If you run an advertising or marketing agency that works with consultants, you’ve probably seen this pattern: You’ve tried websites, landing pages, lead magnets, even cold outbound — and while some things work, none of it replaces being in the right room, with the right people, at the right time. That’s where Smart Founders events…
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If you’re a consultant, you already know that trust is your currency. Whether you’re advising on strategy, finance, marketing, or operations, your clients hire you because they believe in your judgment, insight, and ability to solve complex problems. But here’s the challenge: how do you scale trust?Cold emails don’t do it. LinkedIn DMs rarely convert.…
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It’s built by leaders… Like Jake Kling, General Manager at one of Carr’s flagship locations, who understands that great spaces are just the beginning. What keeps people coming back, and telling their friends, is the experience, the relationships, and the opportunity to grow. Jake and the Carr Workplaces team deliver that every day. The Secret:…
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You don’t need more cold calls. You need the right people in the room. That’s the core insight driving why event-based marketing is one of the most effective investments a fiduciary 401(k) consultant like Paul Sippil can make — especially if you’re trying to build a reputation, find better-fit clients, and grow your business without…
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Smart Founders Guide to Building Trust in a Performative World Keywords: It Started With a Phone Call Years ago, someone called me in the middle of a personal storm. His business was collapsing, his team had scattered, and the future looked grim. He didn’t want money.He just wanted to be heard. To say the truth…
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By Bryant Stratton “I’m only sharing what I have done and what worked, its an honor to write this” Most of the people I work with are smart. Capable. Visionary. But if we’re being honest?Most of us have also stood in that quiet place where doubt whispers: “What if I’m not enough?”“What if what I’m…
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AI is replacing the trainable. What’s left? Emotional clarity, leadership, and creativity. Here’s how to stay necessary in the future of work.
In a world where trust is fractured and life often feels like a scam, something different is rising. It doesn’t look like a classroom.It doesn’t sound like a pitch.It doesn’t require permission. It starts with a few people — sitting down, helping each other grow, sharing what they’ve learned, and giving dignity at the bottom…
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So I’ll share a story here of raising my children and what I’ve noticed is this is when we go to the park one day and it’s early in the morning and there’s a couple of kids playing immediately. Charles my son goes and introduces himself because that’s the kind of person he is. Some…
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Entrepreneurship is often likened to an adventure—a journey that requires courage, preparation, and the willingness to face unknown challenges. In the story of Alex, an entrepreneur, we explore how one can navigate this journey effectively. I recommend you invest the 2-3 minutes to read that and then come back to this. This article breaks down…
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Welcome to “Summits of Success,” a journey into the heart of entrepreneurship. As the writer of this narrative, I have traversed this path myself, experiencing firsthand the exhilaration and challenges that come with turning a vision into reality. In these pages, you will find more than just a story; it is a reflection of the…
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In a bustling neighborhood nestled within a city alive with ambition and dreams, lived Elena, a woman whose presence was as commanding as it was subtle. To her husband, Jacob, she was a silent rockstar—a champion in a league of her own, yet she rarely stepped into the spotlight that so often tried to find…
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Introduction Hello to all budding entrepreneurs, startup aficionados, and business leaders. Today marks a milestone for us at Smart Founders and for the startup ecosystem at large. We are thrilled to unveil our revolutionary AI Elevator Pitch Scoring Tool, a game-changer in startup pitch evaluation. This tool aims to solve one of the most pressing…
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In an increasingly competitive marketplace, the ability to quickly and effectively convey your startup’s value proposition is vital. The guide from Transformation-Academy.com originally meant for life coaches is equally relevant for entrepreneurs. It outlines the importance of crafting a pitch that captures attention, establishes credibility, and invites a deeper conversation. Here’s what startups can take…
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We were working on a way to score startups and looking for data. We had gone to a number of startup events and asked people to try our system for free because we needed 1000 entries of data. Then after an AI conference in the Twin Cities I rang my partner and asked him to…
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Creating an impactful elevator pitch for a startup is critical for capturing attention and securing interest from investors, clients, or partners. Here are some key advice and best practices: Be Concise but Complete An elevator pitch should be no longer than 60 seconds. Focus on the essential information that you must convey to spark interest…
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Imagine you’re about to saw through a pile of wood. When do you want to sharpen the blade? Sooner or later? Maybe if we sharpened the blade this would go faster and have better results. With so much competition for capital it’s hard to get attention for your project. FACT As an ambitious founder, embarking…
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