In this episode of the Growth Game Plan podcast, the host sits down with Gerard, co-founder of Oxford Growth Advisors, to explore the journey of starting and scaling a business. Gerard shares insights into his 20-year career spanning both tech and entrepreneurship, from founding his own company to advising other businesses. He delves into the inception of Oxford Growth Advisors, the challenges of going from zero to one, and the critical steps needed to validate demand and establish a scalable, repeatable service.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the key factors that drive business growth, particularly in the areas of sales and marketing. Gerard discusses his hands-on experience with cold traffic, the importance of building marketing funnels, and how to align sales processes to enhance client conversion. Whether you're a new business owner or a seasoned entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical advice on how to overcome growth challenges and strategically scale your company.

In this episode of the Growth Game Plan Podcast, host Carson Spitzke is joined by Steven Keays, a veteran in capital markets and project financing. Steven shares his unconventional journey from VP of Business Development to working full-time in the capital markets space, where he helps companies secure financing for large-scale projects. He delves into the challenges companies face in raising capital, especially for high-risk construction projects, and offers key insights into common mistakes made when seeking funding. Steven explains the importance of credibility, detailed market studies, and investor trust in the world of project financing. He also touches on the broader landscape of innovation and funding across different regions, including Canada, the U.S., and the Middle East. Whether you're an entrepreneur or a seasoned investor, this episode offers valuable advice on navigating the complexities of capital markets. Tune in to learn how companies can successfully secure financing for projects ranging from hydrogen production to commercial real estate.

To find Steven:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenkeays/

https://kpogroup.io/

In this episode of The Growth Game Plan, Carson Spitzke speaks with Melissa From, President & CEO of the Calgary Food Bank. Melissa shares her journey from launching a nonprofit startup to leading one of Calgary’s largest community organizations. They discuss the challenges of nonprofit leadership, from raising funds to managing teams, and the importance of combining data with emotion to drive action. Tune in for insights on nonprofit growth, building trust, and how to navigate hard conversations.

To Learn More About Melissa & The Calgary Food Bank Visit:

Calgary Food Bank: https://www.calgaryfoodbank.com/?utm_source=ggpodcast&utm_medium=click

Melissa From: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/melissa-from

In this episode of The Growth Game Plan, Caleb Clark shares the key strategies behind building a successful marketing agency. From focusing on A-players in their "zones of genius" to avoiding random acts of marketing, Caleb reveals how his team scaled to 70+ members across North America and Latin America. Tune in for actionable insights on creating unstoppable growth and building a team that drives results.

To find Caleb visit:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebclark1/

https://hldigital.ca/?utm_source=ggpodcast&utm_medium=click

In this Growth Game Plan podcast episode, Brandon Liebowitz, founder of SEO ptimizers, shares insights into his journey in digital marketing since 2007. From Craigslist beginnings to refining SEO strategies, Brandon emphasizes patience in the long-term play of SEO. He discusses early challenges, the evolution of AI in content creation, and the importance of quality backlinks. Brandon offers a valuable gift and free website SEO assessments on SeoOptimizers.com. As the conversation delves into future trends, Brandon anticipates potential shifts towards programmatic SEO. For business owners, he advises persistence, emphasizing the enduring value of organic traffic over time.

In the early stages of building a business, the Kevin McLaughlin faced challenges ranging from personnel and fulfillment issues to the struggle of gaining visibility in a competitive field. The primary hurdle was making their vision known and attracting clients. Cold outbound strategies, including email outreach, became crucial for getting noticed. The speaker emphasized the often-overlooked importance of marketing in the early phase of a business. They highlighted the need to overcome initial obstacles, such as invoicing and collecting payments, while stressing the ongoing challenges of growth. The key takeaway was the value of authenticity and perseverance in business development. Kevin also shared insights on their growth journey, relying on personal outreach rather than solely depending on tools. Despite recognizing the existence of various growth tools, the speaker emphasized the fundamental role of being true to oneself and conveying a genuine story to connect with clients. The conversation touched on the dynamics of having a spouse as a business partner and the importance of mutual understanding and grace. Finally, the he underscored the ongoing challenges in business and life, emphasizing the continuous need to adapt, learn, and confront new obstacles.

In this episode, Joshua Dirks, founder of Project Bionic, discusses his journey from a director of digital intercom communications to starting Project Bionic 15 years ago. He shares insights into the early days of social media marketing, emphasizing the importance of personalization and brand ethos. Dirks highlights the need for strategic content creation, using Eric Qualman's 60-30-10 ratio, and delves into the significance of understanding a brand's core identity. He touches on the success of campaigns for clients like Deono, focusing on child safety seats, and the integration of AI for content testing. Dirks concludes with advice on entrepreneurship, curiosity, and building recession-proof businesses. Connect with Joshua Dirks on LinkedIn and explore Project Bionic's services on various platforms.

Peter Polygalov, Director of Marketing at Mastery Coding, shares his journey from video production to digital marketing. Reflecting on experiences with celebrities like Juicy J and Robin Thicke, he highlights the behind-the-scenes complexity of video shoots. He discusses Mastery Coding's lead generation, Polygalov emphasizes the effectiveness of cold email outreach, website optimization, and event participation. He stresses the importance of list quality in email campaigns and mentions tools like Apollo IO, Instantly AI, SendGrid, and Million Verifier. The conversation also touches on the evolving dynamics of cold email response rates in 2024 and the critical role of an "inbox manager" in prompt customer engagement. Polygalov underscores the need for tailored responses to convert marketing qualified leads into closed deals, emphasizing relationship-building in the education sector. He provides insights into scaling email campaigns and the value of focusing on proven strategies over constant experimentation.