The Psychology of Influence: How to Build Durable Business Relationships | Dana Klein

From a $25 Pair of Socks to a Signed Contract: Building a Business on Relationships | Randal Doane

What if your next big client isn't waiting at a networking event, but on the other end of a relationship you've quietly tended for years? And what if the most disruptive question you can ask in a crowded room isn't "What do you do?"  but "What do you do for fun?" In this warm and wide-ranging episode of the Network Build Grow Podcast, host Melissa Taylor sits down with Randal Doane — founder of Cadence Editorial Services, author of Stealing All Transmissions: A Secret History of The Clash, and a self-described introvert with a punk-rock approach to building relationships. From a winding path through sociology and academia to hanging up his shingle as a writer with no network and no business training, Randal shares how showing up, playing nice, and paying real attention turned a referral-first practice into something that runs almost entirely on relationships. Top Takeaways Lead with the person, not the pitch — Randal often opens with "What do you do for fun?" Some people freeze; the ones who lean in, you really get to know and that's where the real connection (and business) starts. Reciprocity compounds — A $25 gift certificate for mountain-biking socks (chosen because he actually knew the person) turned into a fixed-figure project, two years of work, and eventually an in-house role. Small, genuine gestures pay off in ways you can't predict. Your passion project is your brand — Randal still writes a monthly rock-and-roll essay on Substack and LinkedIn. People who've never met him walk up at events asking, "So what are you writing now?" Memorable beats polished. Referrals are the engine — Over 95% of his business comes from referrals. You don't go to networking events hunting your next client you go to get to know people and let them get to know you. Create content people save, not just like — An 8,000-word, six-part series on Cleveland's startup scene pulled 40,000+ impressions and turned strangers into people who recognize him in the room. You create your own luck — Serendipity is real, but it shows up for people who've put in the labor. Preparation plus opportunity does the rest. Capture the connection while it's fresh — A quick voice memo after every meeting, dropped into a CRM, beats trusting your memory (or the paper planner that always fails). Networking is an act of faith — Building a business on relationships means suspending disbelief, keeping a journal of where you've been, and trusting the road even right after a terrible networking night. About Randal Doane Randal Doane is the founder of Cadence Editorial Services and the author of Stealing All Transmissions: A Secret History of The Clash. After graduate studies in sociology in New York and a decade as an academic dean in Ohio, he became a full-time writer in 2017 by his own account with no network, no business training, and a "red shirt" rookie first year. He's since built a referral-driven copywriting and ghostwriting practice serving healthcare, mental health, and med-tech clients, with a gift for translating dense, authoritative science into clear, persuasive copy. He's also a passionate champion of Cleveland's growing startup scene and a lifelong music writer whose punk-rock sensibility shows up in how he connects with people. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on networking, leadership, branding, and business growth  🌐 Join the Network Build Grow community at networkbuildgrow.com

Building a Brand and a Referral Network as an Introvert | with Pam Horack

What if the thing holding back your financial future isn't how much you earn or what you invest in — but the fact that no one ever taught you the why behind your money? And what if the same goes for your business — the secret to growth isn't working a room harder, but building genuine relationships on your own terms? In this warm and practical episode of the Network Build Grow Podcast, host Melissa Taylor sits down with Pam Horack, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, founder of Pathfinder Planning, and the personality known to her clients as "Your Financial Mom," for a conversation that blends two powerful worlds: planning-first financial advice for everyday people and authentic, introvert-friendly networking. Top Takeaways * Planning comes before products — a real financial plan starts with your values, goals, and the why, then the investments make sense. Budget matters, but it's not where you begin. * Ask what you're retiring to, not just what you're retiring from — many people hit retirement with no idea what comes next. * Your own industry association is an overlooked goldmine — like-minded peers who serve a different client can become your best referral partners. * Networking and professional development go hand in hand — don't dismiss your industry group as "just" professional development. * Invent a persona that sticks — people may forget your name, but they'll remember "Your Financial Mom." A memorable tagline makes you unforgettable in a crowded room. * Untangle your business from your personal finances — if the two are jumbled together, you can't even tell whether you have a viable business. About Pam Horack Pam Horack is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and the founder of Pathfinder Planning, a planning-first firm she launched in 2010 to make financial planning, wealth management, and investing accessible to regular working families — not just those with a million dollars in investable assets. Known professionally as "Your Financial Mom," Pam brings a warm, human, education-driven approach to helping people get their financial lives in order so they can grow into their goals. Beyond planning and asset management, Pam has expanded into serving small and micro-business owners through her signature focus on untangling business and personal finances. Her "Financial Mom" persona powers her speaking, workshops, and business development — and she has a book on the way. A self-described introvert, Pam has built the majority of her business through referrals and authentic, relationship-first networking. Resources & Links 🌐 Network Build Grow Community: networkbuildgrow.com  💼 Pathfinder Planning — Planning-first financial advice, wealth management, and small business financial planning 👩‍👧 "Your Financial Mom" — Speaking, workshops, and financial education (book coming soon) Subscribe & Connect If this episode gave you a new way to think about your money, your business, or showing up more confidently when you network, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow entrepreneur, business owner, or anyone who could use a little financial mom wisdom. 👉 Not yet part of our community? Visit networkbuildgrow.com to join us. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on networking, leadership, branding, and business growth  🌐 Join the Network Build Grow community at networkbuildgrow.com

Mindset Is the Foundation: How to Think, Network & Grow Your Business | Anthony DeNino

What if the biggest thing standing between you and your next level of success isn't your strategy, your budget, or your connections — but the way you think? In this energizing episode of the Network Build Grow Podcast, host Melissa Taylor sits down with Anthony DeNino, founder of CORe, mental performance consultant, and keynote speaker, for a conversation that bridges two powerful worlds: the psychology of high performance and the art of authentic networking. Anthony has spent nearly 12 years helping companies, organizations, and individuals unlock greater success — not by working harder, but by thinking better. In this episode, he shares the frameworks, stories, and practical tools behind his SMART methodology, how he built his entire business through networking, and why every single interaction — from the boardroom to the nonprofit volunteer table — is an opportunity hiding in plain sight. Whether you're a business owner, sales professional, or entrepreneur who wants to show up more powerfully in every room you walk into, this episode delivers the mindset and networking strategies to make it happen. Top Takeaways 1. Mindset is not a buzzword — it's a personalized, foundational practice that must be tailored to the individual or team. 2. Know your audience before you coach them — understanding someone's fears, desires, and context makes all the difference. 3. Show up, even when you're unsure — the events you almost skip are often where the best opportunities live. 4. Presence beats attendance — put the phone down, step away from the table, and actually engage. 5. Volunteer work is underrated as a networking strategy — shared values are already established before you say a word. 6. Think with the end in mind — visualize a successful outcome before you walk in the room, not after. About Anthony DeNino Anthony DeNino is the founder of Core, a consulting and speaking practice built on one foundational belief: mindset is the foundation for everything we achieve — and everything we don't. A former sales professional and banking executive who walked away from corporate life after realizing profit was prioritized over people, Anthony channeled nearly 30 years of business experience into building a company that helps individuals and organizations reach their highest potential. As a mental performance consultant and keynote speaker, Anthony works with small and mid-sized businesses, Fortune-level companies, nonprofits, and associations — bringing a customized, deeply human approach to mindset training, leadership development, and sales performance. His signature SMART framework — Success Means Acquiring Right Thoughts — is the cornerstone of how he helps clients shift thinking, change behavior, and create lasting results. Resources & Links * 🌐 Network Build Grow Community: networkbuildgrow.com [https://networkbuildgrow.com] * 💼 Core — Mental performance consulting, keynote speaking, leadership and sales training * 🔗 Connect with Anthony DeNino on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adenino 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on networking, leadership, branding, and business growth  🌐 Join the Network Build Grow community at networkbuildgrow.com

Clear the Clutter, Elevate Your Network: Real Talk with Lianne Hofer

What if the clutter in your home and the noise in your life are the very things standing between you and your next level? In this powerhouse episode of the Network Build Grow Podcast, host Melissa Taylor sits down with Lianne Hofer — TEDx speaker, two-time international best-selling author, and one of the most sought-after declutter experts for high-achieving women — for a conversation that is equal parts practical strategy and powerful mindset shift. Lianne has spent over 15 years helping high achievers clear the noise in their homes and lives, creating the space and permission to experience more happiness, focus, and freedom. In this episode, she brings that same energy to the world of networking and business growth, showing how the principles of letting go, intentional connection, and showing up fully apply just as much to your contact list as they do to your closet. Whether you're drowning in physical clutter, a bloated network that isn't serving you, or simply feeling stuck, this conversation will make you rethink not only what you hold onto, but how you show up. Top Takeaways 1. Clutter is a delayed decision, not a character flaw — release the shame and treat it like any solvable problem. 2. Out of sight is not out of mind — hidden clutter still creates stress and steals focus from high achievers. 3. Authentic action beats a perfect plan — Lianne built 15 years of success by starting small and staying consistent. 4. Networking evolves with you — early on, quantity gets you started; quality and alignment sustain you long-term. 5. Read energy first — gut resonance is a reliable filter for who deserves more of your time and attention. 6. Share your network generously — introducing people doesn't diminish you; it multiplies your influence. 7. Lead with a compliment, not a pitch — personal openers create far more memorable connections. 8. Stand up and move — physical openness at networking events signals availability and draws people to you. 9. Small gestures compound over time — a two-second text or a handwritten note can sustain a relationship for over a decade. 10. Declutter in small bites — short, consistent efforts create lasting change; all-or-nothing thinking keeps you stuck. About Lianne Hofer Lianne Hofer is a TEDx speaker, two-time international best-selling author, and declutter expert who helps high-achieving women (and some men) clear the noise in their homes and lives — giving them the permission and space to create more happiness, focus, and freedom. With over 15 years of business experience as founder of The Clutter Consultant, Lianne brings a fresh, real-world perspective on building meaningful connections that actually move life and business forward. Blending practical strategy with powerful mindset shifts, her approach is both relatable and transformative — making you rethink not only what you hold onto, but how you show up. Her mission is simple: help you simplify, connect, and elevate. 🌐 TheClutterConsultant.com [http://TheClutterConsultant.com] | LianneHofer.com [http://LianneHofer.com] Resources & Links * 🌐 Lianne Hofer: LianneHofer.com [http://LianneHofer.com] * 🏠 The Clutter Consultant: TheClutterConsultant.com [http://TheClutterConsultant.com] * 📚 Lianne's books available at LianneHofer.com [http://LianneHofer.com] * 🎤 TEDx Talk — Sugar Creek Women, Charlotte, NC * 🌐 Network Build Grow Community: networkbuildgrow.com [https://networkbuildgrow.com] 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on networking, leadership, branding, and business growth  🌐 Join the Network Build Grow community at networkbuildgrow.com

The Psychology of Influence: How to Build Durable Business Relationships | Dana Klein

What separates professionals who consistently win business from those who don't? According to Dana Klein, it rarely comes down to the product — it comes down to the relationship. In this episode of the Network Build Grow Podcast, host Melissa Taylor sits down with Dana Klein, founder of Klein Strategies and a 35-year veteran of financial services, to unpack the science and psychology behind building relationships that actually stick. From the difference between information and application, to why "the Art of Wow" is a formula — not a feeling — Dana delivers a masterclass on what truly drives human decision-making, trust, and long-term loyalty in business. If you're in sales, business development, or simply trying to grow a more intentional network, this conversation will fundamentally shift how you think about connection. Top Takeaways 1. The product is never the differentiator — in most industries, relationships are the only lasting competitive advantage. 2. Information doesn't create change — application does — shift from training to coaching with repetition for real behavioral transformation. 3. Build durable relationships, not just contacts — invest in connections that can survive years of silence and still deliver. 4. Use The Art of Wow formula — make your gestures personal, surprising, and relevant to them, not just convenient for you. 5. Lead with calls, not emails — phone and face-to-face beat email at every stage of relationship building. 6. Don't abandon your old network — people from 20 or 30 years ago are often your warmest, most trusted connections. 7. AI is a tool, not a voice — use it to get close, but always add the human layer before you hit send. 8. Networking is more than half the job — if you treat it as optional, you'll see it reflected in your results. About Dana Klein Dana Klein is the founder of Klein Strategies, a consulting and coaching practice rooted in over 35 years of experience in financial services. Throughout his career, Dana worked extensively with investors and financial intermediaries, and came to one defining conclusion: the product is never the differentiator — the relationship is. That insight led Dana to spend the better part of two decades studying the psychology of influence — how people make decisions, what builds genuine trust, and how to motivate others to take action. Today, he channels that expertise into workshops, keynotes, and small-group coaching programs that help salespeople, business development professionals, and organizational leaders move from information overload to real, lasting behavioral change. Resources & Links * 🌐 Network Build Grow Community: networkbuildgrow.com [https://networkbuildgrow.com] * 💼 Klein Strategies — Business relationship consulting, coaching, and sales psychology training * 🔗 Connect with Dana Klein on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-klein57/ * 🛠️ GoHighLevel — CRM platform mentioned by Dana for follow-up automation 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on networking, leadership, branding, and business growth  🌐 Join the Network Build Grow community at networkbuildgrow.com