Noob School

In this episode of the Noob School podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Marion Crawford, the dynamic founder and CEO of Crawford, a full-service marketing and brand strategy firm based in Greenville, South Carolina. Marion's journey from her early education to leading a successful agency is both inspiring and insightful. Marion began her career in journalism, working on the Nightly News Desk at NBC in New York. She later served as a news writer and reporter for CBS and ABC affiliates in Spartanburg, SC, and Asheville, NC, respectively. This foundation in storytelling and communication paved the way for her transition into marketing and business development roles, including a notable tenure at ScanSource, Inc. In 2010, Marion founded Crawford, driven by a vision to provide comprehensive marketing solutions with a personal touch. Under her leadership, the agency has grown from a small team to a robust firm with a diverse portfolio. Marion's commitment to crafting compelling brand messages has positioned Crawford as a trusted partner across various industries. Beyond her professional achievements, Marion is deeply involved in her community. She has served on the boards of organizations such as Artisphere, the Peace Center, the Cancer Society of Greenville County, and the Urban League of the Upstate. Her dedication to both her craft and her community exemplifies the qualities of a true leader. During our conversation, Marion shared valuable insights into her career trajectory, the challenges and triumphs of building her own agency, and practical sales tips for aspiring entrepreneurs. Her story is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and continuous learning. Get your sales in rhythm with The Sterling Method: https://SterlingSales.co I'm going to be sharing my secrets on all my social channels, but if you want them all at your fingertips, start with my book, Sales for Noobs: https://amzn.to/3tiaxsL Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://bit.ly/3Ned5kL #SalesTraining #B2BSales #SalesExcellence #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SalesLeadership #SalesSuccess #SalesCoaching #SalesSkills #SalesInnovation #SalesTips #SalesPerformance #SalesTransformation #SalesTeamDevelopment #SalesMotivation #SalesEnablement #SalesGoals #SalesExpertise #SalesInsights #SalesTrends#salestrends

What does it take to go from an All-American athlete to a Navy SEAL, then transition into a successful sales career in the tech industry? In this episode of Noob School, I sit down with Troy Pusateri, whose journey is a masterclass in discipline, purpose, and perseverance. Growing up around Baltimore, Troy excelled in swimming, becoming an All-American at Clemson University. But instead of taking the conventional route after graduation, he chose to serve his country, joining the Navy and eventually becoming a Navy SEAL. His time in the SEAL teams, including protection detail work in Afghanistan, shaped his mindset, resilience, and leadership skills—qualities that would later prove invaluable in his business career. After leaving the military, Troy took an unconventional path into sales, starting as an Executive Assistant, then moving into business development at Pegasus before making the leap into the tech industry. Today, he’s a Regional Sales Manager at BLACKWOOD, having also worked with AWS as a Navy Account Manager. In this conversation, we dive into: ✅ The power of discipline and how it translates to success in business ✅ Why having a clear purpose is key to staying motivated ✅ The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people ✅ Lessons from the SEALs that apply directly to sales and leadership ✅ The transition from military service to corporate success Whether you're in sales, the military, or just looking for inspiration on building a successful career, Troy’s story is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Tune in now! Get your sales in rhythm with The Sterling Method: https://SterlingSales.co  I'm going to be sharing my secrets on all my social channels, but if you want them all at your fingertips, start with my book, Sales for Noobs: https://amzn.to/3tiaxsL  Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://bit.ly/3Ned5kL  #SalesTraining #B2BSales #SalesExcellence #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SalesLeadership #SalesSuccess #SalesCoaching #SalesSkills #SalesInnovation #SalesTips #SalesPerformance #SalesTransformation #SalesTeamDevelopment #SalesMotivation #SalesEnablement #SalesGoals #SalesExpertise #SalesInsights #SalesTrends#salestrends

Get ready for an inspiring conversation on Noob School as I sit down with Chuck Crumpton—an entrepreneur who truly knows the ups and downs of business. Chuck shares how his determination helped him score a pivotal deal with Johnson & Johnson, even when the odds were stacked against him. We dive into his experiences founding Medpoint, selling successful companies, and now leading Bull Street Mergers. Along the way, Chuck offers practical advice for entrepreneurs—from boosting business value to nailing a successful sale. You’ll leave with real insights and plenty of inspiration from a seasoned dealmaker.  Get your sales in rhythm with The Sterling Method: https://SterlingSales.co  I'm going to be sharing my secrets on all my social channels, but if you want them all at your fingertips, start with my book, Sales for Noobs: https://amzn.to/3tiaxsL  Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://bit.ly/3Ned5kL  #SalesTraining #B2BSales #SalesExcellence #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SalesLeadership #SalesSuccess #SalesCoaching #SalesSkills #SalesInnovation #SalesTips #SalesPerformance #SalesTransformation #SalesTeamDevelopment #SalesMotivation #SalesEnablement #SalesGoals #SalesExpertise #SalesInsights #SalesTrends#salestrends

In this episode of Noob School, I sit down with Scott Thomas, a man who has built an impressive career at the intersection of leadership, strategy, and growth. From leading high-stakes missions as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force to serving as Group CEO at Constellation Software, Scott has spent decades perfecting the art of building and scaling businesses. Now, as a as an advisor and guide to CEOs, he helps executives and entrepreneurs set a clear vision, align the right people, and implement repeatable systems to achieve transformative success (@Next Level Growth). Scott shares incredible insights from his time in the technology sector, including his approach to hiring and managing salespeople, the importance of strategic execution, and what it takes to drive long-term profitability. We also dive into how AI is already reshaping industries—and what sales and business leaders should be doing to stay ahead of the curve. Whether you’re a founder looking for a playbook on scaling, a sales leader refining your hiring process, or just someone eager to learn from a proven leader, this episode is packed with valuable lessons. If you'd like to learn more about Scott and where he’s affecting change; www.nextlevelgrowth.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottthomasu/ Don’t miss this conversation with Scott Thomas—tune in now! Get your sales in rhythm with The Sterling Method: https://SterlingSales.co I'm going to be sharing my secrets on all my social channels, but if you want them all at your fingertips, start with my book, Sales for Noobs: https://amzn.to/3tiaxsL Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://bit.ly/3Ned5kL #SalesTraining #B2BSales #SalesExcellence #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SalesLeadership #SalesSuccess #SalesCoaching #SalesSkills #SalesInnovation #SalesTips #SalesPerformance #SalesTransformation #SalesTeamDevelopment #SalesMotivation #SalesEnablement #SalesGoals #SalesExpertise #SalesInsights #SalesTrends#salestrends

In this episode of Noob School, I sit down with John McDonald—Navy veteran, entrepreneur, and the mastermind behind Fabtech Solutions. John’s story is one of discipline, adaptability, and a relentless drive to build something bigger than himself. We kick things off with a deep dive into John's journey—from his college days to his time in the Navy, where he specialized in avionics. His military experience shaped his work ethic and problem-solving skills, which later became the foundation for his success in business. John and I swap stories about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship—what it really takes to build a company from the ground up, the hard lessons learned, and the key sales strategies that separate the great from the average. He also shares valuable insights on hiring the right people in sales, a must-listen for any business leader looking to build a strong, revenue-generating team. We also talk about his company, Fabtech Solutions, a veteran-owned full-service metal fabrication machinery dealer serving the Southeast. John explains how Fabtech’s mission goes beyond selling equipment—they’re in the business of building long-term partnerships by providing expert service, fast response times, and industry-leading consultation to metal fabrication shops. And if that’s not enough, we get into something really unique—John’s latest passion project: building a barndominium on his 52-acre property in Greenville, SC. He’s been documenting the entire process on social media, and let’s just say—people love it. From construction tips to lifestyle inspiration, his journey of turning raw land into a dream home is captivating an audience far beyond the world of metal fabrication. This episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and real-world lessons. Whether you’re a business owner, a sales leader, or just someone who loves a good entrepreneurial story—this one’s for you. Get your sales in rhythm with The Sterling Method: https://SterlingSales.co I'm going to be sharing my secrets on all my social channels, but if you want them all at your fingertips, start with my book, Sales for Noobs: https://amzn.to/3tiaxsL Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://bit.ly/3Ned5kL #SalesTraining #B2BSales #SalesExcellence #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SalesLeadership #SalesSuccess #SalesCoaching #SalesSkills #SalesInnovation #SalesTips #SalesPerformance #SalesTransformation #SalesTeamDevelopment #SalesMotivation #SalesEnablement #SalesGoals #SalesExpertise #SalesInsights #SalesTrends