#76 – Why Paid Ads Fail and What High-Performing Businesses Do Differently with Ashley Brock

#79 – Pt 1: The 90-Day Framework for Building High-Performing Teams

In this episode of Millions Were Made, Jessica Marx is joined by Brooke Dumas, the Fractional COO brand of Tailored Premier, to examine one of the most overlooked drivers of team performance: ONBOARDING. While many founders dedicate significant time and resources to hiring, far fewer implement a structured onboarding process that ensures new team members are set up for success. The result is often misalignment, underperformance, and early turnover—despite hiring highly qualified individuals. Jessica and Brooke introduce their proprietary 90-day onboarding framework, a system implemented across client organizations to reduce owner dependency, improve clarity, and accelerate employee performance. They emphasize that the first 90 days are not only a critical evaluation period for the employee, but also a reflection of the company’s leadership, systems, and operational standards. Through real-world observations, they outline the common mistakes founders make—such as assuming experienced hires require minimal guidance—and explain why clearly documented processes, defined expectations, and consistent feedback are essential to building a high-performing team. This episode covers: * Why onboarding is a key determinant of employee success and retention * The risks of relying on assumptions rather than structured training * How lack of clarity leads to inefficiency and increased turnover * The importance of defining and communicating company standards * Why SOPs, checklists, and documentation are foundational to scaling * How to structure feedback and milestones within the first 90 days * The long-term impact of a well-executed onboarding experience This episode serves as Part 1 of a two-part series designed to help founders implement a scalable and effective onboarding process that supports both team performance and business growth. Listen now and stay tuned for Part 2, where we will provide a detailed breakdown of the onboarding framework and how to implement it within your organization. Mini-timeline * 00:14–01:03 — Introduction to the 90-day onboarding framework * 01:04–02:15 — Why onboarding is critical to employee retention * 02:16–03:18 — The role of onboarding in shaping company culture * 03:19–04:53 — The risks of assuming new hires will “figure it out” * 04:54–06:30 — Common onboarding mistakes made by founders * 06:31–08:15 — Defining and communicating standards of excellence * 08:16–10:39 — The importance of SOPs, checklists, and structured plans * 10:40–11:31 — Hiring under pressure: build first or hire first? * 11:32–13:57 — The consequences of onboarding without infrastructure * 13:58–15:20 — The cost of early employee turnover * 15:21–17:52 — Case example: effective onboarding in practice * 17:53–19:30 — Building employee engagement and long-term commitment * 19:31–20:27 — Making informed decisions within the first 90 days * 20:28–22:42 — Preview of Part 2 and framework overview Resources * 90-Day Onboarding Framework (Download): https://astounding-founder-8808.kit.com/products/onboarding-blueprint [https://astounding-founder-8808.kit.com/products/onboarding-blueprint] * Follow @millionsweremade [https://instagram.com/millionsweremade] on Instagram for frameworks + strategy tips Connect with Jessica: Instagram: https://instagram.com/millionsweremade@millionsweremade [https://instagram.com/millionsweremade] | https://instagram.com/thejessicamarx@thejessicamarx [https://instagram.com/thejessicamarx] Work with Jessica: https://www.jessicamarx.com/tailored-premierTailored Premier [https://www.jessicamarx.com/tailored-premier] Website: https://www.millionsweremade.com/Millions Were Made [https://www.millionsweremade.com/]

#78 – Motherhood, Millions, and Freedom: Owning Your Life as a High-Performing Woman with Bunny Young

In this episode of Millions Were Made, Jessica Marx welcomes Bunny Young—multi-7 and 8-figure founder, investor, and coach to high-performing women—for a powerful conversation on authenticity, identity, and sustainable success. With over two decades of entrepreneurial experience and the creation of 16 companies, Bunny brings a unique perspective on what it truly means to build and scale while staying aligned with oneself. Her journey began with a life-altering diagnosis at the age of 14, which fundamentally reshaped how she approached risk, ambition, and fulfillment. Together, Jessica and Bunny explore the often-overlooked reality faced by high-achieving women: the ability to build successful businesses while simultaneously becoming disconnected from their own needs, identity, and vision for life. This episode moves beyond traditional business strategy and addresses the internal dynamics that influence leadership, decision-making, and long-term sustainability. They discuss: * Why success can sometimes lead to a loss of personal identity * The role of nervous system regulation in leadership and performance * How high performers unintentionally reinforce cycles of stress and overextension * The difference between external success metrics and internal fulfillment * Why many women can clearly define a business vision—but struggle to define a personal one * How authenticity enhances clarity, leadership presence, and overall effectiveness Bunny also shares practical, accessible tools to help rebuild self-trust, increase presence, and create a more intentional relationship with both work and life. If you’ve ever thought: “I built everything I was supposed to… so why doesn’t it feel the way I expected?” This episode is for you. Listen now! Mini-timeline * 00:00–03:40 — Opening and introduction to Bunny Young’s background and perspective * 03:41–07:30 — Early life experience that shaped her approach to risk, success, and fulfillment * 07:31–11:00 — Entrepreneurial journey and evolution across multiple businesses * 11:01–15:20 — Shifting from traditional success metrics to a more aligned approach * 15:21–20:00 — Understanding the role of the nervous system in leadership and decision-making * 20:01–24:30 — The impact of constant stimulation and high-performance environments * 24:31–29:00 — Navigating identity loss and rediscovery through different life stages * 29:01–33:00 — Foundational practices to rebuild trust, focus, and presence * 33:01–38:00 — The gap between business vision and personal vision * 38:01–43:00 — Applying authenticity in real-life scenarios and leadership settings * 43:01–47:00 — Strengthening intuition and self-trust for long-term sustainability * 47:01–End — Key takeaways and opportunities to connect with Bunny Resources * Follow @millionsweremade [https://instagram.com/millionsweremade] on Instagram for frameworks + strategy tips * Connect with Bunny Young on Instagram (@thebunyoung) and send her a direct message sharing your key takeaway—she may connect with you and offer a next step based on where you are. Connect with Jessica: Instagram: https://instagram.com/millionsweremade@millionsweremade [https://instagram.com/millionsweremade] | https://instagram.com/thejessicamarx@thejessicamarx [https://instagram.com/thejessicamarx] Work with Jessica: https://www.jessicamarx.com/tailored-premierTailored Premier [https://www.jessicamarx.com/tailored-premier] Website: https://www.millionsweremade.com/Millions Were Made [https://www.millionsweremade.com/] Connect with Bunny Young: Website: http://abetterplaceconsulting.com [http://abetterplaceconsulting.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebunnyyoung/ [https://www.instagram.com/thebunnyyoung/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bunnysumneryoung/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bunnysumneryoung/]

#77 – Mastering Webinars and Marketing with Julie Chenell: The Blueprint for Building a Multi-Million Dollar Business

In this episode of Millions Were Made, Jessica Marx sits down with digital marketing expert and entrepreneur Julie Chenell, Co-Founder of Funnel Gorgeous and author of Million Dollar Grit. Julie shares how she went from being a stay-at-home mom navigating an unexpected divorce to building a multi-seven-figure marketing and education company in just a few years. Jessica and Julie discuss the marketing strategies that helped Julie scale quickly, including her approach to identifying real customer problems and turning those insights into profitable offers. They also dive into one of the most debated marketing tools in the digital space—webinars—and why Julie believes they remain one of the most reliable ways to convert cold audiences and stabilize revenue. Julie also breaks down the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make with funnels, ads, and webinar presentations, and explains how founders can leverage AI as a strategic tool without losing the human expertise that drives real business growth. Listen now to learn how the right marketing systems can transform your business. Mini-timeline * 01:31 – 03:42 — Julie’s journey from stay-at-home mother to business owner * 03:43 – 05:09 — The turning point that pushed her to build a marketing business * 05:10 – 07:12 — Why solving real problems is the foundation of successful offers * 07:13 – 09:03 — Momentum and consistency in early-stage entrepreneurship * 09:04 – 11:11 — Why webinar funnels remain a powerful sales strategy * 11:12 – 14:24 — Structuring webinars to convert cold audiences * 14:25 – 16:02 — Strategies for filling webinars without a large audience * 16:03 – 18:36 — The choreography of a high-converting webinar presentation * 18:37 – 20:25 — Understanding webinar conversion rates and performance metrics * 20:26 – 22:32 — Leveraging AI as a strategic marketing tool * 22:33 – 24:45 — Common mistakes founders make with funnels and ads * 24:46 – 31:10 — AI, future-proof businesses, and Julie’s new venture * 31:11 – 34:50 — Final insights and closing thoughts Resources * Follow @millionsweremade [https://instagram.com/millionsweremade] on Instagram for frameworks + strategy tips * Million Dollar Grit (Book): https://milliondollargrit.com/ [https://milliondollargrit.com/] Connect with Jessica: Instagram: https://instagram.com/millionsweremade@millionsweremade [https://instagram.com/millionsweremade] | https://instagram.com/thejessicamarx@thejessicamarx [https://instagram.com/thejessicamarx] Work with Jessica: https://www.jessicamarx.com/tailored-premierTailored Premier [https://www.jessicamarx.com/tailored-premier] Website: https://www.millionsweremade.com/Millions Were Made [https://www.millionsweremade.com/] Connect with Julie: Website: https://juliechenell.com/ [https://juliechenell.com/] https://www.funnelgorgeous.com/ [https://www.funnelgorgeous.com/]

#76 – Why Paid Ads Fail and What High-Performing Businesses Do Differently with Ashley Brock

In this episode of Millions Were Made, Jessica Marx welcomes Ashley Brock, founder of The Paid Ads Academy and best-selling author of How to Win with Paid Ads, for an in-depth discussion on how paid advertising becomes a strategic growth lever—not a gamble—when executed with precision and leadership oversight. With more than a decade of experience managing over $200 million in ad spend, working directly with CMOs of Fortune 500 companies, and building a nearly eight-figure company in under three years, Ashley brings a rare perspective that bridges enterprise-level strategy and founder-led execution. Together, Jessica and Ashley examine why many businesses struggle to see returns from paid ads and what separates organizations that scale profitably from those that continuously reinvest without clarity. They explore: * Why paid advertising failures are often rooted in messaging and positioning, not platforms * The five core competencies required for effective and profitable ad performance * How founders can use paid ads to increase visibility while maintaining brand trust * Common misconceptions around testing, learning periods, and performance benchmarks * Minimum investment considerations and the importance of lifetime customer value * How service-based and high-ticket businesses can successfully convert paid traffic into qualified consultations * The evolving role of AI, automation, and creative testing within Meta and other platforms * Strategic considerations for bringing paid advertising in-house versus outsourcing Ashley also shares her transition from agency leadership to entrepreneurship, the operational lessons learned along the way, and why understanding paid advertising is no longer optional for founders scaling into seven and eight figures. This conversation is designed for leaders who want clarity, accountability, and sustainable growth—without relying on outdated strategies or blind experimentation. If paid advertising is part of your growth strategy—or needs to be—this episode is for you. Listen now! Mini-timeline * 00:00–03:40 — Introduction to Ashley Brock and her professional background * 03:41–07:20 — From agency leadership to entrepreneurial transition * 07:21–11:10 — The realities of large-scale ad management and performance pressure * 11:11–15:30 — Why most paid advertising underperforms * 15:31–19:40 — The five core skills behind profitable ad strategy * 19:41–23:50 — Messaging, targeting, and platform alignment * 23:51–27:30 — Visibility, trust, and pre-ad infrastructure * 27:31–32:10 — Testing frameworks and performance expectations * 32:11–36:50 — Budget strategy, lifetime value, and scalability * 36:51–41:10 — Paid ads for service-based and high-ticket offers * 41:11–46:00 — Platform evolution, AI-driven targeting, and creative strategy * 46:01–50:00 — In-house vs. outsourced advertising models * 50:01–End — Final insights and next steps Resources * Follow @millionsweremade [https://instagram.com/millionsweremade] on Instagram for frameworks + strategy tips * Learn about Ashley’s programs: Paid Ads Playbook [https://www.paidadscoaching.com/a/2148095007/9pmQEnZ7], Ads Mastery Mastermind [https://www.paidadscoaching.com/a/2148062438/9pmQEnZ7], & Win with Paid Ads Challenge [https://www.paidadscoaching.com/a/2148041125/9pmQEnZ7] Connect with Jessica: Instagram: https://instagram.com/millionsweremade@millionsweremade [https://instagram.com/millionsweremade] | https://instagram.com/thejessicamarx@thejessicamarx [https://instagram.com/thejessicamarx] Work with Jessica: https://www.jessicamarx.com/tailored-premierTailored Premier [https://www.jessicamarx.com/tailored-premier] Website: https://www.millionsweremade.com/Millions Were Made [https://www.millionsweremade.com/] Connect with Ashley Brock: Website: https://www.paidadscoaching.com/challenge [https://www.paidadscoaching.com/challenge] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ads.with.ashley [https://www.instagram.com/ads.with.ashley] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyjettonbrock/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyjettonbrock/]

#75 – How 7 Figure Founders Can Implement AI Across Their Teams While Protecting Quality and Data Security

In this episode of Millions Were Made, Jessica Marx is joined by Brooke Dumas to explore one of the most pressing operational questions facing modern founders: how should AI be integrated within a team environment? While many business owners are personally experimenting with AI tools, far fewer have implemented structured policies, training, or oversight for how their teams use them. Jessica and Brooke outline what they are seeing across six-, seven-, and eight-figure companies—teams actively using AI without guardrails, formal education, or clear standards for data protection and deliverable quality. They discuss the two common scenarios emerging inside organizations: teams over-relying on AI without strategic context, and teams resisting AI due to concerns around quality, speed, or job security. Through real examples, they explain why responsible implementation requires more than encouragement—it requires policy, leadership, and clarity. This episode covers: * Why every company needs a formal AI policy * Security and legal considerations for service-based businesses * The importance of company-owned AI accounts * How to maintain quality control when AI contributes to deliverables * Addressing employee concerns about replacement * Using automation to enhance capacity rather than eliminate talent * AI is not a strategy—it is a tool. And like any tool, its impact depends entirely on leadership. Listen now to learn how to implement AI thoughtfully, securely, and in alignment with your company’s long-term vision. Mini-timeline * 00:07–01:00 — Introduction: AI from a team and organizational perspective * 01:01–03:20 — The two types of teams: over-adoption vs. resistance * 03:21–05:45 — Why AI was implemented without structured training * 05:46–06:55 — Security risks and data exposure concerns * 06:56–08:30 — Case example: When AI-generated research missed critical insights * 08:31–10:05 — Expert-driven businesses vs. generalized AI outputs * 10:06–12:00 — Responsible experimentation and optimization * 12:01–13:50 — Legal implications and client transparency * 13:51–15:10 — The importance of company-owned AI accounts * 15:11–17:30 — Managing resistance and fear within teams * 17:31–19:30 — Framing AI as support for growth, not replacement * 19:31–21:05 — Scaling capacity through strategic automation * 21:06–22:24 — Final recommendations: policy, education, and open dialogue Resources * Listen to Episode 73 - The Limits of AI Strategy: How to Leverage Technology Without Losing Market Position [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/73-the-limits-of-ai-strategy-how-to-leverage/id1730836894?i=1000753024016] * Follow @millionsweremade [https://instagram.com/millionsweremade] on Instagram for frameworks + strategy tips Connect with Jessica: Instagram: https://instagram.com/millionsweremade@millionsweremade [https://instagram.com/millionsweremade] | https://instagram.com/thejessicamarx@thejessicamarx [https://instagram.com/thejessicamarx] Work with Jessica: https://www.jessicamarx.com/tailored-premierTailored Premier [https://www.jessicamarx.com/tailored-premier] Website: https://www.millionsweremade.com/Millions Were Made [https://www.millionsweremade.com/]