Business by Referral Podcast

Hosted by Virginia Muzquiz

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100

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Join Virginia Muzquiz, The Referral Diva and her guests as they explore the benefits and challenges of networking to grow and scale business.

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60 recent

August 17, 2026Episode 21753 min

Episode 217: From Best-Kept Secret to Referral-Ready with Melissa Sierra

Melissa Sierra's BIO: Melissa Sierra is an executive coach, strategic growth advisor, speaker, and founder of Focal Point Coaching. She helps executives, founders, and leadership teams navigate growth, AI transformation, and organizational change by turning complexity into clarity and strategy into measurable results. Drawing on more than 15 years of executive leadership experience, Melissa works with organizations to strengthen leadership capability, accelerate commercial growth, and build resilient teams prepared for the future of work. She is the creator of the Opportunity Flywheel™, a leadership framework that helps professionals and businesses create sustainable momentum through strategy, visibility, relationships, execution, and results. Melissa is a sought-after speaker on leadership, organizational transformation, and the human side of AI. She has been featured in CEO Weekly and the Associated Press, serves as a member of the Forbes Communications Council, and has contributed thought leadership on executive leadership, business growth, and emerging workplace trends. Her insights have been shared on national stages and podcasts, where she challenges conventional thinking about career growth, leadership identity, and creating lasting impact. Through her podcast, Holding the Room: Leadership, AI, and the Human Edge, Melissa equips leaders with practical frameworks to lead with confidence, make better decisions, and create more opportunity in an increasingly complex world. Her mission is simple: help leaders build businesses, careers, and legacies that create meaningful impact long after the next promotion, product launch, or quarterly result. In this episode, Virginia and Melissa talked about Melissa's work in leadership and growth Clarity as the foundation for referrals Building opportunity through relationships Becoming known for the problem you solve Using your network to create business momentum Takeaways: You do need to build your network in a new light. Being a solopreneur is truly hard We all wanted to be seen and heard. Clarity becomes the opportunity. Being able to use AI as your super strategic framework is your superpower. Connect with Melissa Sierra on her social media accounts to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively: LinkedIn URL melissasierra.focalpointcoaching.com LinkedIn URL www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-sierra Instagram URL instagram.com/MelissaSierra.Coach Connect with Virginia: https://www.bbrpodcast.com/ Download my Business by Referral Blueprint and create consistent revenue! https://mktg.masterconnectors.com/business-by-referral-blueprint

July 28, 2026Episode 21449 min

Episode 216: How to Build a Powerful Network That Creates Wealth and Opportunity

Michael Rebelo's BIO: Michael Rebelo is the Founder of Ever Forward Capital Partners, a multifamily real estate investment firm focused on helping investors build long-term wealth through apartment investing. After becoming passionate about financial education and entrepreneurship at a young age, Michael chose to pursue business and real estate instead of the traditional college path. His journey was inspired by watching his mother work tirelessly while facing many of the same financial challenges millions of Americans experience today, including retirement uncertainty and inflation. That experience fueled his commitment to helping others better understand investing, ownership, and financial freedom. Today, Michael has helped raise nearly $2 million in investor capital, been involved with 216 apartment units, and spoken on podcasts and stages across the United States. Through Ever Forward Capital Partners, he focuses on investor education, capital raising, relationship management, and helping individuals and families create long-term wealth through multifamily real estate. Michael is passionate about sharing lessons on entrepreneurship, investing, relationship-building, and the importance of making disciplined decisions that compound over time. In this episode, Virginia and Michael talked about Michael's journey into multifamily real estate Building wealth through passive investing Growing a network from the ground up The value of mentorship and relationships Networking with curiosity and authenticity Takeaways: Build yourselves better and bigger every day. Always move forward. Be 1% better. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Connect with people better than you. Connect with Michael Rebelo on his social media accounts to learn more about his work and insights into networking effectively: LinkedIn URL https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rebelo-045024299/ https://www.everforwardcapitalpartners.com/ Facebook URL https://www.facebook.com/michael.rebelo.2025/ Connect with Virginia: https://www.bbrpodcast.com/ Download my Business by Referral Blueprint and create consistent revenue! https://mktg.masterconnectors.com/business-by-referral-blueprint

June 8, 2026Episode 21549 min

Episode 215: How to Build a Business That Thrives Without You with Todd Krause

Todd Krause' s BIO: Todd A. Krause is the owner of The Cleaning Authority – Fishers, where he grew the business from $1.8 million in revenue to more than $4 million while building a diverse team and a thriving workplace culture that prioritizes people, performance, and long-term success. His leadership approach has earned multiple industry recognitions, including Franchisee of the Year honors. Todd holds an MBA and is a Certified Public Accountant, with more than three decades of experience leading and growing businesses across multiple industries. Over the course of his career, he founded and scaled a fund administration firm managing more than $2 billion in assets under administration, helped launch and grow a major bank business unit that reached $14 billion in assets, and led organizations ranging from startups to complex global enterprises. Today, Todd is the founder of Silversun Consulting, a firm dedicated to solving the growth challenges that keep home-service businesses stuck. Through his consulting, speaking, and writing, he shows business owners how to build companies that grow sustainably by combining strong leadership, effective systems, and positive, culturally competent workplace environments. Todd's work centers on a simple belief: when businesses create caring, positive workplaces where employees thrive, they retain great people, deliver exceptional service, and build companies that grow faster, become more profitable, and operate with less owner stress. He is an author, TEDx speaker, keynote presenter, and passionate advocate for leadership that uplifts employees, strengthens businesses, and improves lives in the communities they serve. In this episode, Virginia and Todd talked about Todd's background in finance Todd's entry into business ownership Business growth vs. business scale Secrets to developing your human capital Leadership advice for solopreneurs Takeaways: Your goal as a business owner is to build an asset. Bonus the people who help grow your business. Toxic culture = employee turnover and loss of clients. Being a solopreneur doesn't mean that you are working solo and doing everything. Get out of your comfort zone. That's where growth happens. Connect with Todd Krause on his social media accounts to learn more about his work and insights into networking effectively: LinkedIn URL https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddakrause/ Facebook URL https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554499613120 Instagram URL https://www.instagram.com/toddakrause/ Connect with Virginia: https://www.bbrpodcast.com/ Download my Business by Referral Blueprint and create consistent revenue! https://mktg.masterconnectors.com/business-by-referral-blueprint

May 11, 2026Episode 21441 min

Episode 214: How to Build Wealth, Resilience, and Demand for Your Business with Joel Salomon

Joel Salomon' s BIO: Joel is a Finance, Mindful Money Expert and Prosperity Coach who helps others overcome obstacles standing in the way of their financial freedom. He's an award winning TEDx speaker, workshop facilitator and frequent television and podcast guest. As a former manager of a $700 million portfolio, the creator of his own successful hedge fund and the author of three best-selling books, he has learned that the true foundation of wealth is a mindset of gratitude, love and service. In this episode, Virginia and Joel talked about How Joel became a professional money manager - despite the discouragement How Joel weathered the financial storms The myths of building a coaching practice from scratch Joel's definition of financial freedom Beliefs that sabotage success Takeaways: Secret to success: don't give the naysayers power If you build it, they won't come... unless you pre-build demand Take inspired ACTION Play hurt - don't allow life to stop you Practice doing hard things - it builds resilience Connect with Joel Salomon on his social media accounts to learn more about his work and insights into networking effectively: LinkedIn URL https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-salomon/ Facebook URL https://www.facebook.com/JoelProsperitySalomon Instagram URL https://www.instagram.com/joelprosperitysalomon/ Connect with Virginia: https://www.bbrpodcast.com/ Download my Business by Referral Blueprint and create consistent revenue! https://mktg.masterconnectors.com/business-by-referral-blueprint

May 4, 2026Episode 21337 min

Episode 213: Aligning with Your True Energy to Build a Business That Works for You with Carla Wainwright

Carla Wainwright's BIO: Carla Wainwright is a Holistic Wellness Coach and Midlife Alchemist who supports women 40+, including entrepreneurs and leaders, to sustain vitality, clarity, and resilience through midlife transitions. Her work weaves metabolic and hormonal health, nervous system regulation, and embodied self-awareness to help women feel strong, connected, and at home in their bodies while navigating full, demanding lives. With a background in biology, homeopathy, and over two decades in the healing arts, Carla bridges evidence-informed science with lived, somatic experience. She helps women understand their body's signals rather than fight them, supporting steadier energy, emotional regulation, and a deeper sense of personal authority during perimenopause and menopause. Carla works through retreats, group programs, and 1:1 coaching, offering practical strategies alongside deeper inquiry. Her approach supports both professional effectiveness and personal well-being, inviting women to move beyond survival mode and into a more sustainable, vibrant way of living and leading. In this episode, Virginia and Carla talked about Carla's work in the world How women in menopause navigate life & business Solar vs. lunar cycle energy The power of somatic objections in blocking success How Carla is building her business through local connections Takeaways: 15% of women leave the workforce during menopause What is your North Star? Who is the person you want to step into fully? It's really important to tap into the body's wisdom Women are struggling to show up day to day as their best selves Connect with Carla Wainwright on her social media accounts to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively: LinkedIn URL https://www.carlawainwright.com/ Facebook URL https://www.facebook.com/CarlaWainwrightCreatrix Instagram URL https://www.instagram.com/carlawainwright/ Connect with Virginia: https://www.bbrpodcast.com/ Download my Business by Referral Blueprint and create consistent revenue! https://mktg.masterconnectors.com/business-by-referral-blueprint

April 27, 2026Episode 21247 min

Episode 212: Leadership Success Tools with Denice Hinden

Dr. Denice R. Hinden's BIO: Denice R. Hinden, PhD, MCC, is a leadership coach, mentor coach, and organizational advisor who has built a 25+ year consulting and coaching practice largely through trusted professional relationships and referrals. She is co-founder of Managance Coaching, where she partners with mission-driven leaders and organizations to strengthen leadership capacity, navigate complex transitions, and build healthy organizational cultures. Her work integrates brain capacity frameworks, neuroscience-informed practices, and a neurodiversity-informed lens grounded in inclusive leadership to help leaders and teams move toward positive, productive action, stronger relationships, and sustained well-being. Across her career, Denice has facilitated nearly 150 strategic planning engagements and coached leaders across nonprofit, community development, disability services, workforce development, and professional association sectors. She is a published author on nonprofit organizational culture and co-creator of an executive transition management framework widely used in the nonprofit sector. A significant portion of Denice's work has grown through long-term partnerships within the association and nonprofit communities. She has served on the Board of Directors of Associations West and contributed to the organization's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. In recognition of her leadership and partnership with the association community, she was named Industry Partner of the Year in 2022. Based in Southern California, Denice works primarily virtually with leaders and professional coaches across the United States and internationally. In this episode, Virginia and Denice talked about Dr. Denice's decision to become an entrepreneur How to lead your network The challenge of EQ for leaders Building business by relationship Takeaways: Your network is an army of volunteers — connect your whys Your ability to regulate your emotions equates to your leadership potential Learning how to manage stress and manage emotions is a game changer for most leaders. You have to keep investing in yourself. There's always something new to learn. Connect with Dr. Denice R. Hinden on her social media accounts to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively: LinkedIn URL linkedin.com/in/denicehinden Facebook URL https://www.facebook.com/denice.hinden Instagram URL https://www.instagram.com/denicehinden/# Connect with Virginia: https://www.bbrpodcast.com/ Download my Business by Referral Blueprint and create consistent revenue! https://mktg.masterconnectors.com/business-by-referral-blueprint

April 20, 2026Episode 20952 min

Episode 211: Creating a Business That Supports Your Life with Debra Russell

Debra Russell's BIO: Debra Russell is 5' of Heat!" exclaimed one participant after seeing her speak. An MBA and business coach with over 2 decades of experience, she has helped hundreds of passion-based entrepreneurs create profitable businesses doing what they love. Working with arts and entertainment industry professionals, professional athletes and entrepreneurs doing what they love as a business, she helps them systemize their business and improve their productivity so they are running their business and their business isn't running them! As a speaker, she's appeared at conferences like SXSW, Professional Organizations and Universities across the US, Europe and Australia In this episode, Virginia and Debra talked about Debra's journey into business coaching The importance of planning The 5 roles of a business owner Planning vs. doing in business Systems and productivity in business Takeaways: Hire a coach. Stop doing it alone. Celebrate every small step. Planning makes all the doing possible. Know your why. Systems make everything possible. Connect with Debra Russell on her social media accounts to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively: LinkedIn URL https://www.linkedin.com/in/debrarussell Facebook URL https://www.facebook.com/CoachDebraRussell Instagram URL https://www.instagram.com/bizcoachdebra/ Connect with Virginia: https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

April 13, 2026Episode 21044 min

Episode 210: The Importance of You Being You with Melissa Bishop

Melissa Bishop's BIO: Live RAW with Melissa Bishop a trauma-informed coaching space built on my RAW Methodology—inspired by my own trauma journey and the wisdom I earned through lived experience—focused on Real Talk, Authentic Growth, and Lasting Wellness. I help you cut through the fluff, get honest about what's really going on, and release what's been keeping you stuck—mind, body, and spirit. You'll get practical tools you can use in real life, plus tailored support so your growth is sustainable and actually sticks. In this episode, Virginia and Melissa talked about Melissa's background as an entrepreneur How Melissa gets her clients unstuck Melissa's new book How Melissa fills her sales funnel Takeaways: Align with yourself first Get clear on your business owner identity Don't be afraid to make the call Ask for what you need Your people will be your people Connect with Melissa Bishop on her social media accounts to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively: LinkedIn URL https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-bishop-378164a5/ Facebook URL https://www.facebook.com/wholeheartedhealingstudio Connect with Virginia: https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

April 6, 2026Episode 20642 min

Episode 209: Building Your Tribe for Business Growth with Fabienne Marneau

Fabienne Marneau's BIO: Fabienne Marneau is an intuitive business strategist, transformational mentor, and Healing Soul Alchemist with over four decades of experience helping entrepreneurs and leaders uncover the hidden patterns that silently sabotage success. Known as the "Ghostbuster of Hidden Patterns," she helps clients release unconscious blocks, reclaim clarity and confidence, and align their business with their authentic purpose. Fabienne blends deep healing practices with practical strategy to support sustainable growth and meaningful impact. Through her Emotional Self-Care Tools, Organize for Abundance method, and international Soul Alchemy retreats, she empowers purpose-driven professionals to move from chaos to harmony and build businesses that truly reflect who they are. In this episode, Virginia and Fabienne talked about Fabienne's background as a clairvoyante The importance of connecting with your tribe Fabienne's big vision: The Lonewolf Tribe How to build out a Referral Nexus® Takeaways: Do things from the present moment Alone we are limited; together we can do the infinite We can never work on ourselves alone Whoever is meant to be there will be there A relationship takes energy and time Connect with Fabienne Marneau on her social media accounts to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively: LinkedIn URL https://www.linkedin.com/in/4fabienne/ Facebook URL https://www.facebook.com/destinationharmony Instagram URL https://www.instagram.com/fabiennemarneau/ Connect with Virginia: https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

March 30, 2026Episode 20839 min

Episode 208: The Power of Choice in Business with Zen Benefiel

Zen Benfiel's BIO: Zen Benefiel is a transformational leadership coach and organizational strategist who helps leaders turn purpose into measurable performance. A former aerospace operations lead managing $7M in monthly shipments by age 26, he specializes in simplifying complex systems into practical leadership habits that build trust, improve decisions, and drive results. Zen is the host of the One World in a New World interview series and author of 40+ books. Through his work with Be The Dream and Team Partnering, he equips leaders with frameworks that align strategy, culture, and execution—helping teams turn insight into action and stronger business relationships. In this episode, Virginia and Zen talked about: How Zen got into the coaching/consulting space The power of how you see choice The value of interpersonal skill development Elements of successful collaborations Zen's new nonprofit Takeaways: What can you say "yes" to? How do you choose? Perspective manages perception Set your intent & do what's in front of you No push. No pull. Just flow. Connect with Zen Benefiel on his social media accounts to learn more about his work and insights into networking effectively: LinkedIn URL https://linkedin.com/in/zenbenefiel Facebook URL https://facebook.com/zenbenefiel Connect with Virginia: https://www.bbrpodcast.com/