Building a Business with Cold Calls, Innovation, and Authenticity with April Dodson | Tina Torres-Wilson, Starr Codd & Robert Wall

When April Dodson started out in the hood-cleaning business with her husband, she didn’t wait for the phone to ring—she made the calls. That same bold, entrepreneurial energy has shaped every phase of her career. In this episode, April shares how she built multiple businesses from the ground up, leveraged virtual assistant services and AI without losing her personal touch, and created a new kind of marketing software that’s getting recognized at the state level.

April gets real about what it takes to stay in business for the long haul, how her company helps others do the same, and why fitness has become a surprising part of her business model. This episode is packed with insights for anyone ready to scale with intention.

Key Takeaways:

• Use cold calling strategically. Start with a clear script, target a specific industry, and track conversions—April used this method to land 276 Ingles stores and a national MGM contract.

• Focus on organic outreach in Facebook and LinkedIn groups. Share value-based posts, then follow up with DMs to collect phone numbers and emails from engaged users.

• Build your list by “profiling” group activity. Create 30 days of content in advance, then repurpose it across groups with compliant, human-first messaging.

• Offer flexible entry points. April’s team customizes services—from appointment setting to quoting and CRM updates—so clients can outsource only what they need.

• Replace burnout with movement. Adding yoga or mindful activity—even once a week—can help you reset your nervous system and prevent entrepreneurial overload.
  

Featured Guest: 

April Dodson is a serial entrepreneur, innovator, and the founder of Bid Slot™, a powerhouse agency helping small businesses scale through smart systems, appointment setting, and U.S.-based virtual support. With over two decades of experience—from building a multi-state hood-cleaning empire to developing her own proprietary software—April is proof that you can grow fast without losing the personal touch.

She’s the creator of Group Grabber™, a lead-generation tool that ethically extracts data from Facebook and LinkedIn groups to build high-quality lists for service providers, and the founder of Unfit Yoga, a wellness studio supporting entrepreneurs in avoiding burnout.

Whether she’s helping clients close deals, manage their leads, or reclaim their time, April blends automation and authenticity like no one else in the game.

🔗 Learn more: bidslotprogram.com

Your Hosts:

Starr Codd: 

Starr Codd is a business strategist, SaaS founder, and seven-figure entrepreneur who helps business owners scale online with automation, lead generation, and systems that create real freedom. After breaking through corporate glass ceilings and building a seven-figure beauty brand, she launched her all-in-one software and now empowers others to stop admiring someone else’s empire and build their own. Learn More: shehasclients.com 

Tina Torres-Wilson: 

Tina Torres-Wilson is a self-publishing expert and founder of Pink Door Marketing Agency, helping female entrepreneurs and coaches write, publish, and market their books to become best-selling authors. After overcoming personal hardships, she rebuilt her business and now empowers women to share their stories and grow their brands through her signature programs like Aspiring Authors Academy and 120 Days to Best Seller.  Learn More: ⁠pinkdoormarketingagency.com/ ⁠

Robert Wall: 

Robert Wall is a best-selling author, transformational speaker, and business strategist who’s helped launch over $28 million in new programs. As the founder of The Branding Collaborative and creator of the YOUniversal Brand Alignment method, he guides entrepreneurs and leaders to build authentic brands aligned with their heart, mind, and soul. On stage or behind the mic, Robert brings real-world wisdom, unshakable faith, and a mission to help others rise, reconnect with purpose, and create lives they don’t need a break from. Learn more: brandingcollaborative.com