TOOLS TALENTS AND TECHNIQUES with Dustin Sutton

Dustin Sutton
  • 4.9 (23)
  • Business
  • Biweekly

You are building something. A business, a career, a life that actually means something. Tools, Talents, and Techniques is where founders, operators, and leaders share exactly how they did it. Host Dustin Sutton goes beyond the highlight reel to uncover the decisions, systems, and mindset shifts that separate people who talk about success from people who build it. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe and start listening. © Sutton Enterprises LLC. All rights reserved.

  1. 4d ago

    Ep. 121 | How Chris Smeal Built Future Champions Golf Into a Global Movement

    Junior golf has plenty of passion and almost no shortage of talent. What it has lacked is structure, access, and a clear path for young players to get seen. Chris Smeal spent decades fixing that. Chris is the founder of Future Champions Golf, one of the most active junior golf organizations in the world, now hosting 150 events annually across 40+ countries. He is also the co-founder of Campus, a platform connecting young golfers with college coaches and scholarship opportunities. Chris's journey started on the baseball diamond, took a sharp turn toward golf in high school, and never looked back. In this episode, Chris and Dustin talk about what it actually takes to build something in junior sports, why access and opportunity are still the biggest barriers in golf, and how technology is finally starting to close the gap. 🔑 What You Will Learn How Chris went from getting cut from his college golf team to founding one of the world's top junior golf organizationsWhy there were not enough avenues for junior golfers to compete and how Future Champions Golf filled that gapHow Campus is helping young athletes connect with college coaches and secure scholarshipsWhat it takes to scale a youth sports organization to 40+ countriesWhy passion and perseverance matter more than a perfect start 🔗 Connect with Chris Smeal Website: https://www.chrissmeal.com Future Champions Golf: https://futurechampionsgolf.com CAMPUS: https://gocampus.io/ 🎙️ About Tools, Talents, and Techniques Hosted by Dustin Sutton, Tools Talents and Techniques is a podcast for founders, operators, and professionals who want to go deeper than surface-level success stories. Every episode unpacks how high performers think, decide, and build things that last. 📲 Subscribe and leave a review if this episode brought you value. 🌐 toolstalentstechniques.com 🎬 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dustincsutton 🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tools-talents-and-techniques-with-dustin-sutton/id1692838507 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pQZ551Ct4jVRQ2BqB7Zr2?si=740ba4a90165417a 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the3tpod/ 💼 Sutton Growth Partners | Strategy. Systems. Execution. 🌐 suttongrowthpartners.com

    Ep. 121 | How Chris Smeal Built Future Champions Golf Into a Global Movement

  2. Oct 20

    Ep. 120 | One Platform for Youth Athlete Development | John Osberg, Brandlete

    Youth sports has plenty of apps and almost no real connection between them. John Osberg, VP of Partnerships at Brandlete, joins Dustin to talk about building one platform that brings communication, operations, and athlete development together in one place. 🏆 The Gap Brandlete Set Out to Fill About five years ago, John saw a problem. Sports organizations were juggling disconnected tools, and no one had built a solution that could “bring everything into one place and do it thoughtfully and efficiently.” Brandlete is built to streamline operations and make youth sports more accessible. ⛳ An Athlete’s Perspective Sports have been part of John’s life from the start, including time on the golf course with his grandmother. He shares why he is passionate about opening up sports like golf to more communities. As he puts it, “It’s bigger than sports. It’s not just the game, it’s the competition; there’s so much inside of what sports will do.” Dustin adds his own story of finding golf later in life. 📈 A Platform Built for Growth Brandlete gives athletes a measurable, customized development plan that blends technology with personal growth. John talks about the athletes he is most excited to help: the ones on the fringe of playing at the D1, D2, or D3 level. 💡 What You’ll Take Away How technology can unify a fragmented youth sports experience Why access to sports shapes lives well beyond the game How a measurable development plan can help athletes reach the next level 🔗 Connect with John Osberg John Osberg, VP of Partnerships, Brandlete, Inc. Learn more about Brandlete: https://brandlete.com John’s site: https://johnosberg.com/ LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/johnosberg/ Email: john@brandlete.com 🎧 About the Show Tools, Talents & Techniques with Dustin Sutton features conversations with founders, operators, and leaders about how they think and build. Find every episode at toolstalentstechniques.com. 🌐 toolstalentstechniques.com 🎬 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dustincsutton 🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tools-talents-and-techniques-with-dustin-sutton/id1692838507 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pQZ551Ct4jVRQ2BqB7Zr2?si=740ba4a90165417a📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the3tpod/ https://suttongrowthpartners.com https://journey.suttongrowthpartners.com/

    Ep. 120 | One Platform for Youth Athlete Development | John Osberg, Brandlete

  3. Oct 14

    Ep. 119 | From Secret Service to Self-Made: Shawn Honer on Betting on Yourself

    After a career that spanned the U.S. Navy and the Secret Service, Shawn Honer knew a day would come when he didn’t want to clock in anymore. So he built a life where he wouldn’t have to. In Episode 119, Dustin sits down with Shawn to talk about his journey from government service to entrepreneurship. Shawn shares how he learned the business by talking to people and finding mentors who took him under their wing. He also explains how he built confidence through small wins, like convincing a seller to finance his first rental property instead of going to the bank. From there, the conversation covers his weight loss and bodybuilding journey, starting Sugar Bear Coffee in Colombia, the role of therapy and mental health in his success, and why the skills he learned in uniform still drive how he operates today. If you’re thinking about making a leap of your own, this one will give you the push. 🔑 What You Will Learn -How Shawn made the leap from government service to business owner -Why mentors and conversations taught him more than books or seminars -How he negotiated owner financing on his first rental property -How small wins build the confidence to take bigger swings -Which military and Secret Service skills carry over into business -How he balances health, fitness, family, and entrepreneurship -Why asking for help early is a strength, not a weakness -The daily routines that keep him focused 🕐 Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Shawn’s Background 02:39 Deciding to Leave Government Service 04:50 First Steps into Entrepreneurship and Learning 06:40 Building Confidence Through Small Wins 09:55 Transferable Skills from Military and Government 12:33 Family, Leadership, and Personal Growth 14:33 Weight Loss Journey and Bodybuilding 17:48 Starting Sugar Bear Coffee in Colombia 20:42 The Importance of Community and Asking for Help 23:36 Daily Routines and Time Management 27:56 Retirement Plans Versus Reality 30:52 Dreams and Future Plans 33:44 Final Thoughts and Parting Words 🔗 Connect with Shawn Honer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-honer-90544315b/ 🎙️ About Tools, Talents, and Techniques Hosted by Dustin Sutton, Tools, Talents, and Techniques is a podcast for founders, operators, and professionals who want to go deeper than surface-level success stories. Every episode unpacks how high performers think, decide, and build things that last. 📲 Subscribe and leave a review if this episode brought you value. 🌐 Podcast Homepage: toolstalentstechniques.com 💼 Sutton Growth Partners | Strategy. Systems. Execution. suttongrowthpartners.com

    Ep. 119 | From Secret Service to Self-Made: Shawn Honer on Betting on Yourself

  4. Oct 8

    Ep. 118 | Build What Lasts: Bob Campana on Culture, Design, and Memory Moments

    Bob Campana started his entrepreneurial journey at 21 with $500 and a drive to succeed. Decades later, he is still building places people never forget. In Episode 118, Dustin sits down with Bob, founder of Redwood Food and Wine and author of Don't Look Down, to talk about what it takes to build what lasts. Bob shares the story of relocating the Redwood Cafe, partnering with a billionaire on the River Islands project, and why environment, lighting, and nonverbal cues shape how people feel the moment they walk in. He also explains why he hires for attitude over skill, how "memory moments" define a customer's experience, and how AI is helping him plan his next large-scale project. If you are building a business, a brand, or a community, this one is worth your time. 🔑 What You Will Learn -How Bob turned $500 into a lifetime of building businesses -Why our fears are often magnified by our own internal conversation -How flat-rate pricing transformed a plumbing business -Why a positive attitude beats a skilled hire every time -How design and nonverbal cues create emotional connection -What memory moments are and why they shape your brand -How to build a third place where people feel they belong -How AI is shaping Bob's next large-scale project 📚 Bob's Book "Don't Look Down": https://a.co/d/0hTLVV4I 🔗 Connect with Bob Campana LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-campana-entrepreneur/ Redwood Food and Wine: https://www.redwoodfoodandwine.com/ 🎙️ About Tools, Talents, and Techniques Hosted by Dustin Sutton, Tools, Talents, and Techniques is a podcast for founders, operators, and professionals who want to go deeper than surface-level success stories. Every episode unpacks how high performers think, decide, and build things that last. 📲 Subscribe and leave a review if this episode brought you value. 🌐 Podcast Homepage: toolstalentstechniques.com 💼 Sutton Growth Partners | Strategy. Systems. Execution. suttongrowthpartners.com

    Ep. 118 | Build What Lasts: Bob Campana on Culture, Design, and Memory Moments

  5. Sep 24

    Ep. 117 | How to Adapt Your Business for the AI Era with Toni Taylor Gozza

    Most business owners know AI exists. The harder question is where their business is losing time, money, and capacity, and what would actually fix it. Toni Taylor Gozza spent 35 years in the mortgage industry before founding The Gozza Gap, a consultancy that helps owners find and close gaps across their people, processes, and technology. Sometimes the answer is AI. Sometimes it is automation, a better process, or removing a step that no longer serves a purpose. Toni is also a co-author of the Amazon bestselling AI Prompt Handbook. In Episode 117, Toni joins Dustin Sutton to discuss her journey from mortgage industry veteran to business improvement consultant. They revisit the 2008 financial crisis, the role resilience played in rebuilding, and how therapy and meditation changed the way Toni leads. They also talk about writing her book, adopting AI with purpose, and spotting the problems business owners are often too close to see. What you’ll learn How Toni made the move from mortgage lending to The Gozza GapWhat the 2008 financial crisis taught her about resilienceHow personal growth changed her leadership and relationshipsWhy AI works best when you start with a business problemHow to identify gaps that drain time, money, and capacityPractical ways to begin using AI, wherever you are starting Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Toni 03:29 From mortgages to AI entrepreneurship 07:36 Lessons from the 2008 financial crisis 11:56 Resilience and mentorship 19:17 Therapy, meditation, and mindset 37:07 Discovering AI and writing The AI Prompt Handbook 43:51 Collaborating with co-authors 47:17 Finding and closing business gaps 52:24 Practical advice for AI adoption 58:58 The inside job and living in the present Connect with Toni The Gozza Gap: https://gozzagap.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thegozzagap/ Email: toni@gozzagap.com The AI Prompt Handbook: Available on Amazon Follow Tools, Talents, and Techniques Website: https://toolstalentstechniques.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dustincsutton Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tools-talents-and-techniques-with-dustin-sutton/id1692838507 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pQZ551Ct4jVRQ2BqB7Zr2 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the3tpod/ Brought to you in part by Sutton Growth Partners | Strategy. Systems. Execution. https://suttongrowthpartners.com

    Ep. 117 | How to Adapt Your Business for the AI Era with Toni Taylor Gozza

  6. Aug 24

    Ep. 116 | Golf District Is Changing the Game for Golf Courses | Founder and CEO - Kevin Kalner

    Golf courses are leaving revenue on the table every single day — and most operators don't even see it happening. In this episode, Kevin Kalner, founder of Golf District, breaks down how his booking platform is bringing dynamic pricing and revenue management to an industry that's been stuck in the past. Kevin shares his journey from golf enthusiast to startup founder, walking through how COVID-19 accelerated growth across the golf industry, why so many courses are unknowingly losing revenue, and how Golf District's tee time booking platform is solving the perishability problem that's plagued golf courses for decades. We also get into the unsolicited offer feature that's creating a new buying habit for golfers, the real challenges of driving change management and adoption in a legacy industry, and what it takes to build and lead a startup team from the ground up. Topics covered in this episode: Kevin Kalner's path from golf sales to founding Golf DistrictThe evolution of golf courses in San Diego and beyondHow COVID-19 changed the trajectory of the golf industryIdentifying revenue leakage and pricing inefficiencies at golf coursesBuilding Golf District's dynamic pricing and booking platformHow prepaid tee times solve golf's perishability problemThe unsolicited offer feature and price discovery in golfManaging change and driving adoption in a traditional industryLessons on entrepreneurship, team building, and staying motivatedWhere Golf District is headed next "Let the content dictate the format." "Unsolicited offers create a new buying habit in golf." "The milestones keep us motivated and moving forward." Resources & links: Golf District — https://www.golfdistrict.com Kevin Kalner on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinkalner Golf District on Twitter/X — https://twitter.com/GOLFdistrict_ Follow Tools, Talents, and Techniques on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/the3tpod/ Follow the show on Twitter/X — https://twitter.com/the3tpod Episode music by C€$ on Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/artist/21zXwxV9nWaiE6iAleU6ww

    Ep. 116 | Golf District Is Changing the Game for Golf Courses | Founder and CEO - Kevin Kalner

  7. Aug 6

    Ep. 115 | From Court to Courtroom: Tracy Schimelfenig's Journey in Sports and Law

    🏀 From Court to Courtroom: Tracy Schimelfenig on Sports Law, NIL, and the Future of Women's Sports She went from college basketball player to courtroom. And she will tell you the skills that made her a great athlete are the same ones that make her a great attorney. Tracy Schimelfenig is the founder and Managing Attorney of Schimelfenig Legal, a San Diego-based firm focused on sports, business, and nonprofit law. With 20 years of experience spanning litigation, in-house counsel, and transactional work, Tracy brings a perspective to sports law that most attorneys simply do not have. She has lived it as an athlete, and now she fights for the people still in it. 🔑 What You Will Learn How basketball shaped Tracy's entire approach to thinking and practicing lawWhat sports law actually covers including NIL, athlete representation, and stadium dealsWhy the NIL space is still the Wild West and what athletes need to know right nowThe mental health and identity challenges athletes face when their playing days endWhy women's sports is one of the biggest investment opportunities in the market today🕐 Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Tracy's Background in Sports and Law 02:45 How Tracy Fell in Love with Basketball 05:46 Athletic Identity and College Basketball Journey 09:22 Mentors, Coaches, and Lessons Learned from Sports 12:50 Deciding to Pursue Law and Early Influences 14:01 Law School and Developing a Strategic Mindset 16:16 How Sports Shaped Her Approach to Law 19:39 Specializing in Sports Law and Athlete Advocacy 22:50 NIL and the Evolving Landscape of Sports Business 25:10 Women's Sports Initiatives and Community Impact 27:53 Future Projects and Her Vision for Her Firm 47:14 Mental Health, Injuries, and the Athlete's Journey 47:49 Parting Words and Advice for Listeners 🔗 Resources Mentioned The Hoopers Collective: https://www.thehooperscollective.com Schimelfenig Legal: https://www.schimelfeniglegal.com 🔗 Connect with Tracy Schimelfenig LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyschimelfenig Website: https://www.schimelfeniglegal.com 🎙️ About Tools, Talents, and Techniques Hosted by Dustin Sutton, Tools Talents and Techniques is a podcast for founders, operators, and professionals who want to go deeper than surface-level success stories. Every episode unpacks how high performers think, decide, and build things that last. 🌐 toolstalentstechniques.com 🎬 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dustincsutton 🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tools-talents-and-techniques-with-dustin-sutton/id1692838507 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pQZ551Ct4jVRQ2BqB7Zr2?si=740ba4a90165417a

    Ep. 115 | From Court to Courtroom: Tracy Schimelfenig's Journey in Sports and Law

  8. Jul 21

    Ep. 114 | San Diego's Economic Powerhouse: Talent, Trade & Leadership w/ Mark Cafferty

    In this episode, I sit down with Mark Cafferty of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to unpack what's really driving San Diego's economy — from cross-border trade with Mexico to the talent pipelines fueling regional growth. Mark shares how the EDC engages with industry, the leadership lessons he's picked up from mentors and other cities, and why data-driven decision-making sits at the center of good economic development. We also get into the housing supply conversation and what it will actually take for San Diego households to thrive. 🔑 What You Will Learn • How San Diego's economy is structured and which industries are driving its growth • Why the cross-border relationship with Mexico matters more than most people realize • The leadership principles shaping how the EDC operates and communicates across industries • How San Diego attracts and develops the talent that fuels long-term growth • Why data-driven decision-making is central to smart, effective economic development 🕐 Timestamps 0:00 Introduction to Mark Cafferty and the EDC 2:03 San Diego's Economic Landscape 5:01 Cross-Border Economic Relationships 8:42 Mark's Journey to San Diego 13:40 Communication and Engagement Strategies 19:44 Understanding Industry Needs 24:33 Building a Positive Organizational Culture 27:26 Influential Leadership: Lessons from Mentors 31:27 Learning from Experience: The Value of Observing Others 32:20 Cross-City Learning: Gaining Insights from Other Regions 38:16 Building a Strong Research Foundation: The Role of Data 42:10 Addressing Regional Challenges: Prioritizing Economic Development 48:17 Strategies for Thriving Households: Economic Solutions San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation: https://www.sandiegobusiness.org/ Cross-Border Trade and Collaboration: https://www.sandiegobusiness.org/cross-border/ 🔗 Connect with Mark Cafferty LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-cafferty-61b3765/ 📲 Subscribe and leave a review if this episode brought you value. 🌐 toolstalentstechniques.com Tune into our episodes on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dustincsutton Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tools-talents-and-techniques-with-dustin-sutton/id1692838507 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pQZ551Ct4jVRQ2BqB7Zr2?si=740ba4a90165417a Instagram: @the3Tpod X: https://twitter.com/the3tpod Music provided by C€$ on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/21zXwxV9nWaiE6iAleU6ww #SanDiego #EconomicDevelopment #Leadership #CrossBorderTrade #Talent #SmallBusiness #ToolsTalentsAndTechniques

    Ep. 114 | San Diego's Economic Powerhouse: Talent, Trade & Leadership w/ Mark Cafferty
See All (127)

Trailers

4.9
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

You are building something. A business, a career, a life that actually means something. Tools, Talents, and Techniques is where founders, operators, and leaders share exactly how they did it. Host Dustin Sutton goes beyond the highlight reel to uncover the decisions, systems, and mindset shifts that separate people who talk about success from people who build it. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe and start listening. © Sutton Enterprises LLC. All rights reserved.

Information