Corporate Escapees

Too many SaaS Consulting Partners are stuck in wait mode. Waiting for Salesforce or HubSpot to drop the perfect AI feature. Waiting for clients to ask the right questions. Waiting until they feel “ready.”Meanwhile? They’re missing the highest-margin opportunity since CRM implementations first exploded: custom AI agents.In this episode, I break down a simple, repeatable way to turn agents into a new revenue stream—without building anything from scratch, becoming a prompt engineer, or replacing your existing stack. You’ll walk away knowing how to identify agent opportunities, pitch them, and package them into $10K–$50K+ services.​​Resources and LinksGet the FREE training here!Previous episode: 610 - Stop Competing on Vendor Badges: Build a Brand Clients Actually Want to Buy with Erica HakonsonCheck out more episodes of The Paul Higgins PodcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel: @PaulHigginsMentoringJoin our newsletterSuggested resources

Why you should listenLearn how poor positioning and generic messaging quietly kill your deals before the first call.Erica shares what to do when word of mouth plateaus—and how to attract buyers who don’t know you yet.Discover how to be “AI-findable” and get found in marketplace searches before your competitors.If your marketing sounds just like every other partner’s, it’s already costing you deals. In this episode, I’m joined by Erica Hakonson, CEO of Maven Collective Marketing, to show you how to fix that. Erica has helped hundreds of Microsoft partners elevate their positioning, build credibility, and generate leads that don’t rely on referrals. We dig into the messaging traps most partners fall into, why AI is changing how you show up online, and how to stand out even in the most crowded categories. If you’re serious about scaling in 2025, this is one of the most important marketing episodes you’ll hear.About Erica HakonsonErica Hakonson is the award-winning CEO and Founder of Maven Collective Marketing, a

Why you should listenUnderstand why rigid RevOps systems are failing SaaS teams today—and what to build instead.Get actionable tips on using AI (like Clay and ChatGPT) to scale without losing your personal touch.Hear how Jacki uses LinkedIn like a "social butterfly" to create inbound interest through strategic commenting.Still clinging to outdated RevOps playbooks? You might be quietly killing your growth. In this episode of the Paul Higgins Podcast, I sit down with Jacki Leahy, the high-energy founder of Activate the Magic, to unpack why cold outbound is dead and how to build a future-proof revenue engine that actually works. Jacki shares her wild journey from kindergarten teacher to scaling a SaaS company from $350K to $9M ARR, and now helping early-stage SaaS founders create flexible, client-focused RevOps systems.Jacki doesn’t pull punches. She breaks down how "best practices" are often security blankets, how to ditch broken systems in favor of experimentation, and how to use tools like LinkedIn, Clay, an

If you’ve ever thought, “Am I the only one dealing with this?”—you’re not. In this solo episode of the Paul Higgins Podcast, I dive into the 5 most common challenges SaaS Consulting Partners are facing today—directly from real conversations inside our group calls. From burnout to ghosted deals, half-built funnels to delegation struggles, these aren’t unique issues. They’re fixable ones.I’ll walk you through what’s working for others and the exact shifts that helped them get unstuck. Whether you’re juggling too much, following up too little, or stuck with a funnel that never launches—this episode is your reset button.Resources and Linkspaulhigginsmentoring.com/dealsPrevious episode: 607 - More Deals, Less Drama: How AI Revolutionizes Outreach for SaaS Consulting Partners with Casey O’TooleCheck out more episodes of The Paul Higgins PodcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel: @PaulHigginsMentoringJoin our newsletterSuggested resources

Why you should listenDiscover how AI can continue conversations in your tone—without sounding robotic or off-brand.Learn how to win more deals by replying faster, even when you’re not online.Get clarity on what AI can handle in outreach—and where your human touch still matters.If you’re still stuck doing manual outreach—or your LinkedIn automation tools leave you hanging once someone replies—this episode is your upgrade. I sit down with Casey O'Toole from LinkyBot.ai, who’s built a smarter AI assistant that doesn’t just start conversations but keeps them going in your voice until the prospect books a call.Casey shares how LinkyBot helps SaaS Consulting Partners like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho agencies move from ghosted messages to real pipeline by automating LinkedIn conversations after the reply—without putting your brand at risk. We talk personalization, tone training, inbox management, and how AI actually frees you to focus on strategy and closing.About Casey O'TooleCasey is an innovative leader in the

Why you should listenLearn why most AI tools still underdeliver for Salesforce consultants—and how to close the gap with your own processes.Discover how to practically use ChatGPT Pro for Salesforce delivery (not just theory).Understand why AI Process Engineering is emerging as a critical trend—and what it means for the future of consulting.If you’re overwhelmed by the AI noise but still wondering how to actually apply it to Salesforce delivery, this episode is for you. Andy Forbes, VP at Capgemini and co-author of ChatGPT for Accelerating Salesforce Development, joins me to share how his team is using AI today to drive real client outcomes—from building 83-page implementation playbooks to treating ChatGPT like a memory-enabled coworker.We dive into why most AI tools still fall short for Salesforce consultants, how to structure AI processes that actually save time, and why the emerging trend of AI Process Engineering will reshape consulting roles. Whether you're hands-on in delivery or running a firm, you'll

Quick rejections. Ghosted follow-ups. Deals that vanish after a seemingly great call. Sound familiar? In this solo episode, I dig into the real reason your sales aren't landing—you're not speaking your clients' language. It’s not your solution that’s off—it’s your understanding of how your niche buyers actually make decisions. I share lessons from my time at Coca-Cola and walk you through a step-by-step approach to gaining deep insight into your niche so you can win more deals, faster. If you want to move from “they don’t get us” to “you read my mind,” this one’s for you.Resources and Linkspaulhigginsmentoring.com388 – Super Niche To Scale FasterPrevious episode: 604 - Why Your Client’s Outbound Isn’t Working—and the Data-Driven Fix That Is with Jordan CrawfordCheck out more episodes of The Paul Higgins PodcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel: @PaulHigginsMentoringJoin our newsletterSuggested resources

Why you should listenLearn why tech isn’t the real reason outbound fails—and how messaging rooted in insight changes everything.Discover how to craft Permissionless Value Propositions (PVPs) that prospects want to read before they know your name.Understand how to guide clients beyond tools like Clay and Apollo and into high-impact GTM strategies.If your clients aren’t getting results from outbound, the problem isn’t the tools—it’s the messaging. In this episode of the Paul Higgins Podcast, I speak with Jordan Crawford from BlueprintGTM.com, who shows us how to flip the script on outbound by building data-backed messages that resonate. Jordan shares how vertical SaaS companies are generating replies by engineering relevance at scale, structuring insights into high-value messages, and rethinking personalization entirely. Whether your clients use Salesforce, Zoho, HubSpot or another CRM, this episode will help you position your services as a growth driver—not just a tech install.About Jordan CrawfordJordan Crawf

Why you should listenDiscover why SMS and MMS messaging drastically outperform email—and how you can use that insight to drive real engagement and results for your clients.Learn how to easily integrate messaging into top CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho—no dev team required. Ideal for SaaS Consulting Partners looking to expand their service offerings.​​Hear how one business use SMS to boost attendance and revenue—and get a glimpse into what’s next with Rich Communication Services (RCS) and AI-powered automation.Email open rates are declining. If your clients aren’t seeing replies from their outreach, it’s time to rethink the channel. In this episode, I sit down with Lee Weinberger, sales leader at Sinch Engage, to explore how SMS and MMS messaging is transforming client engagement—especially for CRM-integrated partners like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho. Lee breaks down why mobile-first communication isn't just the future—it's the now. If you're a SaaS Consulting Partner looking to expand your offer st

Are you wasting precious time forcing yourself to do marketing activities you secretly hate?  In this solo episode, I share how focusing on marketing tasks that don't align with your natural strengths is likely costing you clients, consistency, and sanity. I also reveal my own marketing mistake when I convinced myself that video was the answer, despite hating every second of creating YouTube content,  and how my business transformed when I finally focused on my natural strengths instead.The key lesson: identify what marketing activities energize you, double down on those, and then use automation, delegation, or AI for everything else. Whether you're a relationship builder, writer, or video creator, playing to your strengths creates marketing that's not only more enjoyable but also more consistent and effective for attracting quality leads to your SaaS consulting business.Resources and Linkspaulhigginsmentoring.comBook: The Tao of CoachingPrevious episode: 601 - Why Most Salesforce Partners Miscalcul

Why you should listenDiscover how ExpandAP fills a critical gap in Salesforce by providing spend intelligence that ties your marketing investments directly to sales opportunities, campaigns, and customer lifetime value.Learn about a native Salesforce solution that can finally help marketing and sales leaders prove ROI on campaigns and customer acquisition costs—a persistent challenge for tech consultants.Paul Wnek shares valuable insights from 12 months of bringing this solution to market.Are you struggling to track the true costs of acquiring and maintaining your clients within Salesforce? In this episode, I talk with Paul Wnek from ExpandAP about their native Salesforce solution that bridges the gap between your sales data and spending intelligence. Whether you're running campaigns, traveling to meet prospects, or managing client projects, ExpandAP provides visibility into what you're actually spending to win and maintain business. Paul explains how this solution evolved from his experience implementing ERP

Why you should listenNathan Garing shares how he bootstrapped and scaled his NetSuite consulting business to include dedicated sales and marketing teams, revealing practical growth strategies beyond the "solopreneur with referrals" stage.Discover how to build a dual revenue model by transforming client-funded custom solutions into productized apps that can open doors to new customers and create recurring revenue streams.Learn Nathan's approach to marketing attribution in the complex B2B tech consulting space where sales cycles can stretch beyond a year, and why consistency across multiple channels ultimately pays off.Are you struggling to grow beyond referrals and wondering when's the right time to invest in dedicated sales and marketing resources? In this milestone 600th episode, I talk with Nathan Garing from Salora ERP about his journey building a thriving NetSuite consulting practice. Nathan shares how he overcame the fear of investing ahead of revenue to build a team that now includes three full-time sal

Ever wondered what I actually do at Paul Higgins Mentoring beyond all the content you see? In this solo episode, I pull back the curtain to reveal exactly how I help SaaS consulting partners achieve breakthrough growth.You'll learn the critical difference between coaching and mentoring, and why my practical, experience-based approach delivers faster results. I identify the three common challenges that keep most tech consultants stuck: juggling too many responsibilities, over-reliance on referrals leading to small deals, and becoming the bottleneck to scaling beyond $1M.I explain my three-lever framework for transformation:Attracting high-paying clients through niche clarity and bold positioningClosing bigger deals with productized offers and systematic sales approachesScaling without you by systemizing delivery and leveraging AIThe episode outlines my two service models—group mentoring with implementation support and a self-guided digital knowledge base—and shares my mission to help SaaS consultants break thr

Why you should listenChris Vaughan reveals the untapped potential of industry associations as a lead generation channel for tech consultants, including a game-changing resource that helps you instantly find the right associations for your niche.Learn who to approach within associations, what marketing assets to leverage, and how to position yourself to gain access to their member directories and events—complete with practical strategies for building trust.Discover why associations are actively seeking technology partners like you and how their post-COVID growth creates perfect timing for tech consultants to forge these valuable relationships.As a tech consultant who's picked a niche and maxed out your network contacts, you're likely wondering how to tap into those perfect industry associations filled with your ideal clients. In this episode, I talk with Chris Vaughan from Sequence Consulting who brings his unique background in both tech consulting and association management to solve this exact challenge. We d

Why you should listenScott Hollrah shares his 10-year journey scaling Venn Technology from referrals to a 35-person company, revealing a winning mix of partner relationships, inbound marketing, and their new outbound strategy.Discover the game-changing marketing hire that transformed their business and how giving up control allowed Scott to overcome the bottleneck of his own growth.Learn practical strategies for leveraging technology partnerships without being wholly dependent on them. These strategies can help you build trust, which can lead to higher close rates and industry recognition.As a tech consultant who's maximized your network, you're likely feeling the crunch from 2024 and wondering what else you can do to grow your business. In this episode, I talk with Scott Hollrah from Venn Technology, who shares how he's expanded beyond just referrals to build a thriving integration company. Whether you're struggling to break free from the referral ceiling or looking to diversify your lead sources, Scott's jo

If you're drowning in emails, your task list is overflowing, and you can't find enough hours to focus on growing your business, this episode is for you. I'm sharing a game-changing productivity framework I've refined over 28 years, including my time at Coca-Cola and Franklin Covey, and now mentoring tech consultants and SaaS partners. I've seen a common pattern: brilliant minds getting bogged down by tasks that shouldn't be on their plate. No matter what strategy we agree on, if you can't find the capacity to implement it, you simply can't move the needle on your business. In this episode, I break down my "Three D's" approach (Delete, Delegate, Do) and reveal five productivity tips that have transformed how my clients manage their time and task.Resources and LinksBook: Build Live GivePrevious episode: 595 - From Salesforce Insider to AppExchange Expert with Peter GanzaCheck out more episodes of The Paul Higgins ShowSubscribe to our YouTube channel: @PaulHigginsMentoringThe Tech Consultant’s RoadmapJoin our ne

Why you should listenPeter shares his insider expertise as a former Salesforce employee on how to optimize your AppExchange listing to generate more quality leads and close more deals.Discover why most Salesforce partners struggle with the same fundamental go-to-market problems and learn the unconventional strategies that can help you stand out from the competition.Learn practical approaches to focusing your messaging, leveraging the AppExchange search algorithm, and building effective partnerships with Salesforce's marketing programs.As a Salesforce partner, I know the dread you feel when you look at your AppExchange listing that you've neglected despite knowing it could bring in the most deals. In this episode, I talk with Peter Ganza from AppXWhisperer.com who specializes in helping ISVs and Salesforce Implementation partners get more leads (and ultimately deals) through optimized AppExchange listings. Peter shares his unique approach that goes beyond traditional SEO and marketing tactics, explaining why m

Why you should listenJohn Ghiorso shares his journey from freelance to building an eight-figure agency, offering invaluable lessons for anyone looking to scale their service-based business.Learn effective methods for bootstrapping growth and discover high ROI activities that can transform your agency's performance.Gain practical advice on leveraging platforms like LinkedIn and cold email strategies to generate leads and drive sustainable growth.As a bootstrap service-based business owner, you may feel overwhelmed by the hard work required to reach seven or even eight figures. In this episode, I talk with John Ghiorso from Vantafive.com, who provides concrete answers to help you navigate this challenging landscape. We discuss the importance of choosing the right platform in the age of AI, effective bootstrapping strategies, and high ROI activities that can propel your business forward. Join us to learn how to work smarter, not harder, in your quest for growth.About John GhiorsoJohn founded Orca Pacific in 2018

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the endless tasks of content creation, sales call reviews, and proposal writing? You're not alone; many tech consultants and SaaS partners face this challenge. In this episode, I’ll share how I cut my content creation time from 90 minutes to just 30 minutes a week using AI tools. You can expect practical insights on leveraging AI for efficiency, custom prompts for analyzing sales calls, and tips for involving your team in the process. Join me as we explore how to enhance your operations while maintaining the essential human touch in your business interactions.Resources and LinksClaudeChatGPTRick Mulready’s AI Playbook CommunityPrevious episode: 592 - AI in Tech Consulting: Future Opportunities and Threats with Keith GutierrezCheck out more episodes of The Paul Higgins ShowSubscribe to our YouTube channel: @PaulHigginsMentoringThe Tech Consultant’s RoadmapJoin our newsletterJoin the Tech CollectiveSuggested resourcesFind out more about Paul and how he can help you

Why you should listenExplore the opportunities and threats that AI presents to businesses, particularly in the agency and consulting sectors.Learn why transitioning to value-based pricing is crucial for maintaining profitability in an AI-driven landscape.Discover how AI agents can be licensed and utilized by clients, enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness.Imagine facing the challenge of fully leveraging AI technology while navigating an ever-evolving landscape that seems overwhelming. In this episode, Keith Gutierrez from Modility shares his insights on how AI is reshaping the marketing and sales industry.  With over 20 years of experience, Keith discusses the opportunities and threats that AI presents, emphasizing the importance of adapting pricing strategies to remain competitive. He also highlights practical applications of AI agents, how to maximize the value of platforms like HubSpot, and the necessity of transitioning to value-based pricing to ensure profitability in this new era. Join