Entrepreneur Conundrum

Virginia Purnell

Join Virginia Purnell as she speaks to growing entrepreneur startups in the different ways that they are trying to become a subject matter expert. The unique thing about this show is that we are not talking to people who have been and done it and are all over the internet as superstars. We are talking to the average growing entrepreneur who is trying to get visible in their market.

  1. 3D AGO

    Rob Haynie: The Hidden Value Inside Your Life Insurance Policy (Life Settlements 101)

    Episode Guest: Rob Haynie Company: Life Insurance Settlements Association member / LI Settlements Website: lisettlements.com LinkedIn: Rob Haynie (linkedin.com/in/rob-haynie-08656b9/) Podcast Mentioned: Unlocking the Hidden Value of Your Life Insurance What you’ll learnWhat a life settlement is (and how it differs from surrendering or lapsing a policy)Why policies often get more expensive later, and why so many people are never toldThe typical “qualifying window” (often starting around age 75, depending on health and policy type)How a “free, non-binding appraisal” can help you understand what your policy may be worthWhy the industry is still widely misunderstood—even after 30+ yearsRob’s mindset lessons: mental toughness, sleep, and controlling your part of the gameKey moments (timestamps based on your transcript)1:15–2:21 – How Rob discovered the industry during the HIV/AIDS era2:21–3:29 – The time-management reality of urgent client needs3:35–6:56 – Life settlements explained simply + why surrender/lapse is so common6:56–10:52 – “Know what it’s worth” and why the market exists14:24–15:36 – The “sweet spot” age and when to pay attention19:00–24:09 – Awareness strategies: advisor guide + documentary visibility29:36–35:10 – Best advice received: mental toughness + sleep41:16–43:10 – “Put life back in life insurance” + aging-in-place example43:10–44:07 – Where to learn moreAction steps (listener-friendly)If you or a parent has a policy and the premiums are climbing: get a review/appraisal before surrendering or lapsing.Ask: Do we still need this coverage? If not, find out what options exist.If you’re a financial professional: add annual policy reviews into your client rhythm.Disclaimer suggestion (for show notes / outro)This episode is for educational purposes only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Talk to a qualified professional about your situation. Episode linkhttps://entrepreneurconundrum.com/robhaynie Key Questions (01:06)  So two questions. One, how did you end up where you are today? And two, how do you find your time management situation? (03:29) Just a quick synapse on what you help people with again. (14:24) So is there a sweet age, let's say, where I should really weigh benefits of really having one versus cashing it in? (19:14) What else are you doing to try to get in front of people? (29:36) What's the best advice that you have ever received? (35:10) What's the best advice that you have ever given? (41:16) Is there something that we haven't talked about yet that you would like to? (43:10) Where can we go to learn more about you and what you're doing? Rob Hayniewww.lisettlements.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-haynie-08656b9/ Virginia PurnellFunnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

    44 min
  2. Logan Lyles: How to Turn Webinars Into Sales Conversations (Without a Bigger Audience)

    FEB 2

    Logan Lyles: How to Turn Webinars Into Sales Conversations (Without a Bigger Audience)

    In this episode, Virginia talks with Logan Lyles about: Logan’s path from journalism (2008) to B2B tech sales, then podcasting and demand genWhy webinars still work—when you treat them like a conversion system, not a one-off eventLogan’s best-fit clients: B2B (especially agencies, professional services, SaaS)Client acquisition on LinkedIn“Starting a new position” post + profile optimizationResearch survey outreach as a conversation starter (and pipeline generator)Webinar promotion that actually worksLinkedIn Event strategy (including inviting up to 1,000 connections/week)Boosting event posts with event adsCold email as a webinar registration driverPartnerships/newsletter placements to reach warm audiencesEvergreen vs live webinarsLogan’s approach: go live first, then convert to on-demand and keep promotingRe-promote the best-performing webinar instead of reinventing each monthScaling a service business the smart wayDocument first, then delegate/automateAvoid delegating before you’ve refined the processResources mentioned Demand ShiftLinkedIn EventsWebinarSurvey research projectNever Split the Difference by Chris Voss“Do it, document it, delegate it” (referenced from an interview Logan did with Trainual’s cofounder)Connect with Logan LinkedIn: Logan LylesWebsite: Demand ShiftKey Questions(01:34) Thanks for being with us today. How did you get to where you are today? (04:16) So how do you get in front of those people?  (07:04) If you're wanting to go there, we can definitely do that. (09:30) What are your thoughts on evergreen webinars or the pre-recorded webinars? Or are you all for doing them live in the moment? (11:04) What are some big goals that you have in the next year or two? (11:57) What do you feel like is your number one roadblock? (13:06) What's the best advice, the other best advice that you've ever been given? (14:37) What's the best advice you've ever received saved? (16:23) Is there something that we haven't touched on that you would like to talk about? (17:38) Yeah, for sure. Everything has changed a lot. Where can we go to learn more about you and what you do? Logan Lyleshttps://demandshift.co/ https://linkedin.com/in/loganlyles Virginia Purnell Funnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

    19 min
  3. Charmaine Casimir on Knowing Your Worth and Letting Go of Perfection

    JAN 26

    Charmaine Casimir on Knowing Your Worth and Letting Go of Perfection

    In this episode, we cover: How Charmaine turned her own search for worth into a life of serviceWho she serves—and why purpose doesn’t have an age, role, or titleWhy confidence and finances are common roadblocks for mission-driven entrepreneursLetting go of perfection and choosing authenticity insteadFaith, consistency, and perseverance when building something meaningfulWhy your win doesn’t have to look like someone else’sCreating space for people who feel invisible or unworthyHow small daily actions compound into long-term impactConnect with Charmaine Casimir: Speaker profile: womenspeakers.com (Philadelphia)Instagram / Facebook / YouTube: @EmpowermentJourney1Website: https://charmainecasimir.wixsite.com/powerful-petals-1Key Questions(00:54) How did you get to where you are today? I'm sure it was very linear, right? (01:33) Who do you tend to serve these days? (02:22) How do you get in front of them? How do you find them? Or how do they find you? (03:07) Do you do anything online? (03:38) How are some ways that you help them? (04:50) Do you have any modalities that you use to help people? (05:53) What are some big goals that you have in the next year or two? (06:55) How many books do you have? (08:15) On those struggles, what have you learned or how have you been able to persevere through the struggles with having a business? (09:28) What do you feel is What is the number one roadblock from stopping you achieving more stages, bigger stages, some of your goals? (11:01) What is the best advice that you have ever received? (14:53) What's the best advice you've ever given? (16:35) Can you talk to us a little bit about being a beating heart for people who don't feel worthy? (19:24) Is there anything that we haven't touched on yet that you would like to to talk about? (20:58) Do you have a place on your website or something like that that shows your upcoming events? Charmaine Casimir womenspeakers.com/united-states/philadelphia/speaker/charmaine-casimir@Empowermentjourney1  Facebook Instagram and YouTube https://charmainecasimir.wixsite.com/powerful-petals-1 Virginia PurnellFunnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

    25 min
  4. Alison Mullins: Why Face-to-Face Marketing Still Wins (and How to Build Proactive Sales in the Trades)

    JAN 19

    Alison Mullins: Why Face-to-Face Marketing Still Wins (and How to Build Proactive Sales in the Trades)

    In this episode of Entrepreneur Conundrum, Virginia Purnell sits down with Alison Mullins — an award-winning sales leader, two-time best-selling author, and founder of Rep Methods — to talk about what actually drives growth in trade-based businesses. Alison shares why public speaking, trade shows, and real conversations consistently outperform social media in her industry — and how too many sales professionals stay stuck being reactive instead of proactive. You’ll also hear Alison’s candid take on: Why most sales and marketing efforts fail before they start  How referral and “co-op” relationships create faster momentum than cold outreach  What it really cost to publish her first book — and why it was worth every dollar  The challenge of collecting authentic testimonials in a paid-review world  Using AI as a second brain, not a shortcut  Her new workforce development summit helping high-school students build real communication skills and land internshipsThis episode is especially valuable for entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and trade-based business owners who want sustainable growth without relying on constant social media posting. Key Questions(01:31) How did you get to where you are today? (05:09) Authoring your books, was it worth it? (06:48) Who do you serve these days? Who's your ideal people? (07:42) How do you get in front of these people? (11:49) Do you utilize past clients' relationships that way to get your Google reviews or testimonials and stuff like that? (14:53) What are some of your big goals in the next year or two? (18:27) What is the best advice that you have ever received? (20:40) What's the best advice you've given? (21:54) You consult and coach, correct? (28:47) Where can we go to learn about you and what you do? (29:26) What about your books? Where can we go for those? Alison Mullinswww.repmethods.com www.alphacolores.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonmullins/ https://www.facebook.com/alisonlearva https://www.facebook.com/repmethods/ https://www.instagram.com/repmethods/ Virginia PurnellFunnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

    31 min
  5. How Jason Wright Is Helping Entrepreneurs Scale Smarter With AI (Without Losing Authenticity)

    JAN 12

    How Jason Wright Is Helping Entrepreneurs Scale Smarter With AI (Without Losing Authenticity)

    In this episode, we cover: Why entrepreneurship is harder than most people expectThe hidden cost of “doing nothing” in businessHow AI agents are transforming marketing automationWhy live webinars are making a comebackThe importance of authenticity in an AI-driven worldHow to protect your mindset during brutal business seasonsWhy patience is not optional for long-term successWhat real scalability looks like in the next 1–2 yearsConnect with Jason Wright: Website: https://intentionallyinspirational.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejasonjwright/Key Questions:(00:52) How did you get to where you are today? (01:50) Who do you serve today? (02:42) How do you get in front of these new people, these people? (03:41) Would you do an evergreen with it off the bat or do that later on? (04:49) Do you do anything on social media? (05:47) What are some common mistakes, for the lack of a better word, that a lot of your clients are doing before or when they start to work with you? (06:56) What do you have to share with us in terms of entrepreneur mindset? (09:00) What are some things that you do to either keep yourself out or to get out of a funk? (10:13) What's the best advice that you have ever received? (11:32) So we had talked a little bit about how the marketing is different in today's age. And do you think it's just solely because of the AI that's coming in? (12:41)  What is some of the best advice you've ever given? (13:29)  What are your big goals in the next year or two? (14:22) What are some automations and systems that actually scale our businesses? (15:46) Is there anything that we haven't talked about today that you wanted to share with us? (16:40) Where can we go to learn more about you and what you do. Jason Wright https://intentionallyinspirational.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejasonjwright/   Virginia PurnellFunnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

    17 min
  6. Zachary Bernard on Building Credibility Before the Sales Call

    12/29/2025

    Zachary Bernard on Building Credibility Before the Sales Call

    Many entrepreneurs are highly skilled at what they do — yet struggle to gain traction because no one knows who they are. In this episode of Entrepreneur Conundrum, Virginia Purnell sits down with PR strategist Zachary Bernard, founder of WeFeature You, to unpack how credibility is built before the sales conversation ever happens. Zach shares his journey from launching an automation agency at a young age to building a PR firm that helps founders amplify their expertise through podcast guesting, media placements, and consistent visibility. The conversation explores why being “good” at your work is no longer enough, how third-party validation changes buyer perception, and why podcasts have become one of the most effective credibility-building tools available to entrepreneurs today. Zach explains how podcast appearances, when leveraged properly, create trust, shorten sales cycles, and make every other marketing effort more effective. Virginia and Zach also discuss common mistakes business owners make when it comes to visibility — including trying to be everywhere at once, failing to repurpose content, and underestimating the role of consistency. Zach offers practical insight into choosing the right platforms, using email outreach effectively, and building a digital presence that supports long-term growth rather than quick wins. This episode is a valuable listen for founders, CEOs, and business owners who want to strengthen their authority, be taken seriously online, and build a brand that people trust before they ever reach out. In this episode, we discuss: Why credibility often matters more than talent in business growthHow podcast guesting builds trust faster than traditional marketingThe role of PR and third-party validation in buyer decision-makingCommon visibility mistakes entrepreneurs make onlineWhy consistency on fewer platforms beats being everywhereHow podcast content should be leveraged as a long-term marketing assetBuilding authority without relying on paid ads🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://entrepreneurconundrum.com/zacharybernard Key Questions(00:53) How did you get to where you are? (02:43) Who are your ideal clients? (04:17) How do you get in front of them? (05:27) I don't know if there are any misconceptions or mistakes that a lot of your clients are making or that they aren't doing, things that they aren't doing when you go to work with them? (07:02) Do you help them create their ideas to come up with content and stuff? (08:01) How would using PR help increase credibility? You did talk about them being able to look us up and find credibility that way. (09:44) What is your opinion on using podcasts as a way to build your brand? (11:15) What are some of your big goals in the next year or two? (12:24) What do you feel is a big roadblock for you being able to get there? (14:11) What do you think is the best advice that you've ever received? (14:58) What about the best advice you've ever given? (15:59) Is there anything that we haven't touched on that you would like to talk about? (18:38) What if I was all over the place? I was on a few platforms, but I wasn't consistent on any of them. Is there a certain platform that you would recommend? (19:55) Where can we go to learn more about you and what you do? (20:18) And what about your podcast? What is it called? Zachary Bernard wefeatureyou.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/  https://www.instagram.com/itszachb_/  https://zacharybernard.com/ Virginia PurnellFunnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

    21 min
  7. From Complacent to Uncommon Leadership — with John Gallagher

    12/22/2025

    From Complacent to Uncommon Leadership — with John Gallagher

    In this episode, we cover: Why success can quietly lead to complacencyThe difference between common and uncommon leadershipJohn’s Seven Ds of TransformationHow executive coaching transforms leaders from the inside outFaith-driven leadership without preachingOvercoming imposter syndrome and fear of failureWhy leaders feel “busy” instead of fulfilledThe power of reflection, discipline, and purposeWhy great leaders focus on who they’re becoming—not just what they’re buildingResources & Links: Website: https://coachjohngallagher.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjohngallagherInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachjohngallagher🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://entrepreneurconundrum.com/johngallagher Key Questions(02:03) Can you share with us how you got to where you are today? (03:41) Who do you serve today? (05:43) Do you find that there are consistencies in those blind spots with those that you work with? (06:55) How do you get in front of these people? (08:19) Do you do group coaching? (09:11) Do you have a Facebook group or anything? (10:08) What are some big goals you have in the next year or two? (11:33) What do you feel is your roadblock from reaching, like getting your book accomplished or finished? (15:24) What are some seven steps to personal transformation? (20:22) Do you have many clients that have the overwhelm when they start getting into all of this? And then how would you help them get through it? (23:24) Can you talk to us a little bit about faith in business? (26:26) What's the best advice you have ever received? (28:11) And are we able to let that experience shape us into the person that we are to become? (29:08) What's the best advice you've ever given? John Gallagherhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjohngallagher https://www.instagram.com/coachjohngallagher/ coachjohngallagher.com Virginia PurnellFunnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

    35 min
  8. What’s Your Life Score? Building a Balanced Life with Metrics (Not Hustle)

    12/15/2025

    What’s Your Life Score? Building a Balanced Life with Metrics (Not Hustle)

    Guest: Bill Zujewski (GoodLiife) (LinkedIn) Book: What’s Your Life Score: A Playbook for Designing Your Best Life (Amazon) What we coverBill’s path from engineering → enterprise marketing leadership → entrepreneurshipWhy “best product” doesn’t always win (and what brand really means)Building GoodLiife as a purpose-driven, balanced-life companyThe “HELP GROW” life areas and why balance is bigger than work/lifeZenScore vs. LiifeScore: measuring how you feel and how you’re doingWhy accountability beats “knowing what to do”Life coaches as a sweet spot: bringing metrics into a traditionally “touchy-feely” spaceBill’s moonshot: making “life score” a mainstream conversation (like a credit score)Mentioned in this episodeGoodLiife (web app + iOS app; web has the most features) (GoodLiife)ZenScore resource page (GoodLiife)Bill’s LinkedIn (LinkedIn)Listen link (your preferred format)https://entrepreneurconundrum.com/billzujewski Key Questions (01:15) Can you give us a little bit, maybe fill in some gaps about how you got to where you were today? (05:10) Who would you say are your ideal clientele these days? (08:00) How do you get in front of each segment? (09:09) With the people that you've worked with, what are some of the major areas they need help in or mistakes or things that common trends that you tend to find with them? (11:18) The role of brand in high tech marketing, what can you talk to us about that? (12:57) How was that change and what have been some of the biggest lessons that you have learned? (15:34) Do you have any tips that you could share with us on things that you do to get you through the failures or those down times? (16:51) Do you do anything special for Milestone Wins? (18:25) What are some big goals that you have in the next year or two? (22:41) I was going to ask, so the app, we can find it on both Android and Apple? (26:30) What is the best advice that you have ever received? (28:15) What's the best advice you've ever given? (29:24) Do you have anything else to say on the balance aspect? (34:25) So is there anything that we haven't talked about yet that you wanted to touch on? (34:59) Where are all the places we can follow you and stalk you and learn more about you? Bill Zujewskihttps://GoodLiife.com My book, published this year: https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Your-Life-Score-Designing-ebook/dp/B0DT2CPGBV/ PERSONAL LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/billzujewski/ Twitter/X:    https://x.com/BillZujewski  @BillZujewski BUSINESS Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/goodliifellc/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/GoodLiifeLLC Virginia PurnellFunnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.co

    36 min
4.9
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Join Virginia Purnell as she speaks to growing entrepreneur startups in the different ways that they are trying to become a subject matter expert. The unique thing about this show is that we are not talking to people who have been and done it and are all over the internet as superstars. We are talking to the average growing entrepreneur who is trying to get visible in their market.