I sat down with marketing expert and entrepreneur Carrie Loranger, who went from struggling to afford groceries (while working a Fortune 500 job!) to building multiple successful businesses and mentoring others to do the same. She breaks down the TRUTH about side hustles, the #1 mistake new entrepreneurs make, and how she’s creating a game-changing program in 2025.

We also talk about the SECRET behind why some people thrive in business while others struggle—and it all starts in your mind.

🚀 Want to learn how to execute on YOUR vision? This episode is packed with actionable insights and straight-up real talk. Don’t miss it!

This week on The Vision with Execution Show, I had the pleasure of speaking with Carrie Loranger, a fellow SCORE mentor and marketing expert, about the power of vision, execution, and the unexpected challenges of entrepreneurship.

Before we even got into our discussion, I had to share one of the strangest interactions I’ve had in a while—a mentee I was trying to help through SCORE decided he didn’t like our conversation and hung up on me. Then, for the next two days, I was bombarded with spam calls from health insurance companies—his bizarre way of getting revenge. But here's the kicker: he emailed me later to apologize. This got me reflecting on something I’ve come to accept—I seem to have a polarizing effect on people. Some admire me, some try to sue me, but in the end, it all comes down to the fact that I invite challenges into my life, consciously or not.

Carrie and I dove into the mindset that shapes our realities, discussing how our thoughts manifest our experiences. We talked about the importance of transitioning strategically from a 9-to-5 to entrepreneurship, the necessity of a financial cushion, and how sales is really just about solving people’s problems.

One of my favorite takeaways from our conversation? The reminder that nothing happens by accident. Whether you call it God, the universe, or fate, everything in our lives is drawn to us for a reason. Carrie’s journey—from corporate America to running a successful marketing business—reinforced that belief. She shared her experience with side hustles, from mobile notary work to forex trading, and ultimately, how she built a business that aligns with her passions.

We also touched on niching down, the power of community, and how she plans to scale her vision in 2025 with virtual group coaching. It’s a conversation packed with insights, real talk, and valuable lessons for anyone looking to turn their ideas into reality.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone struggling to transition into entrepreneurship or seeking clarity on their vision for the future. Tune in, take notes, and let’s execute on our goals together.

When I hit record on my podcast, I never know exactly how the conversation will flow, and that’s the way I like it. My guest today, Cort Brady, was dialing in from Draper, Utah, just about 20 minutes from me in American Fork. I could tell right away we were going to have a natural, laid-back conversation, which is exactly what I aim for when I bring people onto the Vision with Execution podcast.

I started by making sure our audio was good—podcasting isn’t always glamorous, and sometimes, you have to roll with the punches. Cort had to adjust his setup since his usual recording space was taken, but we made it work. That’s ingenuity at its finest. Once everything was set, we kicked things off, and I introduced Cort as the founder and CEO of Covalent, a company that helps founders build great teams so they can grow faster with less turbulence. I hoped I didn’t butcher that too much, but Cort seemed cool with it.

We got into our backgrounds, finding common ground in our entrepreneurial journeys. He shared that he met his wife at BYU-Idaho and was studying finance before leaving with just 20 credits left to jump into business opportunities. We both agreed that real-world experience teaches lessons no degree ever could. His path took him through door-to-door sales, founding Aspen, and eventually Covalent. I loved hearing how he navigated those transitions, learning from setbacks and successes alike. He even had a $500,000 software bet that didn’t quite pan out, but the way he described it—owning the failure, learning from it—was something every entrepreneur can relate to.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was his perspective on negotiation. Before our chat, I had a pretty negative association with the word, picturing a power struggle. But Cort reframed it as simply understanding what the other person wants and figuring out how to align that with what you can deliver. It’s not about winning the deal at all costs but about keeping the relationship intact so that there’s always another negotiation in the future. That clicked with me. It’s how I’ve tried to operate in business, even if I never called it negotiation before.

We also talked about personal goals—because business and life are deeply connected. Cort’s vision for 2025 is freeing 12 founders so they can focus on what they actually set out to do. He wants to grow Covalent’s software to 100K ARR and build his rental property portfolio, which he started last year with a buzzer-beater real estate deal made just before the new year. On the relationship side, he’s committed to strengthening connections with his wife, kids, and his ‘tier 1’ friends—the ones who are like family. That phrase stuck with me. We choose our friends, and some become as important as the people we’re born with.

Health was another big goal for him—hitting 9% body fat, building muscle, and even improving flexibility. I respected the way he approached it with clear, specific numbers. It reminded me of my own fitness journey and how tracking real metrics, like through DEXA body scans, gives you a much better picture than just looking in the mirror or chasing PRs at the gym.

As we wrapped up, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much ground we covered. Business, relationships, faith, health—it all matters. And Cort wasn’t just throwing out vague aspirations; he had a clear vision and an execution plan behind it. That’s the kind of mindset that gets people where they want to go.

Before signing off, I thanked him for being real and sharing his actual numbers and goals. It’s easy to stay surface-level, but conversations like this remind me why I do this podcast in the first place. It’s about learning from people who are making things happen, seeing what works, and applying those lessons to our own lives.

After we ended the recording, I promised to get the episode up by the next day and tag him on LinkedIn. If he could share it, great—but either way, I knew it was a solid conversation worth putting out into the world. And that’s what keeps me excited to keep hitting record, episode after episode.

Ryan shares his journey from rollerblading and competing in ballroom dance to performing on So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars, and even Broadway. He breaks down the three-step visualization process he used to go from struggling in competitions to becoming a national finalist. We also discuss how his wife, Ashley, overcame a life-threatening illness through the power of mindset and neuroscience.

Beyond dance, we explore the discipline of competitive shooting, the importance of humility in success, and our joint business venture, Idea Wins, where we help small businesses find ways to save money and operate more efficiently.

This episode is packed with inspiration, actionable strategies, and personal insights that can help you sharpen your vision and execute it in 2025. Plus, we have some fun imagining Ryan ballroom dancing, rollerblading, and target shooting all at once—because why not?

Key Takeaways:
✔ The power of visualization: first-person, third-person, and emotional connection
✔ Why daily rituals are key to success in any area of life
✔ How to stay humble while achieving your biggest dreams
✔ The importance of serving others and giving back before you "make it"
✔ Business strategies for maximizing efficiency and keeping more of your hard-earned money

🎯 Ready to level up in 2025?
Listen now and get inspired to turn your vision into reality!

This episode of The Vision with Execution Show is a milestone for me as I welcome my first female guest, Michelle B. Griffin, a best-selling author, branding expert, and passionate advocate for visibility and empowerment. We dive deep into AI’s role in content creation, the importance of personal branding, and strategies for execution.

Michelle introduces her favorite AI tools—Fathom, Otter, and Fireflies—that act as her “trusted executive assistants” for note-taking and repurposing content. For her, talking is a form of content creation, allowing her to articulate thoughts quickly and efficiently. I share my own experience with AI-powered note-taking, emphasizing how it helps streamline podcasting.

Michelle and I discuss the gender imbalance in professional visibility. I acknowledge that most of my guests have been male simply because of my professional circles. However, I recognize the importance of female voices and want to create a platform that encourages more women to share their expertise. Michelle highlights the “visibility gap” many women face, explaining that societal pressures often make them hesitant to step into the spotlight. Her mission is to help more women “own their lane” and share their brilliance with confidence.

We explore the concept of “owning your lane” and how it differs for men and women. I share my perspective as a man, where I focus solely on my own path without much concern for external perceptions. In contrast, Michelle explains that many women consider how they are perceived by others, often battling self-doubt and imposter syndrome. She emphasizes that personal branding isn’t about self-promotion—it’s about sharing one’s gifts with the world.

Michelle’s vision is to expand her Own Your Lane framework internationally through speaking engagements, books, and training programs. To execute this, she simplifies her strategy by focusing on three key goals: publishing another book, securing more speaking opportunities, and growing her podcast reach. She also uses a vision board and specific goal-setting methods to stay on track. I resonate with this approach, as I believe specificity drives execution.

We delve into the significance of human connection, both in business and personal life. I open up about my background in addiction recovery and how I’ve learned that connection is the opposite of addiction. Michelle builds on this, explaining how human interaction fuels her energy and creativity. We also discuss perfectionism as a barrier to execution—Michelle admits she has struggled with overthinking but has worked on simplifying her approach.

Our conversation shifts to earned media, the role of PR agencies, and the decline of traditional journalism. Michelle and I discuss how paid media is increasingly becoming the norm and how consultants and branding experts can leverage third-party platforms for credibility. I explain my work in media publishing and how I help experts gain visibility.

The episode ends with a mutual appreciation for connection, execution, and visibility. Michelle reinforces the importance of getting out of one’s comfort zone, while I reflect on the value of learning from each guest. As the show evolves, I look forward to featuring more diverse voices and continuing to explore the intersection of vision and execution.

This conversation with Michelle has been a powerful reminder of the impact of sharing our voices. The cost of staying hidden is too great—it's time to own our lanes and step into visibility.

The conversation kicks off with Jamie briefly pausing to process a sales lead—an authentic moment that underscores his sales-driven mindset. Adam introduces the theme of the podcast, which centers on defining a vision and executing it effectively, and asks Jamie about his vision for 2025.

Jamie shares that his goal for 2025 is to transform GetLevrg from an obscure company into a recognizable micro-brand in the sales and marketing agency space across North America. He wants small-to-medium businesses to recognize GetLevrg as a solution for overcoming resource constraints by utilizing offshore talent. His company has achieved 10% compounded monthly growth since its inception, and with the backing of a private equity minority investment, they plan to scale three times faster in the coming year.

To execute this vision, Jamie explains how GetLevrg follows the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), as outlined in Traction by Gino Wickman. They combine EOS principles with Franklin Covey’s "rocks" methodology to break down their five-year plan into quarterly objectives. He details how their growth strategy includes inbound and outbound marketing, referral partnerships, and optimizing service delivery to ensure customer retention. Since GetLevrg operates on a recurring revenue model, maintaining satisfied clients is critical to sustaining and compounding their success.

Jamie also discusses the Level 10 meeting framework from EOS, which changed how he operates his business. Instead of constantly shifting gears based on new ideas, his leadership team follows a structured weekly meeting schedule where major decisions are voted on collectively. This system minimizes distractions and keeps the team focused on execution.

The conversation then shifts to personal motivation. Jamie reflects on his upbringing in Canada, his early exposure to entrepreneurship, and his drive to build something meaningful for his family. He shares that after experiencing financial struggles in a previous business, he became more strategic about managing costs—especially human capital. Jamie also reveals that he quit drinking a year ago, improving his mindset and self-discipline.

Adam, who is eight years sober himself, relates to Jamie’s personal growth journey and expresses appreciation for his insights. The episode wraps up with Adam discussing how his business helps clients build authority through earned media. They agree to reconnect in late February to explore how GetLevrg’s clients might benefit from these strategies.

This engaging conversation highlights Jamie’s structured approach to business growth, leadership, and personal development.

In this episode of Vision with Execution, host Adam Torkildson sits down with Jeremiah Smith, CEO of Simple Tiger, to discuss vision, execution, connection, AI, and the importance of family in business. The conversation starts lightheartedly with talk about favorite treats (chocolate and cookies) before diving into deeper topics.

Jeremiah emphasizes how remote work presents unique challenges in fostering authentic connections. As a leader of a fully remote digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, PPC, and Webflow development for B2B SaaS companies, he shares his strategies for keeping employees engaged. From Slack channels for travel, music, and life updates to fostering a company culture of support, he ensures his team feels truly connected—even without a physical office.

Jeremiah’s vision for 2025 is crystal clear: embrace AI or be left behind. He describes how AI’s rapid growth, which follows a logarithmic trajectory rather than a simple exponential one, will reshape the digital marketing landscape. Agencies that fail to integrate AI risk becoming obsolete, while those that adapt can achieve high leverage—doing more with fewer resources. He compares AI’s evolution to the historical shift in coal mining, where technology accelerated production exponentially.

His agency, Simple Tiger, is committed to staying small yet powerful, avoiding the pitfalls of scaling for the sake of it. He envisions a high-leverage boutique agency, using AI to produce world-class results at scale without ballooning the team.

A particularly emotional moment in the episode comes when Adam and Jeremiah discuss family. Both entrepreneurs acknowledge that their biggest motivation isn’t just financial success—it’s creating a life that allows them to be present with their loved ones. Jeremiah shares how Simple Tiger was designed as a results-only work environment, giving employees the freedom to focus on their families while still delivering exceptional work.

In a touching moment, he reveals that several employees recently welcomed new babies, and the team naturally stepped up to support them. This strong company culture of mutual care moved Jeremiah to tears in a recent all-hands meeting, reinforcing his belief that a thriving business should also foster thriving families.

This episode is packed with valuable insights on business strategy, the future of AI, and the balance between work and personal life. Jeremiah’s thoughtful approach to leadership, technology, and human connection offers inspiration for entrepreneurs navigating the evolving digital landscape.

Listeners who appreciate authentic, thought-provoking conversations will find plenty to take away from this discussion. Check out the full episode for a deep dive into AI, remote work culture, and what it takes to execute a powerful vision. 🚀

Paul 'AI' Allen is the founder of Ancestry.com and several other companies. He is currently building SOAR AI Studio which builds fast growing portfolio companies built on a common core of AI technology in specific verticals to uplift humanity. Learn more at Soar.com