Sales as Service

Tamara Smith
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MARKETING

Sales as Service is the podcast for creative agencies and solopreneurs who want to grow their businesses without feeling awkward about sales. If you’ve ever thought, “I hate selling,” or wondered how to get more clients, this show is for you. We make sales simple and approachable with practical tips on topics like: How to get clients for your creative businessEasy sales strategies for solopreneursOvercoming the fear of sellingBuilding a sales process that works Whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, or running your own agency, you’ll learn how to handle objections, close deals, and grow your business with confidence—without hard-sell tactics.  Listen in to discover how a simple change in your perspective can create a complex change in your business. 

  1. Your Client Experience is Your Sales Strategy with Vance Morris

    3D AGO

    Your Client Experience is Your Sales Strategy with Vance Morris

    There’s a lot of people out there who do what you do. From the outside, it can feel like you’re competing on the same offer, the same services, the same outcomes. But what actually sets your business apart isn’t what you sell—it’s the experience of working with you. In this conversation, I sit down with Vance Morris, former Disney leader turned entrepreneur, to break down how customer experience directly impacts retention, referrals, and long-term growth. We talk about the small, often overlooked moments that shape how clients perceive your business—and why those moments matter more than any new strategy or tactic. If you’ve been focused on finding the next big thing, this episode is a reminder that your biggest opportunity might already be inside your business. In this episode, we cover: Why customer experience is your real competitive advantageThe gap between the journey you design and what clients actually experienceSimple ways to elevate your client experience without more time or budgetWhere businesses unintentionally break trust (and how to fix it)How small moments drive referrals, retention, and repeat businessSales as Service Challenge — Start Now! Look at one part of your client experience—just one. Instead of asking, “What do I need to add?” Ask yourself: Where am I overlooking the obvious? Where could you be more thoughtful?More responsive?More intentional?Then choose one simple upgrade: Pick up the phone instead of sending the emailSend a handwritten noteImprove one moment that feels rushed or transactionalKeep it small. Keep it doable. Links & Resources: Learn more about Vance MorrisConnect with Vance on LinkedIn and YouTubeDownload 52 Ways to Wow Your CustomerJoin us for the next SAS LIVE Office Hours Event! Simply sales with the VIP Power Hour - download the FREE guideLearn how to consistently book 3–5 sales-qualified meetings each week - Book an Alignment Call Have an episode idea? DM me on LinkedIn and let me know! — Nothing happens in business — or life — until someone says hi. That's the philosophy behind Tam Smith's work as founder of Studio Three 49. As a Sales Growth Strategist, she helps service founders build relationship-first sales systems through focused 1–3 day intensives — so they can stop relying solely on referrals, no cold pitching required. With 15+ years in sales leadership, Tam believes sales is an act of service. It's about what you give, not what you get. And when you serve well, the results always follow. When she's not working with clients, you'll likely find her rock climbing or mapping out her next adventure with her Supermutt, Ila, in Durham, NC.

    29 min
  2. Success on Your Own Terms with Erin Hines

    APR 1

    Success on Your Own Terms with Erin Hines

    What if the version of success you’ve been chasing is not actually the one you want? In this episode, I sit down with Erin Hines, founder of Darn Good Business Coach, to talk about the pressure so many business owners feel to keep doing more, growing bigger, and pushing harder. We unpack the conditioning behind that mindset and explore what it looks like to build a business that feels aligned with your values, your energy, and the life you actually want to live. Erin brings a holistic perspective to business growth, blending strategy, Human Design, and a clear-eyed look at burnout, boundaries, and overdoing. This conversation is especially timely for anyone who has been questioning whether scale is really the goal — or whether success might look more personal, more intentional, and more sustainable than what the business world often celebrates. In this episode, we talk about: Why bigger is not always better in businessThe difference between growth you truly want and growth you feel you should wantWhat “undoing” looks like in a real workweekHow to honor your boundaries when there is still work left undoneThe role of energy, decision-making, and self-trust in sustainable business growthSales as Service Challenge — Start Now! Take one look at your sales or business development process this week and ask yourself: Am I doing it this way because it works for me, or because I think this is what I’m supposed to do? Then make one small adjustment this week that brings your process back into better alignment with your values, your capacity, and the way you actually want to work. The goal is not to do less just for the sake of doing less. The goal is to build a sales process and business development rhythm you can actually sustain. Links & Resources: Learn more about ErinConnect with Erin on LinkedIn and InstagramListen to the Rebel to Rise podcastJoin us for the next SAS LIVE Office Hours Event! Simply sales with the VIP Power Hour - download the FREE guideLearn how to consistently book 3–5 sales-qualified meetings each week - Book an Alignment Call Have an episode idea? DM me on LinkedIn and let me know! — Nothing happens in business — or life — until someone says hi. That's the philosophy behind Tam Smith's work as founder of Studio Three 49. As a Sales Growth Strategist, she helps service founders build relationship-first sales systems through focused 1–3 day intensives — so they can stop relying solely on referrals, no cold pitching required. With 15+ years in sales leadership, Tam believes sales is an act of service. It's about what you give, not what you get. And when you serve well, the results always follow. When she's not working with clients, you'll likely find her rock climbing or mapping out her next adventure with her Supermutt, Ila, in Durham, NC.

    37 min
  3. Retention Over Replacement: Keeping Clients Instead of Constantly Replacing Them with Erica Wood

    MAR 25

    Retention Over Replacement: Keeping Clients Instead of Constantly Replacing Them with Erica Wood

    What if one of the biggest growth opportunities in your business isn’t finding the next client, but keeping the ones you already worked so hard to win? In this episode, I’m joined by Erica Wood, founder of Client Journey Advisors. Erica helps growing service-based businesses transform reactive service delivery into intentional, scalable client journeys that build trust and reduce churn. We talk about what “client journey” really means, why it starts earlier than most people think, and how easily trust can break down when founders get too focused on acquisition and not focused enough on the experience happening after the sale. This conversation is a reminder that sales is not just about getting the yes. It’s about what happens next. Erica shares practical insight on where trust tends to slip, why the first 30 days matter so much, and how a few intentional touchpoints can make a real difference in retention, referrals, and client growth. In this episode, we cover: What a client journey actually is in a growing service-based businessWhy the most important client is the one you have right in front of youEarly warning signs that growth is starting to strain the client experienceHow to create intentional retention touchpoints, especially in the first 30 daysSmall changes founders can make to reduce churn and build more trust over timeSales as Service Challenge — Start Now! Take 20 minutes this week and map out your current client journey from the moment someone says yes to the moment the project or engagement ends. Look at each step and ask yourself: Where might a client be confused, disconnected, or unsure of what happens next? Then choose one place in that journey where you can add more clarity or more care this week. That might look like: Improving your onboarding emailAdding a proactive check-inSending a simple “here’s what to expect next” message=Creating a clearer offboarding step that keeps the relationship openDo not try to rebuild everything at once. Just find one place where trust may be leaking and fix that first.  Links & Resources: Learn more about Client Journey AdvisorsConnect with Erica on LinkedInJoin us for the next SAS LIVE Office Hours Event! Simply sales with the VIP Power Hour - download the FREE guideLearn how to consistently book 3–5 sales-qualified meetings each week - Book an Alignment CallHave an episode idea? DM me on LinkedIn and let me know! — Nothing happens in business — or life — until someone says hi. That's the philosophy behind Tam Smith's work as founder of Studio Three 49. As a Sales Growth Strategist, she helps service founders build relationship-first sales systems through focused 1–3 day intensives — so they can stop relying solely on referrals, no cold pitching required. With 15+ years in sales leadership, Tam believes sales is an act of service. It's about what you give, not what you get. And when you serve well, the results always follow. When she's not working with clients, you'll likely find her rock climbing or mapping out her next adventure with her Supermutt, Ila, in Durham, NC.

    33 min
  4. Minisode: Your Problem Isn’t the Algorithm

    MAR 18

    Minisode: Your Problem Isn’t the Algorithm

    We've all been there — refreshing our analytics, watching a post disappear into the void, and wondering why the clients aren't coming. But what if the algorithm isn't actually the problem? In this solo minisode of Sales as Service, I'm breaking down why content alone was never meant to carry the full weight of your business development — and what to do instead. We explore: Why posting feels productive but isn't a sales strategyThe real difference between visibility and initiationHow to stop blaming the algorithm and start building on purposeThe math behind consistent, predictable revenueWhy female founders hesitate to initiate — and how to shift thatGot a question about sales, warm outreach, or leading your own sales process? This show is shaped by real questions from agency owners and service-based founders. Send yours via LinkedIn or email Tam directly at heytam@studiothree49.com — if you're dealing with it, chances are you're not the only one. Sales as Service Challenge — Start Now! This week, set aside 20 minutes a day for initiation only. Reach out to three people: One past contactOne warm prospectOne new aligned connectionStart with something real — a thoughtful question, a relevant observation, a resource, or a referral. Do that for a month, then tell me the algorithm is your biggest problem. Links & Resources: Join us for the next SAS LIVE Office Hours Event! Simply sales with the VIP Power Hour - download the FREE guideLearn how to consistently book 3–5 sales-qualified meetings each week - book your free strategy callHave an episode idea? DM me on LinkedIn and let me know! — Nothing happens in business — or life — until someone says hi. That's the philosophy behind Tam Smith's work as founder of Studio Three 49. As a Sales Growth Strategist, she helps service founders build relationship-first sales systems through focused 1–3 day intensives — so they can stop relying solely on referrals, no cold pitching required. With 15+ years in sales leadership, Tam believes sales is an act of service. It's about what you give, not what you get. And when you serve well, the results always follow. When she's not working with clients, you'll likely find her rock climbing or mapping out her next adventure with her Supermutt, Ila, in Durham, NC.

    11 min
  5. Initiate, Don’t Wait: The Mindset Behind Sustainable Growth with Kirstin Brenders

    MAR 11

    Initiate, Don’t Wait: The Mindset Behind Sustainable Growth with Kirstin Brenders

    For so many women — especially those of us who built our careers inside structured environments — waiting to be chosen becomes second nature. We wait for the promotion, the opportunity, the client, the seat at the table. But at some point, the waiting stops working. In this episode of Sales as Service, I sit down with Kirstin Brenders, Online Business Mentor and Founder of Kirstin Brenders & Company, to talk about what shifts when you stop waiting for permission and start initiating your own growth. Kirstin shares her transition from corporate manager to entrepreneur and how she now mentors women who want to pivot into online business — without building an empire, burning out, or abandoning their values. We explore: Why high-achieving women are conditioned to wait to be chosenThe hidden cost of “more time” thinking in corporate and entrepreneurshipHow visibility builds confidence before revenue followsThe difference between selling for validation and selling from self-trustHow one small proactive step can unlock new momentum in businessSales as Service Challenge — Start Now! This week, identify one opportunity you’ve been quietly waiting on — a collaboration, a client, a raise, a conversation, or a new direction. Instead of waiting for clarity or confidence, take one small visible step: Send the message.Ask for the meeting.Share the post.Raise your rate.Not the five-year plan. Just the next right move. Sales growth doesn’t come from being chosen. It comes from choosing yourself.  Links & Resources: Learn more about KB&CoConnect with Kirstin on LinkedinJoin us for the next SAS LIVE Office Hours Event! Simply sales with the VIP Power Hour - download the FREE guideLearn how to consistently book 3–5 sales-qualified meetings each week - Book your free strategy callHave an episode idea? DM me on LinkedIn and let me know! — Nothing happens in business — or life — until someone says hi. That's the philosophy behind Tam Smith's work as founder of Studio Three 49. As a Sales Growth Strategist, she helps service founders build relationship-first sales systems through focused 1–3 day intensives — so they can stop relying solely on referrals, no cold pitching required. With 15+ years in sales leadership, Tam believes sales is an act of service. It's about what you give, not what you get. And when you serve well, the results always follow. When she's not working with clients, you'll likely find her rock climbing or mapping out her next adventure with her Supermutt, Ila, in Durham, NC.

    34 min
  6. Eliminate Random Acts: The Discipline Behind Sustainable Growth with Laura Patterson

    MAR 4

    Eliminate Random Acts: The Discipline Behind Sustainable Growth with Laura Patterson

    Longevity in business isn’t built on intensity. It’s built on discipline and consistency. In this episode, I sit down with Laura Patterson, Founder and President of VisionEdge Marketing, a strategic growth consulting firm she launched in 1999. With more than 25 years of experience helping companies drive measurable growth, Laura shares what it really takes to build a business that endures. We unpack customer-centric growth, the danger of “random acts,” and how to align sales and marketing around outcomes that actually matter. If you’ve ever felt busy but unsure whether your activity is translating into traction, this conversation will sharpen your thinking. In this episode, we cover: Why defining outcomes in customer terms changes everythingThe difference between performance targets and dashboardsHow to identify and eliminate “random acts” in your businessWhat profitable, sustainable growth actually requiresHow to align daily sales activity with long-term strategic outcomesSales as Service Challenge — Start Now! Pick one specific customer outcome you’re driving toward this quarter. Maybe it’s acquiring X new clients. Maybe it’s expanding services within X existing accounts. Then ask yourself: What am I currently doing that directly supports that outcome? And just as importantly — What am I doing that doesn’t? If it doesn’t clearly connect, it might be a random act. And random acts may feel productive… but they dilute profitable growth. This week, eliminate one random act. Then reallocate that time toward something that directly supports your defined customer outcome — whether that’s initiating five intentional conversations, deepening relationships with existing clients, or tightening your positioning around a specific niche. Clarity creates focus. Focus creates traction. And traction creates the foundation for sustainable growth. Links & Resources: Learn more about VisionEdge MarketingConnect with Laura on LinkedInFind VisionEdge Marketing on YouTubeJoin us for the next SAS LIVE Office Hours Event! Simply sales with the VIP Power Hour - download the FREE guideLearn how to consistently book 3–5 sales-qualified meetings each week - Book your free strategy callGet on the list - Become a SAS Email Insider Have an episode idea? DM me on LinkedIn and let me know! — Nothing happens in business — or life — until someone says hi. That's the philosophy behind Tam Smith's work as founder of Studio Three 49. As a Sales Growth Strategist, she helps service founders build relationship-first sales systems through focused 1–3 day intensives — so they can stop relying solely on referrals, no cold pitching required. With 15+ years in sales leadership, Tam believes sales is an act of service. It's about what you give, not what you get. And when you serve well, the results always follow. When she's not working with clients, you'll likely find her rock climbing or mapping out her next adventure with her Supermutt, Ila, in Durham, NC.

    48 min
  7. Stop Waiting. Start Initiating: Building Predictable Pipeline Through Relationships with Bryan Coble

    FEB 25

    Stop Waiting. Start Initiating: Building Predictable Pipeline Through Relationships with Bryan Coble

    Sales has never been more automated. AI can write your emails, personalize outreach, and schedule follow-ups. But as tools multiply, something important is getting lost: the discipline of direct, human connection. In this episode of Sales as Service, I sit down with Bryan Coble, President of ACC Go to Market Consulting, to unpack why relationship-based business development is not passive — it’s an intentional, structured practice. We talk about the difference between marketing visibility and real pipeline creation, how AI should enhance (not replace) relationships, and why predictable revenue is built over years, not weeks. If you’ve been waiting for pipeline to “kick in,” this conversation is your reminder: stop waiting. Start initiating. In this episode, we cover: Why automation is increasing noise — and making genuine connection more valuableThe difference between posting content and practicing business developmentHow to build an intentional referral network (beyond just client referrals)Relationship-driven KPIs that matter more than vanity metricsWhy consistent outreach over time creates sustainable, predictable revenueSales as Service Challenge — Start Now! Initiate five intentional conversations in the next 7 days. Reach out to: A current client you haven’t checked in with recentlyA past client who loved your workA referral partner you should be nurturingA potential collaboratorOr someone you genuinely admire in your spaceYour goal is simple: Reconnect. Ask what they’re working on. Look for ways to support them. Make sure they clearly understand who you help and how you serve. That’s it. Build the habit of initiating consistently, and revenue will start to feel more predictable — because you’re no longer waiting for opportunities to appear. You’re creating them. Resources & Links Learn more about ACC Go to MarketConnect with Bryan on LinkedInJoin us for the next SAS LIVE Office Hours Event! Simply sales with the VIP Power Hour - download the FREE guideLearn how to consistently book 3–5 sales-qualified meetings each week - Book your free strategy callGet on the list - Become a SAS Email InsiderHave an episode idea? DM me on LinkedIn and let me know! — Nothing happens in business — or life — until someone says hi. That's the philosophy behind Tam Smith's work as founder of Studio Three 49. As a Sales Growth Strategist, she helps service founders build relationship-first sales systems through focused 1–3 day intensives — so they can stop relying solely on referrals, no cold pitching required. With 15+ years in sales leadership, Tam believes sales is an act of service. It's about what you give, not what you get. And when you serve well, the results always follow. When she's not working with clients, you'll likely find her rock climbing or mapping out her next adventure with her Supermutt, Ila, in Durham, NC.

    43 min
  8. Facts Tell. Stories Sell: How Founders Attract Aligned, Ready-to-Buy Clients with Kendall Cherry

    FEB 18

    Facts Tell. Stories Sell: How Founders Attract Aligned, Ready-to-Buy Clients with Kendall Cherry

    Facts tell—but stories sell. In this episode of Sales as Service, I’m joined by Kendall Cherry, founder and executive ghostwriter at The Candid Collective, for a conversation about what story-driven sales actually looks like in practice. We explore why so many founders are creating content that resonates emotionally but fails to convert—and what’s usually missing when that happens. Kendall breaks down how stories build trust faster than facts alone, why testimonials are one of the most underutilized sales assets in most businesses, and how founders can use story to initiate conversations without forcing a pitch. We also dig into the deeper resistance many founders feel around selling—and why that resistance has less to do with tactics and more to do with self-belief. In this episode, we cover: Why facts inform, but stories are what drive decisionsThe one story every founder needs to be able to tellHow to turn testimonials into sales-ready narrativesWhat makes content resonate but not convertHow to use story to attract aligned, ready-to-buy clientsSales as Service Challenge — Start Now! Turn one client experience into a sales story. Set aside 30 minutes and pull one testimonial, email, or message from a client where they describe what changed after working with you. Don’t focus on praise or outcomes alone. Look for: What they were struggling with beforeWhat felt uncertain or messy in the middleWhat shifted as a result of working togetherRewrite that into a short story. Then put it to work: Share it in a postInclude it in a follow-up emailOr use it as the foundation for a warm outreach messageFinish with a simple invitation: “If this feels familiar, here’s how I help.” Selling isn’t about convincing. It’s about helping the right people recognize themselves in the story. Links & Resources: Learn more about The Candid CollectiveConnect with Kendall on LinkedIn Join us for the next SAS LIVE Office Hours Event!Simply sales with the VIP Power Hour - download the FREE guideLearn how to consistently book 3–5 sales-qualified meetings each week - Book your free strategy callGet on the list - Become a SAS Email Insider Have an episode idea? DM me on LinkedIn and let me know! — Nothing happens in business — or life — until someone says hi. That's the philosophy behind Tam Smith's work as founder of Studio Three 49. As a Sales Growth Strategist, she helps service founders build relationship-first sales systems through focused 1–3 day intensives — so they can stop relying solely on referrals, no cold pitching required. With 15+ years in sales leadership, Tam believes sales is an act of service. It's about what you give, not what you get. And when you serve well, the results always follow. When she's not working with clients, you'll likely find her rock climbing or mapping out her next adventure with her Supermutt, Ila, in Durham, NC.

    50 min
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About

Sales as Service is the podcast for creative agencies and solopreneurs who want to grow their businesses without feeling awkward about sales. If you’ve ever thought, “I hate selling,” or wondered how to get more clients, this show is for you. We make sales simple and approachable with practical tips on topics like: How to get clients for your creative businessEasy sales strategies for solopreneursOvercoming the fear of sellingBuilding a sales process that works Whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, or running your own agency, you’ll learn how to handle objections, close deals, and grow your business with confidence—without hard-sell tactics.  Listen in to discover how a simple change in your perspective can create a complex change in your business. 

Information

  • Creator
    Tamara Smith
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sales as Service
  • Show Website
    Sales as Service

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