Noob School

John Sterling
  • 5.0 (12)
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Welcome to Noob School where expert sales trainer John Sterling is ready to teach sales noobs how to launch their careers like a rocketship. Through conversations with business leaders in every industry, you'll learn how to navigate the sales industry and apply their experiences to amplify your success.

  1. 11/07/2025

    Experience Speaks: Lessons from Capers Easterby

    Capers Easterby has spent his career building teams, businesses, and relationships that actually last — the kind that aren’t driven by hype, but by doing the right things the right way, over time. He’s one of those people who naturally blends sales sense with leadership instincts, and that combination has made him successful across every chapter of his career. More than that, he’s a longtime friend who understands what Noob School is all about — learning the business of sales from people who’ve lived it. This episode is packed with perspective from someone who’s seen both sides of growth: winning new business and leading it once it scales. If you’re serious about building a career or company that lasts, you’ll want to hear this one. Get your sales in rhythm with The Sterling Method: https://SterlingSales.co I'm going to be sharing my secrets on all my social channels, but if you want them all at your fingertips, start with my book, Sales for Noobs: https://amzn.to/3tiaxsL Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://bit.ly/3Ned5kL #SalesTraining #B2BSales #SalesExcellence #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SalesLeadership #SalesSuccess #SalesCoaching #SalesSkills #SalesInnovation #SalesTips #SalesPerformance #SalesTransformation #SalesTeamDevelopment #SalesMotivation #SalesEnablement #SalesGoals #SalesExpertise #SalesInsights #SalesTrends#salestrends

    46 min

  2. 10/24/2025

    Jack Sterling on Data, Veterans, and Building Purpose After Service | #NoobSchoolPodcast

    My son Jack Sterling returns to Noob School for his fourth appearance — officially becoming the most frequent guest on the show. This one dives deep into what Jack’s been up to lately — from his growing business, Cloud Hound, to his work with Upstate Warrior Solution helping veterans transition into entrepreneurship. We start off trading thoughts on our favorite podcasts and how shows like Lions Led by Donkeys and My First Million have influenced the way Jack thinks about leadership, learning, and risk-taking. Jack shares how fantasy football and analytics sparked his fascination with data — eventually leading him to pursue a master’s degree in data analytics at Clemson. But the heart of the episode is about purpose — how veterans can rediscover team, mission, and structure through entrepreneurship. Jack breaks down how his program at the Rupert Hughes Veteran Center supports veterans, first responders, and their families across the Upstate by helping them navigate healthcare, education, and business ownership. He shares inspiring success stories from entrepreneurs who’ve come through the program — from a veteran-run medical training company using human remains for realistic field instruction, to another launching Upstate South Carolina’s first paddle tennis facility. We also dig into the lessons he’s learned running Cloud Hound — from ditching international business to focusing on “cyber and fiber” solutions for local clients, and why most security breaches start with people, not technology. Jack explains his live training on social engineering, phishing, and why emotional manipulation is hackers’ easiest path in. To wrap it up, he shares the book that’s had the biggest impact on him — “Tribe” by Sebastian Junger — and why it reframed his entire view of community, fulfillment, and the difference between the military and civilian worlds. If you’ve ever wondered how to find purpose after leaving a structured environment, or how to turn your skills into impact, this one’s for you. Get your sales in rhythm with The Sterling Method: https://SterlingSales.co I'm going to be sharing my secrets on all my social channels, but if you want them all at your fingertips, start with my book, Sales for Noobs: https://amzn.to/3tiaxsL Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://bit.ly/3Ned5kL #SalesTraining #B2BSales #SalesExcellence #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SalesLeadership #SalesSuccess #SalesCoaching #SalesSkills #SalesInnovation #SalesTips #SalesPerformance #SalesTransformation #SalesTeamDevelopment #SalesMotivation #SalesEnablement #SalesGoals #SalesExpertise #SalesInsights #SalesTrends#salestrends

    56 min

  3. 10/18/2025

    From West Point to Private Equity with Jake Bennett of Well Street Partners

    In this episode of Noob School, we sit down with Jake Bennett (via Zoom), cofounder and Principal of Well Street Partners. You can find him on LinkedIn here: linkedin.com/in/jake-bennett314  Jake is a Virginia native whose journey spans systems engineering at West Point, five years of active duty in the U.S. Army (with assignments in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Afghanistan), and an MBA from Michigan Ross. After his service, he joined McKinsey’s Chicago office—leading operational transformations for lower/middle-market industrial firms and executing procurement strategies across industries.  Today, Jake and his cofounder are focused on acquiring, operating, and growing small and mid-market businesses through Well Street Partners. In this episode, we dig into:  How his systems engineering and military background shaped his leadership and operational mindset  What he learned at McKinsey and how that informs his approach to transformation and execution  The “what, why, and how” behind Well Street Partners – investment criteria, operations playbooks, and value creation Sales, execution, and building credibility in small / middle market businesses  Career transitions: how to lean into your strengths, navigate uncertainty, and build upward momentum  Whether you’re early in your career or plotting your next pivot, Jake offers a compelling blueprint at the intersection of operations, strategy, and mission-driven investing.  Get your sales in rhythm with The Sterling Method: https://SterlingSales.co  I'm going to be sharing my secrets on all my social channels, but if you want them all at your fingertips, start with my book, Sales for Noobs: https://amzn.to/3tiaxsL  Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://bit.ly/3Ned5kL  #SalesTraining #B2BSales #SalesExcellence #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SalesLeadership #SalesSuccess #SalesCoaching #SalesSkills #SalesInnovation #SalesTips #SalesPerformance #SalesTransformation #SalesTeamDevelopment #SalesMotivation #SalesEnablement #SalesGoals #SalesExpertise #SalesInsights #SalesTrends#salestrends

    53 min

  4. 10/03/2025

    From Harvard Hoops to Injury Law: Lamar Flatt’s Path

    When I sat down with Lamar Flatt — former Harvard basketball player, USC law graduate, and now partner at Best & Flatt, P.A. — I knew we’d cover a lot of ground. Lamar’s story takes him from the court to the courtroom, starting his law career in Savannah, GA, before returning to South Carolina, and he’s built a reputation as both a sharp attorney and a lifelong learner.  In our conversation, we talk about why curiosity matters, the importance of always seeking knowledge, and a perspective we discuss called “ant theory.” Imagine a closet that, to a colony of ants, is their entire world. They don’t realize there’s an entire house beyond it, or even more beyond the house. The same goes for us as humans: there’s always more to discover if we keep looking and keep learning.  Along the way, Lamar shares stories from his own path in law, how he approaches cases, and the mindset that’s carried him through challenges and opportunities. If you’re serious about growth, staying curious, and seeing the bigger picture in your own life and career, this episode will resonate.  Get your sales in rhythm with The Sterling Method: https://SterlingSales.co  I'm going to be sharing my secrets on all my social channels, but if you want them all at your fingertips, start with my book, Sales for Noobs: https://amzn.to/3tiaxsL Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://bit.ly/3Ned5kL  #SalesTraining #B2BSales #SalesExcellence #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SalesLeadership #SalesSuccess #SalesCoaching #SalesSkills #SalesInnovation #SalesTips #SalesPerformance #SalesTransformation #SalesTeamDevelopment #SalesMotivation #SalesEnablement #SalesGoals #SalesExpertise #SalesInsights #SalesTrends#salestrends

    1h 6m

  5. 09/26/2025

    Michael Pace Returns: Sales, AI, and Why Being a Noob Is a Superpower

    Michael Pace is back on Noob School for the third time, and every conversation with him feels like catching up with an old friend. We swap stories from our careers, dig into the pros and cons of comp plans, and talk about how AI tools are changing the way we work in sales and entrepreneurship. One of my favorite parts of this conversation is how Michael frames “being a noob” — not as a weakness, but as a real strength when you’re willing to try new things, stretch yourself, and build confidence in new areas of business and life. Michael’s experience and perspective always bring practical lessons for sales professionals and entrepreneurs alike.  Get your sales in rhythm with The Sterling Method: https://SterlingSales.co  I'm going to be sharing my secrets on all my social channels, but if you want them all at your fingertips, start with my book, Sales for Noobs: https://amzn.to/3tiaxsL  Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://bit.ly/3Ned5kL  #SalesTraining #B2BSales #SalesExcellence #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SalesLeadership #SalesSuccess #SalesCoaching #SalesSkills #SalesInnovation #SalesTips #SalesPerformance #SalesTransformation #SalesTeamDevelopment #SalesMotivation #SalesEnablement #SalesGoals #SalesExpertise #SalesInsights #SalesTrends#salestrends

    58 min

  6. 09/19/2025

    Scott Millwood Back on Noob School: Founderville and the Future of Startups

    In this episode of Noob School, I catch up with Scott Millwood, a familiar voice in the Greenville startup scene and co-founder of Founderville, a venture capital fund based right here in Greenville, SC. Scott shares his journey after Datastream, diving into some of the ventures he’s led and the successes he’s achieved along the way. We spend time discussing his current focus at Founderville. The fund is dedicated to supporting B2B SaaS startups, helping promising companies scale and thrive in today’s competitive market. Scott gives insight into his role with the fund, the kinds of startups they look for, and the strategies they’ve used to foster growth in the Greenville tech ecosystem. Looking ahead, Scott shares exciting plans for the future, including the anticipated launch of Fund II. It’s clear that Founderville isn’t just a fund—it’s a growing part of the Greenville startup community, and Scott’s dedication to supporting founders is a big reason for its impact. Throughout the episode, we also touch on investing, entrepreneurship, and the lessons Scott has learned from years of building businesses. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, investor, or just curious about the Greenville tech scene, there’s a lot to take away from this conversation. Get your sales in rhythm with The Sterling Method: https://SterlingSales.co I'm going to be sharing my secrets on all my social channels, but if you want them all at your fingertips, start with my book, Sales for Noobs: https://amzn.to/3tiaxsL Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://bit.ly/3Ned5kL #SalesTraining #B2BSales #SalesExcellence #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SalesLeadership #SalesSuccess #SalesCoaching #SalesSkills #SalesInnovation #SalesTips #SalesPerformance #SalesTransformation #SalesTeamDevelopment #SalesMotivation #SalesEnablement #SalesGoals #SalesExpertise #SalesInsights #SalesTrends#salestrends

    50 min

  7. 09/12/2025

    From Counterintelligence to Conversions — Bill Rice on Smarter Lead Gen

    I’m thrilled to welcome Bill Rice to Noob School for Episode 151 — joining us over Zoom to talk about how counterintelligence thinking, data-driven marketing, and AI are reshaping lead generation and business exits. Bill’s one of those rare people who’s walked serious, structured careers in two very different worlds. He started his professional life as a U.S. Air Force officer running counterespionage and information-warfare activities — an experience that sharpened his analytical approach to patterns, risk, and human behavior. From there he moved into entrepreneurship and marketing, founding Kaleidico and later Bill Rice Strategy Group to help companies build predictable lead-generation engines. Over the last 20+ years he’s focused on fintech and B2B clients, building scalable sales systems and teaching teams how to convert marketing into reliable revenue. In this wide-ranging conversation we dig into: How lessons from counterespionage translate to modern marketing: spotting patterns, validating signals, and avoiding confirmation bias. Practical frameworks Bill uses to build predictable demand-generation for fintech and SaaS companies — what to measure, what to automate, and where human judgment still wins. Real talk on AI: what founders should actually expect from AI today, how to integrate it into content and outreach without losing product-market fit, and cheap experiments that move the needle. Preparing a business for acquisition: what buyers look for in lead-gen systems and the operational readiness that increase valuation. If you run a startup, lead a sales or marketing team, or are thinking about scaling (or selling) your business, this episode is full of tactical steps and thought experiments you can use tomorrow. Pull up a chair, grab your notes, and let’s learn how strategic thinking, data, and a little military-grade pattern recognition can make your marketing less messy and more profitable. Get your sales in rhythm with The Sterling Method: https://SterlingSales.co I'm going to be sharing my secrets on all my social channels, but if you want them all at your fingertips, start with my book, Sales for Noobs: https://amzn.to/3tiaxsL Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://bit.ly/3Ned5kL #SalesTraining #B2BSales #SalesExcellence #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SalesLeadership #SalesSuccess #SalesCoaching #SalesSkills #SalesInnovation #SalesTips #SalesPerformance #SalesTransformation #SalesTeamDevelopment #SalesMotivation #SalesEnablement #SalesGoals #SalesExpertise #SalesInsights #SalesTrends#salestrends

    40 min

  8. 09/05/2025

    What Great Leaders Do Differently with David Shaner #BusinessTips #SalesLeadership #NoobSchool

    In Episode 150 of Noob School, I sit down with David Shaner of Greenville, SC—Principal of CONNECT Consulting LLC and longtime advisor to leaders who want to strengthen culture and performance. Our conversation touches on a wide range of leadership lessons, from the small signals that can shape company culture, to how leaders build trust across an organization, to why transparency—financial and otherwise—can be a powerful motivator. David shares insights from his decades of experience helping organizations improve performance by getting employees to think and act like owners, while I offer stories from my own journey in business and sales. This episode is packed with practical wisdom and thought-provoking takeaways for business owners, sales leaders, and anyone looking to grow both their people and their company. Get your sales in rhythm with The Sterling Method: https://SterlingSales.co I'm going to be sharing my secrets on all my social channels, but if you want them all at your fingertips, start with my book, Sales for Noobs: https://amzn.to/3tiaxsL Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://bit.ly/3Ned5kL #SalesTraining #B2BSales #SalesExcellence #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SalesLeadership #SalesSuccess #SalesCoaching #SalesSkills #SalesInnovation #SalesTips #SalesPerformance #SalesTransformation #SalesTeamDevelopment #SalesMotivation #SalesEnablement #SalesGoals #SalesExpertise #SalesInsights #SalesTrends#salestrends

    50 min
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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Welcome to Noob School where expert sales trainer John Sterling is ready to teach sales noobs how to launch their careers like a rocketship. Through conversations with business leaders in every industry, you'll learn how to navigate the sales industry and apply their experiences to amplify your success.

Information

  • Creator
    John Sterling
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    157
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2021 Noob School and Pronk Studios
  • Show Website
    Noob School