Episode 25: Why Great Founders Never Really Retire (with Dan Bauer, 3x Founder, Exitwise Advisor, and Marketing Strategist)

Episode 28: Why Great Sellers Stop Fooling Themselves (with Reagan Rodriguez, Foundation Leader and Global Development Investor)

Reagan Rodriguez helps manage a foundation focused on funding projects that create sustainable jobs, stimulate local economies, and support long-term development in underdeveloped parts of the world. But this episode quickly becomes about something much bigger than global projects. In this episode, we talk about: - Why giving someone the benefit of the doubt can still be a form of prejudging - How optimism turns into self-deception - Why red flags are usually obvious before we admit they are - The difference between trusting people and depending on them - Why salespeople lose when they confuse hope with evidence - How pain drives action in business, sales, and life Reagan brings a blunt, memorable, and deeply practical perspective on judgment, trust, integrity, and accountability. This conversation is full of lines that stick: “Thou shall not fool thyself.” “Your actions speak so loudly, I can’t hear your words.” “The dog in the hunt doesn’t know he’s got fleas.” “Believe in everybody. Depend on no one.” Whether you’re leading a team, selling a deal, investing in a project, or trying to make better decisions, this episode is a reminder to stay positive without lying to yourself. 🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.com [http://comissionsales.com/] Connect with us: Reagan Rodriguez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reagan-rodriguez [https://www.linkedin.com/in/reagan-rodriguez-futurist-694458/] Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/] CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/]

Episode 27: Why Deals Fall Apart After the Celebration (with Jaclyn Voor, Private Equity Operator and Transformation Consultant)

A lot of private equity deals look great on paper. That does not mean they work in real life.  Jaclyn Voor joined me on Closing Conversations to talk about what actually happens after the acquisition dinner, the swag, and the big announcement — when two organizations have to start operating like one, or when a carved-out business has to stand on its own. Jaclyn is an independent consultant and operator in the private equity world, where she helps PE-backed portfolio companies navigate large-scale transformation, especially in moments like carve-outs, integrations, and major change initiatives. In this episode, we talk about: - Why the first 100 days matter so much - Where PE-backed transformations usually break down - Why strategy is the easy part and people are the hard part - How governance, ownership, and follow-through actually drive results - Why leadership alignment cannot be optional - How outside operators can cut through politics and keep change moving Jaclyn has a rare view into what makes these situations work and what quietly causes them to fail. If you’ve ever been through an acquisition, merger, carve-out, or major internal transformation, this one will hit home. 🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.com [http://comissionsales.com/] Connect with us: Jaclyn Voor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclynvoor/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclynvoor/] Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/] CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/]

Episode 26: Why Clear Messaging Wins Bigger (with Laura Burkemper, Founder of Scaleblazer)

A lot of companies do something valuable. Far fewer know how to explain it in a way that makes people care. Laura Burkemper joined me on Closing Conversations to talk about what actually makes a brand land — with investors, with customers, and with the people inside the company. Laura is the founder of Scaleblazer, where she helps companies with investment, scale, and sale. In plain English, that means helping them raise capital, sharpen their message, grow with more clarity, and position themselves for stronger exits. In this episode, we talk about: - Why the clearest companies usually win - How brand, sales, and marketing all need to speak the same language - What makes a company’s story actually investable - Why bad wording can quietly kill momentum - How strong brands evolve without losing themselves - Why internal alignment matters more than most founders realize Laura has worked with major brands like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Express Scripts, and she brings the kind of perspective that makes complicated things feel simple. If you’re building something, selling something, pitching something, or trying to make your company easier to understand, this one will help. 🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.com [http://comissionsales.com/] Connect with us: Laura Burkemper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraburkemper/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraburkemper/] Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/] CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/]

Bonus Episode: Podcast Anniversary!

Max Notis started Closing Conversations with no grand plan — just a belief that the conversations he was having while building his company were too valuable not to share.  One year later, the podcast has grown into a global platform connecting sellers, founders, and leaders through real, unfiltered discussions. In this episode, we talk about: * Why Closing Conversations started without a master plan * The shared pressure that connects salespeople, founders, and leaders * Why real conversations matter more than polished content * How sales, leadership, and company growth are deeply interconnected * What Max has learned from speaking with operators, investors, and builders * The journey from starting a podcast to building something real Max reflects on a year of conversations with people across the ecosystem — from sellers in the trenches to founders building companies, to investors shaping what gets funded and scaled. Whether you’ve been listening from day one or just found the show, this episode is a reminder of the power of honest conversations — and why we’re just getting started. 🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at commissionsales.com [http://commissionsales.com/] Connect with us: Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/] CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/]

Episode 25: Why Great Founders Never Really Retire (with Dan Bauer, 3x Founder, Exitwise Advisor, and Marketing Strategist)

Dan Bauer has done a little bit of everything — founder, operator, marketer, mentor, advisor — and somehow makes it all sound simple. In this episode, we talk about: * Why cold outreach keeps getting harder  * The difference between real connection and fake familiarity * Why founders need other founders in their corner * How to sell to pain instead of pitching features * Why retirement is the wrong goal for entrepreneurial people Dan brings decades of experience across startups, consulting, brand strategy, founder mentorship, and business building — from scaling an Inc. 5000 company to advising entrepreneurs on growth, positioning, and exit strategy. Whether you’re building something from scratch, trying to find traction, or just figuring out how to stay sane while doing it, this conversation is packed with perspective. 🎙 Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at commissionsales.com [http://commissionsales.com] Connect with us: Dan Bauer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bauerdan/  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bauerdan/ ] Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/] CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/]