Episode 65. In this Lifetime at Work podcast episode, Greg Martin interviews Bennett Maxwell, the founder and chairman of Dirty Dough, a booming gourmet cookie franchise.

Bennett recounts his transformative journey from being a Mormon missionary in Mexico to excelling in door-to-door solar energy sales, eventually leading to the creation and rapid expansion of Dirty Dough.

Listeners will gain insights into Bennett’s philosophies on living well, financial success, brand creation, and the profound impact of effective sales techniques. The discussion delves into the challenges and triumphs of building a scalable business in the food industry, raising substantial capital, and working with seasoned industry leaders.

It highlights Bennett's strategic approaches to franchising, the importance of organizational structure, and the emotional and financial ramifications of success. The episode also provides practical advice on connecting with advisors and emphasizes the pursuit of joy and fulfillment in business and life, over merely chasing financial goals.

• 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
• 00:54 Bennett Maxwell's Early Life and Career Beginnings
• 01:27 The Journey into Door-to-Door Sales
• 03:26 Transition to the Solar Business
• 07:38 Investing in Dirty Dough
• 10:59 Challenges and Innovations in the Cookie Business
• 12:36 Franchising and Business Growth
• 16:50 Marketing Strategies and Owner Involvement
• 18:25 Doubts and Financial Challenges
• 21:44 Raising Capital and Leadership Changes
• 23:08 Equity Deal and Acquisition
• 25:12 Reflections on Money and Success
• 26:57 The Illusion of Financial Goals
• 32:58 Building a National Brand
• 42:14 The Importance of Advisors
• 46:32 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Episode 64. How do you get your message into the press? Well, there’s a whole engine of people working hard to help, forming the public relations industry.

This episode features guest Zachary Bernard, the Founder and CEO of We Feature You. His company is a PR firm focused on building industry professionals as leaders and authorities in their space.

There’s something a lot of people don’t realize about public relations: It’s less about gaining exposure and more about what you do with the exposure you get. This episode covers the modern media and public relations world and how all of us can thrive and understand the industry for the better.

Key Takeaways and Discussion

• The breakthrough Zachary had a few years ago after talking to a friend.
• How he stumbled into the world of marketing.
• How to leverage the things you’re already good at (and what that could look like).
• What their typical clients look like and what their specific needs are.
• The best way to start building your own brand from the ground up.
• Different ways you can get featured in the media, and the benefits of each.
• How to make the most out of the coverage you get and why it matters.
• Why inside connections are so important in the public relations world.
• The role that AI content plays in PR—and what happens when it goes too far.
• The best types of publications to be featured in and why.
• How to figure out if a publication is legit or not (and filter your best opportunities).
• What Zachary brings to the PR industry that’s different and unique.

Episode 63. There is a big engine of people behind the candidates in the world of politics. Exploring a campaign and election from the inside helps give insight into what’s happening and why.

Guest Matthew Krayton provides counsel to campaigns at the local, state and federal levels as well as to clients in the private and public sectors across the public relations landscape. He worked on special projects during Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign and helped to create the “We Just Did” hat. He created his PR Consulting Firm, Publitics, in 2011 and has been growing his team ever since.

Matthew has a unique view of the political landscape, and during the episode he shares his perspective of it through the lens of PR. He also shares insights into the relationship between social media and politics.

Key Takeaways and Discussion

• The typical way (and time) Matthew usually meets his clients.
• How he got involved in political campaigns
• How the approach to PR politics has changed and opened up to young people.
• The different ways that campaigns mirror startup companies.
• What makes Publitics a full-service PR firm.
• What consulting looks like in PR politics and politics-adjacent spaces.
• Why an overlap in values is important in public relations.
• The best social media platform for organic reach today.
• The difference between the Harris versus Trump campaign from a PR perspective.
• Why policy proposals sometimes take a back seat through values and personality.
• The secrets to running a seamless and successful campaign.
• Why empowering your people, especially your PR team, is crucial in all organizations.
• Why psychological safety is important in business, including those who work in politics.
• How people in the US today are reckoning with work culture (and changing it).