Unlock the secret to commanding attention, building credibility, and inspiring action—without losing your authenticity. Whether you're an executive, speaker, or aspiring leader, mastering communication that connects and influences can transform your career and confidence in high-stakes environments. In this episode, communication expert Laurie Schloff shares how to elevate your executive presence through authentic, impact-driven messaging. She reveals the subtle yet powerful skills that separate average presenters from memorable leaders—like mastering nonverbal cues, refining your vocal tone, and tailoring your core messages for maximum impact. Lori dives into real-world stories, including her experience helping clients influence internally at companies like Iron Mountain, and shares actionable tactics you can apply immediately. You'll discover: the key ingredients to authentic communication that resonates; how to handle curveballs and challenging questions with composure; and why the mindset of "preparation, not desperation" is your best ally in high-pressure moments. Laurie also discusses her proprietary Presence 26 Toolkit, a practical framework she uses to coach executives and trainers. Plus, learn about her Train the Trainer program for those eager to pass on these skills and elevate entire organizations. If you're tired of feeling overlooked or unsure in critical conversations, this episode is your blueprint for turning every interaction into a opportunity to influence. Perfect for professionals aiming to accelerate their career, speakers wanting to refine their craft, or leaders ready to command presence with authenticity—this is your guide to communicating at the highest level. Laurie Schloff is a renowned communication coach and author, known for helping executives project confidence and authenticity. Her insights have empowered countless professionals to speak with impact and influence outcomes. Elevate your communication. Command attention. Influence with authenticity—this episode is your first step to becoming a truly effective communicator. Want to know more about Laurie Schloff and effective communitcation? Visit her website at https://speechimprovement.com/laurie-schloff/  If you found value in this episode, make sure to follow and subscribe to the Been There, Sold That podcast so you never miss a conversation. We would love to hear what resonated with you and what topics you would like us to cover next. Brianna Hendley, Founder of Achievant Coaching| [email protected] | www.achievantcoaching.com Phil Whitebloom, Founder of Been There Consulting Services | [email protected] | www.beentherecs.com

Most small business owners feel like their momentum stalls just when they need it most — but what if you had a proven system to keep your business thriving, no matter what's happening around you?   In this episode, Phil and Brianna break down the real reason so many entrepreneurs feel stuck… and introduce the Small Business Momentum Lab — a powerful support system designed to help business owners keep moving forward no matter what's happening around them.  From navigating life changes like growing families to handling uncertainty in the market, they share how accountability, community, real-time feedback, and consistent action can completely transform the way you grow your business.  In this episode, you'll learn:  ✨ The difference between "trying" and actually testing strategies that create growth  ✨ How to confidently handle client objections and improve your sales conversations  ✨ Why community and shared experiences are essential for staying motivated  ✨ How accountability keeps you focused when distractions and doubts creep in  ✨ The systems, support, and resources that help businesses thrive in uncertain seasons  If you've been feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or stuck in your business, this episode is your reminder that you don't have to figure it all out alone.  The first TWO Momentum Lab sessions are completely free — click the link in the description to get started and keep your momentum alive. 🚀  https://grow.achievantcoaching.com/btstmomentumbuilders_landing-complimentary   If you found value in this episode, make sure to follow and subscribe to the Been There, Sold That podcast so you never miss a conversation. We would love to hear what resonated with you and what topics you would like us to cover next. Brianna Hendley, Founder of Achievant Coaching| [email protected] | www.achievantcoaching.com Phil Whitebloom, Founder of Been There Consulting Services | [email protected] | www.beentherecs.com

What's really impacting your sales right now… your strategy, or your mindset? In this episode, Phil Whitebloom and Brianna Henley break down how your mindset drives your performance, your energy, and your results. Because you can't control everything around you… you can control how you show up. In this episode: Why mindset is the hidden driver of sales success How external pressures quietly drain your performance The power of defining your "why" Simple daily habits to reset your focus and energy How to take control of negative thinking This is Part 1 of a 2-part series. Next episode: how to make these habits part of your daily routine. Referenced in this episode: Start with Why by Simon Sinek The Miracle Morning for Entrepreneurs by Hal Elrod, Cameron Herold, Honoree Corder, & Rob Actis How great leaders inspire action - TED talk by Simon Sinek Flickr - Phil Whitebloom ThinkUp - Daily Affermations app iOS    If you found value in this episode, make sure to follow and subscribe to the Been There, Sold That podcast so you never miss a conversation. We would love to hear what resonated with you and what topics you would like us to cover next. Brianna Hendley, Founder of Achievant Coaching| [email protected] | www.achievantcoaching.com Phil Whitebloom, Founder of Been There Consulting Services | [email protected] | www.beentherecs.com Phil's books The Sales Fixer: A Solution to Close More Business and Build a Top-Performing Team is available now on Amazon Handling Objections: Clues For Closing The Sale is available at Amazon

n this episode of the Been There, Sold That podcast, Brianna Henley and Phil Whitebloom explore a question many business owners wrestle with: Is the risk worth it? What begins with a story about playing board games with kids quickly turns into a deeper conversation about how business owners approach opportunity. Do you go after the bigger reward, knowing there is risk involved, or do you settle for the smaller, safer win? Phil and Brianna discuss the realities behind growing a business, including the investments of time, money, and effort required to move forward. They also talk about why playing it safe too often can limit growth and how momentum is created through action, persistence, and consistent follow-up. If you are building a business, thinking about starting one, or deciding whether the next step is worth the risk, this episode offers a candid look at the mindset and actions required to keep moving forward. If you found value in this episode, make sure to follow and subscribe to the Been There, Sold That podcast so you never miss a conversation. We would love to hear what resonated with you and what topics you would like us to cover next. Brianna Hendley, Founder of Achievant Coaching| [email protected] | www.achievantcoaching.com Phil Whitebloom, Founder of Been There Consulting Services | [email protected] | www.beentherecs.com Phil's books The Sales Fixer: A Solution to Close More Business and Build a Top-Performing Team is available now on Amazon Handling Objections: Clues For Closing The Sale is available at Amazon  

Most people think persistence means working harder and pushing longer. It doesn't. In this episode of the Been There, Sold That Podcast, Phil Whitebloom and Brianna Henley break down what persistence actually looks like when you're growing a business and trying not to burn out in the process. They talk about the messy middle, that uncomfortable stage where confidence is low, anxiety is high, and progress feels slow, even when you're doing the right things. You'll learn: Why consistency beats intensity every time How to use time intentionally without micromanaging your day Why procrastination kills momentum How small, repeatable actions build confidence How habits and weekly evaluation keep you moving forward Persistence isn't about doing more. It's about doing the right things, consistently. Follow and Connect If you found value in this episode, make sure to follow and subscribe to the Been There, Sold That podcast so you never miss a conversation. We would love to hear what resonated with you and what topics you would like us to cover next. Brianna Hendley, Founder of Achievant Coaching| [email protected] | www.achievantcoaching.com Phil Whitebloom, Founder of Been There Consulting Services | [email protected] | www.beentherecs.com Phil's books The Sales Fixer: A Solution to Close More Business and Build a Top-Performing Team is available now on Amazon Handling Objections: Clues For Closing The Sale is available at Amazon  

Eliminate, Delegate, Automate: The Real Way to Get Time Back How high-performing business owners create space for growth, family, and sanity without working more hours Time management is not about doing more. It is about removing what should not be on your plate in the first place. In this episode of the Been There, Sold That podcast, Phil Whitebloom and Brianna Henley break down a practical framework for business owners who feel stretched thin: eliminate, delegate, and automate. This conversation goes beyond theory. You will hear real-world examples of how leaders identify time drains, decide what to let go of, delegate to the right people, and use automation and AI to create leverage without sacrificing quality. The discussion also covers why letting go is difficult, how standard operating procedures make delegation work, and why clear communication is essential for scaling a business. If you want more time, more focus, and better results without working more hours, this episode delivers a clear, actionable perspective. Follow and Connect If you found value in this episode, make sure to follow and subscribe to the Been There, Sold That podcast so you never miss a conversation. We would love to hear what resonated with you and what topics you would like us to cover next. Brianna Hendley, Founder of Achievant Coaching| [email protected] | www.achievantcoaching.com Phil Whitebloom, Founder of Been There Consulting Services | [email protected] | www.beentherecs.com Phil's books The Sales Fixer: A Solution to Close More Business and Build a Top-Performing Team is available now on Amazon Handling Objections: Clues For Closing The Sale is available at Amazon        

Why time, priorities, and resources quietly kill more deals than your competition ever will Most people think competition means other companies, lower prices, or better features. That's rarely what actually stops a deal. In this episode of Been There, Sold That, Brianna Henley and Phil Whitebloom unpack the invisible competitors that derail sales more often than any rival, time, shifting priorities, and limited resources. If you've ever heard "not right now," "we don't have the budget," or "let's revisit this later," this conversation will change how you hear those words and how you respond to them. We'd love your feedback on the podcast. Please follow the show, share it with others who could benefit, and let us know what topics you'd like us to cover next.   Brianna Hendley, Founder of Achievant Coaching| [email protected] | www.achievantcoaching.com Phil Whitebloom, Founder of Been There Consulting Services | [email protected] | www.beentherecs.com Phil's books The Sales Fixer: A Solution to Close More Business and Build a Top-Performing Team is available now on Amazon Handling Objections: Clues For Closing The Sale is available at Amazon  

Quality Isn't What You Say It Is, It's What They Experience: Why Product Relevance, Honest Feedback, and Knowing Your Audience Determine Sales, Retention, and Trust In this episode of Been There, Sold That, Brianna Henley and Phil Whitebloom explore a topic that businesses have at times been known to try to talk their way around: product and service quality. While strong sales techniques, compelling messaging, and efficient processes all matter, Phil and Brianna unpack why none of them can overcome a product or service that does not truly deliver on its promise. They discuss how quality is relative, how selling the right product to the wrong audience leads to poor experiences, and why misaligned expectations quietly erode retention, trust, and credibility.  Drawing on real-world examples from consumer buying behavior, online reviews, and decades of B2B experience, Brianna and Phil explain why feedback is not something to fear, but something to actively seek out. From user groups and direct customer conversations to listening closely to salespeople who are closest to the customer, they outline how smart companies stay relevant as markets and buyer expectations change.   If your sales team is doing "everything right" but results still feel inconsistent, Phil and Brianna share why the issue may not be sales execution at all, but product relevance, audience fit, and the feedback loops that support both. Brianna Hendley, Founder of Achievant Coaching| [email protected] | www.achievantcoaching.com Phil Whitebloom, Founder of Been There Consulting Services | [email protected] | www.beentherecs.com Phil's books The Sales Fixer: A Solution to Close More Business and Build a Top-Performing Team is available now on Amazon  Handling Objections: Clues For Closing The Sale is available at Amazon

Everyone wants better results - the real challenge is knowing when to act and what to act on. In this episode of Been There, Sold That, Brianna Henley and Phil Whitebloom talk about why waiting often feels like the safest option in business, and why it rarely delivers the outcome leaders are hoping for. Problems in leadership, operations, growth, and revenue do not resolve themselves simply because time passes. Business improvement comes from clear, intentional action. We explore why capable, experienced business owners and leaders hesitate, how delay shows up across different areas of a company, and how waiting can quietly become a default approach instead of a deliberate decision. More importantly, we discuss what taking action actually looks like in the real world, without hype, theory, or motivational noise. If you've ever found yourself thinking, "Let's give it a little more time," this conversation will help you decide whether time is truly your ally or just another way to avoid making a necessary move. 👉 Follow the Been There, Sold That podcast so you never miss a practical, real-world conversation about building stronger, more resilient businesses. 👉 Learn more about us at https://beentheresoldthat.com We'd also love to hear from you. If there's a topic you'd like us to cover, a question you want answered, or a comment on something we've already discussed, reach out and let us know. This podcast is built on real conversations, real experience, and real results.   Brianna Hendley, Founder of Achievant Coaching| [email protected] | www.achievantcoaching.com Phil Whitebloom, Founder of Been There Consulting Services | [email protected] | www.beentherecs.com Phil's book - Handling Objections: Clues For Closing The Sale is available at Amazon

Every salesperson and every business hits a slump. The real problem is not the slump. It is what you do next. In this episode of Been There, Sold That, Phil Whitebloom and Brianna Hendley talk about how tobreak out of a sales slump by changing behavior, energy, and mindset, and how making the process fun can reignite momentum faster than grinding harder ever will. They share real stories from decades in sales and recruiting, including call blitzes, creative contests, personal challenges, and unconventional outreach ideas that actually worked. The common thread is simple. When activity drops, follow-up slows down, and confidence dips, the answer is not to retreat. It is to reengage with purpose and creativity. This episode covers: Why sales slumps happen to everyone How reduced activity quietly makes slumps worse Turning prospecting and follow-up into a game Creating personal and team challenges that drive action Using creativity to reenergize outreach and conversations Why momentum builds confidence faster than motivation The takeaway is clear. Do not wait until you hit the bottom of the slide. Take action early, have fun with it, and let momentum do the heavy lifting. If you found value in this episode, please follow the Been There, Sold That podcast, like the episode, and share it with someone who could use a reset. We would love to hear from you. Have a story, feedback, or a topic you want us to cover? Visit https://beentheresoldthat.com and reach out. We read every message and we respond. Until next time, Good selling. Brianna Hendley, Founder of Achievant Coaching| [email protected] | www.achievantcoaching.com Phil Whitebloom, Founder of Been There Consulting Services | [email protected] | www.beentherecs.com Phil's book - Handling Objections: Clues For Closing The Sale is available at Amazon