Ready Set Exec: The Podcast

Ready Set Exec Inc.
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Overview: Welcome to Ready Set Exec, the podcast where executive search meets real leadership stories. Enjoy weekly conversations with Executives sharing insights, best practices and knowledge with John, the co-founder of Ready Set Exec Inc.—executive search in Sales, Marketing, HR, and Operations. What to Expect Each Episode: Conversations with Executives: Hear candid stories from accomplished leaders across Ready Set Exec’s network as they share lessons learned, pivotal career moves, and their outlook on the future of leadership. Industry Insights: Explore the trends shaping leadership in the fields Ready Set Exec knows best—how Sales leaders drive growth, how Marketing executives build brand momentum, how HR shapes culture, and how Operations keeps organizations moving. Talent Strategy Deep Dives: John reveals what he's learned about hiring executives who don’t just fit the role but elevate the business, by using a relationship-driven approach. Actionable Takeaways: Whether you’re a CEO, HR leader, or an executive shaping your next move, you’ll walk away with practical insights on attracting, retaining, and thriving as top talent. Connect with Ready Set Exec: John Pezoulas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/ Patrick Shea LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExec Are you a C-level Exec and want to be a guest on the podcast ? email sales@readysetexec.com Check out our firm at Readysetexec.com or call us at 737-249-9572

  1. Justin Freishtat: How to launch a hedge fund

    3D AGO

    Justin Freishtat: How to launch a hedge fund

    Navigate the complex world of private equity with insider secrets from Justin Freishtat. Discover how to structure, fundraise, and protect your fund amidst market volatility. Learn the importance of legal structures like 506(c) vs. 506(b), third-party administration, and audits to safeguard against fraud. Justin shares strategies for raising capital, building a personal brand, and identifying qualified investors. Stand out in a crowded market with integrity and transparency. Hear stories of fraud, lessons learned, and the critical role of due diligence. Whether you're a high-net-worth individual or an aspiring fund manager, this episode is your guide to turning risk into reward. Justin's expertise in private equity and hedge funds offers essential insights for elevating your investment strategy. Tune in to master capital formation and personal branding, and start building smarter, safer, more profitable funds today. About Ready Set Exec: Founded by Managing Partners Patrick Shea and John Pezoulas, Ready Set Exec is a premier North American executive leadership recruitment firm specializing in Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations. We replace hiring chaos with a repeatable process, boasting an average time-to-hire of 39 days and a 100% placement success rate. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Justin Freishtat and His Ventures 01:06 Understanding Modern Private Equity and Fund Structures 02:45 Launching a New Fund: Insights and Preparations 04:10 Market Changes and Investor Sentiment 06:18 Fundraising Strategies in a Constrained Environment 09:10 The Importance of Personal Branding in VC 11:41 Retail Investment Trends and Social Media Influence 14:45 Navigating the Risks of Investment in a Volatile Market 18:41 Education and Discipline in Investment Strategies 21:29 Lessons Learned: The Importance of Third-Party Reporting 24:52 Navigating Legal Challenges in Business 27:01 The Journey of Heartland: A Family Business Success 29:05 Transitioning from Family Business to Hedge Funds 32:17 Reinventing Yourself in New Ventures 36:37 Finding Fulfillment Beyond Financial Success 38:40 The Importance of Enjoying the Journey 40:39 Building a Personal Brand in a Digital World 42:07 The Future of Advertising and Social Media 43:28 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Goals Connect with Ready Set Exec: John Pezoulas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/Patrick Shea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExecListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_gListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413Connect with Justin Freishtat: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-freishtat-68063579/

    44 min
  2. Jim Carlough: How I Took a Sales Team's Close Ratio from 15% to 70% in 3 Years

    MAY 15

    Jim Carlough: How I Took a Sales Team's Close Ratio from 15% to 70% in 3 Years

    Most sales teams track their close ratio and quota attainment. Jim Carlough's team went from 15% to 70% by measuring everything else first. Jim Carlough is a transformational executive and leadership identity architect with 30 years of driving growth across healthcare and technology. As Chief Sales Officer at Impulse, he leads AI-powered engagement strategies delivering over one billion healthcare conversations annually while accelerating double-digit ARR growth. As former President of Health Trio (acquired by Impulse), he tripled revenue in three years, going from 1 deal a year to 10, selling a new deal every month for nine consecutive months in his best stretch. In this episode, Jim breaks down exactly how he did it: the pipeline cleansing, the drip campaigns, the KPI structure, and the hiring philosophy he learned from Ross Perot. He also shares the research behind his new book on "accidental leaders," the 82% of managers promoted without any leadership training, and why AI will never replace the human judgment, empathy, and integrity that real leadership requires. About Ready Set Exec: Founded by Managing Partners Patrick Shea and John Pezoulas, Ready Set Exec is a premier North American executive leadership recruitment firm specializing in Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations. We replace hiring chaos with a repeatable process, boasting an average time-to-hire of 39 days and a 100% placement success rate. Chapter: 00:00 Who is Jim Carlough? 30 years, $100M healthcare SaaS, CSO at Impulse 01:25 How Jim took close ratios from 15% to 70%, the first thing he did 03:20 The pipeline cleansing operation is removing years of garbage from Salesforce 08:15 KPIs that actually matter: drip campaigns, early-stage pipeline, and qualified pipeline 12:45 9 deals in 9 months, and the chairman's call in October 15:03 Building a metrics-driven culture without destroying your team's morale 16:19 Hire winners or people who hate to lose, the Ross Perot hiring philosophy 23:56 The two things all salespeople struggle with and how to coach around them 43:20 Why AI will never replace leadership empathy, integrity, and judgment 47:23 Jim's book: The Six Essential Pillars for fixing "Accidental Leaders." Connect with Ready Set Exec: John Pezoulas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/Patrick Shea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExecListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_gListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413Connect with Jim Carlough: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcarlough #salesleadership #B2Bsales #salesKPI #SaaS #healthtech #AI #leadership #CRO #podcast #ReadySetExec

    52 min
  3. Aurora Winter: How to Write a Business Book That Makes You 7 Figures | Ready Set Exec

    MAY 8

    Aurora Winter: How to Write a Business Book That Makes You 7 Figures | Ready Set Exec

    In 2026, there are two types of people: those who work for AI, and those who have AI work for them. A book is one of the fastest ways to end up in the right category. Aurora Winter is a thought leader, launch expert, media coach, and bestselling author of 10 books. A former film and TV executive, she helps entrepreneurs and executives turn their expertise into books, powerful messages, and lasting authority. Dr. Wayne Dyer has endorsed her work and helped clients get featured in major media outlets, raise capital, and become recognized voices in their fields. In this episode, we break down exactly how to write, publish, and launch a business book that actually grows your revenue - not just your shelf. Aurora covers the Hormozi playbook that generated $81M in one day, the neuroscience behind why stories sell 27x more, and why a bad book can hurt your brand more than having no book at all. About Ready Set Exec: Founded by Managing Partners Patrick Shea and John Pezoulas, Ready Set Exec is a premier North American executive leadership recruitment firm specializing in Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations. We replace hiring chaos with a repeatable process, boasting an average time-to-hire of 39 days and a 100% placement success rate. Chapters: 00:00 Who is Aurora Winter? Film/TV exec turned 10-time bestselling author 01:53 Why 2026 is a watershed year for personal brands - and AI's scary split 03:56 Why strong brands grow in recessions - the Chanel 2008 case study 07:13 Step-by-step: how to plan your business book from scratch 09:41 Self-publishing vs. traditional - which one is right for you? 11:26 Why AI-written books will destroy your brand (not build it) 13:25 The full book launch system - from manuscript to thought leader 17:18 How Alex Hormozi made $81M in one day - the self-publishing blueprint 21:00 Realistic expectations: the dentist who built a $120M company from one book 29:39 Neuroscience of trust: why stories produce 27x more revenue 31:50 Social proof and status - how a book shifts every client conversation Connect with Ready Set Exec: John Pezoulas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/Patrick Shea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExecListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_gListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413Connect with Aurora Winter: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/aurorawinter #personalbranding #writingabook #businessbook #selfpublishing #thoughtleadership #AlexHormozi #authorpreneur #podcast #ReadySetExec #brandbuilding

    41 min
  4. Joe Zahaitis: How to choose your payment processor for your business | Ready Set Exec

    MAY 1

    Joe Zahaitis: How to choose your payment processor for your business | Ready Set Exec

    Most businesses hand over 90–95% of their revenue stream to a payment processor they've never properly vetted, and that processor is counting on you never looking too closely at the bill. Joe Zahaitis has spent 32 years in payments working for Bank of America Merchant Services, SPS Payment Systems, and now Bank Card International Group and Manirpay. He's seen every trick in the book. In this episode, we get into the one formula that exposes if your processor is overcharging you, how predatory pricing creeps in when you're not watching, why crypto could eliminate chargebacks, and how to finally build a relationship with your vendor instead of just chasing the lowest price. About Ready Set Exec: Founded by Managing Partners Patrick Shea and John Pezoulas, Ready Set Exec is a premier North American executive leadership recruitment firm specializing in Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations. We replace hiring chaos with a repeatable process, boasting an average time-to-hire of 39 days and a 100% placement success rate. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro: Who is Joe Zahaitis? 0:52 - How Joe got into payments, the Sears interview story 5:17 - Why payments are taken for granted (and why that costs you money) 5:47 - What to look for beyond just price in a payment processor 8:13 - How to vet your merchant services provider properly 11:23 - Predatory pricing: how to spot if your processor is ripping you off 13:57 - High-risk industries and what that means for your business 17:37 - Crypto, stablecoins, and why there's no chargeback on digital assets 19:37 - Friendly fraud, consumer abuse, and the chargeback war 23:21 - Subscription scams, auto-renewals, and the trap that survives card changes 29:04 - Best practices for any merchant, regardless of budget 32:07 - How to minimize chargebacks (the right way) 38:11 - Rate creep, contract rolls, and the cash discount debate 47:25 - Customer segmentation: your A, B, C, and D clients Connect with Ready Set Exec: John Pezoulas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/Patrick Shea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExecListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_gListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413Connect with Joe Zahaitis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joezahaitis/ #MerchantServices #PaymentProcessing #Ecommerce #Chargebacks #BusinessGrowth #SmallBusiness #CryptoPayments #SubscriptionTrap #BusinessPodcast #Podcast2026 #HighRiskPayments #PaymentFraud #EcommerceStrategy #FounderMindset #Entrepreneur

    48 min
  5. James Lang: 90% of Businesses Are Using AI Wrong (Here's What Actually Works) | Ready Set Exec

    APR 24

    James Lang: 90% of Businesses Are Using AI Wrong (Here's What Actually Works) | Ready Set Exec

    Most businesses are burning cash on AI tools that will disappear overnight - and they don't even know it. James Lang (Managing Partner, Overlang Venture Partners) reveals the exact AI growth funnel used by multi-million dollar brands, and why owning your own AI infrastructure is the #1 competitive edge in 2026. In this episode, we get into the AI-powered quiz funnel used by top brands, why your off-the-shelf AI is a liability, and how to build enterprise infrastructure on an SMB budget and what it actually takes to scale a team without destroying the culture that got you there. About Ready Set Exec: Founded by Managing Partners Patrick Shea and John Pezoulas, Ready Set Exec is a premier North American executive leadership recruitment firm specializing in Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations. We replace hiring chaos with a repeatable process, boasting an average time-to-hire of 39 days and a 100% placement success rate. Chapter: 0:00 - Intro: Who is James Lang? 1:09 - The AI-powered quiz funnel strategy 4:29 - What does a healthy sales funnel actually look like? 11:06 - Where to deploy AI across your marketing stack 13:22 - How to use AI prompts properly (stop copy-pasting AI slop) 19:19 - Enterprise AI strategies now available to SMBs 22:48 - Building your own AI infrastructure: the walled garden approach 26:44 - The AI startup bubble - whose data is really at risk? 34:43 - Scaling from 5 to 60 employees - what breaks first 40:31 - The "Camp Counsellor COO" and the kazoo method 52:33 - Recruiting: Indeed, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn & Upwork compared 57:46 - The gig economy retirement crisis no one is talking about 1:01:13 - Final advice: learn AI and over-deliver for people who matter Connect with Ready Set Exec: John Pezoulas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/Patrick Shea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExecListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_gListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413Connect with James Lang: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/james-lang-94329271 #AIMarketing #GrowthFunnel #SmallBusiness #AITools #BusinessGrowth #StartupStrategy #SalesStrategy #MarketingStrategy #COOLeadership #AIInfrastructure #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #Podcast2026 #FounderMindset #ScalingUp

    1h 1m
  6. Liz Weber: Why HR Executives Fail at the C-Suite Table, and What to Do Instead | Ready Set Exec

    APR 17

    Liz Weber: Why HR Executives Fail at the C-Suite Table, and What to Do Instead | Ready Set Exec

    Your company values mean nothing if you're not willing to enforce them when it's hard. Liz Weber is a Leadership Advisor to Boards, Owners, and C-suite teams with 33 years in business. She's a strategic and succession planning consultant, keynote speaker, author, and former chair of the IMC USA Ethics Committee. She works with organizations to build cultures that actually reflect what leadership says they believe — not just what's framed on the wall. In this episode, we get into what real business ethics looks like in practice, how to hold people accountable without destroying relationships, why ESG is in limbo and what boards should do about it, and how HR executives can finally earn a seat and a voice at the C-suite table. About Ready Set Exec: Founded by Managing Partners Patrick Shea and John Pezoulas, Ready Set Exec is a premier North American executive leadership recruitment firm specializing in Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations. We replace hiring chaos with a repeatable process, with an average time-to-hire of 39 days and a 100% placement success rate. Chapter: 00:00 Who is Liz Weber? Board advisor, keynote speaker, IMC USA ethics chair 01:13 What does "doing the right thing" actually look like in business? 04:45 Values as "house rules" - what that means for your company 05:52 Ethics when nobody is watching - the real test of character 07:22 How to make values more than a plaque on the wall 15:22 ESG - from must-do to in limbo: what boards should do now 21:27 Religion, politics, and business - where's the line? 31:42 HR is burned out - what's the future of the profession? 38:48 How HR executives can finally have an impact at the C-suite table 45:54 The family business son story - what happens when you test your own values Connect with Ready Set Exec: John Pezoulas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/Patrick Shea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExecListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_gListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413Connect with Liz Weber: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizwebercmc/

    49 min
  7. Brandon Diehm: Why Your Hiring Process Is Broken and How to Fix It | Ready Set Exec

    APR 10

    Brandon Diehm: Why Your Hiring Process Is Broken and How to Fix It | Ready Set Exec

    Most companies think their hiring process is fine. It's not. And a 20-year veteran of one of the world's top executive search firms will tell you exactly why. Brandon Diehm is a senior talent acquisition leader who built and led end-to-end TA functions at PwC, RSM, and, most recently, as Director of Talent Acquisition at Heidrick & Struggles, one of the world's most prestigious executive search firms. He's hired everyone from campus interns to C-suite executives, and he's seen every mistake companies make along the way. In this episode, Brandon breaks down what separates great recruiting from the average, how to build a success profile that actually predicts performance, and why the most important call you'll ever make as a recruiter is to the person who didn't get the job. About Ready Set Exec: Founded by Managing Partners Patrick Shea and John Pezoulas, Ready Set Exec is a premier North American executive leadership recruitment firm specializing in Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations. We replace hiring chaos with a repeatable process, boasting an average time-to-hire of 39 days and a 100% placement success rate. Chapters: 00:00 Who is Brandon Diehm? PWC → RSM → Heidrick & Struggles 01:25 Why professional services recruiting requires a higher standard 04:33 Competency-based interviews: how to build a success profile that actually predicts performance 07:31 The most important call a recruiter makes, and it's not the job offer 09:37 Employer brand starts with your job description - not your logo 14:29 Campus recruiting: the lollipop-to-legacy pipeline explained 20:37 Healthy attrition: why 70% staying 3 years means you've won 23:56 The 3 biggest leaks killing your recruiting engine 35:15 AI in recruiting - where it will fall short and why human recruiters still win 43:07 How to work with an executive search firm and get the best outcomes Connect with Ready Set Exec: John Pezoulas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/Patrick Shea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExecListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6clqPWbF2yFRlsFUOXY0CO?si=UuOAbZeiQMKpgSjV5Od5_gListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-set-exec-the-podcast/id1837951413Connect with Brandon: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/brandondiehmrecruiting

    54 min
  8. Allen Martinez: The Man Behind Shark Tank's Largest Exit on why 70% of AI Projects Fail | Ready Set Exec

    APR 2

    Allen Martinez: The Man Behind Shark Tank's Largest Exit on why 70% of AI Projects Fail | Ready Set Exec

    Most companies think they're saving time with AI. They're actually losing $200,000–$400,000 a year - and it doesn't show up on any report. Allen Martinez is the brand strategist behind Shark Tank's largest exit in history: turning Plated from near-bankruptcy into a $300M acquisition in just 18 months. Quentin Tarantino handpicked him to direct for his commercial division, deployed $25B in media for global brands, and has work in MoMA's permanent collection. Today, he's the founder of Noble Digital and creator of the Brand Experience AI Operating System (BX AI OS) - the constitutional governance framework for corporate AI. We cover the hidden cost of bad AI deployment, why 70% of AI projects fail, the 3 critical gaps destroying companies, and exactly what to do about it in the next 30 days. About Ready Set Exec: Founded by Managing Partners Patrick Shea and John Pezoulas, Ready Set Exec is a premier North American executive leadership recruitment firm specializing in Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations. We replace hiring chaos with a repeatable process, boasting an average time-to-hire of 39 days and a 100% placement success rate. Chapters: 00:00 Who is Allen Martinez? The $300M Shark Tank exit 01:52 The Reconciliation Tax - the hidden $400K AI cost no one tracks 03:47 Onboard AI like a new employee - or it goes rogue 05:54 The 3 gaps killing every AI deployment 08:07 How to protect your company legally from AI mistakes 13:40 The Chevy Tahoe AI disaster - sold for $1 with zero guardrails 17:12 Why brand voice and performance are now the same code 23:36 Doers vs. architects - who survives the AI era 28:08 10-person companies will compete with Fortune 500s 34:02 30-day action plan for HR and business leaders Connect with Ready Set Exec: John Pezoulas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/Patrick Shea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExecConnect with Allen Martinez: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/allenmartinezPrimary site: BXAIOS.comPersonal site: AllenMartinez.netAgency: NobleDigital.comSocial: linktr.ee/allenmartinezBook: The Brand Experience AI Operating /Free FIRST CHAPTER: https://bxaios.com/first-chapter-free/

    51 min
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About

Overview: Welcome to Ready Set Exec, the podcast where executive search meets real leadership stories. Enjoy weekly conversations with Executives sharing insights, best practices and knowledge with John, the co-founder of Ready Set Exec Inc.—executive search in Sales, Marketing, HR, and Operations. What to Expect Each Episode: Conversations with Executives: Hear candid stories from accomplished leaders across Ready Set Exec’s network as they share lessons learned, pivotal career moves, and their outlook on the future of leadership. Industry Insights: Explore the trends shaping leadership in the fields Ready Set Exec knows best—how Sales leaders drive growth, how Marketing executives build brand momentum, how HR shapes culture, and how Operations keeps organizations moving. Talent Strategy Deep Dives: John reveals what he's learned about hiring executives who don’t just fit the role but elevate the business, by using a relationship-driven approach. Actionable Takeaways: Whether you’re a CEO, HR leader, or an executive shaping your next move, you’ll walk away with practical insights on attracting, retaining, and thriving as top talent. Connect with Ready Set Exec: John Pezoulas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpezoulas/ Patrick Shea LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/patrick-jm-shea/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySetExec Are you a C-level Exec and want to be a guest on the podcast ? email sales@readysetexec.com Check out our firm at Readysetexec.com or call us at 737-249-9572

Information

  • Creator
    Ready Set Exec Inc.
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ready Set Exec Inc. Copyright 2025
  • Show Website
    Ready Set Exec: The Podcast