Why Your CRM Isn't Closing Deals (And the Fix That Generated $4M)

Part 1: How To Build A Local Business That Doesn't Need You Every Day

How do you actually start a 10/10 business? In part one of this four-part series, Michelle runs a live experiment of building a brand new local business from scratch, so you can follow every decision in real time. She uses the example of a senior concierge service; a relationship-based support business that helps older adults stay independent while giving their families peace of mind. Michelle breaks down exactly what this business does, what it doesn't do, and why she believes the timing makes it one of the most compelling local business opportunities available right now. But this episode isn't really about senior concierge services. It's about the framework behind building any well-designed business. Using her Rascal Business Score, Michelle walks through eight critical criteria every business idea should be evaluated against before any money is spent. This practical check will tell you whether what you're building is actually set up to give you the freedom you’re looking for. Chapters [Start] Build a Business, Not a Job: Michelle sets up the series by sharing her own mistake of building a business and introduces the senior concierge concept. 02:45 The Senior Concierge Business: A breakdown of services, pricing packages, and who the real customer is in this business model. 11:06 The Rascal Business Score: Michelle's scoring system for businesses that utilizes eight categories to measure its potential. 23:04 Startup Costs the Simple Way: How to budget for building a business and make decisions that won’t break the bank. 38:16 Rascal Wrap-Up: Key takeaways, a challenge to score your own business idea, and a preview of episode two. Links & Resources The Local Guild Practical AI, smarter sales systems, and proven growth strategies for small businesses ready to win more customers. Start your 7-Day FREE Sales Jumpstart here: www.revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild [http://www.revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild] Objectionly 14-Day Free Trial If you are a founder or sales manager who wants to sell more and stop losing days to call review, Objectionly gives you back your time and puts accountability where it belongs. Grab your 14-Day Free Trial now: https://objectionly.com/?via=revenuerascals [https://objectionly.com/?via=revenuerascals] Go High Level 30-Day Free Trial: The AI-powered business operating system. All the tools you need to capture, nurture, and close new leads into bookings, sales, reviews, and repeat customers! Grab your 30-Day Free Trial now: www.revenuerascals.com/ghl [http://www.revenuerascals.com/ghl] Access All Revenue Rascals Resources for FREE at www.revenuerascals.com/listen [http://www.revenuerascals.com/listen] One-time sign-up gives you everything you need, including FREE hot seat coaching once a month with Michelle.  Local business owner? Stop guessing your way through growth. The Local Guild helps you get more customers, use AI practically, and build predictable revenue without becoming a full-time marketer. Start the free 7 Day Sales Jumpstart here: revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild [http://revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild] Want my eyes on your revenue strategy? Grab a call with Michelle. Revenue Rascals Discovery Call with Michelle Terpstra [https://book.revenuerascals.com/michelle] Check out three ways Michelle and her team can support your path to predictable growth. [https://michelleterpstra.com/workwithus/]  Connect with Michelle: * MichelleTerpstra.com [https://michelleterpstra.com/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellecuocoterpstra/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themichelleterpstra/?hl=en] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@revenuerascals] Disclaimer: Some episodes of Revenue Rascals may include paid sponsorships or affiliate partnerships. We only feature brands, products, or services that align with our values and are relevant to helping founders, revenue leaders, and entrepreneurs grow. Sponsorships help support the show—opinions shared are always our own.  Michelle Terpstra's Privacy Policy [https://michelleterpstra.com/privacy-policy/]

Subscriptions That Matter | Navigating Click-to-Cancel Laws with Keren de Zwart

Small business owners love to talk about sales funnels and marketing hacks, but almost nobody wants to think about the nitty-gritty legal matters — until something goes wrong.  Michelle sits down with business lawyer and longtime friend, Keren de Zwart, to look at the legal side of running a business, making it feel approachable instead of intimidating. They dig into the most common risk areas that founders overlook, including why "free" templates can backfire, and how even a little transparency can save a business. Keren shares how she moved from a traditional corporate law firm into building her own practice, and how she has learned to set boundaries between motherhood and running a growing business. Whether you are just getting your contracts in order or trying to figure out how to scale a subscription offer, Keren offers practical guidance, coming from someone who has spent her career making legal support accessible to small business owners. Chapters [Start] “Not Your Father’s Lawyer”: Michelle introduces attorney Keren de Zwart, who shares her path from a traditional corporate firm to building her own practice. 06:53 Legal Essentials for Small Businesses: The most common legal gaps and fundamentals for people starting their own business to be aware of. 15:30 Keren’s Template Shop: Keren dives into the legalities of buying and selling legal templates online, and why hers are more legitimate than others. 20:10 Click-to-Cancel Rules: A look at the state and federal rules around recurring billing, and how to avoid chargebacks. 35:55 The Mom-Founder Juggle: Talking about how Keren structures her offers and balances her business with parenting duties. Links & Resources Connect with Keren de Zwart Not Your Father's Lawyer - Website [https://notyourfatherslawyer.com/] Not Your Father's Lawyer on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/notyourfatherslawyer/] The Local Guild Practical AI, smarter sales systems, and proven growth strategies for small businesses ready to win more customers. Start your 7-Day FREE Sales Jumpstart here: www.revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild [http://www.revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild] Objectionly 14-Day Free Trial If you are a founder or sales manager who wants to sell more and stop losing days to call review, Objectionly gives you back your time and puts accountability where it belongs. Grab your 14-Day Free Trial now: https://objectionly.com/?via=revenuerascals [https://objectionly.com/?via=revenuerascals] Go High Level 30-Day Free Trial: The AI-powered business operating system. All the tools you need to capture, nurture, and close new leads into bookings, sales, reviews, and repeat customers! Grab your 30-Day Free Trial now: www.revenuerascals.com/ghl [http://www.revenuerascals.com/ghl] Access All Revenue Rascals Resources for FREE at www.revenuerascals.com/listen [http://www.revenuerascals.com/listen] One-time sign-up gives you everything you need, including FREE hot seat coaching once a month with Michelle.  Local business owner? Stop guessing your way through growth. The Local Guild helps you get more customers, use AI practically, and build predictable revenue without becoming a full-time marketer. Start the free 7 Day Sales Jumpstart here: revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild [http://revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild] Want my eyes on your revenue strategy? Grab a call with Michelle. Revenue Rascals Discovery Call with Michelle Terpstra [https://book.revenuerascals.com/michelle] Check out three ways Michelle and her team can support your path to predictable growth. [https://michelleterpstra.com/workwithus/]  Connect with Michelle: * MichelleTerpstra.com [https://michelleterpstra.com/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellecuocoterpstra/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themichelleterpstra/?hl=en] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@revenuerascals] Disclaimer: Some episodes of Revenue Rascals may include paid sponsorships or affiliate partnerships. We only feature brands, products, or services that align with our values and are relevant to helping founders, revenue leaders, and entrepreneurs grow. Sponsorships help support the show—opinions shared are always our own.  Michelle Terpstra's Privacy Policy [https://michelleterpstra.com/privacy-policy/]

Why Your CRM Isn't Closing Deals (And the Fix That Generated $4M)

Michelle Terpstra sits down with Jason Kramer, founder of Cultivize and self-described CRM whisperer, to talk about the customer relationship management system. They look at why so many companies buy a CRM and then do nothing with it, and how to avoid that.  They unpack what it actually takes to build a process that runs without the founder carrying it all in their head. The case studies in this episode make the stakes of a broken follow-up system impossible to ignore. Jason and Michelle also explore what happens after the lead lands, and the referral ecosystems that separate businesses that scale from those that stall. Jason shares his framework for labeling pipeline stages around what the prospect needs to do rather than what the salesperson needs to do. Whether you're still running deals out of a spreadsheet or sitting on a CRM you've never fully built out, this episode offers practical guidance on where to start. Chapters [Start] Why CRMs Fail Small Businesses: Michelle introduces Jason, and they dive into the biggest adoption hurdles for small businesses. 08:45 The Follow-Up System: Jason shares a case study where an automated follow-up sequence closed over $4 million in revenue. 16:08 Automation Wins: Jason walks through how digitizing a business’s intake produced a 90% contract completion rate and unlocked upsell data. 24:37 Pipeline Management Practices: Jason's framework for structuring pipeline stages around prospect actions rather than salesperson tasks. 34:08 Partnerships & the Trust Recession: Michelle and Jason discuss affiliate strategies, referrals, and whether B2B sales cycles are slowing in a trust-challenged market. Links & Resources Cultivize [http://cultivize.com] Lead Nurturing Guide [https://cultivize.com/learnmore/] Connect with Jason on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonleighkramer/] Jason’s Podcast Appearances [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7nhiaTSIdNrXOxs2GJtUkc?si=_FZEAEFeQl6SRcjlB6ix5w&nd=1&dlsi=cc994e07d49e4542] The Local Guild Practical AI, smarter sales systems, and proven growth strategies for small businesses ready to win more customers. Start your 7-Day FREE Sales Jumpstart here: www.revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild [http://www.revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild] Objectionly 14-Day Free Trial If you are a founder or sales manager who wants to sell more and stop losing days to call review, Objectionly gives you back your time and puts accountability where it belongs. Grab your 14-Day Free Trial now: https://objectionly.com/?via=revenuerascals [https://objectionly.com/?via=revenuerascals] Go High Level 30-Day Free Trial: The AI-powered business operating system. All the tools you need to capture, nurture, and close new leads into bookings, sales, reviews, and repeat customers! Grab your 30-Day Free Trial now: www.revenuerascals.com/ghl [http://www.revenuerascals.com/ghl] Access All Revenue Rascals Resources for FREE at www.revenuerascals.com/listen [http://www.revenuerascals.com/listen] One-time sign-up gives you everything you need, including FREE hot seat coaching once a month with Michelle.  Local business owner? Stop guessing your way through growth. The Local Guild helps you get more customers, use AI practically, and build predictable revenue without becoming a full-time marketer. Start the free 7 Day Sales Jumpstart here: revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild [http://revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild] Want my eyes on your revenue strategy? Grab a call with Michelle. Revenue Rascals Discovery Call with Michelle Terpstra [https://book.revenuerascals.com/michelle] Check out three ways Michelle and her team can support your path to predictable growth. [https://michelleterpstra.com/workwithus/]  Connect with Michelle: * MichelleTerpstra.com [https://michelleterpstra.com/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellecuocoterpstra/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themichelleterpstra/?hl=en] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@revenuerascals] Disclaimer: Some episodes of Revenue Rascals may include paid sponsorships or affiliate partnerships. We only feature brands, products, or services that align with our values and are relevant to helping founders, revenue leaders, and entrepreneurs grow. Sponsorships help support the show—opinions shared are always our own.  Michelle Terpstra's Privacy Policy [https://michelleterpstra.com/privacy-policy/]

Building a Purpose-Driven Business From Zero | Starting Over at 50 with Carmine Del Sordi

What happens when the path you’re on no longer feels aligned with the life you want to build?  Michelle sits down with Carmine Del Sordi, founder of Pure & Easy Tea, to talk about how he started over in life at 50 years old. Carmine shares his journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, and how a personal passion evolved into a growing tea brand. For Carmine, building a business was all about purpose, wellness, and long-term impact. It required a completely different mindset from his previous experiences. Michelle and Carmine dive into the realities of founder-led growth and personal branding. Rather than chasing growth, Carmine discusses the value of pursuing mastery and staying true to a mission even when conventional wisdom suggests otherwise. Sometimes, your intuition is everything. And if it tells you to start over, even when it feels impractical, it might just be the best thing you will ever do. Chapters [Start] Guest Introduction: Michelle introduces Carmine Del Sordi, founder of Pure and Easy Tea, and they discuss his entrepreneurial path. 02:26 The Journey: Carmine shares how he started the journey to creating her business and the hard life challenges that inspired him. 18:02 Staying Focused on Growth: How to build and keep momentum to scale business early in the game. 34:48 Personal Identity vs Brand Identity: Why Carmine wanted to keep himself separate from his brand in the beginning of his business. 48:19 The Most Rascal Thing: The most rascal thing Carmine has ever done in business to wrap up today’s episode. Links & Resources Connect with Carmine Del Sordi Pure and Easy Tea [https://pureandeasytea.com/] ALL Social Media: @pureandeasytea  The Local Guild Practical AI, smarter sales systems, and proven growth strategies for small businesses ready to win more customers. Start your 7-Day FREE Sales Jumpstart here: www.revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild [http://www.revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild] Objectionly 14-Day Free Trial If you are a founder or sales manager who wants to sell more and stop losing days to call review, Objectionly gives you back your time and puts accountability where it belongs. Grab your 14-Day Free Trial now: https://objectionly.com/?via=revenuerascals [https://objectionly.com/?via=revenuerascals] Go High Level 30-Day Free Trial: The AI-powered business operating system. All the tools you need to capture, nurture, and close new leads into bookings, sales, reviews, and repeat customers! Grab your 30-Day Free Trial now: www.revenuerascals.com/ghl [http://www.revenuerascals.com/ghl] Access All Revenue Rascals Resources for FREE at www.revenuerascals.com/listen [http://www.revenuerascals.com/listen] One-time sign-up gives you everything you need, including FREE hot seat coaching once a month with Michelle.  Local business owner? Stop guessing your way through growth. The Local Guild helps you get more customers, use AI practically, and build predictable revenue without becoming a full-time marketer. Start the free 7 Day Sales Jumpstart here: revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild [http://revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild] Want my eyes on your revenue strategy? Grab a call with Michelle. Revenue Rascals Discovery Call with Michelle Terpstra [https://book.revenuerascals.com/michelle] Check out three ways Michelle and her team can support your path to predictable growth. [https://michelleterpstra.com/workwithus/]  Connect with Michelle: * MichelleTerpstra.com [https://michelleterpstra.com/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellecuocoterpstra/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themichelleterpstra/?hl=en] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@revenuerascals] Disclaimer: Some episodes of Revenue Rascals may include paid sponsorships or affiliate partnerships. We only feature brands, products, or services that align with our values and are relevant to helping founders, revenue leaders, and entrepreneurs grow. Sponsorships help support the show—opinions shared are always our own.  Michelle Terpstra's Privacy Policy [https://michelleterpstra.com/privacy-policy/]

How Lee Smith Bought a Business with $1 (And How You Can Do It, Too)

What if you could buy a business without spending a single dollar of your own money? Lee Smith has done it over 20 times, and he's here to break down exactly how.  Michelle sits down with Lee Smith, a business acquisition professional. Lee has bought, sold, and invested in over 27 companies across his career, building a portfolio of seven businesses doing $40 million in revenue, all without putting a penny of his own capital on the line. He unpacks the roll-up strategy that's quietly making blue-collar businesses some of the most attractive acquisition targets in today's AI-disrupted economy. Whether you're a business owner, an entrepreneur, or someone who's wondering how the deals actually get done, Lee pulls back the curtain on all of it. From buying a company with bad debt and turning it profitable in weeks, to what private equity actually looks for in a roll-up, this conversation is packed with the kind of real-world deal-making wisdom you won't find in a business school textbook. Chapters [Start] Guest Introduction: Michelle introduces Lee Smith, who shares his background in business acquisition. 04:21 The No-Money-Down Roll-Up Strategy: Lee’s strategy for buying businesses and maximizing profits. 13:20 Industries Built to Last: The industries that are big and will continue to grow in the future, according to Lee. 19:48 What Makes a Business Roll-Up Ready: The top three things that make a company attractive for a roll-up strategy. 28:02 The Most Rascal Thing: The most rascal thing Lee has done in business, and a wrap-up for the episode. Links & Resources Connect with Lee Smith Visit Lee's Website [https://www.leeasmith.co.uk/] Connect with Lee Smith on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leeantonysmith/] The Local Guild Practical AI, smarter sales systems, and proven growth strategies for small businesses ready to win more customers. Start your 7-Day FREE Sales Jumpstart here: www.revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild [http://www.revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild] Objectionly 14-Day Free Trial If you are a founder or sales manager who wants to sell more and stop losing days to call review, Objectionly gives you back your time and puts accountability where it belongs. Grab your 14-Day Free Trial now: https://objectionly.com/?via=revenuerascals [https://objectionly.com/?via=revenuerascals] Go High Level 30-Day Free Trial: The AI-powered business operating system. All the tools you need to capture, nurture, and close new leads into bookings, sales, reviews, and repeat customers! Grab your 30-Day Free Trial now: www.revenuerascals.com/ghl [http://www.revenuerascals.com/ghl] Access All Revenue Rascals Resources for FREE at www.revenuerascals.com/listen [http://www.revenuerascals.com/listen] One-time sign-up gives you everything you need, including FREE hot seat coaching once a month with Michelle.  Local business owner? Stop guessing your way through growth. The Local Guild helps you get more customers, use AI practically, and build predictable revenue without becoming a full-time marketer. Start the free 7 Day Sales Jumpstart here: revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild [http://revenuerascals.com/thelocalguild] Want my eyes on your revenue strategy? Grab a call with Michelle. Revenue Rascals Discovery Call with Michelle Terpstra [https://book.revenuerascals.com/michelle] Check out three ways Michelle and her team can support your path to predictable growth. [https://michelleterpstra.com/workwithus/]  Connect with Michelle: * MichelleTerpstra.com [https://michelleterpstra.com/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellecuocoterpstra/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themichelleterpstra/?hl=en] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@revenuerascals] Disclaimer: Some episodes of Revenue Rascals may include paid sponsorships or affiliate partnerships. We only feature brands, products, or services that align with our values and are relevant to helping founders, revenue leaders, and entrepreneurs grow. Sponsorships help support the show—opinions shared are always our own.  Michelle Terpstra's Privacy Policy [https://michelleterpstra.com/privacy-policy/]