

Smart Business Revolution | Turn Relationships into Revenues | Networking | More Clients | Relationship Advice
John Corcoran
"Top 100 Small Business Podcasts 2014" -- Small Biz Trends. Former Clinton White House Writer John Corcoran shows you how to build relationships intelligently to get more clients, grow your income and advance your career. Discover how you can use win-win networking and intentional relationship-building with Influencers and VIPs, even if you "hate networking" or feel like you have "nothing to offer" people who are successful. Interviews with today's top entrepreneurs and authors such as Dan Pink, Michael Port, Gary Vaynerchuk, Marie Forleo and Guy Kawasaki, who reveal how they use relationships to grow their businesses and their incomes. Find out more at SmartBusinessRevolution.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 27, 2025 • 46min
Unshackled Ambition: Turning Immigrant Dreams Into Reality With Nitin Pachisia
Nitin Pachisia is the Founding Partner of Unshackled Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in immigrant founders while providing visa and employment support. Originally from India, he immigrated to the US in 2005 and built a career that spans Deloitte and experience as VP of Finance at ed-tech startup Kno, Inc., acquired by Intel. In 2014, Nitin co-founded Unshackled Ventures to help entrepreneurs overcome immigration barriers and accelerate growth. Under his leadership, the firm has invested in startups across AI, climate tech, and healthcare, closing multiple funds, including a $35 million Fund III. In this episode… Many ambitious entrepreneurs arrive in the United States with bold ideas but face significant obstacles when trying to start companies. Visa restrictions often force them into jobs unrelated to their skills, limiting their ability to innovate and create jobs. How can these driven individuals turn their vision into reality while navigating a system that seems stacked against them? Nitin Pachisia, an expert in early-stage investing and immigrant entrepreneurship, shares how determination, clarity of vision, and calculated risk-taking can overcome these challenges. Nitin explains the importance of identifying opportunities aligned with personal goals, building resilience through adversity, and seeking partners and investors who believe in your mission. He also emphasizes evaluating founders based on traits like obsession, curiosity, and self-awareness rather than just industry trends or current traction. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Nitin Pachisia, Founding Partner at Unshackled Ventures, about empowering immigrant founders to launch and grow companies. Nitin discusses overcoming visa-related barriers, the mindset needed to identify and invest in high-potential founders, and the value of unconventional career choices.

Aug 22, 2025 • 44min
Scaling up Without Selling Out: How Pete Martin Helps Businesses Grow Faster and Smarter
Pete Martin is the Founder and CEO of Vestara Advisors and the author of Scale Up Faster. Vestara Advisors specializes in helping tech and B2B service companies scale strategically and maximize valuation. A serial entrepreneur and expert advisor, Pete has closed over $1 billion in software deals and founded six companies, selling four of them, including one to KPMG. His book distills proven strategies from the fastest-growing bootstrapped companies into practical frameworks for scaling quickly without outside funding. In this episode… Many business owners dream of scaling quickly, but they face unpredictable revenue, cultural misalignment, and unclear exit strategy. Without clarity on their company's true value drivers, they risk underpricing their business or losing strategic control. What if there were a way to grow faster, build a stronger culture, and sell for a premium without relying on external funding? Pete Martin, a serial entrepreneur and author of Scale Up Faster, shares his research from hundreds of high-growth, bootstrapped companies to reveal what works — and what doesn't — when scaling. Drawing from interviews with nearly 100 founders who doubled revenues year after year, Pete reveals their counterintuitive strategies — like mastering a single marketing channel, building recurring revenue, and hiring solely for cultural and value alignment. He also offers a framework for preparing a business for sale, crafting a compelling growth narrative, and cultivating relationships with potential buyers well in advance of the exit. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Pete Martin, Founder and CEO of Vestara Advisors, about scaling businesses without outside funding. Pete discusses the importance of culture, his process for building recurring revenue, and how he achieved a 12x EBITDA sale. He also shares insights from his book, founder traits that drive growth, and the power of focused marketing channels.

Aug 20, 2025 • 41min
Doubling Your Agency in 7 Days: Peter Lang's Rapid Growth Playbook
Peter Lang is a seasoned entrepreneur and M&A strategist who helps agencies and digital businesses grow through smart acquisitions and integration. He co-founded Uhuru Network in 2010, building it into a seven-figure digital sales and inbound marketing agency before exiting in December 2022. Peter is now Founder of Digital Agency Business, Owner of Digital Mastermind Group, and a board member at Lang Acquisitions, where he supports leaders and portfolio companies in driving growth through strategic M&A and collaboration. In this episode… Many agency owners struggle to break past growth plateaus using only organic methods. While expanding client rosters and service offerings can help, these paths are often slow, unpredictable, and resource-heavy. Could acquiring other agencies be a faster and more strategic way to expand capabilities, increase revenue, and build long-term value? Peter Lang, an experienced entrepreneur and M&A strategist, explains how intentional acquisitions can unlock rapid growth and solve operational challenges. Peter shares how to identify opportunities, align a seller's motivations with your vision, and integrate teams without losing cultural balance. He also emphasizes the importance of having a clear long-term objective, building deal flow systems, and treating integration as a professional discipline to maximize the value of each transaction. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Peter Lang, Founder of Digital Agency Business and Owner of Digital Mastermind Group, about using M&A to grow agencies. Peter discusses sourcing and closing deals, creating a compelling vision for sellers, and best practices for integration. He also talks about cultural fit in acquisitions, avoiding common M&A pitfalls, and his journey from agency founder to advisor and dealmaker.

Aug 15, 2025 • 37min
Ethical Innovation Through a Venture Studio Model With Clay Unicorn
Clay Unicorn is the Founder and former CEO of Unicorn.Love, a venture studio that empowers entrepreneurs to build, scale, and exit high‑impact B2B companies. Under his leadership, Unicorn reached a $1.25 billion valuation and became known for its innovations in AI, technology, and venture development. Clay has been a consultant for some of the biggest names in tech: Google, Samsung, Facebook, and Comcast. He has played a pivotal role in launching and scaling ventures like Bowery, iPondr, and ReVision — turning bold ideas into multimillion‑dollar successes. In this episode… What do you do when your hard-earned agency falls apart, a big exit deal collapses overnight, and your business partner's investments freeze assets? How do you recover with integrity — and even reshape your company into something more mission-driven? Clay Unicorn confronts these challenges head‑on, sharing actionable lessons from building and rebuilding multiple ventures. He emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with the right partners, recognizing the warning signs of misaligned visions, and protecting both your capital and emotional bandwidth. Clay recounts his journey from early candy hustles and agency launches to creating Unicorn.Love, an ethical venture studio, illustrates how failure can fuel smarter decisions, how small MVPs can lead to multimillion‑dollar funding rounds, and why embracing AI and calculated risk is essential for scaling ventures. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Clay Unicorn, Founder of Unicorn.Love, about transforming a traditional development agency into an ethical venture studio. Clay explores his evolution from selling candy as a kid to running conscious studio-backed startups. He discusses Scaffald, investing in Bowery, navigating AI shifts, brick‑and‑mortar lessons, and building ventures with founder-aligned equity while creating systemic value.

Aug 13, 2025 • 40min
Winning Clients Like Winning Games: Travis Hoechlin on Sales, SEO, and Legal Marketing Growth
Travis Hoechlin is the CEO of RizeUp Media, an agency specializing in helping law firms generate new clients, increase revenue, and grow their businesses through online marketing strategies. With over 15 years of experience in legal marketing, he has significantly contributed to the company's rapid success, including making the Inc. 5000 list two years in a row. His expertise lies in managing various aspects of marketing, from website development to SEO and pay-per-click advertising. Travis previously worked in the mortgage business before channeling his competitive spirit and sales acumen into founding RizeUp Media. In this episode… Many law firms struggle to attract new clients beyond referrals, leaving them unable to scale consistently or predictably. They often lack strong intake processes, fail to respond quickly to leads, and resist adopting modern marketing strategies. How can attorneys shift from reactive, referral-dependent growth to a proactive approach that drives steady business? Travis Hoechlin explains how attorneys can strengthen their client acquisition efforts by refining intake systems, embracing targeted online strategies, and focusing on relationship-driven growth. Travis emphasizes the importance of speed-to-lead, tracking conversion data, and coaching legal teams on handling inbound inquiries. He also shares how in-person networking, trade shows, and a seasoned sales team can outperform purely digital outreach for reaching attorneys. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Travis Hoechlin, Co-founder and CEO of RizeUp Media, about scaling law firm visibility and client acquisition. Travis discusses lessons from his baseball and mortgage careers, how to gain credibility with lawyers, and the role of intake in converting leads. He also covers the impact of AI on marketing, strategies for client retention, and the importance of diversification.

Aug 8, 2025 • 38min
Rewriting the Rules of an Ancient Industry With Kyle Ewing
Kyle Ewing is the Founder of TerraSlate Inc., a company specializing in waterproof and tear-proof paper solutions designed for high-durability environments, such as the military, medical, and restaurant industries. He has helped innovate the centuries-old paper industry by creating materials that resist water, chemicals, and tearing, positioning TerraSlate as a go-to brand for extreme-use cases. Kyle previously founded and sold Guerrilla Tags ID Systems, launched an all-electric rideshare startup to compete with Uber, and currently owns Big Island Honey Company, a premium Hawaiian honey brand. A recipient of Inc. 5000 recognition for leading one of America's fastest-growing companies, he recently authored Against the Clock: Strategic Time Hacking for Entrepreneurs to help others reclaim time and scale smarter. In this episode… Most entrepreneurs dream of innovating within a brand-new industry, but what about disrupting one that hasn't changed in centuries? With high failure rates and entrenched legacy players, entering old-school sectors like paper manufacturing might seem impossible. But what if durable, waterproof paper could save lives in the military, survive restaurant spills, and still look great? Kyle Ewing has built a business doing exactly that. A serial entrepreneur and time-hacking expert, he transformed a centuries-old product into a high-performance solution for rugged environments, from nuclear submarines to hospital menus. Kyle shares how he identified the niche, iterated on the product, and transitioned from selling safety IDs and running an electric rideshare startup to focusing full-time on TerraSlate's explosive growth. He emphasizes systematization by hiring strong leadership, installing operational frameworks, and stepping away from daily tasks as the key to building lasting entrepreneurial freedom. In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Kyle Ewing, Founder of TerraSlate Inc., about breaking industry norms through bold innovation. Kyle discusses building a product for durability, designing time-hacking systems to scale, and how a failed Olympic dream redirected him toward entrepreneurship. This episode is packed with insights for entrepreneurs seeking impact, efficiency, and the confidence to do things differently.

Aug 6, 2025 • 36min
Mompreneur Life: Balancing Business and Motherhood With Chanie Gluck
Chanie Gluck is the Founder and CEO of 4D Global, a medical billing and healthcare outsourcing company specializing in Revenue Cycle Management (RCM). 4D Global helps US-based medical billing companies scale by providing experienced offshore teams based in India, delivering cost-effective and efficient solutions. She has over two decades of experience in the industry, has led two successful companies, and has been recognized by the Titan 100, Forbes Next 1000, and Enterprising Women of the Year awards. Chanie is also the host of the Leaders in Medical Billing podcast and a respected voice in RCM innovation and AI integration. In this episode… Starting and scaling a business is tough — doing it while raising four children is even tougher. Entrepreneurs in demanding industries often face isolation, overwhelm, and uncertainty around how to grow sustainably while balancing personal responsibilities. So how do you create a thriving, people-first company that scales globally without sacrificing your family or sanity? Chanie Gluck offers an inspiring answer. With nearly 30 years of experience in the medical billing field, she shares her playbook for solving these challenges. Chanie emphasizes the importance of curiosity, problem-solving, and self-education — crediting her early library deep dives on sales and operations as foundational. She discusses how taking bold risks, like pitching herself to doctors and embracing offshoring in India years before it was trendy, enabled her to scale with efficiency. Chanie also stresses building trust with clients through free value-added services and fostering community among introverted industry professionals through podcasts and webinars. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Chanie Gluck, CEO of 4D Global, about scaling a medical billing business while raising a family. Chanie shares how she transitioned from local services to global operations, along with insights on offshoring, thought leadership, and adapting to AI in healthcare. Listeners will also learn why podcasts are powerful marketing tools and the importance of community-driven leadership.

Aug 1, 2025 • 39min
Why the Next Big AI Boom Is in Blue-Collar Jobs With Mike Ghaffary
Mike Ghaffary is a General Partner at Burst Capital, a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in marketplace, software, and AI companies. With an impressive background spanning roles at Canvas Ventures and Social Capital, as well as co-founding Stitcher, he has been instrumental in the growth of companies like Yelp and Eat24, demonstrating his expertise in scaling businesses. Mike has a background in computer science and holds both a JD and MBA from Harvard, and he's invested in high-growth companies like Strava, Superhuman, Faire, and Optimizely. In this episode… The rise of artificial intelligence has sparked widespread anxiety about job displacement and economic upheaval. With rapid advancements outpacing traditional training models and workforce development, many are left asking: Will AI only benefit a select few, or can it create meaningful work opportunities for the broader population? Mike Ghaffary, a seasoned investor and founder in tech and marketplaces, believes AI has enormous potential to generate — not eliminate — jobs, if applied wisely. Drawing on historical parallels from the Industrial Revolution and the early internet era, Mike explains that while disruption is inevitable, new opportunities always emerge. He highlights the importance of equipping workers to collaborate with AI, especially in skilled trades like HVAC and electrical, which are essential to supporting infrastructure like data centers. Mike also cautions founders about the risks of chasing venture-scale growth at all costs, advocating instead for profitability and strategic patience. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Mike Ghaffary, General Partner at Burst Capital, about how AI will fuel job creation and transform Main Street. Mike also shares insights on scaling Eat24, landing a game-changing partnership at TrialPay, and why the future belongs to software-powered small businesses.

Jul 30, 2025 • 43min
Raising Resilient Kids: Eduardo Montano on Power Skills in the Age of AI
Eduardo Montano is the Founder and CEO of Colegio Montano, a pioneering educational institution with two in-person campuses and a fully online school based in Guatemala City. A serial entrepreneur, he launched his first business at age 18 and has since founded more than a dozen companies across tech, education, and services — including Publinet, Prointel, MAC, S.A., and Escolaris. He is the bestselling author of Foro Familiar and EXTRAordinarios and a sought-after speaker who has addressed audiences of thousands throughout Latin America. Eduardo also serves on the global board of the Entrepreneurs' Organization, where he contributes to peer learning and international leadership networks. In this episode… As parents navigate a rapidly changing world driven by technology and artificial intelligence, one looming question remains: How do we ensure our children are not only prepared for the future but also emotionally grounded and resilient? With digital distractions on the rise and traditional education systems struggling to adapt, the role of parents in shaping children's development is more vital than ever. Eduardo Montano, a highly accomplished entrepreneur and visionary in education, dives deep into actionable strategies for raising future-ready children. Drawing from his experience running three schools and authoring books on parenting, Eduardo introduces the concept of the "Family Forum" — a structured, engaging method for families to build trust, solve problems, and foster emotional intelligence. Eduardo also unpacks the 14 "power skills" he believes are critical for success and happiness in the AI era, emphasizing self-directed learning and digital literacy. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Eduardo Montano, CEO of Colegio Montano, about parenting strategies for the AI age. Eduardo shares insights on developing emotional intelligence, teaching kids goal-setting, and integrating AI into education. He also discusses family communication methods, skill-building techniques, and the evolving role of schools.

Jul 25, 2025 • 38min
The Future of Software Development: AI and Senior Talent With Ashish Patel
Ashish Patel is the CEO and Founder of Simpat Tech, a custom software consulting firm based in Austin, Texas. Simpat Tech specializes in custom software development, implementation, and consulting services, focusing on delivering straightforward and manageable software solutions for clients. Since its inception, Ashish has led Simpat Tech from a one-client operation to a fast-growing enterprise recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies. He holds a BS in computer science from Virginia Tech and a master's degree in management information systems from the University of Florida. In this episode… What does it take to launch a successful software company without outside funding — and scale it across borders? And how do you balance speed, quality, and culture in an industry where talent and tech evolve rapidly? A seasoned technologist and problem solver, Ashish Patel shares his journey from coding simple tools to founding Simpat Tech. Drawing on personal stories, including building a Craigslist bot and nearshoring development to Mexico, Ashish outlines how a combination of entrepreneurial mindset, AI tools, and intentional leadership enables companies to build custom software faster and smarter. He offers actionable advice on scaling, hiring, and leveraging senior talent to make AI effective in development. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Ashish Patel, CEO and Founder of Simpat Tech, about the journey from coding hobbyist to software leader. Ashish explains how nearshoring, cross-cultural teams, and AI tools are reshaping software development. He also shares insights on building culture, navigating early-stage risks, and planning for what comes next.


