Lead to Greatness Podcast Interview

Stop Selling and Start Connecting: How I Built My Business Without Acting Like a Salesperson

Most people are still trying to “sell” in 2025 the way they sold in 1995. It doesn’t work. Buyers can smell a pitch coming a mile away.

In this conversation, I break down the real strategy that’s driven over half a billion dollars in revenue impact — not by being a shark, but by leading with real human connection.

Here’s what we covered:

[02:00] My Origin Story: Puerto Rico to the Bronx to Silicon Valley
First-generation everything. No blueprint. No safety net. Just curiosity, hustle, and a willingness to figure it out one messy step at a time.

[07:40] What Held Me Back for Years (And What Finally Changed)
Like a lot of first-gens, I felt like I had to do everything alone. It wasn’t until I started asking for help, leaning into mentorship, and connecting with others that doors started opening.

[13:10] Scarcity Is a Lie. There’s More Than Enough Pie For Everyone
Coming from poverty, you learn to fight for your slice. But real abundance comes when you realize: there’s more pie being baked every day. The energy you put out comes back. Celebrate others. Stay in your lane. Build your legacy.

[18:30] My Sales Secret: Make It About Them
Before I talk about products or contracts, I want to know: If we get this right, what’s in it for you? That shift — from “closing deals” to “helping people win” — is what makes buyers lower their guard and open their wallets.

[24:20] How I Built My Personalized Sales Framework
After years of leading revenue for LinkedIn, Google, Uber, and Tesla — and coaching solopreneurs — I distilled my whole sales system into one truth: Be a human. Automation will never replace connection. Lead with your face, your voice, and your story.

[30:00] The Role of Personal Video in Modern Sales
Why I use tools like Loom and VideoAsk to show up face-to-face at every stage of my funnel — from first contact to post-purchase. Video interrupts expectations, builds trust, and makes people feel safe buying from you.

[36:20] You Don’t Need 100 Leads — You Need 10 Conversations
People get obsessed with vanity metrics. You’re worried about getting 100 people on your webinar. But if I showed up to your house with 10 qualified buyers, you’d be overwhelmed. Serve who shows up. Depth over width.

[42:40] The Shift From Traditional Sales Tactics to Connection-Based Selling
This is the new sales playbook: lead with value, build trust, create space for conversations, and stay relentlessly human.

[48:00] My Favorite Growth Hack? Audiobooks and Memoirs
You want to sharpen your sales skills? Study humans. Memoirs give you the inside look at how leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs sell themselves every day — and wrestle with the same imposter syndrome you do.

[54:20] Imposter Syndrome Never Fully Leaves — Move Anyway
Every level has new doubts. But the people who win keep moving anyway. I’d rather face imposter syndrome with money in the bank and options on the table — and pay for the therapist later if I need to.

If you’re tired of trying to “close” people — and ready to build a business that feels authentic, sustainable, and rooted in real trust — this conversation is your blueprint.