Rainmakers: featuring business development's elite

About the show

As the first business development hire for PricewaterhouseCoopers in the 90s and the creator of the business development function at Cooley, Carl Grant pioneered and set the standards for the professional services business development. He uses his background and expertise to talk with other business development elite in the professional services industries about the secrets to their success.

Rainmakers first aired on September 7, 2020. Its 52 episodes run through August 29, 2021, and every one is listed below. Seth Grant produced it.

Where to listen

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Episodes on this site

Each episode below has a written summary alongside the player.

Every episode

All 52 episodes, newest first, with a line on what each guest covers. Where an episode has a written summary here, the row opens it. The rest play on Buzzsprout.

1. 53August 29, 202116 minAlex Richard - Founder at Walmart Automation ProAlex Richard helps people get involved with Walmart as sellers on their marketplace and take advantage of when people purchase from the Walmart marketplace.Listen on Buzzsprout →
2. 52August 21, 202117 minNick Spiller - Fundraising Coach & Podcast HostNick Spiller talks about how he uses his network to help entrepreneurs raise funding for their businesses.Listen on Buzzsprout →
3. 51August 14, 202115 minAndie Monet - CEO - Strategic Solutions & DevelopmentAndie Monet was abandoned by her single mother when she was 16 and ended up homeless. She worked hard, learn how to sell and went in to earn five college degrees. Today she is a business consultant with a wealth of knowledge and a heart of gold. Listen to her inspirational story.Listen on Buzzsprout →
4. 50August 8, 202118 minHall Martin, Founder and CEO of TEN Capital NetworkHall Martin became an angel investor after a company he was with went public. He turned his interest in angel investing into regional networks of angel investors and later a national network of angel and venture investors that he helps entrepreneurs gain access to.Listen on Buzzsprout →
5. 49July 31, 202119 minTyler Sweatt, National Security Technology ExecutiveTyler Sweatt said that “one of the main differences you'll see in the government sector is a lot of that is pretty well documented down from Congress, each year, they're passing budgets, so you're getting an idea of where new programs coming in, and where are they. And then it gets down to the more traditional aspects of capture of meeting customers and understand their problems.”Listen on Buzzsprout →
6. 48July 24, 202117 minKyle McQuighan, Connector, CPA, Strategic Relationship Manager at Aronson, LLC.Kyle McQuighan, a high performing business development professional, makes an encore appearance on the podcast to talk about what he has learned since his January appearance.Listen on Buzzsprout →
7. 47July 17, 202118 minEd Curtis - CEO of YTexasEd Curtis, CEO of YTexas runs a company that welcomes companies and people to Texas. He said Texas welcomes people, no matter where you're from…So, from an outsider looking in, I said, I would love to form an organization that helps people understand the values in Texas.Listen on Buzzsprout →
8. 46July 11, 202116 minJustin Wynter - Senior Enterprise Account Executive, SalesforceJustin Wynter compare his approach to sales as he is gets older with his passion for running. When he was growing up, he was a sprinter in track and field, competing in the 100 meter and 200 meter. But now that he is getting older, he has gotten into distance running. In his career, when he was younger in his career, Justin might have gone for a quick close, but now he compares the sales cycle to a marathon, where developing long-term relationships are more important than the quick clos...Listen on Buzzsprout →
9. 45July 3, 202115 minShawn Basler - Co-CEO at Perkins EastmanShawn Basler is Co-CEO of Perkins Eastman, an architectural firm which he has grown to 1100 employees in 21 offices around the world. Listen to hear how he does it.Listen on Buzzsprout →
10. 44June 27, 202116 minDavid Carpenteir - CEO at AssurelyAs CEO of Assurely, David Carpentier is building insurance products for changing industries, technology and times and is bringing it to market in new ways.Listen on Buzzsprout →
11. 43June 19, 202116 minMarissa Limsiaco - President of Otso, 4X Entrepreneur, Combat Veteran, West Point GraduateMarissa Limsiaco didn’t realize it at the time, but she started honing her business development skills recruiting young women to the West Point women’s tennis team.Listen on Buzzsprout →
12. 42June 12, 202116 minKathryn Cartini, Co-Founder and Partner, Chloe CapitalChloe Capital invests in companies that have 20% or more ownership by female entrepreneurs. Half of the fund is dedicated to female entrepreneurs of color.Listen on Buzzsprout →
13. 41June 5, 202117 minJamie Graham - Business Development at KippsDeSanto & Co.Jamie Graham says that to be successful in business development you have to be memorable and that every company you meet should have you top of mind at all times.Listen on Buzzsprout →
14. 40May 29, 202119 minAdam Butler - Founder of Butler BrosWhen Adam Butler started in business, his network was not comprised of decision makers. He said “if you stay in business long enough, the ecosystem of decision makers matures with you.”Listen on Buzzsprout →
15. 39May 21, 202116 minTodd Rowley - Market Executive for Old Dominion National BankTodd Rowley explains how trust is not given, it is earned and maintained.Listen on Buzzsprout →
16. 38May 15, 202116 minBob London - CEO of Chief Listening OfficersBob London takes the long view when he is out in the market and is never selling when he is out at events.Listen on Buzzsprout →
17. 37May 8, 202116 minUgochi Owo - CEO of FlindelUgochi Owo talks about the importance of building friendships instead of transactional business relationships.Listen on Buzzsprout →
18. 36May 1, 202115 minBill Collier - Venture Capitalist Investor, Maryland Venture FundBill Collier networked his way into his venture capital position and uses his sales background to be successful in it.Listen on Buzzsprout →
19. 35April 24, 202116 minJaveriya Dunn - Director of Business Development at Winston & StrawnJaveriya Dunn talks about the power of a human connection.Listen on Buzzsprout →
20. 34April 17, 202116 minAngie Collier, VP at Dupont Circle SolutionsLearn the concept of a "business development date," from Angie Collier, a true partner in business development.Listen on Buzzsprout →
21. 33April 9, 202117 minLarry Covert, Entrepreneur and InvestorLarry Covert was the son of a policeman and a beautician, with no plans to go to college. His life changed when he visited University of Alabama where he met the love of his life who led him to Christ. He is a highly successful entrepreneur and investor with an amazing story, who gives all the glory to God.Listen on Buzzsprout →
22. 32April 2, 202115 minMonika Talašová - Business Development Manager at HAVEL & PARTNERSHear how Monika Talašová turned an Instagram follow into a potential referral relationship and how she learned to turn men's attention into professional cooperation and lasting friendships.Listen on Buzzsprout →
23. 31March 26, 202116 minAdriel J. Meditz, Financial Advisor, UBSListen to Adriel Meditz talk about how he tries to develop a strong personal connection with everyone in his network and why that is important is a very competitive field.Listen on Buzzsprout →
24. 30March 20, 202118 minMichael Marra, CEO and Founder of EntreMichael Marra talks about Entre, the social network for entrepreneurs, he has built. They help connect entrepreneurs to each other and the right resources to start and grow their businesses through their app and events.Listen on Buzzsprout →
25. 29March 14, 202118 minKatie Bilek, Co-Founder, govmates Consortium; SVP, Republic Capital AccessKatie Bilek says the key to her effectiveness is figuring out how to add value, how she can help solve a problem and listening and understanding the needs that the other person has.Listen on Buzzsprout →
26. 28March 6, 202117 minZach Livingston, Head of Sales at ClearTraceZach Livingston discusses how taking one class in college on climate science set the course for his career, and how he has established himself as a trusted advisor in that industry with repeat customers.Listen on Buzzsprout →
27. 27February 27, 202117 minJayson Truttmann - Co-founder of N8 ThinkingListen to a philosophical discussion about the anatomy of a relationship and life’s journey of developing quality relationships.Listen on Buzzsprout →
28. 26February 21, 202116 minDavid Burkus, Author of Leading from AnywhereDavid Burkus is a best selling author talks about his books Friend of a Friend and Leading from Anywhere. Listen to learn the keys to networking and leading in a remote environment.Listen on Buzzsprout →
29. 25February 12, 202115 minJordan Harbinger, Host of the Jordan Harbinger Show.Jordan Harbinger is a Wall Street lawyer turned podcast interviewer with an approachable style and knack for securing high-profile guests. His show, The Jordan Harbinger Show was selected as part of Apple’s “Best of 2018.” Listen and learn how he used his system of professional networking https://www.jordanharbinger.com/courses/ to build a roster of world-class guests and a listernship of over 11M monthly downloads. Here is the Jordan Harbinger Show Episode 465 on protecting your...Listen on Buzzsprout →
30. 24February 5, 202115 minEllen Mundell, CEO of BuchananMundell ConsultingListen to my interview with Ellen Mundell to learn how she went from being a front desk receptionist to a business development professional at two Big 4 accounting firms and then CEO of her own business development consulting company.Listen on Buzzsprout →
31. 22January 31, 202116 minBrad Phillips, Advisor to Emerging Technology and Life Science Companies, Pricewaterhouse CoopersListen to Brad Phillips with PwC, who says “if I had advice to people on creating a network, find an organization where their values match with yours, and get very involved in that.”Listen on Buzzsprout →
32. 21January 24, 202119 minTim Donohue, Senior Vice President at CBRE in Austin, TX.Listen to my interview with Tim Dononue, a rainmaker in the real estate industry who, paraphrasing Mark Twian, said "if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life." Tim said a a lot of what he does is really the broker judging of relationships. Because he loves seeing people get together and have commonality, drive thoughtfulness, that he is really lucky and blessed.Listen on Buzzsprout →
33. 20January 17, 202115 minCasey Veatch, founder of Veatch Commercial Real EstateCasey Veatch explains how his business network and network of friends are one in the same.Listen on Buzzsprout →
34. 19January 10, 202117 minRene Banglesdorf, CEO at Charlie Bravo Aviation | Author | Public Speaker | Podcast Host | Business Accelerator CoachListen to hear how Rene Banglesdorf, CEO of Charlie Bravo Aviation, thrives as a female in a 99 percent male dominated industry of aircraft sales. Hear how she is able to network with her ultra high net-worth clientele.Listen on Buzzsprout →
35. 18January 1, 202119 minKyle McQuighan, Connector, CPA, Strategic Relationship Manager at Aronson, LLC.Kyle McQuighan discusses how to figure out which professional relationships to invest time in and which don’t make sense.Listen on Buzzsprout →
36. 17December 27, 202014 minAlan Meltzer, CEO at NFP/The Meltzer GroupAlan Meltzer built an extremely successful company with 700 employees selling insurance. During his 42 year career, he said his greatest experience was being thanked by a happy client.Listen on Buzzsprout →
37. 16December 18, 202017 minAdam VeVerka, Partner at NewSpring CapitalListen to Adam VeVerka explain that relationship building is a long game qnd that it important to find ones relationships that are mutually beneficial, where you can help each other.Listen on Buzzsprout →
38. 15December 12, 202020 minTien Wong, CEO, Opus8; Investor; Founder, CONNECTprenuerTien Wong discusses why it's important to learn how to sell. To sell ideas and to sell yourself becuase you'll be selling ideas all the rest of your life. He explains that your network is your net worth becasue it is portable, it can never be taken away from you. It is your differentiator in a very, very competitive environment that's going to be happening over the next 20 to 50 years. And it's the one edge that you can have to make yourself really valuable to your employer and to socie...Listen on Buzzsprout →
39. 14December 5, 202019 minKen Lambert, Regional Director of Industry Development and Technical Services for the International Masonry InstituteKen Lambert explains that being seen as a resource and an expert in an industry is the key to winning business in an industry with a five to ten year complex, multi-tiered sales cycle.Listen on Buzzsprout →
40. 13November 27, 202016 minScott Gaskill, Area Market Leader for BuckHear why Scott Gaskill’s second favorite answer is no and how he deploys the give to get methodology.Listen on Buzzsprout →
41. 12November 21, 202017 minDax Williamson, Managing Director for Silicon Valley Bank, AustinDax Williamson talks about working for a great brand and also building a personal brand by gaining trust at the intersection of capital and innovation. He talks about the four Cs in his industry -- capital, commitment to the ecosystem, connections and counsel.Listen on Buzzsprout →
42. 11November 14, 202015 minJeff Nigriny, President of CertiPathJeff Nigriny, President of CertiPath, explains how to thrive in cybersecurity business development by developing a reputation as an expert.Listen on Buzzsprout →
43. 10November 7, 202016 minPhil Zalewski, Managing Director - Parkwood GroupPhil Zalewski started as an accountant doing tax returns for sales professionals and aspired to make the commissions they were making. He is now leading the Parkwood Group where he leads a network of elite senior sales professionals who do commission only relationship selling on behalf of emerging companies.Listen on Buzzsprout →
44. 09October 31, 202017 minJeremy King, President & Founder of Benchmark Executive SearchJeremy King explains how we should think of every relationship like a personal bank account where we should have a balance by leaving a deposit of kindness.Listen on Buzzsprout →
45. 08October 24, 202017 minPaul Dinte, CEO, Dinte Executive SearchPaul Dinte came to the US 30 years ago to start an executive search business knowing nobody, knowing no companies, having no clients and having no candidates. From there he built a thriving global executive search firm. Listen to this interview to learn how he did it.Listen on Buzzsprout →
46. 07October 12, 202018 minMo Bunnell, CEO, Bunnell Idea GroupMo Bunnell , author of the Snowball System https://www.amazon.com/Snowball-System-Business-Clients-Raving-ebook/dp/B078W5ZFR6, has trained 15 thousand people on how to use his system to do business development.Listen on Buzzsprout →
47. 06October 10, 202016 minWarren Martin, Partner, Hibiscus BioVentures, Board Member, Multiple Boards of DirectorsWarren Martin explains how to rise above your peers to become someone who is trusted and respected.Read the summary →
48. 05October 3, 202016 minKen Grider, Managing Director and Head of Investment Banking Business Development for Raymond JamesCarl Grant interviews Ken Grider, who is head of investment banking business development at Raymond James, a large financial services company based near Tampa, FL. His primary responsibilities include managing business development for the investment bank and financial sponsor coverage. In this capacity, focus is placed on identifying and vetting transaction opportunities sourced directly from company contacts, legal, accounting, & other professional organizations, along with Raymond James...Listen on Buzzsprout →
49. 04September 26, 202017 minMelih Aksan, Partner at Aksan Law FirmInterview with Melih Aksan, Partner Aksan Law Firm in Istanbul, Turkey where he is an international rainmaker. Listen to hear his insights on how to be relatable with very successful CEOs and to hear what business development techniques are universal what is specific to region in which he operates.Listen on Buzzsprout →
50. 03September 19, 202017 minJohn Dinkel, Founder & CEO of Dinkel Business DevelopmentJohn Dinkel was publisher of the Baltimore Business Journal for over 16 years before starting his own business development consulting company where he helps companies develop and implement business development bust practices. He has also developed a software platform to help the execute and stay accountable. I was introduced to him after I heard his radio show on iHeartRadio called CEO’s You Need to Know. In this interview, John shares his business development wisdom.Listen on Buzzsprout →
51. 02September 7, 202016 minBob Connolly, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer - Lockton Northeast RegionBob Connolly has extremely strong relationships with many large company CFOs, General Counsels and Boards of Directors. Listen as we go back to the basics on how to build an amazing professional network and how to be thought of a value added, trusted advisor to influencial business people.Listen on Buzzsprout →
52. 01September 7, 202010 minRainmakers Introductory PodcastWelcome to the introductory Rainmakers podcast. This weekly show will be about 15 minutes long and will feature individuals who are top in their field for developing new clients sharing their secrets for how they do it. Each episode will also include a transcript. If you think you would find this interesting, please subscribe and share it with you friends on social media. Please also send me any recommendation for guests or ways you think I could improve the podcast to carl@rainmakers.network...Listen on Buzzsprout →