Default Profitable

In this episode of Default Profitable, I sit down with Ashley Beck Cuellar, a sales powerhouse who's traded 17 years of slinging automotive direct mail for building her own coaching empire. We dive into the wild ride of leaving a cushy gig at Perk Marketing, the eye-opening realities of entrepreneurship, and why having an outside sales coach isn't just nice—it's a game-changer for ditching robotic pitches and selling like a real hu...

In this episode of Default Profitable, I sit down with Mike Hurley, a lifelong Indianapolis resident who's turned his sales and marketing savvy into a thriving digital agency called WarmUp. We dive into his journey from side hustle to full-time venture, including the tough pivot after losing a co-founder during COVID, and how he's navigated the wild ride of entrepreneurship—balancing failures, funding, and finding profitability in ...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Josh Brammer, a seasoned marketing veteran turned business coach, about the gritty realities of starting, running, and scaling creative businesses. Drawing from his experience managing four agencies, selling one, and now guiding solopreneurs through Lantern, Josh shares candid insights on entrepreneurial pitfalls, the importance of clarity over vague ideas, and w...

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton chats with longtime acquaintance Chris Theisen about the rollercoaster of building a marketing business in Indianapolis. They dive into Chris's 15-year evolution from social and digital marketing roles to founding Bullpen Consulting in early 2024, sparked by a corporate layoff. Key topics include navigating the shift from employee to owner, blending sales strate...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Patrick O'Donnell, a serial entrepreneur who traded a stable corporate career in sales leadership for the unpredictable world of small business ownership. Patrick opens up about his transition from large public companies to launching a fractional sales leadership practice with Sales Xceleration in 2018 and co-owning Barringer's Tavern, a historic spot in South In...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Chris Wilkey about the evolution of professional selling, drawing from Chris's eclectic career path that spans software sales, running a digital marketing agency and wedding DJ business, to leading Ball State's Center for Professional Selling. They dive into the misconceptions of sales as mere persuasion, the value of sales education in higher ed, lessons from en...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Daniel Herndon about the raw realities of launching, pivoting, and scaling a business. From his roots in a touring rock band to becoming a sought-after brand strategist, Daniel shares his journey of turning side hustles into sustainable ventures, emphasizing how charging upfront, embracing uncertainty, and focusing on problem-solving over titles can lead to long-...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Shane Nichols, a seasoned media sales veteran turned author, about his journey from traditional sales roles in newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, and college sports sponsorships to launching a side hustle based on innovative B2B prospecting strategies. Shane shares how post-COVID challenges at Ball State University inspired him to dive deep into modern marketing t...

Join host Matt Nettleton as he sits down with Eric Dunaway, an assistant professor of economics at Wabash College. They delve into the unique approach Wabash takes towards business education, emphasizing real-world experience over traditional classroom learning. Eric shares insights on the importance of critical thinking, the role of randomness in decision-making, and how poker can teach valuable business lessons.

Key Topics:

The u...

Join host Matt Nettleton as he sits down with Andrew Johnson, co-founder of Northbrook Brewing in Arcadia, Indiana. Discover the inspiring journey of how Andrew transitioned from a special education teacher to a successful brewery owner. Learn about the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way.

Key Highlights:

Andrew's background and the founding of Northbrook Brewing. The evolution of their business plan and adaptin...

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Andrea Liebross to explore the intricacies of starting and growing a small business. Andrea shares her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of mindset, planning, and support systems.

Key Takeaways:

The significance of integrating business into life and the challenges of the "messy middle." The role of mindset...

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Andrea Simpson, co-founder of Orngeli, a wellness bottle shop and community space. Andrea shares her journey of starting a specialty business with her sister, the challenges and successes they've faced, and the importance of building relationships in entrepreneurship.

The inspiration behind Orangily and its rebranding journey. The impact of going ...

In this episode host Matt Nettleton talks with Derek Hammer, CEO of the Hammer Companies, to discuss the journey of starting and growing multiple businesses. From the inception of Hammer Lighting and Grip to the challenges faced during the pandemic, Derek shares insights on entrepreneurship, the importance of having a business plan, and the value of a supportive team.

Key Points:

Derek's transition from video production to business...

In this episode host Matt Nettleton interviews Jenn Lisak Golding. Jenn is Founder and CEO of Sapphire Strategy, a digital marketing agency that blends rich data with experienced-back intuition to optimize marketing performance for service-based businesses and nonprofits. An award-winning strategist, Jenn’s developed the Marketing Lifecycle Model: an evidence-based audit tool and blueprint for high-performing marketing investments....

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton speaks with Darren Cooper, the founder of 1898 Creative. They discuss Darren's journey from musician to entrepreneur, the challenges of building a creative business, and the importance of mindset and finding a niche in content creation. Darren shares valuable insights on surrounding oneself with the right people, the necessity of a strategic plan, and practical ...

In this episode host Matt Nettleton interviews Andrew Curtis. Andrew is president and founder of FUEL VM. He and his company have been leaned on as a marketing leader for such organizations as Boy Scouts of America, Trinity Broadcasting Network and the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites. He’s a pragmatic marketing mind who embraces both creative talents and technical advancements in equal amounts. He opened FUEL VM in 2003 and...

Chuck recommends a few books

• It's the Manager -   Jim Clifton and Jim Harter  (any Gallup Book is a must read) 
• The 7 Day Weekend - Ricardo Semler  (made me rethink culture)
• The Growth Delusion - David Pilling  (made me realize how what we measure matters)
• The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James  (Just oner of the b...

In this episode, host Matt Nettleton and guest Jeff Farren discuss the intricacies of selling a business. They explore the importance of preparing for an exit strategy well in advance, the psychological aspects of letting go of a business, and the necessity of having proper documentation and financial records. The conversation also delves into the risks associated with customer concentration and how to find buyers in a competitive ...