Rising Tide Startups

Rising Tide
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Rising Tide Startups

Rising Tide Startups is a unique, bi-weekly Business interview podcast, hosting some of today’s most exciting solopreneurs, startups founders and side hustlers from all over the globe.

  1. 6D AGO

    9.09 – Gabe Lullo – Alleyoop

    Most people avoid cold calls. Gabe Lullo built a multi-million dollar company on them. Gabe Lullo didn’t take a traditional route to the top. He started in the trenches, working the phones as an SDR, and built his way up to CEO of Alleyoop, a global sales development firm making over 11 million cold calls a year. Along the way, he juggled rejection, resilience, and yes—actual juggling. In this episode of Rising Tide Startups, host Kevin Prewett sits down with Gabe to unpack the real story behind scaling a sales-driven company from scratch. With a degree from the Barney School of Business and more than a decade running his own sales, marketing, and training firm, Gabe brought deep experience in recruiting and leadership before ever stepping into the CEO seat. He shares how those early roles, from executive search to culture-building, shaped how he leads today. Gabe also unpacks why sales development should be treated as its function, why cold calling still works, and how product-market fit makes or breaks a sales strategy. Beyond tactics, the conversation explores leadership, culture, and building teams that scale. Gabe shares why every hire interviews with him personally, how he empowers leaders to own decisions, and the mindset that’s carried him from startup days to leading a 100+ person team. His story is grounded in grit, but it’s also filled with systems and structure that anyone can learn from. Key Takeaways: Cold Calling Isn’t Dead—It Just Needs a Human Touch. Despite spam filters and caller ID, phone calls are still the fastest way to book meetings when done correctly. Leadership can be earned from the ground up. Experience at every level of a company builds the kind of perspective and empathy that drives strong, effective leadership. Sales Is About Grit, Not Just Technique.  Red Apples, Green Apples, Rotten Apples. This is a powerful metaphor for: 10% are “red apples”—ready to buy. 10% are “rotten apples”—never going to convert. 80% are “green apples”—undecided, and this is where great salespeople shine. Success in sales comes from nurturing the green apples through timing, perspective-shifting, and persistence. Rejection builds resilience. Facing consistent “no’s” in business teaches adaptability, sharpens communication, and strengthens long-term confidence. Don’t scale without product-market fit. No amount of leads or marketing can fix a poor offering. Sustainable growth starts with a clear value proposition and a validated market need. If you’re not excited to sell it, neither will your team be. Listen to the full conversation here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR Connect with Gabe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lullo/  Alleyoop’s: https://alleyoop.io/  Closing thought: “You can start at the bottom, take every hit, and still build something extraordinary—if you stay hungry and never stop showing up.” Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. Shoutout to our Great Sponsors:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2024! Podbrand Media - Have you ever considered starting your own podcast for your company or brand?  Podbrandmedia.com can help.  We create podcasts that actually make you money!

    34 min

  2. JUN 24

    9.03 – Evan Kubicek – Professor of Entrepreneurship

    What can the “Indiana Jones of Entrepreneurship” tell us about how AI is shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs? Evan Kubicek, also known as Coach K, is a social entrepreneur, educator, and business coach dedicated to helping people, businesses, and communities grow. As a senior faculty member at Eastern Illinois University, he shares strategies that drive transformation in his students, their companies, and their communities. Beyond the classroom, Evan is the Executive Director of the Business Incubator Elevate, a Fractional Chief Impact Officer, and a business advisor with multiple organizations. His experience spans retail, humanitarian aid, international startups, and consulting across numerous countries. In this episode, Evan shares his insights on AI’s role in business education, how students perceive authenticity in digital content, and why adaptability is the key to success. He also discusses the shifting expectations of graduates entering the workforce, from flexible work environments to the evolving definition of career stability. Through his experiences as an entrepreneur and educator, Evan highlights the need for resilience, continuous learning, and strategic thinking in today’s fast-changing world. Whether you're a student, an entrepreneur, or a business leader, this conversation offers valuable takeaways on the intersection of AI, education, and career growth. Key Takeaways: AI is reshaping how students learn and work, but many still struggle with trusting its authenticity. Learning how to use AI for market research, automation, and creative projects is becoming essential. Young entrepreneurs must balance technology with human connection and emotional intelligence. The job market is changing—flexibility, purpose, and meaningful work are becoming top priorities for graduates. Entrepreneurs and job seekers alike need to understand how to add measurable value to stand out. Success isn’t just about financial growth—it’s about building strong relationships, solving real problems, and staying engaged in meaningful work. Entrepreneurs need to focus on solving meaningful problems, not just making money—without purpose, success feels empty. If your business is just moving files and emails, AI will replace you.   Listen to the full conversation here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR Connect with Evan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evankubicek/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evankubicek/  Elevate CCIC, Inc.: https://elevate217.org/  Closing thought: “Entrepreneurship is about building something bigger than yourself, not just escaping a job or chasing wealth.” Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. Shoutout to our Great Sponsors:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2024! Podbrand Media - Have you ever considered starting your own podcast for your company or brand?  Podbrandmedia.com can help.  Affordable and effective in content creation and lead generation!

    43 min

  3. MAY 8

    9.08 – Alan Pentz – Owner Institute

    The business is growing. You’re overwhelmed. Welcome to the small business black hole. For Alan Pence, founder of the Owner Institute, building a multi-million dollar company didn’t come from working more hours or saying yes to everything. It came from realizing that what got him to $1M in revenue was exactly what was keeping him from going further. Like many founders, Alan hit the wall. The point where the systems broke down, burnout started creeping in. That wall? He calls it the “small business black hole.” In this episode of Rising Tide Startups, we sit down with Alan to unpack the patterns he’s seen across hundreds of businesses. He explains why burnout, blurred vision, and stalled growth are symptoms of a deeper issue: the business is built around the founder instead of beyond them. Alan shares how to shift from being stuck in the day-to-day to building a company that scales sustainably—with clear systems, empowered leadership, and a renewed sense of purpose. Whether you're hitting a revenue ceiling, burned out from doing everything yourself, or wondering if your business is building a life you want—this episode is for you. It’s honest, practical, and filled with the kind of insights you’ll wish you had five years ago. Key Takeaways: Founders often become the bottleneck. Many businesses stall because the owner is doing too much or holding on too tightly. Start with personal vision. You need to know what kind of life you want before you build a business to support it. You can't scale if you try to do everything. At each stage, the owner must shift roles, delegate, and level up skills. Hire for what drains you. Free up your time and energy by handing off tasks that wear you down. Understanding your numbers helps you grow without guessing or overspending. Common Barriers at Different Stages $1M Stage: Founder is doing too much. Needs to focus on sales and delegate everything else. $2–5M Stage: Growth requires key operational hires to handle increased complexity. $5–10M Stage: Need to build a real leadership team with specialized functions (sales, ops, HR, etc.). $10M+ Stage: Owner must extract themselves from what they’re best at and structure scalable systems. Listen to the full conversation here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR Connect with Alan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanpentz/  Owner Institute: https://www.ownerinstitute.com/    Closing thought: “Small businesses stay small for a reason. That reason is the owner.” Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. Shoutout to our Great Sponsors:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2024! Podbrand Media - Have you ever considered starting your own podcast for your company or brand?  Podbrandmedia.com can help.  Affordable and effective in content creation and lead generation!

    38 min

  4. APR 28

    9.07 – Heintze Malack – The Twentieth

    What happens when you follow your gut, not a roadmap? For Heintze Malack—known to her friends and followers as Heinz—entrepreneurship didn’t start with a business degree or a polished pitch deck. It started with paper boats and a big imagination. Now the founder of the fashion brand The Twentieth, Heinz has built a business from scratch by turning scrolls into sales and ideas into brands. Through smart content, bold storytelling, and Meta Ads that actually work, she’s crafted a community-powered brand with viral moments and sold-out launches, all without following a script. In this new episode of The Rising Tide Startups, we sit down with Heinzte to talk about taking chances on things without guaranteeing they’ll work. Heinz shares how faith, curiosity, and emotion have guided every leap, from a spontaneous three-month trip that turned into a permanent move to launching a brand without investors or industry connections. She talks TikTok virality, launching campaigns that convert, and the art of balancing remote work with her dream of opening a community bakery. This episode is full of laughter, life lessons, and honest reflections on impostor syndrome, grit, and staying creative even when things feel uncertain. Whether you’re a founder, a dreamer, or somewhere in between, Heinz’s story will remind you that it’s okay to start before you feel ready and that purpose often shows up when you least expect it. Key Takeaways: Entrepreneurial spirit often shows up early. Childhood moments of creativity and initiative can reveal a future in business. Bold moves create momentum. Taking risks before you're fully ready often leads to the biggest breakthroughs. Career pivots start with curiosity. New passions emerge when you step into unfamiliar tasks and stay open to change. Authentic storytelling builds connection. People relate more to real, behind-the-scenes journeys than to polished marketing. The best products solve your problems. If you've felt the pain point, chances are others have too. Remote businesses rely on local trust. Strong, on-the-ground partnerships are key to sustainable operations.  "Start before you're ready and refine later. Waiting for perfect conditions can stall your progress. Action is what builds momentum.   Listen to the full conversation here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR Connect with Heintze: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hcvmalack/  The Twentieth: https://www.thetwentieth.co/  Closing thought: “Success isn’t about having it all planned out—it’s about showing up, staying curious, and letting your story lead the way.” Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. Shoutout to our Great Sponsors:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2024! Podbrand Media - Have you ever considered starting your own podcast for your company or brand?  Podbrandmedia.com can help.  Affordable and effective in content creation and lead generation!

    35 min

  5. APR 15

    9.06 – Mike Faraci – Red Button Media

    What if you could grow a business without ads or cold calls? That’s exactly what Mike Faraci set out to prove and did. Now the Founder & CEO of Red Button Media, Mike helps brands rise above the noise with authentic, story-driven video content. But his path didn’t start with a marketing budget or a polished campaign. It started with one camera, a clear message, and a commitment to post on LinkedIn for 500 days straight. In this episode of the Rising Tide Startups, we talk with Mike about how he built a media company from scratch without spending a dime on ads or picking up the phone for cold outreach. Mike shares how he developed systems around strategic content, how to speak to a “Target Viewer Persona,” and why trust-building starts with showing up as yourself online. This isn’t just a conversation about content strategy, it’s about discipline, self-belief, and doing the unscalable work when no one’s paying attention. Whether you're a solopreneur, startup founder, or just tired of growth tactics that feel fake, Mike’s story is a reminder that showing up with purpose and consistency can still beat the algorithm. Key Takeaways: Consistency beats perfection. It’s not about being flawless, it’s about being there. Show up regularly and let the momentum build. Content replaces cold calls. Done right, consistent content creation brings in warm, inbound leads—no ads, no chasing. Trust is built through familiarity. Every scroll-by impression adds up. People trust faces they recognize. Be visible. The cost of silence is high. If you're not showing up, your competitors are. Inaction has a price. Put a face to the brand. Personal content outperforms faceless brands. Relatability wins. Capture attention instantly. You’ve got only 3–5 seconds to lead with value or lose the moment. If you're not creating content in 2025, you're already behind. Organic visibility isn’t optional anymore, it’s the baseline. Listen to the full conversation here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR Connect with Mike: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mikefaraci  Red Button Media:: https://www.hittheredbutton.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themikefaraci/  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mikefaraci  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mike.faraci  Closing thought: “If you’re not building a founder-led brand, you’re leaving trust, visibility, and opportunity on the table. Mike proves that showing up consistently isn’t optional—it’s the new competitive edge.” Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. Shoutout to our Great Sponsors:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2024! Have you ever considered starting your own podcast for your company or brand?  Podbrandmedia.com can help.  Affordable and effective in content creation and lead generation!

    49 min

  6. MAR 29

    9.05 – Ken Mack – Acquire.fi

    Ken Mack doesn’t follow the traditional path of entrepreneurship—he skips the startup phase entirely. Instead of building from scratch, he focuses on acquiring and scaling existing businesses, often using little to none of his own capital. In this episode of the Rising Tide Startups podcast, we chat with Ken Mack, an investor, also known as “The Eccentric Entrepreneur” due to his unconventional approach to building wealth. Ken shares his strategy of acquiring established companies, from his beginnings in Glasgow to managing a diverse portfolio of businesses worldwide. Ken dives into the tactics that have helped him scale rapidly, focusing on the power of leveraged buyouts (LBOs) and seller financing to minimize personal financial risk. He emphasizes the importance of tracking key metrics like Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Lifetime Value (LTV) to ensure sustainable growth.  Beyond financial strategies, Ken discusses the mindset shifts required for success—embracing discomfort, thinking long-term, and continuously learning. He also highlights the importance of strategic networking for finding new opportunities. Ken's journey is a powerful reminder that wealth is built by seizing opportunities where others see obstacles and that the right mindset can turn even the most unconventional paths into success stories. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation: Established businesses are safer bets. Proven cash flow and systems reduce the risk compared to starting from scratch. Leverage other people’s money (OPM). Using LBOs (leveraging buyouts) and seller financing allows for business acquisitions without tying up personal capital. Target retiring business owners. Baby boomers represent a goldmine of acquisition opportunities. Cash flow is king. Focus on cash flow over profit margins for sustainable growth and debt management. Efficiency and remote management. Building reliable teams and systems enables managing multiple businesses from afar. Mindset is everything. Getting comfortable with risk and embracing the unknown is essential for success. Entrepreneurship is a ‘lifestyle,’ not just a career choice. Success comes from discomfort and pushing limits. Buy businesses at 1x free cash flow, and sell at 2–3x EBITDA. This increases valuation before exiting. Start small, gain experience, and build networks. Listen to the full conversation here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR Connect with Ken: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenmackofficial  Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/KenMack/  Instagram:: https://www.instagram.com/kenmack/  Website:: https://www.kenmack.com/    Closing thought: “You don’t need to reinvent the wheel—buy an existing business and scale it.” Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. Shoutout to our Great Sponsors:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2025! Have you ever considered starting your own podcast for your company or brand?  Podbrandmedia.com can help.  Affordable and effective in content creation and lead generation!

    43 min

  7. MAR 15

    9.04 – Will Milliken – SwoopScoop

    This Episode - Turning an Unlikely Business into a Multi-Million Dollar Success Meet Will Milliken, president of a fast-growing dog waste removal company and founder of the President of Swoop Scoop® and founder of Poop Scoop Millionaire™. What started as a small side hustle has become a booming business with multiple locations and a thriving online community for aspiring entrepreneurs. Will shares how he transitioned from digital marketing to home services, why the pet waste removal industry took off, and the key strategies that helped him scale. With a focus on exceptional service and customer care, Swoop Scoop® has grown into a leading company serving thousands of satisfied clients. We also cover the marketing strategies that work (and don’t), building a standout brand, and the importance of fast customer response times. Plus, Will shares the surprising lessons he learned from a failed partnership with Pizza Hut and how he’s preparing for national expansion. Key Takeaways: Standardized, flat-rate pricing works best: customers prefer knowing costs upfront. Fast response time is critical: answering inquiries quickly sets businesses apart in home services. Professional branding (uniforms, truck wraps, CRM systems) increases trust and allows for premium pricing. Scaling starts with predictable lead generation. The biggest bottleneck is acquiring customers consistently. Marketing experiments matter. Facebook ads, Google SEO, and wrapped trucks work best, while some partnerships (like pizza box ads) miss the mark. Standardized operations make scaling easier. A clear system for hiring, training, and customer acquisition makes franchising a real possibility. Track Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) vs. Customer Lifetime Value (LTV): understanding these numbers earlier could have cut growth time in half. Anticipate bottlenecks as you scale: hiring, vehicle acquisition, and equipment logistics become challenges as the business grows. If you don’t know how to acquire customers, your business will struggle. If you're not willing to start a poop scooping business, you're probably not going to start any business. Will’s journey proves that even the most unexpected businesses can be wildly profitable with the right systems and mindset. Ready to think outside the box (or the yard)? This episode will change the way you look at service businesses. Listen to the full conversation here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR Connect with Will: Swoop Scoop: https://swoopscoop.com  Poop Scoop: https://www.skool.com/poop-scoop-millionaire  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-milliken Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Scoop-Start  Blog: https://scoopstart.com/    Closing thought: “Big opportunities come from solving everyday problems. Price smart, systemize, and scale—success will follow.” Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. Shoutout to our Great Sponsors:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2024! Have you ever considered starting your own podcast for your company or brand?  Podbrandmedia.com can help.  Affordable and effective in content creation and lead generation!

    29 min

  8. JAN 28

    9.02 – Mohamed “Mo” Ahmed – Boundless Founder Community

    How Failing Forward can become a blueprint for entrepreneurial success! Mohamed "Mo"Ahmed, founder of the Boundless Founder community and author of The Inside Out Entrepreneur, shares his journey from a corporate career at Microsoft and AWS to navigating the unpredictable world of startups. After starting his first company in 2017, Mohamed faced tough challenges—including a failed acquisition—that pushed him to rethink his approach to leadership, resilience, and mindset. In this episode of the Rising Tide Startups Podcast, Mohamed talks about how he handled setbacks, pivoted his business, and managed the emotional ups and downs of entrepreneurship. He also explains how his passion for helping others led him to build a community that supports technical founders with the tools and guidance they need to succeed. Through his experiences, Mohamed has learned how to turn failures into opportunities to grow and build something meaningful. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, this episode offers practical advice on staying resilient, finding your purpose, and making progress even when things get tough. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation: The right mindset—resilience, balance, and adaptability—is the most valuable asset for an entrepreneur. A mental conditioning framework can help entrepreneurs understand their journey beyond business metrics, develop mental toughness, and maintain perspective during challenges. Calculating risks and clear thinking under pressure help to prevent mistakes stemming from overconfidence and fear-driven decision-making. Practical tools for resilience allow entrepreneurs to bounce back from setbacks and ensure long-term sustainability. Entrepreneurs must condition loved ones emotionally and financially prepared for challenges. Building and maintaining a strong support system is crucial, including balancing family life with business demands and finding the right mentors for guidance. Entrepreneurship is a balance of chasing success while fearing failure. These opposing forces drive innovation and personal growth. Entrepreneurs need a robust ecosystem—mentors, peers, and supportive families—to sustain them through challenges. Entrepreneurs should ensure their self-worth isn’t entirely tied to their venture’s success to avoid burnout and remain employable. Listen to the full conversation here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risingtidestartups Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-tide-startups/id1330525474 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2eq7unl70TRPsBhjLEsNZR Connect with Mo: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohamedfahmed/ Mohamed F Ahmed: http://mohamedfahmed.com/ X: http://www.twitter.com/MohamedFAhmed   Special Offer for Listeners FREE Rising Tide Exclusive Bundle ($147 value): The Mindset Guide Mental Robustness and Resiliency Workbook Special Chapter: "Recovery Strategies After Setbacks" Available at: www.boundlessfounder.co/risingtide-special 25% discount on Boundless Founder Community membership using code: RISINGTIDE25 Book Reader's Package: Access to monthly group coaching sessions Exclusive entrepreneurial resilience assessment tool Private community access Register at: www.boundlessfounder.co/risingtide-bonus   Closing thought: “Entrepreneurship is about building something bigger than yourself, not just escaping a job or chasing wealth.”   Please leave us an honest rating on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts. Shoutout to our Great Sponsors:  Naviqus Virtual Services - Hassle-free administrative support services that are efficient, affordable, and tailored to your needs. Check out https://naviqus.com now to jumpstart your business for 2024! Have you ever considered starting your own podcast for your company or brand?  Podbrandmedia.com can help.

    1h 13m
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About

Rising Tide Startups is a unique, bi-weekly Business interview podcast, hosting some of today’s most exciting solopreneurs, startups founders and side hustlers from all over the globe.

Information

  • Creator
    Rising Tide
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Rising Tide Startups

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