In this episode of the SalesSpark Podcast, Jason Barnaby sits down with Lindsay Tjepkema, a marketing powerhouse. Lindsay pulls back the curtain on the "founder gauntlet," sharing her journey from launching a B2B podcast in 2017 to navigating the highs and lows of scaling a tech startup.Together, they dive into the essential role of human connection in a world increasingly dominated by AI, and why your unique vision is the ultimate differentiator. Lindsay also introduces her BRAVE framework, a powerful tool for leaders and founders to find discernment and stay true to their mission when the "cheap seats" get too loud.Schedule a FREE Discovery Call with Jason: https://www.firestartersinc.net/contact🔥 KEY POINTS🔥 Why human connection and relationships are the only "future-proof" business strategies. 🔥 The BRAVE Framework: A 5-point checklist for leadership discernment. 🔥 Transitioning from a marketing leader to a venture-backed founder. 🔥 How to protect your unique vision from being diluted by outside voices. 🔥 The power of vulnerability: Why sharing the struggle makes it safer for others to lead. 🔥 Why "original content" is the only way to cut through the AI noise. 🔥 Moving through massive change: Lessons from a cross-country move and a career exit.📲 CONNECT WITH JASON Website: https://www.firestartersinc.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-barnaby-252a68/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firestartersinc/📲 CONNECT WITH LINDSAY Website: https://lindsaytjepkema.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaytjepkema/

In this episode, startup founder Simon Ooley joins Jason Barnaby to unpack what it really takes to build resilience and empathy in sales. From dialing 100 calls a day to launching a Y Combinator startup, Simon shares how staying coachable and asking for feedback fueled his growth, and why the unknown might be your greatest strength.

Schedule a FREE Discovery Call with Jason:https://www.firestartersinc.net/contact

🔥 KEY POINTS

🔥 Why “cold calling is not dead”, and how it still builds the strongest pipeline

🔥 Curiosity and empathy as the foundation of every great sales career

🔥 How recording and re-watching your own pitch transforms performance

🔥 Why “good job” feedback kills growth, and what to ask for instead

🔥 How staying late to learn creates compound career returns

🔥 The value of hiring for hunger, not experience

🔥 Why disqualifying early is a seller’s superpower

🔥 The power of your network as your best pipeline

🔥 How the unknown drives creativity and innovation

📲 CONNECT WITH JASON

Website: ⁠https://www.firestartersinc.net/⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason🔥-barnaby-252a68/⁠

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

📲 CONNECT WITH SIMON

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

In this powerful solo episode, Jason Barnaby delivers an important piece of advice to every presenter: You are the presentation, not the PowerPoint deck.

Jason exposes the insulting, trust-killing habit of reading slides word-for-word and why statistics and facts are instantly forgotten. Learn how to ditch the deck dependency, embrace storytelling, and use the presentation as an enhancement, not a crutch, to truly connect with your audience.

If your meetings could have been an email, this episode is your wake-up call.

Schedule a FREE Discovery Call with Jason: https://www.firestartersinc.net/contact

KEY POINTS:

🔥 Why Jason is "offended" when presenters read the words on the slide

🔥 The studies proving that stories are remembered more than facts and statistics

🔥 The groundbreaking lesson: You are the presentation, not the deck

🔥 Why being dependent on the slides means you don't understand your client

🔥 The crucial question: What happens when the technology fails?

🔥 The danger of 45-slide decks for a one-hour meeting

🔥 How to move from being a product-pusher to a client-focused guide

🔥 Why reducing your deck length by half is the first step

🔥 The simple strategy: Slides should enhance your story, not replace it

🔥 The "Strike the Match" challenge for better presenting in '26

📲 CONNECT WITH JASON:

Website: https://www.firestartersinc.net/

LinkedIn: / jason🔥-barnaby-252a68

Instagram: / firestartersinc