Special Ops (Emma Rainville)

If you've ever struggled with navigating payment processing, reducing fees, or avoiding pitfalls like chargebacks or frozen funds, this conversation is a must-listen. We're sharing hard-earned insights and proven strategies to help you keep your merchant accounts healthy and your profits flowing. 

We break down the essentials every business owner needs to know about merchant accounts and share tips for preparing your business to handle growth without scaring off your payment processors.

You'll learn how to communicate effectively with brokers and processors to prevent surprises and stay ahead of the game. Plus, we dig into the numbers that matter most—keeping your chargebacks and refund rates in check while avoiding red flags. 

Whether you're just starting out or scaling rapidly, understanding the nuances of merchant accounts can be the difference between smooth sailing and unexpected financial setbacks. Tune in for actionable insights to optimize your accounts and protect your business’s bottom line.

YouTube Timestamps

- What is a merchant account?

- When to transition to a dedicated merchant account

- How to apply for a merchant account

- Managing merchant accounts when scaling

- Best practices for healthy merchant accounts

- Why consistency and business updates matter to merchants

- How to access resources on merchant account management

Get Exclusive Resources on Merchant Accounts Management:

https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault 

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/  

Bonuses are more than extra cash; they reflect how much a company values and motivates its team members. Today, we explore bonus structures and their impact on team morale, loyalty, and productivity. From holiday bonuses as gestures of goodwill to performance bonuses tied to measurable achievements, we explore how different types of rewards drive results. 

You’ll learn about performance-based bonuses that motivate employees to deliver results consistently and how end-of-year bonuses can foster a sense of belonging. 

We highlight strategies for hybrid bonus models and why effective communication and transparency are critical to maintaining trust and clarity in any bonus system.

Join us for this insightful discussion and valuable strategies to design a bonus structure that aligns with your company’s goals and employee expectations. Don’t forget to visit our Visionary Vault for free resources to help you implement these ideas!

Episode Highlights:

- Why bonuses matter for employee morale and loyalty

- The pros and cons of holiday and performance bonuses

- Why performance-based rewards drive results

- Costly bonus mistakes every business should avoid

- Effective strategies for hybrid bonus models

- The importance of clear communication and transparency 

Explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:

https://specialopspodcast.com/

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/  

The podcast was produced by Top 10 Podcasts https://top10podcasts.com/start

Are you pouring money and effort into marketing challenges that just aren't converting? Your challenge structure could be the real problem. I’m joined by Mikhail Kuznetsov, an expert in high-ticket offers and challenge marketing. He reveals the hidden operational mistakes that may be quietly sabotaging your sales. 

Mikhail explains how to use strategic pre-challenge tactics and precise communication systems to drive massive conversion rates. He shares the exact cadence formula for successful challenges and demonstrates how orchestrating perfect harmony between marketing, ops, and customer support creates a winning pitch. 

Want to double your high-ticket offer conversions and maximize your profits? Tune in now and grab our free Seven-Figure Challenge Blueprint (https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault) to start creating high-converting challenges for your business.

In This Episode:

-What makes a successful high-ticket challenge?

-Why collaboration and communication across teams are critical

-The importance of analyzing metrics and feedback

-How to plan for conversions and ROI

-The operational cadence of a successful challenge

-Pricing strategy for challenges

-Structuring upsells and VIP offers

-Creating a winning pitch 

-Positioning and presenting an offer effectively

-How to use bonuses to close sales

-How post-challenge follow-up helps to build relationships

-How to create a downsell to increase conversions

-Conclusion and how to interact with Mikhail

Get in Touch with Mikhail Kuznetsov:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mvkbiz/

Get in Touch with Emma Rainville: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

Strategic planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming or reactive. In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the WAVE System—a proven method to help you achieve clarity, align your team, and crush your 2025 goals. 

You’ll learn how to craft a 10-year vision that aligns with your life, turn goals into actionable commitments, and stay focused on what matters most. We’ll explore how to build a values-driven team and execute a clear plan to achieve tangible results—all while avoiding common entrepreneurial pitfalls.

Tune in now, and let’s build the roadmap that will take your business to the next level. Don’t forget to grab your WAVE System Checklist from the Visionary Vault. 

Episode Highlights:

- How a structured plan can create a competitive edge for your business

- How to use the WAVE System to align business operations for success 

- Steps to writing a 10-year vision that aligns your personal and professional life

- Why commitments guarantee progress and how to define them for your business

- Avoiding distractions and sticking to your business's core purpose

- How to create an avatar for your team and define non-negotiable traits

- Business execution plan essentials and common mistakes to avoid

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/  

The podcast was produced by Top 10 Podcasts https://top10podcasts.com/start

Many marketers focus only on their product's benefits and ignore the risks that potential customers consider, including money, time, and energy. By reducing these risks, marketers can build trust and make offers more appealing, which increases conversions. 

The quarter-billion-dollar webinar man, Jason Fladlien, joins us today as we explore risk reversal in marketing. He introduces innovative ways to mitigate risks, explaining how even capping potential outcomes can build trust and drive conversions. 

Jason explains how he operationalizes risk reversal through practical strategies like conditional coaching, offering you an insider look at turning bold promises into reality. His approach to creating and scaling offers ensures that businesses over-deliver while keeping risks low.

Tune in to learn how you can transform your marketing, reduce customer hesitation, and build unbeatable offers that keep clients coming back for more.

Episode Highlights:

- The three key risks every customer considers and how to address each

- Why energy risk is often the biggest hurdle in sales and how to tackle it

- The concept of conditional coaching and how it enhances customer commitment

- Jason's method for creating "fantasy offers" and scaling them to reality

- Practical steps to blend operations and sales for seamless delivery and trust-building

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/  

Profit margins are essential KPIs because they reveal a business's financial health. By optimizing profit margins, businesses improve cash flow, make informed financial decisions, and ensure sustainable growth. Today, we’re diving into profit-boosting strategies that every visionary entrepreneur should know. 

We’ll break down how understanding and improving profit margins is essential to business success, with a focus on knowing where each dollar is spent. You'll gain insights into analyzing KPIs, streamlining tech stacks, and cutting redundant software costs that can quietly eat into profits. 

We’ll explore how customer service can transform into a revenue-generating powerhouse with smart retention strategies while efficient fulfillment and inventory control prevent costly errors. We also discuss the power of data in scaling your business and understanding customer lifetime value. 

Join us for impactful strategies that will help you scale your business. Also, check out our membership area for a "Profit Health Quiz" that helps identify areas of financial weakness, a manual on reading profit and loss (P&L) statements, and guidance on understanding balance sheets.

Episode Highlights:

- Understanding and improving profit margins for business success

- Analyzing KPIs to track financial health and identify issues

- Streamlining tech stacks and cutting redundant software expenses

- How to transform customer service into a revenue-generating department

- Enhancing fulfillment processes and inventory control to prevent costly errors

- Leveraging data for better decision-making and business growth

- Recognizing customer lifetime value for effective resource allocation

- Optimizing labor with efficient processes to avoid unnecessary hires

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/  

The podcast was produced by Top 10 Podcasts https://top10podcasts.com/start

Today, we tackle a bold move that every entrepreneur should consider: firing yourself as the CEO. Many founders unknowingly become the bottleneck in their own businesses, stalling growth and exhausting themselves in the process. By trying to handle every decision, from marketing to product development, you may be limiting your company’s potential. 

We’ll explore why letting go of control is the key to true growth, how you can begin delegating responsibilities effectively, and the importance of building a strong operations team. We also share real-world examples of businesses that turned their performance around after making this critical shift.

Tune in to learn how transitioning to a strategic leadership role can free up your time, increase shareholder value, and boost business growth. 

Be sure to visit our Visionary Vault for useful resources like our Entrepreneur's Guide on how to fire yourself as CEO and scale your business to new heights.

Episode Highlights:

- The dangers of becoming the bottleneck in your business

- How to build an effective operations team and hire a strong COO.

- How to effectively transition into a strategic leadership role

- Practical steps to delegate and build trust with your team

Explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:

https://specialopspodcast.com/ 

Get in touch with Perry Belcher:

Website: https://perrybelcher.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perry.belcher 

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1 

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/

What does it take to go from having no systems to running a thriving agency in a year? We sit down with Chris Encarnacion to uncover his incredible journey. A year ago, Chris was just figuring out the basics. Today, he's running multiple VSL productions across cities with a strong team that has transformed his business—and his life. 

From brutal work hours to building a dream team and saying no to misaligned clients, Chris shares how he went from burnout to mastery. Chris explains the value of relentless hustle and learning from failure, but here’s the twist—hard work alone won’t scale you.

He reveals how shifting focus from talent to values helped him build a team he trusts and why having clear systems, SOPs, and KPIs became his agency’s game-changer. If you’re a business owner struggling to scale or a leader stuck doing all the things, this conversation is for you. 

Plus, Chris is offering a free VSL audit for our listeners. Head over to https://specialopspodcast.com/ to grab this opportunity and level up your video content today!

In this Episode:

- Chris Encarnacion's journey to success

- Building a strong team

- From survival mode to a clear vision

- Finding the right clients 

- Scaling with systems and leadership

- Why the speed of implementation is critical

- Being able to say ‘no’ when it's not a fit

Explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:

https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault

Connect with Chris Encarnacion:

Website:https://chris78744.wixsite.com/vsl-adz-3   

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-encarnacion-347179134  

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/  

Are you struggling with low conversions despite having a great product? Your messaging—not your offer—could be the real problem. In today’s episode, marketing psychology expert Nick Verge reveals the hidden psychological mistake that’s quietly costing you sales and how fixing it could double your revenue overnight.

Nick breaks down how top brands use deep psychological triggers to connect with customers on a subconscious level, driving massive action. He dives into the complexity of consumer psychology and demonstrates how you can craft messages that truly resonate with your audience, beyond just selling a product.

Want to optimize your offers and maximize your sales? Tune in now and grab our free Psychological Triggers Cheat Sheet to start applying these powerful insights today!

In This Episode:

- Introduction to marketing psychology

- Sample case study: transforming a tanked offer

- Research process: getting inside the customer's head

- The power of messaging: the inside-out method 

- The role of emotions in marketing

- Mechanisms and quiz funnels that trigger emotions 

- Why selling emotions first instead of logic works

- Four steps to improve your marketing message strategy 

- The power of research and direct customer interactions

- Testing and optimizing offers for conversion rate optimization

- The importance of team collaboration in copywriting

- Closing thoughts and contact information

Get in Touch with Nick Verge:

Website: https://www.nickverge.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNVD21  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholasverge/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-verge-196731150 

Get in Touch with Emma Rainville: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

Are you living optimally? What if the key to reaching your peak performance lies in something as simple as minerals? Barton Scott, a chemical engineer and founder of Upgraded Formulas, joins us to share his compelling journey from personal tragedy to pioneering breakthroughs in health optimization. 

You’ll hear the pivotal story of how a preventable loss reshaped his mission and led to a revolutionary approach to wellness—one that focuses on actionable steps, accurate testing, and building sustainable health from the inside out.

Barton explains how mineral deficiencies are often the hidden culprits behind many chronic or severe health issues. You’ll discover why traditional blood tests aren’t enough, why tissue testing is a game-changer, and how identifying and addressing your unique deficiencies can radically improve your energy, focus, and overall quality of life.

Ready to reclaim your energy and vitality? Join the conversation now for practical steps and the tools you need to live life optimally.

In this episode:

- Introducing Barton Scott

- The importance of minerals in health

- Testing and understanding your body functions

- Challenges with the traditional healthcare system

- Upgraded Formulas’ philosophy of health and wellness

- Conclusion and action steps

Get in Touch with Barton Scott:

Website:https://www.upgradedformulas.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askbarton/?hl=en 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/1bartonscott  

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/ 

Are your teams just getting by or thriving under true leadership? Today, I sit down with leadership expert Andy Neillie to discuss why leadership always trumps management. Andy, who has spent years working with teams around the world, shares invaluable insights on transforming managers into high-performing leaders. 

We explore different leadership styles, discuss the importance of being kind versus nice, and how to handle tough conversations without damaging trust. 

Andy's years of experience, along with the strategies he’s developed, will help you improve your leadership skills while fostering an environment of trust and growth. Tune in now if you’re ready to stop managing and start leading. Be sure to subscribe to our Visionary Vault for expert strategies on building high-performing teams and impactful leadership.

In This Episode:

- The difference between leadership and management

- Why managers struggle to transition into leadership

- How a manager's lack of leadership impacts the team

- Common leadership traits that demoralize employees

- The importance of trust in leadership 

- Balancing empathy and accountability in leadership

- Creating a feedback-friendly environment

- Framework for high-impact leadership conversations

- Foundational skills for aspiring leaders

- How leadership vision unifies teams and drives performance

- Addressing high turnover and its impact on leadership

- How leaders can prevent burnout in teams

- Recommendations for top leadership books and resources

Resources Mentioned In the Episode:

Sign up to get Andy’s eBook, The Three Imperative Leadership Conversations: https://neillieleadershipgroup.com/blog/ 

The Four Leadership Necessities Resource: https://neillieleadershipgroup.com/resources/leader-resources/ 

The Top 20 Leadership Books Blog: https://neillieleadershipgroup.com/the-top-20-leadership-books-for-2024-plus-two-essential-bonus-reads/ 

What Got You Here Won't Get You There By Marshall Goldsmith: https://a.co/d/eHxzVLH 

Atomic Habits By James Clear: https://a.co/d/0zxoKQg 

The Discipline of Market Leaders by Michael Treacy: https://a.co/d/68h0xxA

The Leadership Challenge by James Kouzes and Barry Posner: https://a.co/d/h8K8But 

Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell: https://a.co/d/7yTQZL6  

Explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:

https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault

Get in Touch with Andy Neillie:

Website: https://neillieleadershipgroup.com/ 

Facebook:

Many entrepreneurs feel stuck after reaching the seven-figure milestone in their business. Hitting that milestone is a huge accomplishment, but we know staying stuck at a plateau isn’t uncommon. The good news is you can break through to the next level of growth if you know the pitfalls to avoid.

In today’s episode, we’ll explore the common mistakes that entrepreneurs make that cause their successful businesses to stagnate. We will also highlight how people development and effective communication channels support your growing business.

Ready to break through your business plateau? Listen now for actionable steps on how to scale a business beyond seven figures. Remember to visit our Visionary Fault for exclusive tools to fuel your growth.

Episode Highlights:

- Why a lack of foundational framework keeps seven-figure businesses stuck

- The role of operational frameworks in creating consistency and efficiency

- How founders often become the bottleneck and limit business growth

- Why trust and delegation are essential to scaling beyond seven figures

- How to access free tools and resources to implement growth strategies successfully

Explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:

https://specialopspodcast.com/ 

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/  

The podcast was produced by Top 10 Podcasts https://top10podcasts.com/start

We sat down with legendary marketer Perry Belcher, also known as the "godfather of marketing," to discuss why direct response marketing appears to be dwindling. Perry shares profound insights on the evolution of direct response marketing, highlighting its challenges in today’s information-saturated world.

Our conversation also touches on the psychological barriers that prevent people from acting on readily available information. 

Perry anticipates future trends, like the growing importance of influencer marketing, AI integration with robotics, and the impact of an aging population (silver tsunami).

Tune in to gain exclusive insights into the future of direct response marketing, trend-hunting, and why, as Perry says, timing is everything.

Episode Highlights:

- The evolution and state of direct response marketing

- How fear of failure leads to inaction

- Confidence vs. competence in business success

- Why live, interactive experiences are thriving 

- Perry’s top investment picks

- The rise of influencers and how they help audiences overcome decision fatigue

- Perry’s perspective on charismatic leaders 

Explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:

https://specialopspodcast.com/ 

Get in touch with Perry Belcher:

Website: https://perrybelcher.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perry.belcher 

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1 

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/

If your competitors are answering the phone faster than you, they’re taking your business! Studies show that responding to a lead within five minutes makes them 100 times more likely to convert—yet most businesses take hours if not days.

In this episode, we dive into lead response mastery, showing you how to optimize your sales process, engage potential customers immediately, and ensure you’re the first (and best) option they choose. 

We’ll walk you through key strategies, from leveraging automation and AI to hiring low-cost offshore team members who can engage leads in real time. Whether it’s abandoned carts, booked calls, or live chat, you’ll learn how to refine every touchpoint in your customer journey for maximum conversions.

Don’t let slow response times cost you revenue. Listen in and then grab our Lead Response Time Mastery Guide in the members’ portal —implement our proven tactics and watch your business grow!

In this Episode:

- Introduction to lead response mastery

- Key metrics for lead response time

- Customer service and sales metrics

- Sales automation and tools for lead response

- Optimizing the customer experience

- Action steps for improving lead response

- How to access the lead response resources

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/  

Since February 2020, consumer prices have surged by an unprecedented 21.2%—a sharp contrast to the 18.9% increase over the entire decade from 2010 to 2019. Today, we’ll focus on this spike in inflation, its financial strain on your business, and the urgent need for strategies to protect profitability amidst rising costs.

We’ll cover seven essential strategies for inflation-proofing your business and explore practical ways to protect your margins without losing customers. We'll also discuss the value of optimizing your supply chain and why AI can be your best friend in streamlining operations.

Plus, we’ll share the inspiring example of Campbell’s Soup, a brand that’s thrived through multiple economic downturns, showing you how smart marketing can make all the difference.

Don’t forget to check out our free resource guide in the Visionary Vault to get even more tips on safeguarding your business in these challenging times.

Episode Highlights:

- Strategy #1: Understand how inflation impacts your business

- Strategy #2: Adjust pricing without losing customers

- Strategy #3: Improve operational efficiency and profit margins

- Strategy #4: Optimize your supply chain for cost savings

- Strategy #5: Focus on marketing that builds long-term value

- Strategy #6: Cutting unnecessary costs without losing quality

- Strategy #7: Building long-term customer loyalty through engagement

- Recap: 7 key strategies to inflation-proof your business

Explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:

https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/  

Many marketers may spend heavily on advertising but fail to identify the audience that will bring them the highest ROI. Consequently, businesses end up spending more to serve low-value customers, making scaling difficult. Eliminating the wrong customers can prevent losses and increase profitability. 

In this week’s episode, we explore the critical importance of targeting the right audience for your e-commerce business and discuss how to build a detailed customer avatar by understanding the emotional and social needs of your best customers. 

You’ll learn how to refine your marketing strategies, identify high-value customers, and create multiple audience segments based on different product mechanisms.  

Whether you’re offering products or services, tune in to this episode for practical tips on maximizing your e-commerce campaigns and ensuring you're reaching the right audience!

Episode Highlights:

- The importance of refining your target audience based on customer lifetime value (CLTV)

- Strategies for expanding your product to new audiences using different mechanisms

- Why you should create an anti-avatar 

- The risks of selling to the wrong customers

- How to build a community around your product to gain deeper audience insights

- Actionable steps for optimizing customer targeting

Explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:

https://specialopspodcast.com/  

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1   

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/  

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/ 

Are you managing your business costs effectively? Mastering cost management could be the key to driving your company's profitability. So, in today’s episode, we guide you through a tactical approach that turns every dollar into a stepping stone for growth.

You’ll discover how strategic financial analysis can transform the way you manage cash flow. We will unpack the challenges of balancing expenses with growth, offering actionable insights on how to budget, renegotiate contracts, and eliminate wasteful costs.

You’ll also learn why cost accounting isn’t just about tracking dollars in and out but about ensuring every investment returns multiple times over. Tune in now for an actionable guide to mastering cost management, and visit our Visionary Vault for additional resources and action guides to simplify your financial planning process.

In this Episode:

- Introduction to cost management

- Understanding cost management and financial planning

- Why businesses need "proper" financials

- Actionable steps for cost management

- Final thoughts and free resources on cost management

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/  

Are you prepared for the regulatory shifts in 2025? Ryan Poteet of Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani joins today’s episode to break down the upcoming FTC and FDA changes that every advertiser and e-commerce entrepreneur needs to know. 

Ryan shares his invaluable insights as a partner at one of the nation’s leading advertising and e-commerce law firms. From subscription billing transparency to truth-in-advertising mandates, we discuss the rules that could save your business from hefty fines or legal battles. 

And that’s not all—Ryan also reveals insider tips on monitoring affiliate claims, performing compliance audits, and implementing website terms and conditions to protect your business from adverse legal issues.

But it’s not just about avoiding penalties—it’s about staying competitive. Tune in to discover how to stay ahead of the curve and adapt your business model to comply with the changes. 

In this episode:

- Introducing Ryan Poteet

- Upcoming FTC and FDA changes in 2025

- Key FTC regulations for advertisers 

- Proactive steps for advertisers to comply with regulations

- Predictions for 2025 with the new administration

- Upcoming FDA changes? Telehealth and Telemedicine 

- FDA violations and call centers 

- Future of some popular weight loss supplements and drugs

- Importance of website terms and conditions

Get in Touch with Ryan Poteet:

Website: https://www.grsm.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-poteet-43098ba 

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/  

Hiring the right people isn’t just about finding someone smart or a great team player. It’s about putting the right person in the right role. Too many businesses make the critical mistake of mixing creatives and operators, expecting them to thrive without a proper structure. That often leads to chaos.

So today, I sit down with messaging and leadership expert Yara Golden to unpack why marketing and operations teams often find themselves at odds and, more importantly, how to fix it. We dive into real-world examples of misalignment and how a lack of clear roles and expectations can lead to frustration.

We also explore how to set up iteration loops that allow creatives the freedom to experiment while giving operators the structure they need to keep projects on track. When these teams learn to work together, businesses don’t just grow—they scale with precision and efficiency.

Don’t let the wrong hires or poor management decisions hold your business back. Listen to the conversation and then download our free High-Performance Hiring Blueprint inside our Visionary Vault. The insights will help you hire and manage your team the right way—so you can scale faster and with less stress.

In This Episode:

- Common hiring mistakes business owners make

- A personal example of misalignment in business

- How creatives struggle with operational roles

- The role of operators in structuring creative ideas 

- Setting up iteration loops for marketing and operations

- The importance of clear expectations in teamwork

- Why strategy is the foundation of successful execution

- Fixing toxic relationships between creatives and operators

- How to access the free hiring blueprint resource

Get in Touch with Yara Golden:

Website: https://yaragolden.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yaragolden 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/yara.golden 

Get in Touch with Emma Rainville: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru 

Many business owners underestimate the complexities of exit deals and make mistakes that lead to reduced sale value, unfavorable terms, and financial challenges post-exit. We sit down with Kasim Aslam, founder and CEO of Solutions 8, to unpack the hard truths behind selling a business.

We dig into asset purchase agreements, where Kasim emphasizes getting all important details in plain language within the contract. We also talk about the intense due diligence process that buyers use to exhaust sellers. 

Time and again, entrepreneurs underestimate the importance of specialized legal counsel. You’ll learn how the right mergers and acquisitions (M&A) attorney helps you sidestep legal pitfalls that could cost millions.

If you are considering an exit, this episode offers invaluable insights to avoid common pitfalls and build a lasting legacy. Tune in to discover why terms often matter more than the price and the critical importance of maintaining liquidity post-exit.

Episode Highlights:

- Why understanding all the terms in an asset purchase agreement (APA) is critical

- The risks of trusting personal relationships over contract terms

- Why specialized M&A lawyers are essential for navigating exit deals

- Why terms of the deal matter more than the price offered

- The importance of maintaining liquidity post-sale 

- How the "renewable money” principle works

Explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:

https://specialopspodcast.com/

Get in Touch with Kasim Aslam:

Website: https://kasimaslam.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kasimaslam/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasimaslam 

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/  

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/

Business partnerships often fail because of unclear roles and unspoken expectations. Without defined responsibilities, tension and misunderstandings build up quickly. Today, we’ll explore how clear communication and role definition can save your partnership from falling apart and set the stage for long-term success.

We will outline the essentials of building successful business partnerships and discuss the common pitfalls that lead many partnerships to fail.

With real-life examples and insights from partnerships that both thrived and faltered, this episode equips you with the tools to prepare for a lasting business relationship. Plus, don’t miss the actionable steps and free guide on navigating business partnership agreements both operationally and legally.

Episode Highlights:

- Why clear roles and expectations are crucial for avoiding conflicts

- The role of regular communication in keeping partners aligned

- How constructive conflict and criticism helps the partnership grow

- Lessons from real-life partnerships on making difficult decisions and planning for exits

- How to access free resources for setting up successful business partnerships

Explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:

https://specialopspodcast.com/ 

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1 

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/

Year-end budget evaluations are an instrumental tool for achieving sustainable growth and financial stability. In today’s episode, I provide a step-by-step guide to financial evaluations, including patterns in revenue streams and expenses. I also highlight the need to calculate ROI for major expenses to ensure resources are allocated to activities that drive maximum returns.

You’ll learn how to set SMART financial goals for 2025 and discover strategies for creating monthly budget monitoring systems. I share common pitfalls to avoid, such as ignoring small recurring expenses and failing to adjust budgets based on real-world outcomes. 

Join the conversation now for actionable budgeting advice and resources, including a free budget evaluation checklist and a planning toolkit to help you take control of your business finances and make 2025 the best year yet.

Episode Highlights:

- Why year-end budget evaluations are crucial for sustainable growth

- How to review 2024 financials to identify overspending 

- Calculating the ROI of major expenses and investments 

- The SMART financial goal framework for 2025

- Simple tips for cutting costs and reallocating funds strategically

- How to adapt budgets to external factors 

- How to align budgets with operational and marketing strategies 

Get Free Resources and Tools at our Visionary Vault:

https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault 

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/

The podcast was produced by Top 10 Podcasts https://top10podcasts.com/start

Most businesses obsess over customer acquisition but neglect what happens next. If you think a sale is the finish line, you’re leaving money on the table. Today, I am chatting with Mark Stern, founder of Custom Box Agency, to explore how strategic experience design can transform your onboarding, improve retention, and turn customers into loyal advocates. 

Mark shares his journey from corporate consulting to entrepreneurship and why a broken onboarding experience inspired him to launch his company. He reveals the psychology behind customer engagement, how to gamify the onboarding process, and why a blend of digital and physical experiences can create a powerful connection with your audience. 

If you’re ready to stop losing customers and start creating retention-driven experiences, listen to this insightful conversation and then head over to Custom Box Agency to book a free consultation with Mark’s team.  

In this Episode:

- Why onboarding is critical for customer retention

- Mark Stern's journey and business evolution

- How poor onboarding impacts retention and churn rates

- The benefits of blending physical and digital experiences

- Health supplement company's retention strategy 

- Travel blogger retention tactics

- Association newsletter ideas

- How to design a strategic customer experience 

- Key metrics for evaluating onboarding success

Get in Touch with Mark Stern:

Website: https://customboxagency.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marustern

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marksternofficial/

Get in Touch with Emma Rainville: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

Political ad spending is set to skyrocket to $2.64 billion this election year, a 28% increase from the previous election cycle. As businesses struggle to compete for attention in a media landscape flooded with campaign ads, how can you protect your social media ROI and stay ahead? 

Today, we explore the impact that political campaigns have on your marketing budget. We offer actionable strategies to help you navigate this season’s ad spend challenges and optimize your marketing efforts. 

You’ll learn how to leverage your own channels, create high-quality content, and navigate the political noise without picking sides. Stay tuned until the end for a free downloadable checklist designed to safeguard your marketing budget from political and economic turbulence.

Episode Highlights:

- How increased competition for media placements affects businesses

- Why ad fatigue and audience exhaustion are risks

- How staying neutral in Facebook ads can benefit your business

- How to leverage your own channels to keep your brand visible

- Why producing high-quality, polished content matters

- How sharing positive and unifying stories connects with your audience

- How to protect your ad spend during election season

Explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:

https://specialopspodcast.com/ 

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1 

Instagram: 

• https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/
• https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru 
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/ 

Welcome to Special Ops, the tactical business podcast designed to help you grow your company through action, not words.

Hosted by seasoned entrepreneurs Emma Rainville and Travis Gomez, co-founders of Shockwave Solutions.

In each episode, Travis and Emma share strategies they’ve used in their businesses to overcome revenue growth challenges, increase profit margins, and build leadership teams that run day-to-day business operations without you, as the CEO/founder, getting involved.

Each episode is designed around a free downloadable playbook to help you execute, which you can download for free at https://specialopspodcast.com.

Hit play on the most recent episode, and subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, and take your business to new heights.

Bad data leads to bad decisions—period. If you’re not tracking the right numbers (or worse, not tracking them at all), you’re flying blind and burning money in the process. In today’s episode, we share just a systematic approach to tracking the right data and making moves based on what actually works.

We get into why most businesses measure CLTV the wrong way and how the order in which customers see your products directly impacts how much they spend. We talk about email marketing and share practical strategies, such as offering incentives and intentional engagement for customer retention.

If you’re still relying on gut instinct instead of clear, data-driven insights, you’re wasting time, money, and opportunities. Listen to the full episode and then grab our Data Quality Mastery Guide to start scaling your business on purpose.

In this Episode:

- The importance of data quality 

- The power of data insights

- Understanding Customer Lifetime Value (CLTV)

- Optimizing customer journeys to increase lifetime value

- Mastering split testing to boost ROI

- How to optimize membership retention 

- Effective email marketing strategies

- Leveraging data for better marketing

- Free resources for data analysis

Get in Touch with Us: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

https://www.instagram.com/travis.cambridge/ 

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisgomez/ 

Are you charging less than you’re worth? In today’s episode, I’m hosting Robin Waite, an author, business coach, and the founder of Fearless Business, to discuss the importance of pricing for your business success. Robin breaks down the mistakes most entrepreneurs make when setting prices and how those errors can significantly hurt their profitability. 

You’ll learn how to avoid underpricing your services and why understanding your business’s financials is key to building a sustainable and profitable business. Robin also highlights why customer retention is just as important as acquisition when it comes to boosting your bottom line. 

If you’re still on the fence about raising your prices, Robin’s expert advice will give you the confidence to take action today. Don’t forget to grab a signed copy of his book, Take Your Shot (https://www.fearless.biz/), for more practical business strategies that will transform the way you think about product pricing and profitability.

In This Episode:

- Common pricing mistakes that businesses make

- Customer retention strategies for better profit margins

- How to overcome the impostor syndrome and increase prices

- Pricing strategies for services versus products

- Actionable steps to boost profitability and growth

- Using incremental price increases for business growth

Apply for a Signed Copy of Robin’s book, Take Your Shot - How to Grow Your Business, Attract More Clients and Make More Money: https://www.fearless.biz/ 

Explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:

https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault

Get in Touch with Robin Waite:

Website: https://www.fearless.biz/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robinmwaite/ 

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/robinmwaite

Get in Touch with Emma Rainville: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru  

The podcast was produced by Top 10 Podcasts

https://top10podcasts.com/start

Too many entrepreneurs start a business for freedom, only to find themselves stuck in endless work, unable to step away without everything falling apart. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. I sit down with James P. Friel, business consultant and CEO of FG Ventures, to break down how to build self-managed teams.

James shares the exact Business Freedom Formula that transformed his career and helped countless entrepreneurs scale their businesses while working less. We dive into the power of delegation, systemization, and agile leadership, so you can build a team that runs smoothly—even when you're not there.

If you’ve ever struggled with trusting your team, letting go of control, or making sure the right decisions are made without you, James’ delegation framework will help you free up your time while scaling your business. So, hit play and then visit our Visionary Vault for exclusive resources on this and much more!

In This Episode:

- James' journey from corporate to entrepreneurship

- The concept of a self-managed team

- Challenges when transitioning to a self-managed team

- Why failing to delegate will cost you

- The four levels of the DADD delegation framework 

- The role of trust in delegation and how to build it

- Strategies for effective project management

- Evaluating team fit

- How to transition decision-making effectively

- Personal success stories

- Key takeaways and recommendations

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

James Friel’s Article, This 3-Word Mantra Will Make Your Job Easier and Less Stressful: https://www.entrepreneur.com/living/this-3-word-mantra-will-make-your-job-easier-and-less/343679

Jack Welch’s Book, Winning: The Ultimate Business How-To Book: https://a.co/d/0dmixQx

Annie Duke’s Book, Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away: https://a.co/d/8kWjpp0

Will Storr’s Book, The Status Game: On Human Life and How to Play It: https://a.co/d/eVuORkt 

Get in Touch with James P. Friel:

Website: https://jamespfriel.com/  

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamespfriel/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james_p_friel/  

Get in Touch with Emma Rainville: 

Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast?sub_confirmation=1  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru