Referrals Done Right

Scott Grates
  • 4.7 (13)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Semiweekly

The Secret to Creating Infinite Opportunities to Grow Your Small Business. Hosted by Scott Grates.

  1. 4h ago

    #169 - Stop Thinking, Start Executing • Imelda Mendoza

    In this episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates sits down with Imelda Mendoza to talk about the mindset behind nearly 14 years of building her insurance agency. Imelda shares how competition and consistent action helped her build from the ground up. She also explains how her parents shaped the belief that she could figure things out along the way. The conversation explores leadership, execution, and learning to embrace failure. Imelda shares why accountability can be an act of love and why adaptability is critical for a winning team. She also opens up about gratitude and discipline in her personal life. Her approach is built around making the most of every opportunity while helping the people around her win. In This Episode: • How Imelda built her agency from scratch through action and consistent tracking. • Why gratitude and perspective have shaped her approach to business and family. • How honest accountability can help your team win beyond the workplace. • Why execution at 70 percent can be better than waiting for perfection. • How learning to fail fast can help salespeople overcome the fear of rejection. --- Imelda Mendoza's Links: FB - https://www.facebook.com/imeldamendoza.sf IG - https://www.instagram.com/imeldabb87 --- Scott Grates' Links: Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org Referrals Done Right FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/296359076662332 Scott Grates Website - https://www.scottgrates.com Love Living Local  - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315 Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1 Scott's - https://www.instagram.com/scottgrates TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@scott.grates

    #169 - Stop Thinking, Start Executing • Imelda Mendoza

  2. 3d ago

    #168 - Vision & Value

    In this solo episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates explores why hard work alone does not create a great team. Everyone can be working hard while still rowing in different directions. The missing piece is often clarity around where the business is going and why that destination matters. Scott introduces the idea of a vision and value meeting to help leaders create that alignment. He shares questions that can uncover what a team believes the business should become and the value it creates for customers. Most importantly, leaders need to give their people a voice in the process. When people help shape the direction, they have a greater reason to row together. In This Episode: • Why effort without a shared direction can hold a team back. • The difference between understanding a job and understanding the mission. • How a vision and value meeting can create greater clarity across your team. • Why team involvement can create stronger ownership and buy in. • The questions leaders should ask before setting next year's goals. --- Scott Grates' Links: The Magnetic Niche - https://mailchi.mp/wonderlabstrategy/findyourniche Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org Referrals Done Right FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/296359076662332 Scott Grates Website - https://www.scottgrates.com Love Living Local  - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315 Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1 Scott's - https://www.instagram.com/scottgrates TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@scott.grates

    #168 - Vision & Value

  3. 6d ago

    #167 - RDR Rewind • Kari Hargrave

    In this episode we rewind to a conversation that originally aired in May 2025. Kari Hargrave is the definition of grit, creativity, and community. From launching a scratch insurance agency in a town with no stoplights to bagging groceries for free just to meet people, Kari’s story is a masterclass in hustle, heart, and doing things differently. In this conversation, Scott and Kari unpack what it really takes to build a business, a brand, and a life you’re proud of—without losing your humanity along the way. What You’ll Learn: • Why being told “you’ll never make it” was the fuel Kari needed to prove them all wrong • Creative, grassroots strategies Kari used to grow her agency from zero to one of the most respected in the country • The marketing rituals and handwritten habits that still matter in a digital world • Why she started a true crime podcast—and how it led to winning a Webby Award • How she’s helping other agents win with her new venture, Ringleaders This episode is full of laughs, lessons and real talk from one of the most inspiring agents in the game. Don’t miss it! --- Kari Hargrave's Links: FB - https://www.facebook.com/KariHargraveAgency True Texas Crime Pod - https://open.spotify.com/show/0ct7Pu7GIgyWj3IF7y2b6L --- Scott Grates' Links: Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org Referrals Done Right FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/296359076662332 Scott Grates Website - https://www.scottgrates.com Love Living Local  - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315 Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1 Scott's - https://www.instagram.com/scottgrates TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@scott.grates

    #167 - RDR Rewind • Kari Hargrave

  4. Sep 11

    #166 - Mastery Isn't Where You Start

    In this solo episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates reflects on the lessons he brought home from The Space Between Retreat. After three days of slowing down and creating space, one idea stood above the rest. The questions we are willing to sit with may be more important than the answers we constantly chase. Scott explores what he learned about joy, simplicity, and being present. He also shares a personal realization that mastery is not where the journey begins. You do not need every answer before taking the first step. Sometimes growth begins when you create enough space to listen and trust that you are already worthy of what comes next. In This Episode: • Why better questions can be more valuable than immediate answers. • What three days away from everyday distractions revealed about joy and simplicity. • How nature and stillness can create space for deeper reflection. • Why mastery is not a requirement for taking the first step. • The difference between growing from a place of inadequacy and growing from curiosity. --- Scott Grates' Links: The Magnetic Niche - https://mailchi.mp/wonderlabstrategy/findyourniche Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org Referrals Done Right FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/296359076662332 Scott Grates Website - https://www.scottgrates.com Love Living Local  - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315 Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1 Scott's - https://www.instagram.com/scottgrates TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@scott.grates

    #166 - Mastery Isn't Where You Start

  5. Sep 3

    #165 - Serving is Identity

    In this solo episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates explores one simple idea with a much deeper meaning. Serving needs to become an identity instead of an activity. Acts of service can be great for building relationships. The real test is whether you would still serve if you knew nothing was coming back in return. Scott explains how genuine service builds the trust and reputation behind a referral based business. He also challenges the idea that serving means always saying yes. Boundaries still matter because they protect your ability to help the people who matter most. When service becomes part of who you are, people begin to recognize it without needing to be told. In This Episode: • The difference between serving as a strategy and making it part of your identity • Why serving without expecting something in return builds stronger relationships. • How consistent behavior creates the trust and reputation behind referrals. • Why having a servant's heart does not mean saying yes to everything. • A simple challenge to stop keeping score and start looking for opportunities to help. --- Scott Grates' Links: The Magnetic Niche - https://mailchi.mp/wonderlabstrategy/findyourniche Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org Referrals Done Right FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/296359076662332 Scott Grates Website - https://www.scottgrates.com Love Living Local  - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315 Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1 Scott's - https://www.instagram.com/scottgrates TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@scott.grates

    #165 - Serving is Identity

  6. Aug 31

    #164 - How to Stay Human in an AI World • Samantha Calderón

    In this episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates sits down with marketing strategist Samantha Calderón to talk about simplifying marketing for solopreneurs. Samantha shares why trying to be everywhere can quickly become overwhelming. Instead, she encourages entrepreneurs to understand their ideal audience and focus on the marketing activities that actually work. Scott and Samantha also explore content creation, relationship building, and the changing role of AI in marketing. Samantha shares her approach to content days and explains why collaboration can make entrepreneurship feel less isolating. They also discuss the growing value of authenticity in an AI driven world. As technology continues to evolve, genuine human connection may become more valuable than ever. In This Episode: • Why solopreneurs should stop trying to market everywhere at once. • How content days can simplify marketing and make content creation more manageable. • Why investing deeply in a few relationships can be more valuable than knowing everyone. • How Samantha uses AI as a tool without sacrificing her voice or authenticity. • Why real human connection will continue to matter as marketing becomes more automated. --- Samantha Calderón's Links: Website - https://www.samanthacalderon.com Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-calderon-gutierrez Substack - https://substack.com/@launchwsamantha --- Scott Grates' Links: Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org Referrals Done Right FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/296359076662332 Scott Grates Website - https://www.scottgrates.com Love Living Local  - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315 Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1 Scott's - https://www.instagram.com/scottgrates TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@scott.grates

    #164 - How to Stay Human in an AI World • Samantha Calderón

  7. Aug 27

    #163 - Your Reputation Precedes You

    In this solo episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott explores the difference between your personal brand and your reputation. Your brand is what you tell the world about yourself. Your reputation is what people say about you when you are not in the room. When it comes to earning referrals, that distinction matters. Scott explains why a referral is more than a lead. It is a transfer of trust from one person to another. He shares how small actions like keeping promises and making introductions can shape the way people remember you. Instead of spending all your energy managing perception, Scott challenges you to become the person you want others to describe. You Will Learn: • Why your reputation can be more powerful than your personal brand. • What really happens when someone puts their reputation behind a referral. • How small everyday actions build trust one interaction at a time. • Why becoming more referable matters just as much as becoming more visible. • A simple exercise to evaluate the reputation you are building each week. --- Scott Grates' Links: The Magnetic Niche - https://mailchi.mp/wonderlabstrategy/findyourniche Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org Referrals Done Right FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/296359076662332 Scott Grates Website - https://www.scottgrates.com Love Living Local  - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315 Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1 Scott's - https://www.instagram.com/scottgrates TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@scott.grates

    #163 - Your Reputation Precedes You

  8. Aug 24

    #162 - Workshops That Create Clients • Sue Clement

    In this episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott Grates sits down with revenue growth strategist Sue Clement to rethink how entrepreneurs approach referrals and sales. Sue shares lessons from more than 26 years of coaching and building businesses. She explains why networking should focus on relationships instead of chasing an immediate sale. Scott and Sue also explore how workshops can create trust in a world increasingly filled with AI generated content. Sue explains why giving an audience more information is not always the answer. Instead, great workshops create awareness and help people understand the problems standing in their way. The conversation offers a practical look at simplifying growth while staying focused on real human connection. In this episode: • Why great networking is about finding referral partners instead of prospects. • How to teach your referral partners to recognize opportunities for you. • Why workshops can help experts build trust and turn audiences into clients. • The difference between providing useful insight and overwhelming people with information. • Why working the relationships you already have can be more effective than constantly chasing new leads. --- Sue Clement's Links: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sue.clement.92 Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sueclementcoach --- Scott Grates' Links: Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org Referrals Done Right FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/296359076662332 Scott Grates Website - https://www.scottgrates.com Love Living Local  - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315 Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1 Scott's - https://www.instagram.com/scottgrates TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@scott.grates

    #162 - Workshops That Create Clients • Sue Clement
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4.7
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About

The Secret to Creating Infinite Opportunities to Grow Your Small Business. Hosted by Scott Grates.

Information

  • Creator
    Scott Grates
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    169
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Referrals Done Right
  • Show Website
    Referrals Done Right

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