Marketer of the Day with Robert Plank: Business Growth & Entrepreneur Stories

Robert Plank
  • 4.9 (160)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Marketer of the Day with Robert Plank is a daily business podcast for entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, consultants, agency owners, coaches, authors, speakers, and expert-led service businesses that want real growth without hype. Each episode features candid interviews with founders, marketers, creators, authors, and business owners who share the stories, systems, mistakes, and breakthroughs behind their success. You’ll hear practical ideas on business growth strategy, marketing strategy, authority building, podcasting, SEO, email marketing, social media, LinkedIn, lead generation, AI for business, automation, delegation, SOPs, productivity, leadership, and building predictable revenue without burning out. If you want to simplify your marketing, amplify your message, systemize your success, and become more confident about getting your business noticed, Marketer of the Day gives you daily insights and entrepreneur stories you can use to grow smarter.

  1. 10h ago

    1596: Reverse Mortgage Retirement Cash Flow Freedom with Kevin Guttman

    For many retirees, the fear isn’t just living longer, it’s outliving their money. Housing-rich but cash-poor seniors often feel trapped, thinking their only choices are to downsize, rent, or lean on family. Today’s guest, Kevin Guttman, CRMP, is one of only about 210 Certified Reverse Mortgage Professionals in the U.S., and he’s on a mission to change the conversation around retirement cash flow, home equity, and reverse mortgages. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Kevin explains how reverse mortgages have evolved from their early days in 1961 into a tightly regulated, post-2015 financial tool designed to help seniors age in place, eliminate mandatory mortgage payments, and tap into home equity without giving up ownership. He breaks down what a reverse mortgage really is (and isn’t), why so much of the negative press is based on outdated or incomplete information, and how the program can provide tax-free cash flow, a growing line of credit, or a way to finance a new retirement home without adding a monthly mortgage payment. Kevin shares real-life stories from his book, A Reverse Mortgage Changed My Life, including clients who went from putting groceries on credit cards to finally being able to sleep at night, couples who avoided seven-figure mistakes by not selling and renting, and retirees who used a reverse mortgage to move into low-maintenance homes that fit their health needs, without financial panic. He also explains the math behind why there’s usually still equity left at the end, even when interest is deferred, and how appreciation and conservative lending limits work in the homeowner’s favor.Beyond the product itself, Kevin emphasizes financial education, strategic use of debt, and the wealth-building power of real estate. He and Robert discuss why schools don’t teach money fundamentals, why parents need to take the lead, and how misunderstandings about homeownership and retirement planning can quietly cost families millions over the long term. https://youtu.be/P0iNdMei5fY?si=1Gm0NG6MaQcB6U0x Finally, Kevin explains why it’s critical to work with a true specialist, a Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional, instead of a general loan officer or financial advisor who dabbles in the space. He walks through his streamlined 22-day process from application to closing, his no-pressure, education-first approach, and the resources he offers through his website and book for anyone considering a reverse mortgage. If you or your loved ones are approaching retirement and worried about cash flow, this conversation will give you a grounded, up-to-date look at whether a reverse mortgage could be a smart part of your plan. Quotes: "Real estate is strategic debt. People who own real estate have a forty-times higher net worth than people who rent." "People hear 'reverse mortgage' and the wall goes up, but they're going off of inaccurate or outdated information." "If you don’t make your property tax payment, you’re going to be foreclosed on, whether you have a regular mortgage, a reverse mortgage, or no mortgage." Contact Details: Explore Kevin Guttman's Official Website Visit Kevin Guttman's Facebook Page Connect with Kevin Guttman on LinkedIn Follow Kevin Guttman on Instagram Get a Copy of A Reverse Mortgage Changed My Life on Amazon

    26 min

  2. 2d ago

    1595: Seven Summits of Life Success for Elite Entrepreneurs with Saahil Mehta

    Many high-performing entrepreneurs quietly hit a wall. They’ve built the business, the net worth, the lifestyle, and yet they still feel trapped, exhausted, or strangely unfulfilled. Today’s guest, Saahil Mehta, entrepreneur, mountaineer, and coach to eight-figure founders, helps leaders who have “made it” but still feel like they’re living someone else’s definition of success. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Saahil reveals his “Seven Summits” framework for redefining success on your own terms. Drawing on real-world experience from scaling four businesses and climbing 6,000-meter peaks, he shows why the traditional success playbook you inherited from family, culture, or social media becomes an invisible ceiling on your performance, energy, and happiness, and what to do about it. Instead of chasing more revenue, more deals, and more status, Saahil helps entrepreneurs identify the seven most important dimensions of their lives (beyond just health, wealth, and relationships), then intentionally prioritize what truly matters. You’ll hear how he narrowed his real estate focus to a specific niche, learned to say “no” to distracting opportunities, and avoided the costliest mistakes of shiny-object syndrome. Saahil also shares powerful lessons from a painful failed partnership and his mountaineering expeditions: the importance of pre-committing to “what if” scenarios, documenting agreements like a “constitution” for your business, and having clear decision rules before emotions and pressure kick in. https://youtu.be/hn6XmPaeVSc?si=5vwhMa3QNo_t-WKf One of the most practical takeaways is his “backpack” and energy audit exercise, a simple daily practice of asking what drains and what raises your energy so you can spot patterns, identify life clutter, and systematically remove the habits, commitments, and relationships that weigh you down (even if they’re “useful” but no longer worth carrying). If you’re a successful founder who feels stuck, misaligned, or quietly asking, “Is this it?” This conversation will help you gain clarity, reclaim your time and energy, and move toward a zero-regret life that’s actually true to you. Quotes: “The problem is not you; it’s that the system you were following was not yours, it was inherited from someone else’s definition of success.” "Once they have clarity on what that is, decision making becomes easier, they start taking steps in a direction that is in line with their definition of success, and then life starts to get more fulfilling."  “As long as you keep taking one step forward every day, you eventually make it to the summit.” Contact Details: Explore Saahil Mehta's Official Website Visit Saahil Mehta's Facebook Page Connect with Saahil Mehta on LinkedIn Follow Saahil Mehta on Instagram Discover How Top Entrepreneurs Scale Success Without Burning Out

    26 min

  3. 3d ago

    1594: Longevity Lessons from a 100-Year-Old Colonel with Charles Cone 

    Born in a farmhouse with no electricity, losing his mother at birth, and growing up in a one-room schoolhouse with torn dictionaries, Colonel Charles Cone had every reason to believe life would keep him small. Instead, he spent 30 years in the U.S. military, became a Navy and then Air Force pilot, flew in three wars, earned the first computer science degree ever awarded at Texas A&M, and is still flying and working out with a trainer at 100 years old. In this episode, Charles shares the remarkable journey behind his autobiography, A Burning Desire to Fly, and how a “dumb farm kid” with hay fever, no role models, and almost no resources built a life of service, courage, and quiet excellence. We explore the defining moments that shaped him: the psychologist who wrote “a burning desire to fly” on his file and unintentionally gave him a lifelong mantra; being assigned to a plane he didn’t want, deciding to excel anyway, and becoming the youngest patrol plane commander in the Pacific; surviving a harrowing typhoon flight with almost no fuel and no navigation; and the day his crew including his roommate died in a crash on the very day he was to leave the Navy, a tragedy that led, through another twist of fate, to meeting his future wife. Charles reflects on living through World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the entire arc of aviation and computing from punch cards and 1K memory to smartwatches and self-flying aircraft while holding onto simple, old-school values of duty, faith, and persistence. https://youtu.be/8djRJrN-p00?si=D-oDT1g35hKdBEFT Charles also shares the “unflashy” secrets behind his longevity and impact: decades of disciplined physical fitness, continuing to learn and contribute long after retirement, saying yes to service (from Lions Club projects to flying mercy missions), and treating every assignment even the ones he didn’t want as worth doing to the best of his ability. If you’re feeling stuck, discouraged, or tempted to coast into later life, this conversation is a living rebuttal: a 100-year case study in why you don’t quit, why you keep your body and mind engaged, and why, as Charles sums it up in his favorite quote and life lesson, you “never give up.” Quotes: "I’m just an ordinary old jerk, and it’s kind of surprising to me when I wake up now and then and say, ‘Well, you’re what they call an author,’ and you’re not really an author, you’re just a plain old guy."  "I guess I realized that my persistence had gotten me a long way; there was that sort of thing of not giving up. Don’t give up, and I still say that today." "All of us get discouraged at one time or another in some circumstance, and if you can just sit back and get rid of that discouragement and say, ‘Well, let’s get on with it, let’s do what needs to be done,’ if it means quitting and changing, change, but don’t just fret about it." Contact Details: Get a Copy of A Burning Desire to Fly on Amazon Explore Charles Cone's Official Website

    36 min

  4. 4d ago

    1593: Personal Branding in the Gig Economy with Chaz Austin

    Are you still playing by the old career rules, sending out resumes, waiting for HR to notice you, and hoping AI doesn't filter you out before a human ever sees your name? Are you frustrated that you “did everything right” (education, resume, interview skills) yet still feel invisible in a job market overrun by automation, layoffs, and gig work? In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Dr. Chaz Austin explains why corporate loyalty is dead and why every worker, employee, freelancer, or consultant must start thinking like an entrepreneur. Drawing on his doctorate in organizational leadership from Pepperdine, three books, including How to Find Work for the Rest of Your Life, LinkedIn Learning career courses, and a TEDx talk, he breaks down how AI has flooded the hiring system with noise, and why employers are retreating to the safest filter they know: real human relationships and referrals. Instead of hoping an algorithm notices you, Chaz shows you how to become the person people already know and trust before an opening is ever posted, rather than relying on random luck. https://youtu.be/4Ooqx32wiHs?si=HVYTr3Zmb0rgE6ks Dr. Chaz walks you through a practical, modern strategy centered on LinkedIn, targeted groups, and consistent visibility. He reveals how to position your profile, so decision-makers instantly see your value, how to use groups and volunteering as an “audition” for future work, and why you must embrace the reality that you now have two jobs: your craft and your self‑marketing. His “farmer” metaphor, planting and nurturing many relationship seeds over time, offers a realistic, sustainable way to generate ongoing gigs, referrals, and opportunities without feeling like a pushy salesperson. This conversation is packed with insights for anyone frustrated by ignored applications, unstable employment, or a nagging fear that they’re being left behind by AI and automation. If you’re ready to stop depending on resumes and start building a relationship-powered, opportunity-rich career in the gig economy, Dr. Chaz’s approach may be the reset you need. Quotes: “Sometimes they don’t hire the best people; they hire people they know and trust that they’ve worked with before.” "Think of yourself as a farmer: plant as many seeds as you can. You water them, you nurture them, and you don't need all of them to grow; if a few start to pop up, that's your new client, that's your new gig."  "You need to lower your expectations significantly about the old sending out the resume. You can continue to do that, but don't expect anything. A lot of it is just busy work." Contact Details: Explore Dr. Chaz Austin's Official Website Visit Dr. Chaz Austin's Facebook Page Connect with Dr. Chaz Austin on LinkedIn Follow Dr. Chaz Austin on Instagram Get a Copy of How to Find Work for the Rest of Your Life on Amazon

    31 min

  5. 4d ago

    1592: Grounded science fiction and faith-driven storytelling with Barry J. Spaulding

    Many people don’t lose their love for reading and deep thinking; they just get buried under responsibilities, distractions, and endless screens until their imagination quietly slips into the background. Today’s guest, Barry J. “BJ” Spaulding, a former federal law enforcement officer and military veteran turned science fiction author, shows how stories can pull us back into wonder, responsibility, and faith. After 32 years of service, a divorce, retirement, and the pandemic, Barry finally returned to his teenage dream of writing, and the result is a growing catalog of books, including Dark Star, The Fight for Survival, and Who’s to Blame. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Barry shares how his background in the Army, law enforcement, and Dungeons & Dragons helped him build believable universes, flawed heroes, and grounded military sci‑fi. He explains why Dark Star took 15 years to fully come together, how he weaves real-world tactics, emotional trauma, and survival decisions into epic space battles, and why he refuses to write “perfect” heroes. His stories blend science fact, combat experience, and speculative fiction in a way that still feels human and uncomfortably honest about what people do when the stakes are life and death. Barry also dives into the deeply personal inspiration behind Who’s to Blame, a story about a man named George who spends his life blaming God for every tragedy, until God finally brings him to heaven for a direct, no-excuses conversation. Through that lens, Barry explores blame, loss, faith, and personal responsibility, asking hard questions like: What part did I play in what happened? and Do we create our own heaven and hell? If you’ve ever wondered how modern faith, free will, and suffering could be explored through a compelling story instead of a dry debate, this episode lays out a powerful blueprint. https://youtu.be/bYx9q-h23Yc?si=WRRRmtnLCYW5z5Ck Along the way, Barry and Robert talk about why reading and writing are more important than ever in a tech-saturated world, how books slow your mind down, force you to visualize, and create a private dialogue between the words and your soul in a way movies and social media can’t match. Barry shares practical insights into his writing process, why he often writes without an outline, how reader feedback sharpened his character development, and what’s coming next (including a twist-filled vampire novel, a heartfelt story for his daughter, and a Dark Star prequel and sequel). If you love science fiction, military thrillers, faith-driven stories, or need a nudge to pick up a book, and maybe a pen. Again, this conversation will rekindle your imagination and remind you why stories matter. Quotes: "I wanted to create a believable universe. I didn't want it to be just things appear, things are there, and there's no real explanation behind it." "I will tell people over and over again: don't stop reading. Technology is wonderful, but it can't replace a good book on a quiet evening." "When you're reading, it's between the words on the page and your soul. You envision what's on the pages. You can't do that in a movie theater." Contact Details: Visit Barry J. Spaulding's Official Website Discover The Fight for Survival available now on Amazon Read Who’s to Blame today available now on Amazon Explore the thrilling world of Dark Star available now on Amazon

    32 min

  6. 5d ago

    1591: Scaling DTC Brands From Chaos to Profit with Cem Atik

    Are you scaling your e-commerce brand in revenue, but not in profit? Are you flying blind on CAC, LTV, fulfillment costs, and ad performance, hoping the numbers work out later? Many founders grow to low 7-figures on hustle and luck, only to hit a painful ceiling of chaos, cash-flow problems, and agency fatigue.  In this episode of Marketer of the Day, growth partner Cem Atik of Harucon Ventures shows you what it really takes to move from low 7-figures of chaotic growth to predictable, profitable scale. With 13+ years in e-commerce and a track record of stepping into DTC brands “stuck between traction and chaos,” Cem doesn’t just run ads, he and his team take equity and full control of marketing, perform deep finance and marketing due diligence, and rebuild growth systems from the inside out. Cem reveals the three bottlenecks he sees in almost every 7- and 8-figure brand: founders who don’t know their true CAC and LTV, broken or non-existent third-party tracking and attribution, and a lack of real control over fulfillment, taxes, and operational costs. He explains how, by building a single source of truth for numbers and cohorts, brands can finally make confident decisions about where to cut spend, where to double down, and how aggressively they can acquire new customers. Instead of guessing, you start steering your business with clarity. https://youtu.be/3fHMwV8W1tE?si=WS6EZKQnCQ77GEYj You’ll also hear a powerful case study of a brand doing $10M/month that boosted revenue while cutting marketing spend by 20–25% just by fixing structure and supply chain inefficiencies, saving 9% on fulfillment alone. Cem calls his model “marketing for adults”: performance-based, numbers-first, and designed so both sides win only when the business truly grows profitably. Along the way, he shares why humility beats ego when hiring marketers and operators, and why, if you truly control your numbers, you can afford to move fast and even be a little chaotic everywhere else. If you’re tired of agency fatigue, unclear profitability, and growth that feels like a gamble instead of a strategy, this conversation will give you a concrete blueprint. You’ll discover how to get a grip on your metrics, clean up your ad accounts, and build a team and system that take you from “winging it” at $1–5M to scaling like a pro toward $50M and beyond, without losing your sanity or your margins. Quotes: “Brands that grow from five to fifty million don’t do it because they run better marketing; they do it because they did the groundwork that allows them to grow safely.” “If you have control over your numbers, you can be chaotic in everything else, and as long as your execution speed is great, you will still succeed.” “You could be the best email, WhatsApp, Google Ads, or Meta guy, but the only thing that will always win is a good team that’s working proactively together.” Contact Details: Connect with Cem Atik on LinkedIn Explore Harucon Ventures Official Website

    27 min

  7. Jun 16

    1590: Build Profitable Course Communities with AI Support with Bryan McAnulty

    Most creators don’t struggle because they lack expertise. They struggle because tech overwhelm, scattered tools, and indecision keep them from turning their knowledge into a scalable business. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Bryan McAnulty, founder of Heights Platform, shares how solopreneurs can use AI-powered tools to build profitable online courses and communities, without sacrificing authenticity or getting buried in tech headaches. Brian pulls back the curtain on Heights Platform, an all‑in‑one course creation and community platform used by creators in over 100 countries. Instead of using AI to churn out low-quality “slop content,” Heights uses AI to act like a virtual assistant and coach, helping you set up your programs, structure offers, handle technical details, and even plan your marketing, while you stay focused on the one thing only you can do: teaching from your real-world experience. You’ll hear how features like live lessons, built‑in video calls, and gamified communities make it easy to deliver a premium, high‑touch learning experience. Bryan explains how you can run live cohorts directly inside your platform, automatically turn those sessions into course content, and use community features both to increase student results and to attract new leads with public community posts that rank in search, essentially turning your community into a living, SEO-friendly knowledge base under your own brand and domain. A big part of the conversation dives into pricing psychology and offer design. Bryan challenges the common trap of selling $10–$20 mini products and hoping volume makes up the difference. Instead, he walks through why most experts underprice themselves, why transformation and outcomes should drive your pricing (not video length or course size), and how adding community and live coaching can justify premium price points while delivering far better results for your students. https://youtu.be/_Vi-niuEZYs?si=EWdDlQeT8A_efrS5 Finally, Bryan shares a powerful perspective on thinking bigger with AI. As AI tools get faster and more capable, the real differentiator won’t be who has access to AI; it will be how you work, how you think, and how clearly you communicate your vision to these tools. From internal dev tools that used to cost tens of thousands to build, to weekend projects now powered by AI, Bryan shows how creators and entrepreneurs can ride this wave instead of getting left behind. If you’ve ever felt stuck between too many platforms, too many decisions, and not enough momentum, this episode will give you a concrete path to launching (or relaunching) your online course and community with confidence. Quotes: "I don't see AI replacing the humans for this kind of expertise. Our goal is to assist you, because most people don't wake up every day excited to use software, they're excited about the outcome the software helps them achieve."  "If every business has this magical AI agent that can do anything, then what makes the difference between you and any other business? If everyone can generate unlimited content and unlimited software, the difference comes down to how you do things."  "There weren't really many platforms that were actually focused on helping your customers get results. Marketing is kind of a solved problem, but learning is not a solved problem." Contact Details: Visit Bryan McAnulty's Facebook Page Connect with Bryan McAnulty on LinkedIn Learn More About Heights Platform Start & Grow Your Creative Business with Creator Climb Brayan McAnulty Official Website Explore the YouTube Channel of Bryan McAnulty

    30 min

  8. Jun 13

    1589: Creative Problem Solving in the Age of AI with Nir Bashan

    Business owners rarely fail because they’re short on tools or tactics, they fail because they blend in. In a world where everyone has access to AI, automation, and endless data, the real danger is that your message, brand, and leadership lose their human edge. Output becomes polished but generic. Teams get buried in analytics while intuition, originality, and genuine connection get pushed aside. Today’s guest, Nir Bashan, keynote speaker, creativity consultant, and author of The Solution Mindset: Mastering the Art of Problem Solving, has helped brands like Rolex and Porsche turn creativity into measurable profit by treating it as a practical business tool, not something fluffy or optional.  In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Nir shows us why creativity is now the last true competitive advantage in the age of AI. He explains how AI has become the great equalizer: everyone can generate emails, posts, and scripts at scale, but very few know how to separate the “AI fire hose” of output into what’s truly valuable, authentic, and on-brand. Nir reveals how to use AI as a starting point while applying a creativity rubric to refine, reshape, and humanize your content so it sounds like you and actually resonates with your audience. https://youtu.be/juP8aaBUPaI?si=b9yJ3lZXJT0Q3s2T This conversation is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, marketers, and leaders who feel overwhelmed by data, distracted by constant digital noise, or frustrated that their AI-assisted content still falls flat. If you’ve been wondering how to stand out when everyone else has the same tools, Nir’s Solution Mindset will show you how to reclaim creativity as a skill, integrate it with your analytics, and turn everyday problems into opportunities for differentiation and growth. Quotes: “Creativity is an actionable tool that we can use to grow businesses, get into new markets, change product, and change how customers relate to what we offer. The problem is that most people don't use it."  "AI is now the great equalizer. Everyone has access to it, so the question becomes: what do we do to get to the next level? That shortage, that gap there, is creativity."  "Reality doesn't lie strictly in the numbers; it lies in a balancing of the analytics and the creative. That's what I help people do, connect those two things to optimize their business." Contact Details: Visit Nir Bashan's Facebook Page Connect with Nir Bashan on LinkedIn Explore Nir Bashan's Official Website Follow Nir Bashan on Instagram Get a copy of The Solution Mindset: Mastering the Art of Problem Solving on Amazon Dive into the YouTube Channel of Nir Bashan

    23 min
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4.9
out of 5
160 Ratings

About

Marketer of the Day with Robert Plank is a daily business podcast for entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, consultants, agency owners, coaches, authors, speakers, and expert-led service businesses that want real growth without hype. Each episode features candid interviews with founders, marketers, creators, authors, and business owners who share the stories, systems, mistakes, and breakthroughs behind their success. You’ll hear practical ideas on business growth strategy, marketing strategy, authority building, podcasting, SEO, email marketing, social media, LinkedIn, lead generation, AI for business, automation, delegation, SOPs, productivity, leadership, and building predictable revenue without burning out. If you want to simplify your marketing, amplify your message, systemize your success, and become more confident about getting your business noticed, Marketer of the Day gives you daily insights and entrepreneur stories you can use to grow smarter.

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