Close The Deal Podcast

Hosted by Ewell Smith

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Episodes

144

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Most people aren’t stuck—they’re living with broken promises to themselves. This is where that changes.The Close The Deal Podcast features real conversations with high achievers who are facing the decisions they’ve been avoiding and committing to what comes next. Hosted by Ewell Smith. Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to put you name on the Close The Deal Board

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60 recent

June 2, 202624 min

James Trawick: The Commitment He Delayed While Building Hondo Rodeo Fest #133 | Close The Deal

James Trawick built one of the most ambitious rodeo and music festivals in America. But despite the success, there was still a commitment he'd been postponing. In this episode of Close The Deal, James shares the story behind Hondo Rodeo Fest, the challenge of launching in New Orleans, and the personal goal that kept getting pushed aside. The conversation ultimately reveals something many entrepreneurs face: When does building the dream start crowding out the things that originally gave life meaning? Key Takeaways Launching large-scale events in new markets Building relationships through community Family-first leadership The importance of intentional recreation Why personal commitments deserve deadlines James Trawick is the Founder and CEO of Hondo Rodeo Fest and a lifelong advocate for rodeo culture, family values, and community experiences. 🎙 KEY MOMENT "I'm hoping to have all of that in play inside 12 months." "I've gotta get that done." "I've gotta spend quite a bit of time in the saddle in September." CTA Subscribe, share, and visit CloseTheDeal.com. ## Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes. The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself get made. Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice. Every episode is built around one thing: 👉 A clear decision 👉 A real commitment If you’re building something, you already know the truth - there’s a decision in front of you that matters. This show is where you face it. 🔥 CALL TO ACTION Want to be part of it? Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

May 26, 202627 min

The Hidden Cost of Entrepreneurship with Kris Grey of Creatapult #132 | Close The Deal

Kris Grey helps organizations recover failing projects and scale operations through better systems and project management. But behind the business success was a harder truth: years of neglecting his health, relationships, and personal priorities while trying to survive entrepreneurship. In this episode of Close The Deal, Kris shares: losing his job three days after becoming a father surviving nine months without stable income how survival mode reshaped his life why entrepreneurs delay taking care of themselves the commitment he’s making to change direction before it’s too late This conversation goes beyond business systems. It’s about the promises leaders quietly break to themselves. KEY MOMENT “I can’t be there for anyone else if I’m not there first and foremost for myself and in a healthy state.” Key Takeaways Why convenience slowly destroys long-term health The danger of operating permanently in survival mode How small systems create life-changing momentum Why entrepreneurs struggle to prioritize themselves The connection between health, leadership, and family Guest Bio Kris Grey is the founder of Creatapult , where he helps companies improve operational systems, recover delayed projects, and scale more effectively through structured project management. Subscribe, share this episode, and ask yourself: What commitment have you delayed long enough? More episodes: Close The Deal Podcast ## Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes. The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself get made. Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice. Every episode is built around one thing: 👉 A clear decision 👉 A real commitment If you’re building something, you already know the truth - there’s a decision in front of you that matters. This show is where you face it. 🔥 CALL TO ACTION Want to be part of it? Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

May 21, 202626 min

Andrea Sells Cadillac: The Visibility She Couldn’t Avoid #131 | Close The Deal

Andrea Anderson built a massive online audience helping people buy cars and negotiate confidently. But success created a new problem: visibility. In this episode of Close The Deal, Andrea opens up about growing beyond the screen and confronting the one thing she still struggles with - public speaking and leadership visibility. Despite building 100,000+ followers online, Andrea admits she’s naturally introverted and uncomfortable being the center of attention. Now she’s making a commitment that forces her into the next version of herself. This conversation dives into: growth through discomfort identity shifts leadership visibility authenticity in content why introverts often win in sales the impact mentorship can have on confidence and growth Andrea also shares how mentor Russ “Flips Whips” Richardson encouraged and challenged her to think bigger about visibility and leadership. THE COMMITMENT Andrea commits to participating in: 🥊 5 public-facing events or speaking opportunities before the end of the year Even if it makes her uncomfortable. KEY TAKEAWAYS Visibility creates new levels of pressure Confidence usually follows action Personal brands grow through authenticity Introverts can become elite communicators The next level often requires discomfort Mentorship can accelerate growth dramatically ANDREA' S CLOSE THE DEAL QUOTES “You can feel uncomfortable and still move forward.” “I’m not the loudest person in the room.” “Those uncomfortable feelings don’t mean you should stop.” ABOUT THE GUEST Andrea Anderson, known online as Andrea Sells Cadillac, is a top automotive sales professional and content creator helping customers and sales professionals navigate confidence, negotiation, and growth. 🎙 KEY MOMENT (TRANSCRIPT) “I’d be scared to death… but I would do it.” 👉 Listen to hear why Andrea committed to stepping into more public leadership opportunities before the end of the year. Subscribe, share the episode, and visit CloseTheDeal.com for more conversations around business, growth, and leadership. ## Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes. The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself get made. Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice. Every episode is built around one thing: 👉 A clear decision 👉 A real commitment If you’re building something, you already know the truth - there’s a decision in front of you that matters. This show is where you face it. 🔥 CALL TO ACTION Want to be part of it? Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

May 6, 202620 min

Marriages Need This Commitment - Rock Sandretto #130 | Close The Deal

Success can quietly damage a marriage if couples aren’t intentional. In this episode of Close The Deal, Rock Sandretto shares the commitment he and his wife are making to protect their relationship while continuing to grow multiple businesses together. After battling addiction during the opioid epidemic and spending time in jail, Rock rebuilt his life through faith, family, and entrepreneurship. What started as helping his wife run a salon eventually grew into a multi-location business with 65 employees and several vertically integrated companies. But somewhere along the way, Rock realized something many entrepreneurs eventually face: Every conversation became about business. Every trip became a working trip. And the relationship itself needed attention. The Decision Rock and his wife had to decide whether they would continue allowing business to dominate every part of life… or intentionally create space for their marriage outside of work. The Commitment By Q3, they’re committed to hitting specific KPI goals across all their businesses for three consecutive months. If they hit the goal, they’ll take a Ritz-Carlton cruise together for their 20-year anniversary. No business talk allowed. Who This Episode Is For Entrepreneur couples Business owners building with their spouse Leaders balancing growth and relationships Anyone rebuilding after addiction or failure High achievers trying to avoid burnout What You’ll Learn How Rock transitioned from coal mining into entrepreneurship The leadership lessons behind scaling a business Why culture matters more than metrics alone The importance of protecting relationships intentionally How commitment creates accountability in life and business Key Takeaways / Themes This episode is a reminder that success means very little if your relationships are falling apart in the process. Rock’s story shows how intentional commitments, faith, and boundaries can completely change the trajectory of your business and marriage. Guest Bio Rock Sandretto is the co-owner of Salon 431 and several related businesses focused on salon products and distribution. Alongside his wife, he has helped scale the business into a thriving multi-location operation centered around leadership, mentorship, and culture. Quotes Section “You don’t belong here.” “Failure and success go hand in hand.” “Are we sacrificing relationships just to grow the business?” Call to Action Listen now and visit CloseTheDeal.com to learn more about the commitments driving entrepreneurs forward. 🎙 Key Moment (Transcript) “Are we sacrificing relationships that we’re supposed to have in order to grow the business? It’s just not worth it to me.” 👉 Listen to hear how Rock Sandretto commits to protecting his marriage while continuing to grow multiple businesses. ## Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes. The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself get made. Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice. Every episode is built around one thing: 👉 A clear decision 👉 A real commitment If you’re building something, you already know the truth - there’s a decision in front of you that matters. This show is where you face it. 🔥 CALL TO ACTION Want to be part of it? Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

April 29, 202629 min

She Finally Commits to Releasing Her First Album - Aideen Ni Riada #129 | Close The Deal

This episode is about a decision most people avoid: choosing what you really want over what feels safe. The Decision Aideen had to choose: 👉 Stay focused on a stable business 👉 Or finally step into her identity as a singer The Commitment She commits to releasing an 8-song album by January 1st and performing live shortly after. Who This Episode Is For Creatives stuck in execution Entrepreneurs balancing passion vs income Anyone delaying something meaningful What You’ll Learn Why identity matters more than skill How self-doubt delays action The power of small daily progress Why expression requires risk How to start before you’re ready Key Takeaways / Themes This episode proves that the biggest barrier isn’t talent—it’s ownership. Once the decision is made, everything else follows. Guest Bio Aideen Ní Riada is a voice coach and singer helping people express their truth through voice and creativity. Quotes Section “Your voice is needed.” “We’re all guessing through life.” “I avoided the very thing I teach.” Call to Action Listen now and visit CloseTheDeal.com 🎙 Key Moment (Transcript) “I’ve been putting off releasing an album… but I’m committing to 8 songs by January 1st.” 👉 Listen to hear how Aideen commits to finally owning her voice and releasing her first album. ## Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes. The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself get made. Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice. Every episode is built around one thing: 👉 A clear decision 👉 A real commitment If you’re building something, you already know the truth - there’s a decision in front of you that matters. This show is where you face it. 🔥 CALL TO ACTION Want to be part of it? Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

April 22, 202620 min

Sam Caruso’s Commitment to Scale Before November #128 | Close The Deal

This episode is about a decision most entrepreneurs avoid— Do you stay comfortable, or do you scale when the opportunity shows up? Sam Caruso is facing that moment right now. The Decision Sam has momentum, clients, and opportunity. But now he must choose: → Keep things manageable and predictable → Or build a team, take bigger risks, and scale fast One path protects him. The other defines him. The Commitment Sam is committing to: → Scale his business to handle 6 active campaigns → Build a real team and infrastructure 📅 Deadline: End of November Who This Episode Is For Entrepreneurs ready to scale Consultants stuck in solo mode Sales leaders facing growth decisions Anyone avoiding a big move What You’ll Learn How to scale without losing control Why difficult opportunities create leverage The importance of building the right team How to create momentum through action Turning local success into national demand Key Takeaways / Themes Growth doesn’t come from comfort. It comes from making a decision—and backing it with action. This episode is about stepping into that pressure. Guest Bio Sam Caruso is a seasoned political strategist and executive coach with decades of experience leading complex campaigns and advising organizations on growth and leadership. Quotes “If you don’t take the work, people stop calling.” “I’m building something bigger than just me.” “This is the moment to scale.” Call to Action Listen, apply it, and make your move. Visit CloseTheDeal.com 🎙 Key Moment (Transcript) “The cost of not taking the work is nobody calls you anymore. The cost of taking the work and losing? You still get calls—but now you’re competing. So the real question is… do you want to be relevant, or do you want to be safe?” 👉 Listen to hear how Sam commits to scaling his business by November—and what’s at stake if he doesn’t. ## Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes. The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself get made. Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice. Every episode is built around one thing: 👉 A clear decision 👉 A real commitment If you’re building something, you already know the truth - there’s a decision in front of you that matters. This show is where you face it. 🔥 CALL TO ACTION Want to be part of it? Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

April 15, 202627 min

He Built a $1.4M Business - Now He Has to Make the Call #127 | Close The Deal

Most entrepreneurs don’t struggle because they can’t build. They struggle because they avoid the decision that comes next. Heath Holmes already proved he can build—taking a business to $1.4M in just over a year. Now he’s at a crossroads that will define everything moving forward. Franchise the model… or build it himself and expand a different way. The Decision This isn’t theoretical. Heath has two clear paths: Scale through franchising Or build a multi-service company he fully controls Both can work. Only one gets his full commitment. The Commitment By the end of the year, Heath is making the call. No more sitting in the middle. No more overanalyzing. He’s choosing a direction—and going all in. Who This Episode Is For Entrepreneurs at a crossroads Franchise owners questioning their next move Business leaders stuck between two good options Anyone avoiding a decision they know they need to make What You’ll Learn How to think through a major business decision The real tradeoffs between franchising and ownership Why getting burned can sharpen your next move How to stop overanalyzing and commit What most business owners get wrong at this stage Key Takeaways This episode isn’t about starting—it’s about deciding. At some point, building isn’t the hard part. Choosing your path is. And the longer you wait, the more it costs you. Guest Bio Heath Holmes is the founder of One Guard Fencing in Birmingham, Alabama. With a background in telecom, real estate, and franchising, he built a $1.4M business in just over a year and now faces a defining decision on what comes next. Quotes “I got tired of making everyone else money.” “I learned more from losing than I ever did from winning.” “That should be me—that’s what drives me.” Listen in—and then ask yourself: 👉 What decision are you avoiding? When you’ve got your answer, go to CloseTheDeal.com and start closing it. ## Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes. The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself get made. Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice. Every episode is built around one thing: 👉 A clear decision 👉 A real commitment If you’re building something, you already know the truth - there’s a decision in front of you that matters. This show is where you face it. 🔥 CALL TO ACTION Want to be part of it? Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

April 6, 20269 min

Hire Faster Because Your Family Needs You More - Tom Cox #126 | Close The Deal

Entrepreneurs are told to chase work-life balance - but what if that idea is completely wrong? In this episode, Tom Cox breaks down why trying to balance everything leads to failure in both business and family life. He shares a better approach focused on presence, consistency, and intentional decision-making. What You Will Learn: Why balance doesn’t work How to prioritize your family The power of small daily moments When to say no Why hiring faster matters Guest Bio: Tom Cox is a business advisor and former college football coach helping entrepreneurs improve clarity and structure. Links Mentioned: ThomasCox.co ## Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes. The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself get made. Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice. Every episode is built around one thing: 👉 A clear decision 👉 A real commitment If you’re building something, you already know the truth - there’s a decision in front of you that matters. This show is where you face it. 🔥 CALL TO ACTION Want to be part of it? Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

March 24, 202611 min

Why Entrepreneurs Fail at Money: Tom Cox #125 | Close The Deal

Most business owners don’t have a sales problem—they have a money problem. In this episode, Tom Cox breaks down why entrepreneurs who are great at their craft still struggle financially. From misunderstanding cash flow to ignoring margin, this conversation dives into the real issues holding businesses back. You’ll also hear a powerful shift in thinking: instead of just making money, you need to learn how to cycle it. What You Will Learn Why most entrepreneurs don’t understand money The importance of margin How to track cash flow properly What cycling money means How to build real financial control Guest Bio Tom Cox is a banking strategist specializing in helping entrepreneurs take control of their financial systems. thomascox.co ## Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes. The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself get made. Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice. Every episode is built around one thing: 👉 A clear decision 👉 A real commitment If you’re building something, you already know the truth - there’s a decision in front of you that matters. This show is where you face it. 🔥 CALL TO ACTION Want to be part of it? Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.

March 8, 202610 min

Nobody Calls Anymore: The Pick Up the Phone Sales Advantage - Scotty Baudoin #124 | Close The Deal

Pick up the phone sales may be the simplest growth strategy most companies overlook. In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, Scotty Baudoin explains how consistent outreach to warm contacts can generate stronger relationships and measurable revenue growth. The Outgrow method focuses on proactive communication—calling people you already know, leaving a message, following with a text, and asking for referrals or opportunities. Companies using this approach often see revenue increases of 15–30 percent while dramatically improving callback rates and customer engagement. What You’ll Learn • Why sales teams avoid the phone • The voicemail and text follow-up process that drives callbacks • How three calls a day can reconnect your network • Why asking for referrals changes sales results • How to build a consistent outbound sales culture This episode breaks down the simple systems that turn everyday conversations into real opportunities. Guest Bio Scotty Baudoin works with organizations to implement proactive sales cultures through the Outgrow methodology, helping companies reconnect with customers and drive consistent growth. ## Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes. The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and broken promises to oneself get made. Hosted by Ewell Smith, this show features real conversations with high achievers - entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and competitors who are at a crossroads facing the decision they’ve been putting off. This isn’t about theory, tactics, or surface-level advice. Every episode is built around one thing: 👉 A clear decision 👉 A real commitment If you’re building something, you already know the truth - there’s a decision in front of you that matters. This show is where you face it. 🔥 CALL TO ACTION Want to be part of it? Go to CloseTheDeal.com and put your name on the board.