle-grit-persistence-we-all-talk-about-activity-7401689517260476416-Inut?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAAAQMkyEBbbS3jkNFYit4gyXzXqeISKGA2Bs&utm_source=social_share_send&utm_campaign=copy_link

Blogs aren’t dead—but they are draining your time and budget if you’re still playing by 2015’s rules.

In this raw, unscripted studio session, Summer and Dave unpack what AI is actually doing to buyer behavior—and why your go-to content strategy might be failing silently.

🧨 In This Episode:

* Why traditional SEO blogging is losing ROI fast

* What LLMs read (and don’t) on your website

* How buyers are shortlisting vendors now—with zero clicks

* Tactical swap: ditch fluff blogs, write “foundational content” instead

* Where real case studies should actually live on your site

* The one type of blog post still worth your time

This is one for founders, GTM leaders, and marketers ready to cut waste and move smarter.

When buyers move faster than sellers — how to win in the AI-first era.

B2B buyers aren’t waiting around anymore.They’re asking AI for vendor recommendations, comparing options, and building shortlists before a single rep ever gets involved — and most go-to-market teams are wildly unprepared for that shift.

In this roundtable, I’m joined by three powerhouse operators across product, AI search, and customer success to unpack how buyer behavior has changed and what revenue leaders actually need to do about it:

👩‍💻 Reut Lazo — Co-founder & Co-CEO, WomenXAIProduct leader known for building user-centric, AI-forward products that scale trust.

🤖 Dave Lee — Founder & CEO, Do What WorksAI Shortlist Architect, and one of the clearest thinkers on how GenAI is reshaping buyer discovery.

🤝 Randi Deckard — SVP of Growth, BeslerCustomer success leader and founding member of Wednesday Women.

What we cover in this episode:

89% of B2B buyers now use GenAI as a top discovery tool — and what that means for your funnel

🧠 Why buyers are in 2030 while many sellers are still in 2018🛒 The three real jobs buyers do before they ever call you (Dave’s framework)🌐 How to make your website “AI-readable” so you even show up in shortlists💬 Why messaging fails when companies automate output but not listening📉 Why NPS is fading — and what modern customer health looks like🤝 The “moments that matter” in customer success where humans must stay in the loop⚠️ The risks of over-automation (and how to avoid sounding like a bot)✨ Low-lift ways to personalize the first buyer experience today🧰 How to use AI to prep for discovery calls so you don’t get left behind

Plus: a tight lightning round full of actionable, stealable insights you can put to work this week.

And “What GTM roles are on the chopping block?” the private, too-spicy for public topic, which you can obtain in our Directors’ Cut Package. See blow.

Need the Directors’ Cut?

Get the executive briefing, the too-spicy-for-public clip, and bonus insights from the full 52-minute conversation.

👉 Directors’ Cut Package

Follow the panelists

Reut LazoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reutlazo/WomenXAI

Dave LeeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveleehere/Do What Works

Randi DeckardLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randideckard/

Are you grinding through a growth stall hoping hustle will fix it?Think again. This week on Revenue Remix, I sat down with Brian Montes, CEO of RADD, a boutique fintech audit and compliance firm helping community banks scale with confidence.

We get real about:

* Founder fatigue vs. real growth bottlenecks

* What it actually takes to go from founder-led to scalable sales

* Building trust in high-stakes industries (and where most firms blow it)

* Why client success is your competitive advantage

* The systems and leadership habits that turn culture into a growth asset

Whether you’re leading a small team through big change or bracing for next year’s strategy sprint—this is your blueprint.

Connect with Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmontesrad/

Calling bold founders — Want to be featured on the show or join a panel on what’s really working in GTM? Reach out. Let’s amplify what’s next.

Our Q4 Sprint is LIVERevenueRX is a short, high-impact engagement designed to help you quickly identify what’s slowing growth now—and make the smartest moves before year-end.Learn more at www.theriseofus.com

Like what you heard? Forward this to one founder who’s figuring out how to grow with less grind.

From Payroll Chaos to Growth Catalyst: Andy Lopez on Building, Giving Back, and What’s Next

Description:Andy Lopez turned a niche pain point — payroll tax cleanup — into a full-fledged firm serving top HCM providers. In this episode, we talk about the early napkin payroll days, what nearly stalled his growth, and why now was the right time to sell Forensic Payroll Consultants to HCM Unlocked. Bonus: Andy’s launching a podcast of his own, and he’s not holding back.

Listen for:

* How partner-first sales built his referral engine

* What founders can do when growth plateaus

* The surprising truth about payroll people (they’re wilder than sales reps)

* Why acquisition doesn’t mean “the end” — it means expansion

Links:

* Forensic Payroll Consultants

* HCM Unlocked Acquisition News

* Andy’s LinkedIn

Revenue Remix is where founders and GTM leaders talk about what really drives growth — the stuck points, the pivots, the motions that finally worked. Know a founder or leader who deserves a spotlight? Maybe you! Join us and let’s do something cool. Book a quick chat first.

What happens when a technical founder has to learn to sell?

In this episode of Revenue Remix, Summer sits down with Saumya Bhatnagar — co-founder and CTO of Involve.ai — whose mission is to make AI actually useful for revenue teams.

From running a hospital as a kid (seriously) to running a tech company through the chaos of scale, Saumya shares the real founder shift: moving from building cool products to building revenue.

They unpack:

* Why most AI-for-sales hype misses the point

* How bad data silently kills growth

* The danger of “set it and forget it” automations

* What early-stage founders get wrong about customer success

* And why every startup needs a “flex person” before they need a full CS team

Saumya’s sharp, funny, and brutally honest take will hit home for anyone navigating the messy middle between scrappy startup and scalable machine.

🔗 Connect with Saumya:LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/saumyabhatnagarWebsite → involve.ai

🔥 Don’t guess your next revenue move.The RevenueRX Q4 Sprint is open now — a short, high-impact project to help you pinpoint what’s slowing your growth and what to double down on in 2026.No fluff. Just clarity, traction, and a roadmap to real revenue acceleration.

👉 Get details at www.theriseofus.comSpots are limited — get your clarity before the quarter disappears.

Struggling to build your team fast enough to meet revenue goals? You’re not alone — and you might be hiring wrong.

This week on Revenue Remix, Summer sits down with Brian Samson — serial founder and nearshoring expert — to unpack how growth-stage companies sabotage their own hiring, why your first 10 employees shape more than culture, and what founders get completely wrong about offshore vs nearshore teams.

You’ll learn:

* Why waiting to hire a recruiter shrinks your talent pool

* How nearshoring can unlock faster go-to-market

* What really causes remote hiring failures (hint: it’s not bad vendors)

* Why Latin American teams are often your secret weapon

Brian also shares what he wishes more leaders understood about team value — and how to spot resilient talent before you make the hire.

* Brian Samson LinkedIn

* Plugg Technologies

Winning deals in 2025 isn’t business as usual. Sales cycles are 25% longer than five years ago, only 30% of reps are expected to hit quota this year, and CEO confidence just took its sharpest drop since the 1970s. Add AI disruption to the mix, and it’s no wonder GTM leaders are feeling the pressure.

Listen now, and get the Director’s Cut package with exclusive strategies and the “Too Spicy for Public” clip: sing up here

In this panel discussion, host Summer Poletti (Founder of Rise of Us and creator of Revenue Remix) brings together three powerhouse voices to cut through the noise and share what the smartest leaders are actually doing to win deals now:

* Stephanie Brooks — Content-led, full-stack marketing leader, consultant, mentor, and advisor🔗 LinkedIn

* Sean Paulseth — Director of Enterprise Partnerships & Sales at ZayZoon, go-to voice on AI in sales🔗 LinkedIn 🔗 ZayZoon

* Sean Parnell — Founder of Innovaxis Marketing, helping companies align sales & marketing strategies that actually drive revenue🔗 LinkedIn 🔗 Innovaxis

What you’ll learn in this episode:

* How to use AI for sales coaching and enablement without falling into the “tech overwhelm” trap.

* Why partnerships can be the trust shortcut you need when buyers hesitate.

* The risks of stalled deals — and proven moves to cut through B2B buying complexity.

* How smart CEOs are balancing innovation with risk management in a confidence crisis.

* Lightning-round advice: What to ask your team this week, and what lever to pull to shorten sales cycles before year-end.

In this episode of Revenue Remix, Summer Poletti and Dave Lee discuss the persistent nature of market volatility and uncertainty, emphasizing that these conditions are not just temporary but a new norm. They explore the impact of tariffs, the importance of strategic planning, and how businesses can adapt to thrive in uncertain times. The conversation also covers the significance of customer retention, strategic partnerships, and the role of marketing in supporting sales and customer success.

Visit Do What Works to learn more

In this episode of Revenue Remix, Summer Poletti interviews Rachel Lubovitsky, a successful serial entrepreneur and founder of Setuply. They discuss Rachel's journey from a technical background in computer science to becoming a serial entrepreneur, the impact of AI on business, and the importance of client experience, particularly in onboarding. Rachel shares insights on knowing when to sell a business, the unsexy origin story of Setuply, and how to identify real problems worth solving. The conversation emphasizes the need for scalability and systematization in business processes, and Rachel offers valuable advice for founders looking to grow their companies.

Learn more about Setuply and how they’re changing customer onboarding.

Find Rachel and Setuply on Linkedin.

Takeaways

* Rachel transitioned from tech to business, enjoying building relationships.

* AI is changing the landscape for startups and entrepreneurs.

* Identifying real pain points is crucial for business success.

* Client experience is often overlooked in favor of sales.

* Onboarding is a critical phase that can make or break client relationships.

* AI can enhance onboarding and customer support processes.

* Founders should keep scalability in mind while building their products.

* Systematization of processes is necessary for growth.

* Traveling is a passion for Rachel, having visited 70 countries.

* Every client should feel valued and special throughout their journey.

Sound bites

* "Sales alone isn't enough for growth."

* "Onboarding is often overlooked."

* "Traveling is the greatest fun."

Chapters

* 00:00 Introduction

* 02:33 The Evolution of Entrepreneurship and AI

* 05:11 Deciding When to Exit a Business

* 07:54 The Unsexy Origin Story of Setuply

* 10:35 Identifying Real Problems to Solve

* 13:13 The Importance of Client Experience

* 15:54 Focusing on Onboarding for Success

* 18:54 The Role of the Onboarding Guide

* 20:03 Transforming the Onboarding Experience

* 21:20 The Importance of Continuous Support

* 23:40 Recognizing Value Beyond the Sale

* 25:00 Leveraging AI in Customer Experience

* 28:18 Enhancing Communication with AI

* 30:30 Bridging Knowledge Gaps with Machine Learning

* 32:38 Scaling for Future Growth

* 36:03 Travel and Personal Insights

In this episode of Revenue Remix, Summer Poletti interviews Christina Olsen, a visionary investor and transformational hypnotherapist. Christina shares her entrepreneurial journey, the importance of having an exit plan, and the emotional challenges faced after selling her company. She discusses the significance of understanding one's identity beyond professional titles and the role of community in achieving success. Christina also highlights her experiences with investing and the transformative power of hypnosis in overcoming limiting beliefs and enhancing emotional intelligence.

Explore more on www.brightsol.co

Follow Christina on LinkedIn

Takeaways

* Christina started working at a young age, driven by a desire for freedom.

* Entrepreneurs often seek freedom but may find themselves overwhelmed by responsibilities.

* Having an exit plan is crucial for any business owner.

* Emotional ties to a business can lead to identity loss after an exit.

* Defining personal values is essential for aligning with business partners.

* Investing requires thorough research and understanding of financial plans.

* Community and collaboration can enhance success in business.

* Hypnosis can be a powerful tool for overcoming limiting beliefs.

* Emotional intelligence is increasingly important in leadership.

* Taking time for self-reflection is vital for personal and professional growth.

Sound bites

* "Have a plan to exit."

* "I lost my identity."

* "Own your magic."

Chapters

* 00:00 Introduction to Christina Olsen

* 03:26 Christina's Early Work Experience and Values

* 06:04 The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins

* 08:54 Lessons from Scaling a Company

* 11:29 The Decision to Exit

* 14:17 Emotional Ties and Identity After Exit

* 16:54 Finding the Right Fit for Your Company

* 20:04 Planning the Next Chapter

* 22:39 Investments and Business Advising

* 25:21 Transformative Power of Hypnosis

* 27:22 Understanding Hypnosis in Professional Life

* 32:31 Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs

* 35:28 Lessons from Investment Mistakes

* 40:29 The Importance of Collaboration

* 42:39 Emotional Intelligence in the Age of AI

* 43:38 Finding Identity Beyond Titles

* 44:45 Embracing Nature and Family Adventures

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit summerpoletti.substack.com

In this episode of Women X AI, the hosts and guests discuss the transformative impact of AI on sales processes and customer interactions. They explore how AI is reshaping the sales landscape, enhancing efficiency, and enabling sales professionals to focus on building relationships rather than manual tasks. The conversation also delves into the importance of understanding customer journeys, the role of automation, and the necessary guardrails for using AI responsibly in customer-facing roles. The episode concludes with a lightning round of recommendations and community engagement ideas.

Learn More About Women X AI

Summary

In this classic episode, Summer Poletti discusses effective strategies for retaining clients and enhancing business relationships. She emphasizes the importance of treating clients as partners, conducting regular business reviews, aligning goals for mutual success, leveraging referrals, and utilizing social proof to attract new clients. The insights provided aim to help businesses protect their existing client base and drive growth, especially as the year comes to a close.

Takeaways

* Most clients won't leave just because of cost.

* Treat your clients like partners, not just accounts.

* Regular business reviews can significantly reduce client attrition.

* Align your goals with your client's future success.

* Referrals can help you hit year-end targets.

* Social proof is a powerful marketing tool.

* Happy clients are more likely to give referrals.

* Incorporate gifting strategies into customer success programs.

* Success stories can enhance your marketing efforts.

* Your existing clients are your most valuable assets.

Sound Bites

* "Cut client attrition in half."

* "Eliminated avoidable client churn."

* "Social proof is invaluable."

Chapters

* 00:00 Protecting Your Client Relationships

* 03:50 Becoming Partners with Clients

* 07:09 Leveraging Business Reviews for Success

* 09:54 Utilizing Social Proof and Referrals

* 10:41 Introduction to Go-to-Market Strategies

* 11:05 Advice for Leaders in Client Protection

In this episode, Summer Poletti discusses timeless sales techniques that remain effective in today's tech-driven world. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships, understanding client needs through a consultative approach, and the value of strategic partnerships. The conversation also highlights the significance of in-person connections and the necessity of persistence in sales efforts. Ultimately, the episode reinforces that success in sales is rooted in trust, relationships, and consistent effort, even in an era increasingly influenced by AI.

Takeaways

* Salespeople are primarily motivated by financial incentives.

* A well-crafted sales strategy can boost revenue without expanding the team.

* Building genuine relationships is crucial for long-term success.

* Consultative selling focuses on understanding and solving client challenges.

* Strategic partnerships can enhance lead generation and sales effectiveness.

* Providing value without immediate expectations fosters goodwill.

* In-person interactions are increasingly valuable in a digital world.

* Persistence and follow-up are key to successful sales.

* Timeless sales techniques remain relevant despite technological advancements.

* Trust and relationships are the core of successful sales.

Sound bites

* "Salespeople are loyal to their wallets."

* "Strategic partnerships amplify your reach."

* "Sales is hard work and requires persistence."

Chapters

* 00:00 Introduction to Sales Loyalty and Revenue Growth

* 02:49 The Importance of Relationships in Sales

* 06:01 Consultative Selling: Understanding Client Needs

* 08:49 Strategic Partnerships and the Give-to-Get Mentality

* 11:36 The Value of In-Person Connections and Consistency

In this episode, Summer Poletti discusses the vision for an Agile Financial Services company that can achieve profitable growth without increasing headcount. She outlines actionable strategies for aligning department leaders, implementing effective demand generation, enhancing customer success, and leveraging data-driven decisions and AI to optimize business operations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of collaboration, strategic partnerships, and a proactive approach to customer engagement in driving sustainable growth.

Takeaways

* Align department leaders to scale without hiring more salespeople.

* A solid demand generation strategy is crucial for success.

* Educational content should address each stage of the buyer's journey.

* Having an expert available for buyers is essential.

* A strong partner program can help scale without adding headcount.

* Proactive customer success strategies can retain and grow clients.

* Data-driven decisions ensure resources are focused effectively.

* AI can identify underperforming areas and optimize efficiency.

* Rethink traditional business growth models for sustainability.

* Collaboration across departments is key to achieving goals.

Sound bites

* "You need an expert available for buyers"

* "AI can help identify underperforming areas"

* "Rethink older models of business growth"

Chapters

* 00:00 Vision for Agile Financial Services

* 02:51 Strategies for Scaling Profitability

* 06:05 Data-Driven Decisions and AI Integration

Crafting Seamless Experiences with Nithya Subramaniam

Join Summer Poletti as she chats with Nithya Subramaniam, a senior product designer at Clarity AI. Discover how Nithya's background in classical dance and architecture informs her approach to designing AI-powered solutions. They discuss the importance of human-centered design, the balance between business goals and user feedback, and the subtle integration of AI in product design.

Key Takeaways:

The role of classical dance in developing systems thinking. Transitioning from architecture to tech and its impact on product design. The importance of balancing business goals with user feedback. Why MVPs might not be enough in today's competitive market. The concept of invisible UX and its role in inclusive design.

Follow Nithya on LinkedIn

#ProductDesign #AI #UserExperience #Innovation

Subscribe to Revenue Remix on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on YouTube for more insights and interviews.

In this episode of Revenue Remix, Summer Poletti discusses the critical importance of effective sales hiring and onboarding processes. She emphasizes that many companies fail to prepare their salespeople adequately, leading to slow ramp-up times and higher turnover rates. Summer outlines actionable strategies for creating a structured onboarding plan that includes mentoring, measurable ramp-up goals, continuous training, and alignment with the sales cycle. By implementing these strategies, companies can improve their sales performance and drive sustainable revenue growth.

Takeaways

* Sales hiring is challenging; assessing cultural fit is crucial.

* Structured onboarding significantly boosts new hire productivity.

* Most onboarding fails due to lack of customer focus.

* Sales reps need real-world experience early on.

* Mentoring and cross-training are essential for new hires.

* Clear, measurable ramp-up plans help set expectations.

* Align onboarding with the actual sales cycle for success.

* Continuous training is necessary beyond initial onboarding.

* Sales reps must be equipped with the right tools and resources.

* Leveraging referrals can shorten the sales cycle.

Chapters

* 00:00 The Challenge of Sales Hiring

* 03:41 The Importance of Structured Onboarding

* 08:17 Transforming Onboarding for Success

* 10:34 Mentoring and Cross-Training New Hires

* 12:27 Creating a Measurable Ramp-Up Plan

* 14:19 Aligning Onboarding with Sales Cycles

* 16:40 Continuous Training and Feedback

* 18:00 Equipping Reps with Tools and Resources

* 19:52 Leveraging Referrals and Partnerships

* 20:51 Aligning Onboarding with Business Growth

In this engaging episode of Revenue Remix, host Summer Poletti is joined by Dave Lee to discuss the critical alignment between sales and marketing. Discover how these two functions can work together to drive business success and the common pitfalls to avoid.

Key Topics:

Early signs of misalignment between sales and marketing The role of leadership in fostering collaboration Impact of aligned sales and marketing on business outcomes Strategies for creating effective content with sales input Practical tips for CEOs to ensure team alignment.

Find Dave at Do What Works or on LinkedIn

Summary

In this episode, Summer Poletti discusses the challenges sales professionals face after the holiday season and offers actionable strategies to close deals before the year ends. She emphasizes the importance of analyzing late-stage deals, re-engaging stalled prospects, maximizing current client relationships, and creating urgency through effective content. The episode provides practical tips for sales professionals to navigate this critical time and achieve their goals.

Summary

In this conversation, Summer Poletti discusses the pervasive issue of burnout in the workplace, particularly among sales professionals. She highlights the signs of burnout, strategies for prevention, and the importance of taking time off to recover. Additionally, she emphasizes the role of leadership in recognizing and addressing burnout within teams, advocating for a supportive work environment that prioritizes employee well-being.

Access the entire vault of B2B Summer Sales content, designed to help owners, leaders, and sellers cope with the slower summer season. Available to subscribers only, subscription is free.

Summary

In this conversation, Summer Poletti discusses strategies for sales professionals to maintain momentum during slower seasons. She emphasizes the importance of leveraging partnerships, engaging with clients, reconnecting with lost clients, and collaborating with internal teams to drive success. The conversation provides actionable insights on building relationships and gaining referrals, ensuring that sales professionals remain proactive even when business slows down.

In this episode of Revenue Remix, host Summer Poletti speaks with Julie Candelon, a fractional CMO, about the evolving landscape of marketing, the integration of AI, and the importance of aligning sales and marketing in high-growth companies. They discuss the necessity of embracing failure, building trust between CMOs and CEOs, and the boldness required in marketing strategies. In this conversation, Julie Candelon discusses the importance of empathy in marketing, the need for internal collaboration across departments, and the role of marketers in aligning with company goals. She emphasizes the significance of creating a revenue-driven culture, navigating change management, and evaluating talent adaptability. The discussion also touches on the necessity of celebrating marketing successes, the impact of effective communication, and the importance of building skills for future success, particularly in the context of AI. Julie shares her commitment to supporting women in business through her involvement in nonprofits and investment funds.

Connect with Julie on LinkedIn

Check out the companion blog for a deeper dive on trust, why it matters within your organization and how to improve. If You Don’t Trust Marketing, Your Whole GTM Motion Suffers

Summary

In this conversation, Summer Poletti and Pallavi Sharma explore the transformative impact of AI on marketing, particularly in B2B SaaS. Pallavi shares her journey from a science background to becoming a CMO and discusses the concept of an AI CMO, emphasizing how AI can enhance marketing strategies and decision-making processes. They delve into the evolving role of marketing teams, the importance of personal branding, and the creative potential of AI tools. Throughout the discussion, Pallavi highlights various 'aha' moments experienced while working with clients, showcasing the speed and efficiency AI brings to marketing tasks. In this conversation, Summer Poletti and Pallavi Sharma delve into the evolving landscape of AI in marketing, discussing the importance of understanding ROI, selecting the right tools, and the future of marketing teams. They emphasize the need for marketers to adapt to new technologies while maintaining a focus on customer psychology and human connections. Pallavi shares practical tips for using AI effectively and encourages listeners to engage with AI in creative ways.

Check out Pallavi’s marketing task ROI calculator here.

Summary

In this episode of Revenue Remix, host Summer Poletti interviews Sean Shanks, president of Moneywise Payroll Solutions. They discuss Sean's journey from a paper route to business ownership, the importance of succession planning, and the current trends in the payroll industry. Sean emphasizes the balance between leveraging technology and maintaining a human touch in service delivery, especially in uncertain economic times. He shares insights on resilience and adaptability in business, highlighting the need for actionable strategies during challenging periods. In this conversation, Sean Shanks and Summer Poletti discuss navigating economic uncertainty, the importance of maintaining business consistency, and the role of personal branding on LinkedIn. They explore how payroll can create a positive ripple effect in the community and emphasize the significance of company culture as a strategy for success. The discussion also touches on the challenges of business ownership and the need for balance in life.

Summary

In this episode of Revenue Remix, Summer Poletti and Dave Lee discuss the implications of market volatility and economic uncertainty on business strategies. They explore the impact of tariffs, the importance of understanding forward-looking indicators like consumer sentiment and port traffic, and the necessity of maintaining strategic planning despite economic challenges. The conversation emphasizes the importance of cash flow, prioritizing projects, and making informed decisions about budgeting and spending in uncertain times. In this conversation, Summer Poletti and David discuss the importance of understanding business impact and prioritization in uncertain economic times. They emphasize the need for innovation, focusing on customer retention, and leveraging strategic partnerships. David shares insights on how CEOs can navigate challenges with cautious boldness, while also highlighting the significance of marketing in supporting customer success. The discussion wraps up with personal anecdotes about pizza preferences, symbolizing the balance between indulgence and moderation in business decisions.

In this Revenue Remix mini pod, Summer Poletti discusses the often-overlooked reality of product development:

the disconnect between a founder's passion for their creation and the market's response. She emphasizes the importance of understanding market needs, validating product ideas, and leveraging AI for feedback. The conversation highlights the necessity of actionable insights and real conversations to drive revenue growth and align products with customer expectations.

Summary

In this episode of Revenue Remix, host Summer Poletti speaks with Tandeep Sangra, a SalesOps Architect and GTM Consultant, about the importance of product market fit (PMF) and sales operations in driving business success. Tandeep emphasizes the need for alignment between sales, marketing, and product teams, the significance of key performance indicators (KPIs), and the challenges organizations face in achieving PMF. He also discusses the role of emerging technologies and the importance of training in effectively utilizing sales tools. The conversation wraps up with personal insights from Tandeep about balancing work and family life.

Follow Tandeep on LinkedIn

Takeaways

* Product market fit is when customers want and pay for your product.

* Sales operations streamline processes for sales teams to focus on selling.

* Key metrics like CAC and customer retention are crucial for assessing success.

* Timing your product launch is critical; research and feedback are essential.

* Alignment between teams is necessary to avoid miscommunication and silos.

* Emerging technologies can enhance sales operations if integrated thoughtfully.

* Training is vital for effective tool usage and team productivity.

* Customer feedback is invaluable for product development and iteration.

* SaaS businesses must prioritize customer engagement to maintain PMF.

* Adaptability is key in a rapidly changing market environment.

Summary

In this engaging conversation, sponsored by Do That Dave, Summer Poletti interviews Dipti Bhide, CEO of LittleLit.Ai, about the transformative impact of AI on K-12 education. They discuss the recent executive order mandating AI literacy for students, the importance of personalized learning, and the shift from B2C to B2B in the education sector. Dipti shares insights on building trust and safety in AI tools for children, the necessity of fostering creativity in the workforce, and her personal experiences as a mother and entrepreneur.

Learn more about AI education:

Little Lit

Do That Dave

Takeaways

* AI literacy is now mandated for K-12 students.

* Personalized learning can significantly engage students.

* The shift from B2C to B2B is crucial for educational tools.

* Building trust in AI tools is essential for parents and educators.

* Creativity will be a key skill in the future job market.

* AI can help tailor learning experiences for neurodivergent children.

* Safety measures in AI tools are paramount for children's use.

* Educators need to be involved in the development of AI tools.

* Parents want their children to have life skills, including AI literacy.

* Continuous learning is necessary to keep up with technological advancements.

Chapters

* 00:00 Introduction to LittleLit.Ai and Its Vision

* 03:39 The Impact of AI Literacy in K-12 Education

* 06:43 Personalizing Learning Through AI

* 09:40 The Shift from B2C to B2B Marketing

* 12:50 Validating the Idea and Early Rollout

* 15:40 The Future of AI in Education

* 23:01 Integrating AI in Education

* 32:01 Building Trust and Safety in AI Tools

* 38:07 Preparing for the Future of Work with AI

In this episode of Revenue Remix, host Summer Poletti speaks with Aprelle Duany, a passionate advocate for women's empowerment in the fields of STEM and AI.

Aprelle shares her journey from a traumatic experience as a waitress to becoming an entrepreneur focused on financial empowerment for women. The conversation explores the importance of leveraging AI as a tool for small business growth, the SMART framework for business success, and the need for women to embrace their unique strengths in the tech space. Aprelle emphasizes the significance of attracting the right clients, gamifying business decisions, and the global implications of AI. The discussion concludes with insights on balancing work and personal life, highlighting that there is no true work-life balance, but rather a need to design life around priorities.

Find Aprelle on LinkedIn and follow for more philosophical insights.

In this episode of Revenue Remix, host Summer Poletti, fractional Chief Revenue Officer of Rise of US, engages in a compelling conversation with Jedidah Karanja, a product marketing leader in the B2B SaaS space. Jedidah shares her journey from being a flight attendant to a product marketing expert, delving into her passion for AI and her advocacy for women and girls. The discussion covers the integration of AI in businesses, the evolving B2B sales landscape, and the importance of collaboration between sales and marketing teams. Jaida also highlights her involvement with the Community Bots program, which provides STEM robotics training for girls. The episode emphasizes the balance between leveraging AI and maintaining human creativity and emotional intelligence in marketing and sales.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:41 Jaida's Background and Early Career03:29 Transition to Product Marketing and AI07:13 AI's Impact on Business and Marketing10:24 Implementing AI in Organizations17:08 The Future of Sales and Marketing with AI20:41 The Importance of Personalization in Sales22:03 Collaboration Between Sales and Marketing26:55 Balancing AI and Human Efforts in Marketing34:36 Empowering the Next Generation of Women39:31 Community Bots: Bridging the Gap for Women in Tech42:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Revenue Remix, hosted by Summer Poletti, Founder and CRO of Rise of Us, we are joined by Danny Bicknell—educator, international activist, and author of The Restorative Rebel. Together, they delve into Danny's experiences as the founder of Dab Colab, her work advocating at UN organizations, and her dedication to fostering more inclusive, sustainable workplaces. The discussion covers the evolving landscape of leadership, the influence of internalized capitalism, and the benefits of empathetic leadership in driving sustainable growth. Danny shares insights from her book, strategic undervalued leadership, and the importance of radical empathy in business. Tune in for practical strategies that challenge traditional metrics of success and promote a more holistic approach to revenue growth.

Find Dani...everywhere!

* Website

* Linkedin

* Read her newsletter

* Check out her book

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:45 Early Career and Surprising Jobs03:08 Challenging Traditional Leadership03:30 The Restorative Rebel: Book Insights08:43 Empathy and Inclusive Leadership19:32 Sustainable Business Practices33:24 Measuring Success Beyond Profit38:20 Self-Care and Work-Life Balance40:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Join Summer Poletti as she hosts John Mason-Smith (JMS) on Revenue Remix. JMS is a serial entrepreneur and he shares insights into his diverse entrepreneurial journey, from his early days and discover the lessons learned from his various ventures, including creative projects like the 'Half Suit,' the challenges faced in the payroll industry, and his successful launch of HireWith. Tune in to explore how JMS navigates the entrepreneurial landscape, adapts to market changes, and continually seeks new opportunities for growth.

• Connect with JMS on LinkedIn
• Check out his companies

Related Resources & Links:

• Blog Post: Secret to B2B Revenue Growth: Identifying Client Needs and Serving Them Better Than Anyone Else
• AI-powered Sales Playbook: RiseAI Sales Accelerator

Show notes:

• Connect with Summer on LinkedIn
• Visit Rise of Us for more information about Summer's services or to guest on the show and share your insights
• Episode recorded and edited using Descript
• Repurposed content, such as this description created using CastMagic

00:00 Introduction to Revenue Remix
01:06 Meet John Mason Smith
01:20 John's Early Career and Fun Jobs
03:43 Journey into Entrepreneurship
04:56 The Birth of Frankenstein PC Repair
06:03 From College to Tampa, Florida
06:51 Challenges and Lessons in Sales
11:07 The Half Suit and Other Ventures
16:51 Starting a Payroll Company
23:25 The Rise of HireWith
27:44 Transition to National Account Sales
28:03 The Glue of Astro Acquisitions
28:54 Challenges in Talent Acquisition
30:17 Preserving Industry Knowledge
31:59 The Caché Experience
33:11 Specialized Skills in Payroll
34:56 Summer's Entrepreneurial Journey
36:32 Fractional Sales Leadership
42:04 Work-Life Balance Debate
48:58 The Importance of Job Satisfaction
51:43 Recruitment Realities
55:22 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Bridging the AI Gap in B2B Sales: A New Program Unveiled

In this episode of Revenue Remix, host Summer introduces a new program designed to address common business challenges, particularly in the realm of AI and sales. Summer shares insights into the inspiration behind the program, emphasizing the importance of partnerships, personalization, and strategic use of AI tools. Key issues such as administrative burdens on salespeople, the need for dynamic sales playbooks, and the pitfalls of generic AI-generated content are discussed. The episode provides a sneak peek into how the program can make sales processes more efficient and accessible, with Summer offering beta seats for early adopters. Tune in to explore the intersection of AI and sales and see how it can solve real business challenges.

Learn More

Show notes:

• Connect with Summer on LinkedIn
• Episode recorded and edited using Descript
• Repurposed content, such as this description created using CastMagic

00:00 Welcome to Revenue Remix
00:16 Introducing the New Program
01:45 The AI Gap in Business
02:37 Salespeople and Administrative Work
04:19 Challenges with Generic Outreach
06:54 The Problem with Sales Playbooks
12:38 Balancing AI and Human Touch
15:58 Making Sales Training Accessible
17:14 Conclusion and Next Steps

In this episode of the Revenue Remix podcast, hosted by Summer Poletti, we delve into the impact of AI on the future of work. Summer is joined by Fleur Prince, co-founder of the AI Insights podcast and AI community builder, who shares her unique journey from the army to AI and her role in fostering young AI leaders. The episode explores the importance of adapting to technological advancements, ethical AI usage, and the evolving work environment, especially from a Gen Z perspective. Fleur emphasizes the need for human-AI collaboration and continuous learning to stay relevant in the rapidly changing job market. The discussion also highlights the significance of ethical considerations and the necessity of upskilling workers to ensure they remain valuable contributors in an AI-driven world.

• Connect with Fleur on LinkedIn
• Check out AI Insights podcast

Related Resources & Links:

• Blog Post: Leveraging AI to accelerate B2B sales
• AI-powered smart sales playbook program

Show notes:

• Connect with Summer on LinkedIn
• Visit Rise of Us for more information about Summer's services or to guest on the show and share your insights
• Episode recorded and edited using Descript
• Repurposed content, such as this description created using CastMagic

00:00 Introduction to Revenue Remix
00:58 Meet Fleur Prince: AI Enthusiast and Community Builder
01:55 Summer's Journey into AI
03:20 Fleur's Unexpected Path from Army to AI
08:24 The Future of Work and AI
14:20 Responsible AI Use and Ethical Considerations
24:43 Fleur's Podcast and Community Work
27:58 Balancing Work and Life: Fleur's Passion for Travel
29:57 Conclusion and How to Connect with Fleur

Customer Success: Protecting Your Value During Tight Budgets

In this bonus mini pod, we discuss the importance of maintaining value in customer relationships, especially when clients are looking to cut costs. Learn how customer success strategies can prevent your services from being replaced by cheaper alternatives and ensure you are not simply viewed as a line item in a budget.

And learn how companies of any size, with any budget, can incorporate a customer success strategy.

Related Resources & Links:

• 2025 Predictions - what the future-focused CEO will master
• Podcast: Turning Client Success into a Competitive Advantage

Show notes:

• Connect with Summer on LinkedIn
• Visit Rise of Us for more information about Summer's services or to guest on the show and share your insights
• Episode recorded and edited using Descript
• Repurposed content, such as this description created using CastMagic

The economy is shifting—so what does that mean for business leaders? In this episode of Revenue Remix, I revisit my 2025 predictions and reflect on what’s changed in just a few months. If you’re a future-focused CEO, now isn’t the time to retreat—it’s time to pivot. I’ll break down the three key adjustments leaders should make in sales, marketing, and customer success to protect revenue and gain market share while competitors pull back.

We’re not here to panic—we’re here to play smarter. Tune in to hear how top business leaders are navigating uncertainty, plus actionable strategies you can implement today.

🎧 Listen now to get ahead of the curve and future-proof your revenue!

Related Resources & Links:

• 2025 Predictions - what the future-focused CEO will master
• Organizational Alignment - 6 hacks to unlock growth in 2025

Show notes:

• Connect with Summer on LinkedIn
• Visit Rise of Us for more information about Summer's services or to guest on the show and share your insights
• Episode recorded and edited using Descript
• Repurposed content, such as this description created using CastMagic

How do small businesses cover payroll when cash flow gets tight?

In this episode of Revenue Remix, I sit down with Morris Reichman, Founder of Payro, and Greg Javins, Director of Strategic Partnerships, to unpack a common but rarely discussed challenge: businesses struggling to make payroll—and how Payro is solving it.

We cover:
 ✅ How Morris stumbled onto this problem and built a company around it
 ✅ Why many payroll service providers resist change (and how Payro overcomes it)
 ✅ The psychology behind cash flow management and payroll stress
 ✅ How Payro partners with payroll bureaus to ensure businesses never miss payroll
 ✅ Smart funding strategies for businesses looking to stay ahead

If you’re a business owner, financial services pro, or just someone who loves a great founder story, you won’t want to miss this one.

🔗 Listen now and learn how to keep your payroll running—no stress required.

Related Resources & Links:

• Follow Morris and Greg on Linkedin
• Learn more about Payro's payroll funding for small businesses.

Show notes:

• Connect with Summer on LinkedIn
• Visit Rise of Us for more information about Summer's services or to guest on the show and share your insights
• Episode recorded and edited using Descript
• Repurposed content, such as this description created using CastMagic

🎙️ "AI Won’t Close the Deal for You—But Here’s How It Can Help"

AI is everywhere in sales—automating emails, tracking engagement, and surfacing leads. But let’s be clear: AI doesn’t close deals. Humans do.

In this episode of Revenue Remix, I break down:
🚀 Where AI helps—and where it backfires.
🚨 The biggest AI sales mistakes I’ve seen firsthand.
✅ 5 AI + HI plays that top sales teams are using to win more deals.

💡 The truth? AI should be your thought partner, not your sales rep. The best sales teams aren’t just using AI to move faster—they’re using it to work smarter.

If you’re not testing AI + HI in your sales process, you’re already behind.

Related Resources & Links:

• Mini Pod: Is Outbound Dead? Why you might think so and what you can do to fix it
• Get the complete AI+HI B2B Sales Guide
• Be the first to read a case study exploring a recent client success
• Apply for early access to our Smart Sales Playbook program - available to the public for the first time!

Show notes:

• Connect with Summer on LinkedIn
• Visit Rise of Us for more information about Summer's services or to guest on the show and share your insights
• Episode recorded and edited using Descript
• Repurposed content, such as this description created using CastMagic

AI is transforming marketing and sales—but how do you use it effectively without losing the human touch? In this episode of Revenue Remix, I sit down with Jenny Kay Pollock, fractional CMO and founder of Women X AI, to dive into the power of AI in revenue growth, marketing strategy, and business scaling.

We explore:
✅ How AI is revolutionizing pricing strategies & go-to-market plans
✅ Why business leaders hesitate to adopt AI—and how to start
✅ The biggest mistakes companies make when trying to scale
✅ Where AI stops and human intuition takes over

Plus, Jenny shares how Women X AI is helping leaders upskill and navigate the AI revolution. Tune in for an insightful, practical, and fun conversation!

Related Resources & Links:

• Connect with Jenny Kay Pollock on LinkedIn
• Learn about Women X AI

Show notes:

• Connect with Summer on LinkedIn
• Visit Rise of Us for more information about Summer's services or to guest on the show and share your insights
• Episode recorded and edited using Descript
• Repurposed content, such as this description created using CastMagic

Maximizing Trade Show ROI: How to Align Sales & Marketing for Conference Success

Trade shows can be a huge investment—flights, booths, sponsorships, team expenses—but are you getting the ROI you expect? Too often, companies walk away with a pile of business cards and no real results.

In this episode of Revenue Remix, I sit down with Amy Silberman from Do What Works to break down a smarter approach. We talk about:
✔ Why trade show planning should start 6-12 months in advance
✔ How to create a seamless pre-, mid-, and post-show marketing strategy
✔ What most companies get wrong about sales follow-up (and how to fix it)
✔ The role of landing pages, email sequences, and content in your conference strategy
✔ Practical steps to align sales and marketing to turn event leads into actual revenue

If you’re attending conferences this year and want to make sure they drive real business outcomes, this episode is for you.

Related Resources & Links:

• Related Blog: 8 Conference Season Tactics That Will Drive Higher ROI
• Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation (Let’s assess your process & find quick wins!)

Show notes:

• Connect with Summer on LinkedIn
• Visit Rise of Us for more information about Summer's services or to guest on the show and share your insights
• Episode recorded and edited using Descript
• Repurposed content, such as this description created using CastMagic

Most sales teams think they have a closing problem. In reality, they have a discovery problem.

If your pipeline is full of stalled deals, prospects who "need to think about it," or buyers who ghost after a demo, chances are your discovery process is broken. The discovery call is the most important step in the sales process—get it right, and you’ll close more deals with less effort. Get it wrong, and you’ll waste time chasing people who were never serious buyers to begin with.

In this episode of Revenue Remix, we’re breaking down the perfect discovery call (and why perfection is overrated). You'll learn:
✅ Why most deals are lost before the close—and how to prevent it
✅ The critical mistakes reps make during discovery (and how to fix them)
✅ How to separate serious buyers from tire-kickers in the first call
✅ The structure of a high-impact discovery call—without sounding scripted
✅ How AI can prep you in seconds so you show up ready to win

🚀 If you’re tired of “interested” prospects ghosting you, this episode will help you tighten up your discovery process, qualify (or disqualify) faster, and focus your time on real deals.

Related Resources & Links:

• Related Podcast: Align, Differentiate and Win: How to Stand Out in a Competitive Market
• Related Blog: 8 Hidden Barriers in Your Sales Process
• Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation (Let’s assess your process & find quick wins!)

Show notes:

• Connect with Summer on LinkedIn
• Visit Rise of Us for more information about Summer's services or to guest on the show and share your insights
• Episode recorded and edited using Descript
• Repurposed content, such as this description created using CastMagic

You put in the effort to hire the right salesperson—so why do so many new hires struggle to succeed?

Most sales onboarding programs are broken. Companies hire experienced reps and expect them to "figure it out," only to see slow ramp-up times, high turnover, and missed revenue targets.

In this episode of Revenue Remix, Summer Poletti dives into why traditional sales onboarding fails—and what to do instead. You’ll learn:

✅ The biggest gaps in most onboarding programs (and how they cost you revenue)
✅ Why the classic “90-day ramp” doesn’t work for B2B sales
✅ How to align sales onboarding with your business goals for faster success
✅ The essential elements of a structured onboarding plan that sets reps up to win

PLUS: Get access to a free list of smart sales interview questions in our subscriber forum—so you can hire smarter AND onboard better.

If you're hiring sales reps, leading a team, or looking to fix your onboarding process, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can use right away.

Related Resources & Links:
This Week’s Blog: How to Hire the Right Salesperson
Free Resource: Guide to Smart Sales Interview Questions (Subscribe for free to download!)
Related Podcast Episode: How to Find a Good B2B Salesperson - Steal 6 Tips From Me

Related Podcast Episode: Grow Your Revenue Without Hiring More Salespeople - Leverage the Power of AI

Related Podcast Episode: Forget AI, These 6 Old School Sales Techniques Will Never Go Out of Style
Book a Free 15-Minute Sales Onboarding Consultation (Let’s assess your process & find quick wins!)

Show notes:

• Connect with Summer on LinkedIn
• Visit Rise of Us for more information about Summer's services or to guest on the show and share your insights
• Episode recorded and edited using Descript
• Repurposed content, such as this description created using CastMagic