Closing Conversations

Max Notis
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Closing Conversations is a podcast for founders, leaders, and sellers who win together - featuring insightful discussions on leadership, team building, and strategies for driving success in sales and business.

  1. 4d ago

    Episode 37: Why Building a Real Industry Takes More Than a License with Marianne Bays (Cannabis Policy Leader and Business Builder)

    Marianne Bays is a founding board member and vice president of the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association. Before cannabis, she worked as a personnel psychologist, management professor, and corporate consultant. Now, she is focused on building a more sensible, sustainable cannabis industry in New Jersey. In this episode, we talk about: - How Marianne moved from corporate consulting into cannabis - Why cannabis policy is different state by state - How New Jersey is trying to create an opportunity for smaller operators - Why hemp products created a major regulatory mess - What happens when politics slows down business progress - Why real estate is one of the hardest parts of launching in cannabis - How brands can grow regionally without crossing state lines - Why building in cannabis takes patience, strategy, and persistence Marianne brings a clear, practical view of an industry that is still being built in real time. This one is about policy, business, regulation, real estate, and finding the work that actually keeps you interested. 🎙️ Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.com Connect with us: Marianne Bays: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-bays/  Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/ CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

    Episode 37: Why Building a Real Industry Takes More Than a License with Marianne Bays (Cannabis Policy Leader and Business Builder)

  2. Sep 15

    Episode 36: Why Builders Are Not Gamblers with Oliver Libby (Venture Capitalist, Founder, and Author of Strong Floor and No Ceiling)

    Oliver Libby is a venture capitalist, founder, author, and cross-sector builder. He co-founded HL Ventures, helped build The Resolution Project, and recently published Strong Floor and No Ceiling, a vision for how America can rebuild opportunity without limiting ambition. In this episode, we talk about: - Oliver’s family history, legacy, and Nobel Prize lineage - Why every generation has to earn what it inherits - How venture capital can be more builder than gambler - Why founders need Sherpas, not just check writers - What AI, robotics, and quantum could mean for work - Why America needs both a stronger floor and no ceiling - How capitalism can create opportunity when the system works - Why ownership changes how people show up Oliver brings a big-picture view of business, policy, investing, technology, and civic responsibility. This one moves from family history to venture capital to AI to the American dream, but the thread is consistent: build things that matter, and make sure more people have a real shot. 🎙️ Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.com Connect with us: Oliver Libby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olibby/ Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/ CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

    Episode 36: Why Builders Are Not Gamblers with Oliver Libby (Venture Capitalist, Founder, and Author of Strong Floor and No Ceiling)

  3. Sep 3

    Episode 35: Why You Should Never Bet Against New York with Kevin Appleby (Managing Partner at RUHL)

    Kevin Appleby is the managing partner at RUHL, a New York City-based MEP design and engineering consulting firm focused on building electrification, energy efficiency, HVAC, and high-rise commercial and residential buildings. In this episode, we talk about: - How Kevin helped bring a 70-year German family business to New York - Why New York City is one of the hardest markets to break into - Why networking matters more in closed industries - How handwritten letters can still beat automated outreach - Why sales culture feels different in Germany versus the U.S. - What it takes to earn trust in real estate - Why the wrong partners can cost money, time, and enthusiasm - How family businesses can work when the vision and values are shared Kevin brings a sharp perspective on sales, market entry, trust, partnerships, and what it means to build in New York. This one is about taking a proven business into a new market and earning your way in. 🎙️ Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.com Connect with us: Kevin Appleby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-appleby/ Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/ CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

    Episode 35: Why You Should Never Bet Against New York with Kevin Appleby (Managing Partner at RUHL)

  4. Aug 19

    Episode 34: Why Freedom Is the Real Goal with Joshua Lindsey (Founder and CEO of American Business Brokers and PHX Private Equity)

    Joshua Lindsey is the founder and CEO of American Business Brokers and PHX Private Equity. He has bought and sold his own companies, taken a company public, represented hundreds of small business owners, and now uses his brokerage as both a business and a feeder for private equity deals. In this episode, we talk about: - Why selling a small business is nothing like selling a house - Why most business owners should not try to sell their own company - How Josh separates serious buyers from tire kickers - Why deal packaging matters for buyers and banks - How his brokerage and private equity firm work together - Why “enough” matters more as you get older - How entrepreneurs can chase success without losing their lives - Why Josh’s family built a weekly gratitude wall Josh brings a rare mix of sales experience, deal experience, and perspective. This one starts with mergers and acquisitions, but it turns into a bigger conversation about freedom, family, ambition, gratitude, and what all the work is actually for. 🎙️ Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.com Connect with us: Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/ CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

    Episode 34: Why Freedom Is the Real Goal with Joshua Lindsey (Founder and CEO of American Business Brokers and PHX Private Equity)

  5. Aug 4

    Episode 33: Why Buying Should Feel Personal, Not Pressured (with Urszula Bosco, Co-Founder of Amor 27)

    Urszula Bosco was born and raised in Milan, moved to the U.S. for school, built a career in packaging, production, and development for beauty brands, and eventually co-founded Amor 27 with her husband in New York City. In this episode, we talk about: - Why starting a company means getting comfortable with uncertainty - How corporate skills can become the foundation for entrepreneurship - Why buying an engagement ring can feel so overwhelming - The difference between a transaction and a true consultative experience - How Amor 27 helps couples design custom jewelry without pressure - Why referrals matter so much in a trust-based business - How social media acts like a modern storefront - What it takes to scale a personal, high-touch brand Urszula brings a thoughtful, grounded perspective on building a business with your spouse, helping customers through emotional purchases, and creating jewelry that feels personal instead of intimidating. This conversation is about entrepreneurship, trust, taste, family, risk, and why the best buying experiences make people feel comfortable before they make them feel impressed. 🎙️ Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.com Connect with us: Urszula Bosco: https://www.linkedin.com/in/urszulabosco/  Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/ CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

    Episode 33: Why Buying Should Feel Personal, Not Pressured (with Urszula Bosco, Co-Founder of Amor 27)

  6. Jul 21

    Episode 32: Why Growth Is Everyone’s Job with David Kidder and Grace Keenan, Building AI-Native Companies with Human-First Sales

    David Kidder has built and exited multiple companies. Grace has worked alongside him for six years, from Bionic through its acquisition by Accenture and now into David’s newest companies, Board of Life and Primordium. In this episode, we talk about: - Why there’s a difference between being nice and being kind - How founders build trust without creating dependency - Why growth cannot just belong to the sales team - How AI changes the expectations for every person in a company - Why human-first communication matters more than ever - How to build systems that scale beyond the founder - Why commercial truth comes from customers, not investors - What the 7-to-1 rule teaches teams about risk, feedback, and trust David and Grace bring a rare inside look at what it actually takes to build companies in the AI era: high standards, deep care, clear systems, honest feedback, and a team where everyone owns growth. This conversation is about sales, but it is also about culture, leadership, operating discipline, and what it means to build a company that can grow without losing its soul. 🎙️ Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.com Connect with us: David Kidder: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phletko/  Grace Keenan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-k/ Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/ CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

    Episode 32: Why Growth Is Everyone’s Job with David Kidder and Grace Keenan, Building AI-Native Companies with Human-First Sales

  7. Jul 7

    Episode 31: Why Hard Work Is What Gets You Lucky (with Paul Hletko Spirits Founder and Consumer Brand Entrepreneur)

    Paul Hletko is an entrepreneur in the adult consumption space who built FEW Spirits, helped roll up brands including Widow Jane, Bluecoat Gin, Tequila Ocho, Mezcal Vago, and Brenne, and now runs Skull & Petal, a men’s cosmetics and skincare company. In this episode, we talk about: - How family history led Paul into whiskey - Why the invisible work matters most when building a company - The relationship between hard work, luck, and timing - Why entrepreneurship is one problem after another - How Paul thinks about the journey, not the destination - Why men’s skincare is becoming more relevant - What the consumption space teaches you about discipline - Why successful people often consume less, not more Paul brings a sharp, relaxed, no-BS perspective on building, selling, starting over, and staying grounded through the ups and downs. 🎙️ Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.com Connect with us: Paul Hletko: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phletko/  Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/ CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

    Episode 31: Why Hard Work Is What Gets You Lucky (with Paul Hletko Spirits Founder and Consumer Brand Entrepreneur)

  8. Jun 23

    Episode 30: Why Real Relationships Still Beat Automated Outreach (with Erik Reynolds, Entertainment Strategist, Game Industry Veteran, and Creative Operator) Part 2

    Erik Reynolds has lived a few different professional lives — video games, music, publicity, business development, partnerships, creative strategy, and entertainment. In this episode, we talk about: - Grief, vulnerability, and why real connection usually starts when the script breaks - Why being authentic is still the best way to sell - The difference between a sales lead and a real relationship - Why AI and automation can help, but should never replace human judgment - How social media has changed personal branding - Why younger generations may be better prepared for entrepreneurship than we think - What outsiders misunderstand about the video game industry - Why industry expertise matters before selling into a new market Erik brings the kind of perspective that only comes from working across multiple creative industries, building real relationships, and seeing how business actually gets done when trust matters. This conversation starts in a very human place and ends with a sharp reminder: the close is not just the close. The real value is the intel, the relationship, and the ability to understand the world you are selling into. 🎙️ Hosted by Max Notis | Learn more at comissionsales.com Connect with us: Erik Reynolds: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikleereynolds Max Notis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxnotis/ CoMission: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comissionsales/

    Episode 30: Why Real Relationships Still Beat Automated Outreach (with Erik Reynolds, Entertainment Strategist, Game Industry Veteran, and Creative Operator) Part 2
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About

Closing Conversations is a podcast for founders, leaders, and sellers who win together - featuring insightful discussions on leadership, team building, and strategies for driving success in sales and business.

Information

  • Creator
    Max Notis
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Closing Conversations
  • Show Website
    Closing Conversations

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