Building Businesses That Don't Break People

In this episode of Elevator People, PJ Simmons sits down with Carl Smith, a seasoned marketing leader and advocate for values-driven business, to unpack the shifting dynamics of modern marketing. Their candid conversation explores how honesty, emotional intelligence, and deep alignment are replacing outdated, high-pressure marketing tactics.

Carl shares pivotal stories from his entrepreneurial journey that illustrate the growing importance of relationship-building, community-first strategy, and authentic client engagement. He emphasizes the need to lead with purpose—not just profit—and urges marketers to measure success by meaningful impact rather than vanity metrics or rapid scaling.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• The evolution of marketing from transactional to transformational.

• How to build brand trust through transparency and connection.

• Why sustainable growth depends on human-centric leadership.

• The role of empathy in navigating changing client expectations.

Whether you're a marketer, entrepreneur, or leader seeking more purpose in your work, this episode offers a fresh and inspiring take on what it means to market—and lead—with heart.