Are you the bottleneck in your own business growth?

Ever feel like your business is growing—but you’re still stuck in the weeds?

In this episode of Acquire, I sit down with my friend and fellow entrepreneur Shawn Q—co-founder of Abundance Worldwide, serial entrepreneur, and unapologetic Star Wars fan (yes, lightsabers included!). Shawn’s built million-dollar companies, coached countless founders, and now helps entrepreneurs shift from being the bottleneck in their business to becoming true CEOs.

Together, we talk about what scaling really takes, why most founders hold themselves back without realizing it, and how to build systems that give you freedom instead of more work. Plus, Shawn shares his personal story of blending passion projects (like his Star Wars Fitness YouTube channel!) with real business growth.

This is one of those episodes that’s equal parts tactical and inspiring—you’ll laugh, you’ll take notes, and you’ll walk away ready to fire yourself from the tasks keeping you stuck.

On This Week’s Episode, We Discuss:

• Shawn’s journey from million-dollar coaching to Star Wars Fitness
• The difference between founder-operators and true CEOs
• The four areas where most founders get stuck (and how to fix them)
• How to identify and remove the bottlenecks that block growth
• Why systems, SOPs, and accountability are game-changers for scaling
• The mindset shift required to step into the CEO role
• How to turn passion projects into real brands and opportunities
• Practical tips for building scalable operations (without losing the fun)
• The Abundance Worldwide model for helping businesses grow and exit
• Why creating an “operational exit” plan gives you freedom long before a sale

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Connect with Shawn Q:

Follow Shawn Q on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeyShawnQ

Follow Shawn Q on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyshawnq/

Follow Shawn Q on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heyshawnq/

Watch Shawn Q on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeyShawnQ

Check out Shawn Q’s website: heyshawnq.com / www.abundanceworldwide.com

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Streamline Your Biz with GoHighLevel:

Ready to simplify your software and save hundreds each month? I’ve personally switched to GoHighLevel (GHL) and it's been a game-changer—consolidating my funnels, CRM, email marketing, automations, scheduling, and more into one powerful platform.

Check out GoHighLevel here

(This is an affiliate link—I only recommend tools I absolutely love and use myself!)

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What if the secret to scaling your business isn’t a new funnel—but a better client experience?

In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Heather Wanninger—multi-business owner, creativity powerhouse, and Chief Experience Officer at Abundance Worldwide. Heather has built her career around creating those “surprise and delight” moments that transform how clients feel about you, your offers, and your community.

From handwritten notes to full-scale adventure retreats, Heather shows us why experience is often the missing piece in marketing and how even the smallest touches can have the biggest impact. She also pulls back the curtain on her Sweet Lemonade Adventure Club, where women entrepreneurs unplug, travel, and rediscover the joy of slowing down to speed up growth.

If you’ve been craving new ways to energize your community, add spark to your services, or simply reconnect with the heart of your business, this conversation will inspire you to elevate how you love on your clients—and yourself.

On This Week’s Episode, We Discuss:

• The art of creating unforgettable client experiences
• Heather’s role as Chief Experience Officer and why it matters
• Tangible tactics for adding surprise and delight to your offers
• Small touches—like videos, notes, and swag—that make a big impact
• How to build true community in a noisy digital world
• Behind the scenes of Sweet Lemonade Adventure Club
• The emotional side of pivoting and letting go of old businesses
• How to scale personal touches so they stay sustainable
• Real stories of client joy (and a few funny behind-the-scenes moments)

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Don't Forget to Follow and Review:

Loving the Acquire podcast?

Make sure to follow and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your reviews help me reach and help more entrepreneurs like you. Head over to Apple Podcasts, rate us with five stars, and share your favorite moment from today’s episode!

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Connect with Heather:

Follow Heather on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherwanningercoaching/

Follow Heather on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-wanninger-a21080107/

Check out Heather’s website: www.sweetlemonadeadventureclub.com / www.abundanceworldwide.com

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Streamline Your Biz with GoHighLevel:

Ready to simplify your software and save hundreds each month? I’ve personally switched to GoHighLevel (GHL) and it's been a game-changer—consolidating my funnels, CRM, email marketing, automations, scheduling, and more into one powerful platform.

Check out GoHighLevel here

(This is an affiliate link—I only recommend tools I absolutely love and use myself!)

====

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Want to grow your email list or launch your next product to a ready list of leads? Let’s talk

Join the

Are your big ideas getting stuck because you don’t have the right systems in place?

In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Dan Jorge, a marketing operations and systems strategist who has built a career on doing exactly that. From his early start hacking The Sims as a kid to designing powerhouse systems for today’s entrepreneurs, Dan’s story proves that creativity and structure can thrive together.

We talk about what it really takes to transform big ideas into seamless execution, why systems aren’t the “boring” part of business (they’re actually the freedom-makers), and how empathy, automation, and even AI fit together in ways most people miss.

And because this is Dan, you’ll also get a behind-the-scenes peek at his most personal project yet: turning his father’s dissertation into a living, breathing business.

Whether you’re a creative thinker who avoids systems like the plague or a total ops geek who loves building workflows, this conversation will shift the way you see the “back end” of your business—and show you why it might just be the most important part of your growth.

• Dan’s unconventional journey: from design to automation wizard
• How creativity and structure work best when they’re in sync
• The questions Dan asks to turn messy ideas into smooth execution
• Real-world automations that wow customers and save time
• Where AI actually belongs in your systems (and where it doesn’t)
• How to spot red flags before you start a project
• What it takes to turn family passion into a business
• Why systems are the “freedom-makers” most entrepreneurs overlook

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Don't Forget to Follow and Review:

Loving the Acquire podcast?

Make sure to follow and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your reviews help me reach and help more entrepreneurs like you. Head over to Apple Podcasts, rate us with five stars, and share your favorite moment from today’s episode!

===

Connect with Dan:

Follow Dan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danjorge

Follow Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danjorge

Check out Dan’s website: www.danjorge.com / www.abundanceworldwide.com

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Streamline Your Biz with GoHighLevel:

Ready to simplify your software and save hundreds each month? I’ve personally switched to GoHighLevel (GHL) and it's been a game-changer—consolidating my funnels, CRM, email marketing, automations, scheduling, and more into one powerful platform.

Check out GoHighLevel here

(This is an affiliate link—I only recommend tools I absolutely love and use myself!)

====

Connect with me here

Want to grow your email list or launch your next product to a ready list of leads? Let’s talk

Join the Facebook community

Are you unknowingly letting your best prospects slip through the cracks?

Hitting 100 episodes is a big deal—and we’re celebrating in style with powerhouse guest Ghazzy Amin. She’s a force in both politics and business, with a bold, no-BS approach to sales that will completely change the way you think about converting leads.

From her days knocking on doors during political campaigns to helping entrepreneurs diagnose and close their “conversion gap,” Ghazzy has mastered the art of turning interest into sales—without chasing every shiny new lead. In this conversation, we go deep on what it really takes to align your marketing and sales so your audience moves effortlessly from curious to committed.

She’s sharing what most business owners overlook, why nurturing your existing audience often beats hunting for new leads, and the simple systems that can transform your pipeline overnight. We also talk trends, ethical selling, and how AI fits into your marketing without making it sound robotic.

If you’ve ever felt like your marketing efforts and sales results aren’t quite clicking, this episode will show you exactly where the gaps are—and how to fix them.

On This Week’s Episode, We Discuss:

• The Conversion Gap – What it is, how to spot it, and why it silently kills sales.
• Lead-to-Sale Diagnostics – Simple ways to uncover where prospects drop off.
• Small List, Big Revenue – Why fewer leads can mean bigger profits.
• Real Client Stories – Wins, misses, and surprising lessons from the field.
• Quick-Win Nurture Strategies – How to turn past leads into present buyers.
• Lessons from Politics – What door-knocking campaigns taught Ghazzy about real connection.
• AI with a Human Touch – Using AI without losing your authentic voice.
• Current Trends in Sales & Marketing – What’s working in 2025 (and what’s not).
• Sales Mindset Shifts – Reframing sales as service and ditching the sleaze.
• How to Connect with Ghazzy – Her upcoming Female Founders Feast and where to find her.

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Make sure to follow and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your reviews help me reach and help more entrepreneurs like you. Head over to Apple Podcasts, rate us with five stars, and share your favorite moment from today’s episode!

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Connect with Gazzy:

Follow Gazzy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authenticgazzy/

Follow Gazzy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Authentic-Gazzy

Follow Gazzy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authenticgazzy/

Check out Gazzy’s website: https://www.authenticgazzy.com/

====

Streamline Your Biz with GoHighLevel:

Ready to simplify your software and save hundreds each month? I’ve personally switched to GoHighLevel (GHL) and it's been a game-changer—consolidating my funnels, CRM, email marketing, automations, scheduling, and more into one powerful platform.

What if your next 500 leads came from a simple collaboration? no ads, no burnout?

Ever feel like your lead gen is stuck on repeat? Like you’ve tried all the usual suspects—lead magnets, webinars, paid ads—and nothing’s hitting the way it used to?

In this milestone 99th episode of Acquire, I’m pulling back the curtain on the strategies that are quietly outperforming everything else right now. These aren’t trendy hacks or expensive ad tactics. These are smart, sustainable moves—most of which you probably already know about—but it’s time to look at them through a fresh lens.

We’re talking about the comeback of mini summits, guest bundle launches, creator collabs, and yes, even old-school challenges… but with a modern twist that makes them convert like crazy.

I’ll walk you through real examples (including how a SaaS brand used strategic collabs to crush their lead goals), give you clear how-tos, and share what’s working inside my own business and client campaigns. If you're ready to ditch ad fatigue and get back to growing your list with aligned, conversion-ready leads—this is your episode.

On This Week’s Episode, We Discuss:

• The #1 reason lead gen still rules your marketing strategy
• What’s making creator collabs outperform traditional ads
• How co-marketing bundles and pop-up events are pulling in premium leads
• Why mini summits are converting better than paid launches—and how to structure yours
• A SaaS case study that proves why giveaways and testimonials can drive serious ROI
• Creative ways to turn podcast episodes or summits into chapter books that grow your list
• Why 3–5 day challenges are still gold (when done right)
• The timing trap: when not to run your lead gen campaigns
• How to track success in partnerships without overcomplicating it
• Sneak peek: where the Acquire podcast is heading next

====

Don't Forget to Follow and Review:

Loving the Acquire podcast?

Make sure to follow and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your reviews help me reach and help more entrepreneurs like you. Head over to Apple Podcasts, rate us with five stars, and share your favorite moment from today’s episode!

====

Streamline Your Biz with GoHighLevel:

Ready to simplify your software and save hundreds each month? I’ve personally switched to GoHighLevel (GHL) and it's been a game-changer—consolidating my funnels, CRM, email marketing, automations, scheduling, and more into one powerful platform.

Check out GoHighLevel here

(This is an affiliate link—I only recommend tools I absolutely love and use myself!)

====

Connect with me here

Want to grow your email list or launch your next product to a ready list of leads? Let’s talk

• Join the Facebook community

Ever wonder if your business is legally protected… or if you're one cease and desist letter away from chaos?

In this episode, I’m joined by Joey Vitale—award-winning trademark attorney and founder of Indie Law—for a straight-talking, eye-opening look at what it really takes to protect your brand. Whether you’re building your business brick by brick, launching a new offer, or already scaling something big, this convo is your legal wake-up call.

Joey and I unpack everything from the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when it comes to trademarks, to wild trademark battles (wait ‘til you hear about Starbucks’ green apron debacle 😬), to simple, proactive steps that keep your business safe and sound.

You’ll walk away knowing:

• What a trademark actually protects (hint: it’s more than your logo)
• Whether your domain, LLC, or summit name is enough (spoiler: it’s probably not)
• How to confidently move forward—without legal overwhelm

Grab a notebook—Joey’s even sharing a contract bundle and a special listener discount for those ready to take action.

On This Week’s Episode, We Discuss:

• What trademarks actually protect (and why they’re so misunderstood)
• The most common legal slip-ups entrepreneurs make when naming offers, programs, and businesses
• The domain name myth—why owning your URL doesn’t mean you own your brand
• Real-life cautionary tales, including a Starbucks trademark fail that cost big
• Trademarking 101: “in use” vs. “intent to use”—what you need to know
• Can’t trademark that: book titles, generic terms & other brand-name no-nos
• Naming smarter: how creative brand identity = stronger legal protection
• AI and trademarks: how ChatGPT copycats could be hurting your brand
• What to do today if your brand isn’t protected (even if you’ve been in business for years)
• Free tools + offers to help you get legally legit, fast

✨ Special Offer: Book your free trademark consult at Indie Law and mention Jennie Wright or Acquire to get $300 off your flat-fee trademark package.

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Don't Forget to Follow and Review:

Loving the Acquire podcast?

Make sure to follow and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your reviews help me reach and help more entrepreneurs like you. Head over to Apple Podcasts, rate us with five stars, and share your favorite moment from today’s episode!

===

Connect with Joey:

Follow Joey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoeyvitale/

Follow Joey on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejoeyvitale

Follow Joey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejoeyvitale/

Check out Joey’s website: www.indielaw.com

====

Streamline Your Biz with GoHighLevel:

Ready to simplify your software and save hundreds each month? I’ve personally switched to GoHighLevel (GHL) and it's been a game-changer—consolidating my funnels, CRM, email marketing,...

Have you ever wondered how freelancers land those “agency-level” projects without actually running an agency?

In this episode, I’m sharing how forming small, flexible collaborations—what I call a micro agency—changed the way I work, the projects I land, and the income I bring in.

I’ll walk you through how I pulled together independent professionals to deliver end‑to‑end solutions, why this model is thriving right now, and exactly how you can do it too. You’ll hear my best tips, my cautionary tales, and the practical steps to start building partnerships that help you scale without giving up your independence.

If you’re a freelancer, coach, or service provider ready to grow beyond solo work, you’re going to love this one.

On This Week’s Episode, We Discuss:

• What a micro agency is—and how it gives you “big agency” power without the overhead
• Why clients are craving full‑service solutions (and how you can meet that demand)
• How teaming up with others can land bigger contracts and open new opportunities
• My own wins and mistakes building micro agencies (so you don’t repeat them)
• Key steps for finding the right partners and setting clear expectations
• Smart ways to handle profit splits, leads, and payment processes
• Branding or not? When to create a collective identity and when to stay solo
• The tools and systems that keep small teams in sync and projects on track
• Pitfalls to watch out for—like scope creep and uneven workloads
• How to know if this model is right for you (and how to start small)

Press play to learn how you can build partnerships that expand your reach, increase your revenue, and keep your business nimble.

====

Don't Forget to Follow and Review:

Loving the Acquire podcast?

Make sure to follow and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your reviews help me reach and help more entrepreneurs like you. Head over to Apple Podcasts, rate us with five stars, and share your favorite moment from today’s episode!

====

Streamline Your Biz with GoHighLevel:

Ready to simplify your software and save hundreds each month? I’ve personally switched to GoHighLevel (GHL) and it's been a game-changer—consolidating my funnels, CRM, email marketing, automations, scheduling, and more into one powerful platform.

Check out GoHighLevel here

(This is an affiliate link—I only recommend tools I absolutely love and use myself!)

====

Connect with me here

Want to grow your email list or launch your next product to a ready list of leads? Let’s talk

• Join the Facebook community

What if your competitor swapped in their copy for yours… and no one noticed?

If you’ve ever worried your website sounds a little too “meh,” blends into the crowd, or could easily be mistaken for someone else’s, this episode is for you.

This week, I’m sitting down with my friend and fellow conversion copy geek, Linda Melone—a copywriter, former personal trainer, and founder of The Copy Worx—to unpack what makes brand messaging actually stand out and convert.

We’re digging into real-world examples, conversion psychology, and why sounding like ChatGPT with a logo is killing your credibility. Plus, Linda’s breaking down her 5 pillars of a high-converting value proposition and sharing juicy behind-the-scenes stories (including one where humour helped close a $70K deal 😏).

Whether you're DIY-ing your sales page, working with a copywriter, or just know something in your messaging feels off—you’ll walk away with clear, actionable steps to clarify your unique edge and boost conversions.

On This Week’s Episode, We Discuss:

• Is your brand copy interchangeable? Why it’s a red flag if no one notices you.
• What makes a value proposition actually work (and what to stop doing now).
• Finding your edge: Linda’s shift from fitness writer to high-conversion strategist.
• The 5 pillars of unforgettable messaging: Unique, Desirable, Specific, Clear, Memorable.
• The AI trap: How generic content is costing you clients (and what to do instead).
• Copy audit tips you can DIY using heatmaps, rage clicks, and bounce rates.
• Real client examples: From “bland” to bold with one sentence that changed everything.
• Humour that converts: How a funny line helped land a $70K contract.
• Brand pivots done right: How to evolve without losing your audience.
• When niching is your superpower: Getting known for your “one thing.”

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Don't Forget to Follow and Review:

Loving the Acquire podcast?

Make sure to follow and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your reviews help me reach and help more entrepreneurs like you. Head over to Apple Podcasts, rate us with five stars, and share your favorite moment from today’s episode!

===

Connect with Linda:

Follow Linda on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindamelone17/

Follow Linda on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaMeloneWrites/

Follow Linda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-melone/

Watch Linda on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS

Check out Linda’s website: https://thecopyworx.com/

====

Streamline Your Biz with GoHighLevel:

Ready to simplify your software and save hundreds each month? I’ve personally switched to GoHighLevel (GHL) and it's been a game-changer—consolidating my funnels, CRM, email marketing, automations, scheduling, and more into one powerful platform.