In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I welcome Ben Amos—video strategist, producer, international speaker, and author of Engage: The Definitive Guide to Video Strategy for Business. Ben has helped brands and entrepreneurs around the globe cut through the noise and connect with their audiences through intentional video.

We dig into why strategy must come before tactics, how to identify your ideal audience, and the real role video can play in building relationships that convert. This isn’t about shiny equipment or the latest platform—it’s about clarity, focus, and showing up with purpose.

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Six Discussion Points

• Why the pandemic accelerated the adoption and acceptance of video
• The Sun Tzu quote that shapes Ben’s approach: “Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat”
• How to define your audience with a singular avatar—and why that matters
• Setting clear goals for each video in alignment with the customer journey
• The seven elements of video strategy and why production comes last
• Practical tips for repurposing podcasts and long-form content into impactful short videos

Three Connection Points

Talking with Ben reminded me that video doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With a strategy-first mindset, it becomes less about keeping up with trends and more about connecting with the right people at the right time. Whether you’re starting fresh or rethinking your current approach, Ben’s insights are the kind that can change how you view video in your work.

Want to support the podcast? You can subscribe to the show and leave quick rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts.

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Rachel Rodgers graduated from law school with $330,000 in student loans. Her starting salary? Just $41,000.

Most people would have accepted this crushing debt-to-income ratio. They’d slowly chip away at payments for decades. Rodgers had a different plan.

She deferred her loans and started her own virtual law practice in 2008 — during the recession, when jobs were scarce and most lawyers were struggling to find work.

Her mom thought she was crazy.

Her first year, she made around $65,000 in gross revenue with only $300 in overhead costs. By year two, she was earning $300,000.

The key to her success wasn’t cutting expenses or living on rice and beans. Rodgers focused entirely on earning more money.

We talk about the practical steps she took to scale her business.

She waited until hitting $250,000 in annual revenue before bringing on her first full-time employee — an administrative assistant who immediately paid for herself by responding to client inquiries faster than Rodgers could manage alone.

Rodgers also shares insights from a CEO’s perspective on what employees should know when asking for a raise.

Understand your company’s goals. Know your boss’s pain points. When you spot a problem, bring three solutions — not just the issue. She usually goes with whatever option her team recommends.

“You are the asset,” she explains. This mindset applies whether you’re an entrepreneur or an employee trying to maximize your career potential.

Our interview covers her transition from solopreneur to multimillion-dollar business owner, her approach to leading employees, and her philosophy on building wealth through entrepreneurship rather than cost-cutting.

Timestamps:

Note: Timestamps will vary on individual listening devices based on dynamic advertising run times. The provided timestamps are approximate and may be several minutes off due to changing ad lengths.

(0:00) Introduction

(2:00) Rachel’s $330,000 debt with $41,000 salary

(5:35) Why earning more beats cutting expenses

(6:40) Starting solo law practice during 2008 recession

(9:13) Hitting $300,000 revenue in year two

(11:00) Debt payments versus business reinvestment

(14:20) Small Business Bodyguard digital product success story

(21:00) Virtual law offices and perfect timing decisions

(24:30) Taking calculated risks

(39:00) Financial independence and Fat FIRE goals

(46:00) When to hire employees

(53:00) Why opportunity costs matter more than expenses

(57:00) Being invaluable employee from boss POV

(1:11:00) Salary negotiation tactics

(1:19:00) Building relationships with remote team members

(1:21:00) Launching adult kids into financial independence

 

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Grant Sabatier never worked in retail, never worked in a bookstore, and had no idea what he was doing when he opened Clintonville Books in Columbus, Ohio.

But that’s exactly the point.

The experiment required 1,200 hours of solo work — measuring spaces, moving 40,000 books, and navigating city regulations.

But it taught him something crucial: even experienced entrepreneurs face steep learning curves when they try something new.

The serial entrepreneur and author of “Inner Entrepreneur” joins us to share his unconventional journey from online businesses to brick-and-mortar retail.

He also explains why he believes everyone will become an entrepreneur within the next decade — whether they want to or not.

We dive deep into Sabatier’s framework for the four stages of entrepreneurship.

The first stage is experimental — you’re figuring out how entrepreneurship feels and testing ideas with minimal risk. Most people skip the crucial research phase and invest too much money too quickly.

The second stage focuses on building sustainable systems as a solopreneur. Thanks to AI and modern tools, Sabatier launched a new website in 10 minutes recently — something that would have taken two weeks just five years ago.

Stage three involves intentional growth. Sabatier warns against the common trap of scaling rapidly without considering how you want entrepreneurship to fit into your life.

The final stage is empire entrepreneurship — using cash flow from successful businesses to acquire other companies rather than investing in traditional assets like stocks or real estate.

Throughout our conversation, we explore the most common reasons businesses fail, how to avoid fragmented attention, and why Sabatier believes your story is your competitive advantage in an AI-driven world.

Timestamps:

Note: Timestamps will vary on individual listening devices based on dynamic advertising run times. The provided timestamps are approximate and may be several minutes off due to changing ad lengths.

(0:00) Introduction

(1:15) Grant opens bookstore with zero retail experience

(3:45) Four stages of entrepreneurship framework

(5:20) Creative lease negotiation and getting the space

(8:30) Why entrepreneurs invest too much money too early

(10:45) Stage two solopreneur and building systems

(13:20) Stage three growth and avoiding scaling traps

(17:15) Three main reasons businesses die

(21:45) Stage four empire building and holding companies

(28:30) Four types of holding company structures

(32:15) Managing multiple businesses without losing focus

(48:20) Why everyone should try entrepreneurship

(59:30) Three business types products services productized services

(1:04:45) Sell to people with money

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Thanks to our sponsors!

Indeed
If you’re looking for amazing talent to bolster your team, you need Indeed. Go to indeed.com/paula and start hiring with a seventy-five dollar sponsored job credit.

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Wayfair
Wayfair is the go-to destination for everything home, no matter your style or budget. Go to wayfair.com or the Wayfair mobile app to shop for holiday deals.

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