CEO Pulse Podcast

Rafael Cortez
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Semiweekly

Welcome to the CEO Pulse Podcast where you'll find the real, the raw and the mind of entrepreneurship. This is your backstage access to first-hand business experience, strategies & exclusive performance tools from successful entrepreneurs, CEO's and Game Changers. Subscribe, like & share today to join a new breed of hungry entrepreneurs just like us at www.ceopulse.com.

  1. 6d ago

    The Truth about Scaling & Hiring in the AI Era

    Welcome back to another episode of the CEO Pulse podcast! In this episode, I sit down with serial entrepreneur, best-selling author, and founder of Pareto Talent, Kasim Aslam. Kasim has built and successfully exited multiple eight-figure companies, built the world’s #1 ranked Google Ads agency (Solutions 8), and is now shifting the paradigm on how entrepreneurs hire, manage, and scale with global talent.In this deep-dive conversation, Kasim shares why conventional business advice about "scaling" is flawed, why AI makes top-tier human talent more essential than ever, and his proven framework for hiring high-performing Executive Assistants and team members globally.𝗪𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼:The Myth of Scaling: Why scaling can run counter to profitability and margin for small businesses.AI & The Workforce: Why AI amplifies talent—and why scaling mediocre employees with AI can ruin a business.The Pareto Talent Framework: How to attract, hire, and retain top 20% global talent using practical "fly traps" and trial projects.Rethinking Remote Hiring: Why international markets hold untapped, highly educated talent—and how to treat people like partners rather than commodities.The Traffic Bubble: The current state of digital marketing, paid ads, and why the pendulum is swinging back to offer quality, trust, and authenticity.The Hourglass of Niching: Kasim’s formula for starting broad, finding your X-factor, and expanding into massive profitability.Mindset & Entrepreneurship: Lessons learned from 20 years of building businesses, managing burnout, and focusing on the process over shortcuts.Time stamp:00:00 - Why "Scale" Is Ruining Small Businesses00:44 - Episode Intro & Welcoming Kasim Aslam02:12 - Kasim’s Journey: Becoming the "World’s Greatest Failure"03:54 - Why Scaling Small Businesses Makes You Irrelevant06:00 - From Digital Marketing to Placing High-Level Global Talent07:08 - Why AI Amplifies Talent (And Why Mediocre Staff Will Ruin You)09:56 - The Flawed "Commodity" Approach to Hiring Employees14:05 - Building the World’s #1 Google Ads Agency Without Running Ads18:26 - Tapping Into Untapped Global Talent Markets23:55 - The Proven Pareto Talent Hiring Framework & "Fly Traps"27:36 - The $20 Trial Project Strategy33:05 - Navigating Cultural Strengths and Idiosyncrasies Globally39:39 - Empowering Employees to Take Ownership & Buy-In44:33 - The Current State of Digital Marketing & The Traffic Bubble50:44 - Why Marketing is Normalizing Back to Human Connection & Offer Quality58:50 - The "Hourglass of Niching": How to Find Your X-Factor01:07:28 - Kasim’s Advice to His 17-Year-Old Self01:12:44 - Where to Connect with Kasim & Closing ThoughtsConnect with Kasim Aslam:Website: kasim.mePareto Talent: paretotalent.com🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more insightful, real conversations with top entrepreneurs.Hit the bell 🔔 so you never miss an episode of the CEO Pulse Podcast.

  2. Oct 29

    The RISE Framework: How to Scale & Build a Real Business

    Welcome back to the CEO Pulse Podcast! In this episode, Rafael sits down with business development expert Gary Harper, founder of Sharper Business Solutions, to deliver a masterclass on scaling, leadership, and operational success. Gary shares his powerful journey—from losing everything during the 2008 crash and dealing with critical health setbacks to building 67 businesses, completing over 1,200 real estate transactions with his team, and coaching nearly 4,000 companies. If you are looking to transition from a chaotic grinding phase to a scalable, sustainable business model, this episode is a must-watch. 𝗪𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼: Gary Harper’s Background & JourneyThe RISE Business Framework & 5 Stages of Business:Teaching vs. Coaching:Burnout & Discovering Purpose:Employee Retention & Leadership:10 Emotional PaychecksThe 4 Key KPIsHiring Criteria (Heart, Head, Hands, and Feet) Time Stamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Meeting Gary Harper of Sharper Business Solutions4 02:07 – Gary’s Humble Beginnings: Leaving school early, working real estate, and climbing the corporate ladder 05:57 – Overcoming Adversity: Surviving the 2008 financial crash, bankruptcy, and Lyme disease 10:18 – Rebuilding to 300 Deals/Year across 5 States 14:04 – The Birth of the RISE Business Framework: Bridging the 5 stages of business growth 21:23 – Teaching vs. Coaching: Why experience beats pure information 27:37 – The 3 P's of Business Success: Passion, Product, and Profits 32:44 – Building a Business Pro Forma: Managing Time, Money, and People 37:38 – The Truth About Burnout & Discovering Your Personal Purpose 43:00 – The 10 "Emotional Paychecks": How to lead and retain top-tier talent 47:22 – The 4 Core Business KPIs: Purpose, Profit, Performance, and Process Indicators 55:38 – Hiring and Retaining Talent: Evaluating Heart, Head, Hands, and Feet 01:08:12 – Gary’s Single Best Advice to His 17-Year-Old Self Connect with Gary Harper: Website: garyharper.com Sharper Business Solutions: sharperbus.com RISE Business Framework: risebusinessframework.com Social Media: @gary_harper_official on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook 🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more insightful, real conversations with top entrepreneurs. Hit the bell 🔔 so you never miss an episode of the CEO Pulse Podcast.

  3. Sep 1

    The 8-Step Sales Process with Simon Severino

    In this episode of the CEO Pulse Podcast, Rafael sits down with Simon Severino, CEO of Strategy Sprints and author of Strategy Sprints: 12 Ways to Accelerate Growth for an Agile Business. Simon shares his framework-driven approach to helping entrepreneurs double their business revenue within 90 days. 𝗪𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼: The 3-Month Sprint Strategy: Simon breaks down his monthly optimization process, focusing on increasing pricing power in month one, improving sales conversation win rates in month two, and accelerating sales velocity in month three. The 8-Step Repeatable Sales Process: An inside look into structuring high-ticket sales conversations by prioritizing active listening, visualizing client needs, and managing the timing of pricing discussions. Mindset and Longevity: Simon reflects on his 22-year journey in consulting, explaining how substituting stressful ambitions with a playful focus on having fun and leveraging compound effects has sustained his energy and prevented burnout. Time Stamps: Here are the timestamps for the key sections of the video: 00:00 - 01:36: Introduction and overview of the podcast episode. 01:37 - 04:12: Background of the guest, Simon Severino, and the origin of Strategy Sprints. 04:13 - 11:38: Detailed breakdown of the 90-day sprint stages and the 8 steps of repeatable sales. 11:39 - 13:58: Discussion on high-ticket vs. low-ticket business models. 13:59 - 17:14: Simon's passion for consulting and working across multiple industries. 17:15 - 19:10: Breakdown of the final sprint stage: increasing sales velocity and expansion selling. 19:11 - 22:50: Insights into the "200k club" mastermind and community value. 22:51 - 26:57: Mindset, avoiding burnout, and the power of compound effects. 26:58 - 28:55: Strategies for effective team delegation and operational efficiency. 28:56 - 29:59: Information on accessing free tools, templates, and Simon's book. 30:00 - 30:44: Simon's closing advice to his 17-year-old self. 30:45 - 31:59: Wrap-up, social media channels, and final remarks. Connect with Simon: Website Calendar: You can visit strategysprints.com and hop on their calendar to schedule a time to talk. YouTube: Simon is active on his YouTube channel, titled "Simon Severino High Ticket Sales". X (formerly Twitter): He is active on X at the handle @SimonSeverino. 🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more insightful, real conversations with top entrepreneurs. Hit the bell 🔔 so you never miss an episode of the CEO Pulse Podcast.

  4. Aug 18

    "Right Market, Right Strategy" with Zach Lemaster

    This video features an episode of the CEO Pulse Podcast where the host interviews guest Zach Lemaster, the CEO and owner of the turnkey investment company Rent to Retirement.𝗪𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼:Background: Zach Lemaster shares his unique background as a former U.S. Air Force captain and an optometrist. He discusses how he transitioned into real estate in 2011 and how it enabled him to build his desired lifestyle and participate in national humanitarian work.The Turnkey & Build-to-Rent Model: Zach explains his company’s systematic approach to identifying the best national investment locations based on criteria like supply and demand, landlord-friendly laws, low taxes, and economic growth. His company provides newly constructed, cash-flow-positive rental properties and handles all management for investors.Market Strategy: The conversation covers the benefits of investing in affordable, high-demand secondary markets (such as regions outside of oversaturated major cities) and following post-COVID population shifts.Risk and "IDEAL" Investing: Zach shares his mindset on risk mitigation through education and sticking to real estate fundamentals. He highlights the "IDEAL" investment acronym for wealth creation in real estate: Income, Depreciation, Equity build-up, Appreciation, and Leverage.Time Stamps:00:00 - 00:35: Guest introduction and initial overview of the "IDEAL" investment acronym.00:40 - 01:44: Formal podcast introduction, host overview of Zach Lemaster's professional background, and Zach's take on engineering his desired lifestyle.01:45 - 03:05: Discussion on buy-and-hold real estate as an active path to wealth creation.03:06 - 04:30: Transition from optometry and the military into real estate, and utilizing a VA loan for a first property.04:31 - 05:35: Action vs. knowledge, and standard real estate books that serve as entrepreneurship entry points.05:36 - 07:13: Explaining the turnkey and build-to-rent real estate model, along with market criteria (landlord laws, low taxes, growth).07:14 - 10:13: Deep dive into national market evaluation, demographic shifts to the Sun Belt/Southeast, and the benefits of affordable secondary markets.10:14 - 11:21: Post-COVID work-from-home trends and population shifts driving demand in specific regions.11:22 - 13:21: Team building strategy, leveraging local resources, scaling portfolios, and utilizing unique financing options.13:22 - 16:32: Risk mitigation, relying on real estate fundamentals, and handling market fluctuations through diversification.16:33 - 18:31: The analytical approach to real estate numbers and an in-depth breakdown of the "IDEAL" acronym (Income, Depreciation, Equity build-up, Appreciation, Leverage).18:32 - 19:53: Maintaining thick skin through deal challenges and the specific piece of advice Zach would give his 17-year-old self.19:54 - 33:36: Outro, where to find Rent to Retirement online, and host wrap-up.Connect with Zach Lemaster:Website: Visit renttoretirement.com to access investment calculators, market research, data, and to set up a consultation call.Media Channels: Check out the dedicated Rent to Retirement podcast and YouTube channel for information on creative financing and real estate strategies.Text Line: Text the letters "REI" to the number 33777 to join their email list and schedule a time to speak with their team.🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more insightful, real conversations with top entrepreneurs.Hit the bell 🔔 so you never miss an episode of the CEO Pulse Podcast.

  5. Jul 31

    Creative Finance Playbook: Building a Lifestyle Real Estate Portfolio with Jenn & Joe

    In this episode, Rafael sits down with real estate power couple Jenn and Joe Delle Fave, founders of the Creative Finance Playbook. Transitioning from a teacher and a car dealership employee in upstate New York to running and empowering a thriving community of Real Estate Investors. They share their journey of building multi-million dollar real estate wealth through lifestyle entrepreneurship. 𝗪𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼: Direct-to-Seller Strategy: Why off-market deals yield the best returns compared to saturated MLS listings. Creative Financing Mastery: How they utilize subject-to, seller financing, and lease options to purchase properties with as little as $100 down. Remote Business & Scaling: Tips on moving away from a W2, maintaining focused daily habits, and tracking high-impact KPIs (like the number of offers made weekly). Partnering with Your Spouse: How to navigate running a business together by identifying individual strengths and aligning on vision. Time Stamps: 00:00 – Intro & The Advantage of Direct-to-Seller Strategy 00:32 – Welcoming Jenn and Joe Delle Fave 02:14 – Transitioning from Local to Remote Real Estate 03:45 – Explaining Creative Financing & Their $100-Down Method 05:57 – Moving to Full-Time Real Estate & Homeschooling 07:45 – The Challenges and Focus of Sourcing Off-Market Deals 11:50 – Scaling a Business Through Community and Messy Massive Action 16:20 – How Students Are Leaving W2s Using Free Marketing Strategies 17:54 – Habits and Time Management for High-Impact Scaling 21:37 – Habit Replacement: Cutting Out Television and Netflix 22:25 – Lessons from the Car Dealership: Building Long-Term Rental Wealth 26:54 – Tracking KPIs: The Importance of Focus and Offer Velocity 28:01 – Lead Generation: Sourcing Motivated Sellers via Meta Ads 32:37 – Partnering with Your Spouse: Visionaries, Integrators, and Spousal Support 40:40 – Joining the Creative Finance Playbook Community 43:49 – Information vs. Connection: Running Virtual Teams 45:00 – What Advice Would You Give to Your 17-Year-Old Self? 47:11 – Outro & Final Takeaways Connect with Jenn & Joe: Website: creativefinanceplaybook.com YouTube: Creative Finance Playbook Socials: Search Jennifer Delle Fave and Joe  Delle Fave on Facebook & Instagram 🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more insightful, real conversations with top entrepreneurs. Hit the bell 🔔 so you never miss an episode of the CEO Pulse Podcast.

  6. Jul 15

    Lets Talk About Hot Leads with James Heartquist

    In this episode of the CEO Pulse Podcast, the host sits down with James Heartquist, the operations brain behind Property Leads, to demystify the lead generation space for real estate investors. James shares his journey from construction worker to co-founding a top-tier pay-per-lead (PPL) company and dives deep into how the platform delivers highly motivated inbound leads through organic SEO and paid advertising. The conversation covers major industry pain points, including why less than 20% of investors pick up live-transferred leads, how to keep business lines safe from carrier "spam likely" filters, and why focusing on personal sales skills—rather than just the paycheck—is the ultimate cheat code to scaling your business. Plus, hear James's advice for transitioning safely from a W-2 to real estate and why "grind season" requires building your dream after-hours. 𝗪𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼:The PPL (Pay-Per-Lead) Model.The Live Transfer OpportunityThe Reality of Lead Conversion RatesProperty Leads' Business Scaling & OperationMindset, Sales Skills, and TransitioningTime Stamps:00:00 – 02:10 | Episode Intro & The Hard Reality of Lead Generation02:11 – 08:32 | James Heartquist’s Journey: From Construction to Organic Real Estate SEO08:33 – 11:34 | Demystifying the Pay-Per-Lead (PPL) Model and Pre-Qualification11:35 – 15:13 | The Live Transfer Opportunity and Answering the Phone15:14 – 20:06 | Navigating Carrier "Spam Likely" Filters & Phone Number Remediation20:07 – 25:39 | Conversion Rates vs. Title Transfer Percentages25:40 – 29:12 | Enhancing the Home Seller Experience & Overcoming "Stranger Danger"29:13 – 34:52 | Scaling Property Leads: Operations, Hiring Pains, and Bottlenecks34:53 – 39:20 | Expanding Inbound Marketing Channels Beyond Organic SEO39:21 – 43:07 | Strategic Focus: Why Property Leads Prefers "All Steak, No Sizzle"43:08 – 46:50 | Defining the Ideal PPL Client and Minimum Marketing Budgets46:51 – 54:26 | Chasing Sales Skills and Reprogramming Mindsets for Rejection54:27 – 58:42 | The Transition Phase: W-2 Jobs, "Grind Season," and Building Your Dream58:43 – 01:01:08 | Skill Sets vs. Paychecks: Why the Money Follows Personal Growth01:01:09 – 01:06:40 | Final Thoughts: Career Advice for a 17-Year-Old & Exclusive $250 Credit OfferConnect with James Heartquist:📧 Email: James@propertyleads.com🌐 Website: propertyleads.com🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more insightful, real conversations with top entrepreneurs.Hit the bell 🔔 so you never miss an episode of the CEO Pulse Podcast.

  7. Jul 7

    Building an Ecosystem: Beyond Wholesaling to Full-Service Investing

    In this episode of the Pulse Podcast, co-founders Miguel and Rudy of Acquired share their rapid growth in the California real estate market, tracking toward $300 million in sales volume and over 6 million in assignments for 2024. They discuss the transition from solo entrepreneurs to building a systematic real estate ecosystem that includes wholesaling, flipping, escrow, and staging. 𝗪𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼: The evolution of young entrepreneurs: Moving from door-to-door sales at 15 to building a high performing real estate business. Hyper-local market mastery: How deep familiarity with specific zip codes and sub-markets prevents fatal comping errors in competitive areas like Los Angeles. Relationship-driven deal flow: Why 80% of deals come from agent relationships and the specific incentives used to keep inventory flowing. The "Team Flip" model. Accountability as the root of culture. Continuous education and the ego trap. Building an investor ecosystem: The transition from simple wholesaling to owning the entire vertical through in-house escrow, brokerage, and staging services. Time Stamps: 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to the "entrepreneur path" and the reality of the hustle. 00:31 - 01:21: Introduction of guests Miguel and Rudy from Acquired, including their 2024 sales performance and background in the California market. 00:53 - 01:12: Overview of Acquired's growth from $129 million in 2023 to tracking $300 million in 2024. 02:20 - 03:11: Discussion on the importance of systematic frameworks, teamwork, and avoiding the trap of trying to do everything yourself. 03:12 - 04:22: Explanation of why they focused on their own "backyard" in Los Angeles due to market familiarity. 05:30 - 06:30: Miguel and Rudy share how they met at a previous wholesale company and began collaborating. 07:48 - 08:16: The strategy of identifying who controls inventory in specific LA neighborhoods. 08:58 - 09:55: Discussion on average deal sizes and the expansion into fix-and-flip strategies. 10:11 - 10:49: Description of "team flips" as a method for employee retention and wealth building. 11:40 - 13:11: The realization of potential profits from flipping versus strictly wholesaling. 14:14 - 15:09: Future goals for the next three years, including gross revenue targets and expanding services like escrow and staging. 16:13 - 17:34: Personal backgrounds in sales, including door-to-door sales and detailing cars as teenagers. 17:55 - 19:21: Rudy’s introduction to real estate through the book Rich Dad Poor Dad and his early career at Keller Williams. 21:14 - 22:48: Deep dive into their specific wholesaling model, which often involves taking title to properties before reselling. 23:00 - 27:51 : Discussion on working with real estate agents and the legality of dual representation in California. 28:02 - 28:54: The speaker's three core business principles: radical transparency, extreme ownership, and people over profits. 29:55 - 31:12: The importance of culture and accountability in scaling to a billion-dollar brokerage. 32:49 - 33:26: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the acquisition team, such as writing 20 offers per week. 35:10 - 36:20: The value of investing in personal education and mentorship. 38:50 - 40:18: Advice for those starting in business: find someone crushing it and work for them to gain a "shortcut" education. 42:48 - 44:15: Humorous and challenging experiences dealing with the unique personalities of the LA real estate market. 45:26 - 47:30: Advice to their 17-year-old selves regarding confidence and surrounding themselves with the right people. 47:53 - 48:38: Contact information for Miguel, Rudy, and Acquired Connect with Acquire'd: Website: acquired-homes.com Instagram: @acquiredtm @rudy.cgomez @miggysmalls01 🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more insightful, real conversations with top entrepreneurs.

  8. Jul 2

    David Olds | EZ REI Closings & The Real Estate Markets You NEED to Focus on THIS YEAR!

    In this episode of the CEO Pulse Podcast, real estate investing veteran David Olds shares his journey from reading "Rich Dad Poor Dad" in an airport to building the nation's largest transaction coordination company. With over 24 years of experience and 9,000+ transactions managed, David provides a raw look at the grit required to scale a service-based business and the critical importance of mastering the "paperwork side" of real estate to ensure deals actually cross the finish line. 𝗪𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼: The evolution of an entrepreneur from corporate retail manager to a real estate legend. Why transaction coordination (TC) is a vital soft skill that can save thousands in potentially dead deals. Data-driven market insights: why rural deals have a 58% fail rate and how to pick secondary markets for maximum activity. The "broken" brain of a true entrepreneur and the reality of work-life counterbalance. Building a core team of "rock stars" through scalable, simple processes and leadership evolution. David's perspective on the 2026 real estate market and why it's time to "buckle up" for the next cycle. Time Stamps: 00:18 - Meet David Olds: 24 years of real estate experience and 9,000+ closings. 01:57 - The "Rich Dad Poor Dad" airport moment that started it all. 05:13 - The "broken" entrepreneur's brain and work-life counterbalance. 12:12 - Launching a transaction coordination company when everyone said it was "dumb". 16:34 - Why 50% of real estate contracts fail nationwide. 19:27 - The "Dr. No" story: Challenging title attorneys to get deals closed. 23:55 - Saving a $68,000 assignment fee from a 72-hour foreclosure deadline. 26:05 - Shocking stats: Why rural deals have a 58% death rate. 34:50 - David’s corporate to solopreneur to CEO evolution. 37:16 - The McDonald's principle: Why "simple" is the only thing that scales. 40:34 - The reality of team turnover and finding your core leadership. 49:05 - Market Selection 101: Targeting 250k-750k population secondary markets. 55:18 - Top 3 things to look for in a Transaction Coordinator. 01:00:45 - Advice to a 17-year-old self: Hold more properties. 01:07:32 - How EZREI Closings helps investors from their first deal to 60+ a month. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲: Follow David Olds on social: Facebook: facebook.com/DavidOldsREI Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/davidoldsrei TikTok: @davidoldsrei Instagram: Business Website: ezreiclosings.com 🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more insightful, real conversations with top entrepreneurs. Hit the bell 🔔 so you never miss an episode of the CEO Pulse Podcast.

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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Welcome to the CEO Pulse Podcast where you'll find the real, the raw and the mind of entrepreneurship. This is your backstage access to first-hand business experience, strategies & exclusive performance tools from successful entrepreneurs, CEO's and Game Changers. Subscribe, like & share today to join a new breed of hungry entrepreneurs just like us at www.ceopulse.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Rafael Cortez
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    137
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Rafael Cortez
  • Show Website
    CEO Pulse Podcast

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