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Nicole's Business Notebook

Nicole's Business Notebook

By: Nicole Banks
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About this listen

Showcasing the small businesses and their owners in the Phoenix Metro are. Along with plenty of tips, tricks, and best practices in business

© 2025 Nicole's Business Notebook
Economics
Episodes
  • EPISODE 13: UFC to Leadership Coach, A Fighter's Journey
    Sep 11 2025

    Former UFC Fighter → Elite Leadership Coach: Cliff Starks on Calm Power, Tenacity & Values-Driven Success


    Cliff Starks joins Nicole’s Business Notebook to show how “speak softly and carry a big stick” becomes a leadership superpower. A former UFC fighter and now a world-class leadership coach, Cliff helps high achievers blow past their wildest dreams—grounded in tenacity, responsibility, and values-based leadership. If you’re chasing big outcomes without losing your soul, this episode is your blueprint.


    In this episode you’ll learn:




    How to turn pressure into presence when everything’s on the line




    The difference between tenacity vs. toxic hustle—and why standards - goals




    A 3-part framework for values-based decisions that scale your impact




    Rituals to build responsibility, resilience, and composure every day




    How to lead softly, execute decisively, and win without yelling




    Who this is for: founders, executives, sales leaders, creators, athletes, and anyone ready to lead with quiet confidence and deliver extraordinary results.





    About Cliff Starks

    Former UFC fighter turned leadership coach, Cliff is known for his grounded presence, soul-led wisdom, and results-driven frameworks that help high performers lead with integrity—and win.


    About Nicole’s Business Notebook

    A high-impact podcast where founder Nicole Banks interviews elite performers, unpacking the systems, mindsets, and moves that create outsized success.



    If this hit home:



    Subscribe for more high-performance conversations




    Comment “TENACITY” if you’re committing to values-based leadership this week




    Share this with the most disciplined leader you know





    Keywords (SEO):


    #Leadership #CliffStarks #UFC #HighPerformance #Entrepreneurship #Mindset #ExecutiveLeadership #ValuesBasedLeadership #Tenacity #NicoleBanks

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    27 mins
  • Episode 12: The Relationship Economy & Impact of Meaningful Connections
    Sep 4 2025

    What does it take to scale from $12M to $87M in under 18 months and grow across 100+ countries? Today, marketing savant and serial founder Jim Lupkin breaks down the systems behind predictable growth—so you can stop guessing and start scaling.


    👇 Try Six Sigma Funnels

    https://sixsigmafunnels.com/xa2bT1Yd

    Start building data-driven funnels that convert!

    FTC Disclosure: I’m an affiliate and may earn a commission if you sign up using my link.


    In this episode, you’ll learn:



    Predictive Social Media: how to engineer content that reliably turns attention into revenue




    Funnel Architecture: the exact steps to remove friction, raise AOV/LTV, and accelerate cash flow




    From 12M → 87M: the growth levers Jim pulls first (and the ones he ignores)




    Global Scaling: operating across 100+ countries without breaking your systems




    Referral Engines: why partnerships and affiliates beat cold ads for speed and trust




    Metrics That Matter: the handful of KPIs that actually move the needle




    Why this matters

    If you’re serious about predictable growth, Jim’s frameworks compress the learning curve. This is the episode you’ll rewatch with a notebook.


    About Jim Lupkin

    Jim is the founder of Predictive Social Media and Six Sigma Funnels, a builder who has helped companies scale in 100+ countries, including taking one from $12M to $87M ARR in 18 months. He’s part strategist, part savant—and fully obsessed with measurable outcomes.


    Links & Resources



    🎯 Six Sigma Funnels (Affiliate): https://sixsigmafunnels.com/xa2bT1Yd


    If this helped, like, subscribe, and share with a founder who’s ready to scale with receipts—not vibes.


    #JimLupkin #SixSigmaFunnels #PredictiveSocialMedia #FunnelMarketing #ScalingUp #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #ReferralMarketing #AffiliateMarketing #DigitalMarketing #NicolesBusinessNotebook #NicoleBanks

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    51 mins
  • Episode 11: Sales, Stories, and Successes
    Aug 28 2025

    What happens when a high-energy sales pro with a heart for relationships sits down with a power connector? In this episode, I’m joined by Dino Klein, host of The Dino Show—a fun, whip-smart salesman who builds trust first and closes deals second. We dig into how to turn conversations into clients, why relationship capital beats ad spend, and the simple daily habits that keep your pipeline full.
    In this episode you’ll learn:


    How Dino opens doors with value-first outreach


    The follow-up rhythm that converts warm hellos into warm leads


    What to say in the first 30 seconds to earn credibility


    Networking plays that grow a real referral engine


    The mindset that makes sales fun (and repeatable)


    If you’re building a brand, selling a service, or growing a network, this one’s a playbook. Tap play, take notes, and tell me your favorite takeaway in the comments.


    Guest: Dino Klein — The Dino Show

    Subscribe for weekly conversations with top connectors, founders, and creators.

    Want to collaborate with The NICHEwork? DM me “NICHE” on Instagram/LinkedIn.




    Hashtags



    #NBN #NicolesBusinessNotebook #TheDinoShow #DinoKlein #SalesTips #RelationshipSelling #Networking #ReferralMarketing #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #PersonalBranding #BusinessGrowth #B2B #CloseTheDeal #FollowUp #MindsetMatters #PhoenixBusiness #ArizonaEntrepreneurs #PodcastInterview #CreatorsWhoConnect

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    33 mins
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