Frank Agin 's BIO:

Frank Agin is president of AmSpirit Business Connections, which empowers entrepreneurs, sales representatives, and professionals to become successful and gain more referrals through networking.

He also shares information and insights on professional relationships, business networking and best practices for generating referrals on his Networking Rx podcast and through various professional programs.

Finally, Frank is the author of several books, including Foundational Networking: Creating Know, Like & Trust For A Lifetime of Extraordinary Success and The Three Reasons You Don’t Get Referrals. See all his books and programs at frankagin.com.

In this episode, Virginia and Frank talked about:

1. Why Frank believes in the power of networking.
2. 3 Reasons you aren’t getting referred
3. How to build business referral relationships
4. How to create recognition for your business
5. How to inspire your network to engage

Takeaways:

• There is something to small talk
• It’s possible to have a great relationship and never get a referral
• Help people beyond what you do
• Stop asking for anyone and everyone
• Don’t tell me what you do, tell me when you do it

Connect with Frank on his LinkedIn account to learn more about his work and insights into networking effectively:

LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankagin/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

S. S. Coulter's BIO:

S. S. Coulter is here to help everyday, busy parents feel extraordinary about their parenting. Her tools help parents compete with the additive draw of technology to help the youngest generation shift from a tech-centered-childhood back to play-centered-childhood. Her children’s book series, The Fassa Tails, activities, and upcoming activity app offer screen-lite, easy ways to get kids playing, imagining, and moving. Her mission: to help the next generation build balance in mind, heart, and body—and develop a healthy relationship with technology—all while simply being kids and having fun!

In this episode, Virginia and S. S. talked about:

1. Why Shannon built this business
2. The importance of failure and imagination
3. What you can learn from playing with your kids

Takeaways:

• Focus! Sell one thing to grow
• Amplify your imagination
• Give yourself permission to “make bad art”
• Don’t let your supervillain tell you you suck
• Your kids copy what you do, not what you say.

Connect with S. S. on her social media accounts to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fassa-tails-books

Facebook URL: https://facebook.com/SSCoulter7

Instagram URL: https://www.instagram.com/s.s.coulter/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

Lana Manikowski's BIO:

Lana Manikowski is an author, keynote speaker, infertility advocate, and certified life coach who helps women thrive after infertility when motherhood didn’t happen. She’s the founder of The Other’s Day Brunch and host of The “So Now What?” Podcast, both created to support women who are childless not by choice.

After a seven-year fertility journey that ended without a child—and with adoption and donor egg not being the right path—Lana faced the deep grief and isolation so many women silently carry. When her clinic offered no resources to help her navigate life without children, she created the support she needed and now offers it to others.

Through her coaching and bestselling book So Now What?, Lana helps women reconnect with their bodies, build meaningful relationships with partners and friends, and create a life that feels purposeful and fulfilling—even without motherhood.

She holds advanced certification in grief and post-traumatic growth, is a member of ASRM, and volunteers with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. Lana is known for her signature message: Your story isn’t over. It’s just beginning.

She lives in downtown Chicago with her husband and their dog, Coco.

In this episode, Virginia and Lana talked about:

1. Why Lana started this business
2. How Lana transitioned from corporate sales to entrepreneur
3. Three Pillars of Thriving as a woman who has gone through infertility
4. Finding your first clients

Takeaway:

• Plan for your passion
• Who is your best source for referrals?
• Make your collaborations reciprocal
• Build multiple referral streams
• Track and reward partner efforts

Connect with Lana on her social media accounts to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

LinkedIn URL: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lana-manikowski-7982a8

Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/lana.krstichmanikowski/

Instagram URL: https://www.instagram.com/lana.manikowski/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

Lyndsay Mitcheson's BIO:

Lyndsay’s journey is one of resilience, creativity, and transformation. After losing her leg to an MRSA infection, she set out to design a walking stick she could feel proud to use. What began in her kitchen became Neo Walk, a bold brand of stylish, colourful acrylic walking sticks that empower people living with disabilities to embrace their mobility with confidence and pride.

Neo Walk now ships to over 28 countries and offers a wide range of designs—from sleek classics to light-up statement pieces—redefining what mobility aids can look and feel like. Lyndsay’s mission is simple but powerful: to make walking sticks that people want to use.

In 2023, Neo Walk received both a National Diversity Award and a Women in Business Award, and its unique designs have even appeared on red carpets through collaborations with Hollywood stylists.

Lyndsay’s story is a powerful reminder that personal challenges can spark meaningful change—and that mobility aids can be more than functional; they can be beautiful, bold, and proudly carried.

In this episode, Virginia and Lyndsay talked about:

1. How Lyndsay turned personal adversity into a thriving global brand
2. The power of word-of-mouth and networking in building a business
3. Why brand credibility starts with authentic relationships
4. Leveraging strategic partnerships to reach new markets
5. Balancing purpose, service, and profitability in entrepreneurship

Takeaway:

• Your challenges don’t define you, your response does.
• Strategic relationships can open doors, marketing can’t.
• Word-of-mouth is still one of the most powerful growth tools.
• Your brand’s credibility is built through connection not just promotion.
• Visibility creates possibility. Be seen to inspire the next generation.

Connect with Lyndsay on his social media accounts to learn more about his work and insights into networking effectively:

Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/neowalk.neowalk/photos/

Instagram URL: https://www.instagram.com/neowalksticks/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

Brian Parana's BIO:

Brian Parana is not merely a health coach; he is a transformative catalyst who comprehends the intricate balance between professional achievement, personal well-being, and family responsibilities.

Brian’s over two decades of helping 1,000’s of clients0 in the nutrition and fitness industry serve as a testament to the importance of consistency and dedication in impacting individuals’ lives.

His experience comes from owning 2 CrossFit gyms for years, online speaking opportunities, and serving busy professionals globally as a health & lifestyle coach. Weight loss and improving poor health situations are just the start of his coaching. Notably, he has had the privilege of coaching a 2-time Olympian and CrossFit World Champion.

With 15+ years of entrepreneurship, while raising a young family, Brian blends using science-back strategies to empower his clients to regain control and confidence through building a sustainable lifestyle with the relentless demands of managing a successful business and, more importantly, supporting a family.

He married his high school sweetheart, Amber, for nearly two decades, while raising 4 children, ranging in age from 15-9: 3 boys and 1 girl. The Paranas share a passion for travel, exploring all 50 states and 3 continents. Their next BIG goal is to visit all 7 continents!

In this episode, Virginia and Brian talked about:

• How Brian started his fitness journey
• How to balance business, family and fitness
• Motivation vs. Will Power
• Why AI might be ruining your referrability
• Why it’s so hard to get results

Takeaway:

-If your body wears out, who will run your business?

-Who’s in your “Me Team”

-In the absence of structure, habit always wins (Jay Fiset)

-People helping other people..that’s just business.

-We are in a trust recession - slow down and build relationships.

Connect with Brian on his social media accounts to learn more about his work and insights into networking effectively:

LinkedIn URL

https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachbrianparana/

Facebook URL

https://www.facebook.com/coachbrianparana

Instagram URL

https://www.instagram.com/coachbrianparana/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

Tim Hyde's BIO:

Tim Hyde is the founder of Win More Clients, a leading marketing automation and CRM consultancy dedicated to helping service-based businesses scale smarter. With over 30 years of experience in strategy, technology, and sales systems, Tim is a master at transforming chaos into clarity.

Having worked with more than a thousand business owners, Tim has a proven track record of streamlining marketing systems, boosting conversions, and building sustainable growth strategies without the burnout.

When he's not fixing funnels or architecting scalable pipelines, you’ll find Tim in the kitchen cooking up a storm, skiing through deep powder, cracking dad jokes over board games, and most importantly, hanging out with friends in the JVMM.

In this episode, Virginia and Tim talked about:

• How Tim got started in referrals and tech
• How to create a mature marketing funnel
• Four kinds of marketing channels you should be employing to scale your business
• The intersection of CRM and referral partnerships
• How The Dunbar Formula relates to networking
• Tim’s Quest Framework

Takeaways:

• Word-of-Mouth and Referrals are a marketing channel
• Practice the art of test and measure
• Without a system, there’s no success
• A great partner does the selling for you!
• Intimacy is the key to referral and sales success!

Connect with Tim on his LinkedIn account to learn more about his work and insights into networking effectively:

LinkedIn URL - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-hyde-crm/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

Janet Krebs' BIO:

Janet Krebs is a speaker, strategist, and 4X best-selling author who empowers families and influencers to lead with confidence, self-reliance, and heart. Drawing from her background in consulting, HR, and education—as well as 14 years as "Commander Krebs" in a space flight simulator guiding over 65,000 students—she blends practical leadership tools with real-world parenting strategies. Her greatest accomplishment? Her two adult children, Benjamin and Elisa.

In this episode, Virginia and Janet talked about:

• Why Janet jumped into entrepreneurship
• The importance of leadership in parenting
• How Janet is building her business
• The importance of messaging to your ideal, right fit client

Takeaways:

1. You are your own biggest challenge
2. Do your business in a way that makes you joyful
3. Integrity matters more than scale in your business
4. Parenting is personal development in disguise
5. Influence begins at home, not in the boardroom

Connect with Janet on her social media accounts to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

LinkedIn URL - https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetkrebsri/

Facebook URL - https://www.facebook.com/jkrebs3/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

Candy Barone's BIO:

Candy Barone is a Leadership Alchemist and Human Design Guide, empowering visionary leaders and changemakers to unlock their true leadership potential and lead with clarity, purpose, and alignment. With over 30 years of experience in leadership and business strategy, Candy specializes in helping leaders break free from outdated paradigms, reconnect with their soul’s blueprint, and create transformative impact that lasts. Through her work, Candy blends the power of Human Design and Gene Keys with relational intelligence to guide clients in activating their unique leadership voice. She believes leadership isn’t just about strategy; it’s about cultivating heart-centered connections, fostering deep relationships, and leading with authenticity.

Candy’s approach goes beyond conventional leadership. She helps clients shed limiting beliefs and step into bold, unapologetic leadership that aligns with their core essence, allowing them to make lasting, aligned impact in their businesses and beyond. Candy has helped countless leaders tap into their full potential and create a Living Legacy that reflects their deepest values and vision. Whether through 1:1 mentoring, Human Design readings, Gene Keys insights, or strategic frameworks, Candy offers a unique, soul-led approach to leadership that’s both transformational and sustainable. When she’s not guiding visionary leaders, Candy is dedicated to igniting a leadership revolution that’s deeply connected, empowering, and purpose-driven.

In this episode, Virginia and Candy talked about:

• How Candy blended her engineering background with Quantum energetics

• Why human design helps us understand how we operate in the world

• Candy’s non-traditional way of building business and transforming her clients

• Divine feminine and Divine masculine

• How to create more functional partnerships in business

Takeaways:

1. Let your clients learn from your experiences
2. What is your living legacy?
3. Leadership is a team sport
4. Focus on Return on Impact
5. The best relationship helps you grow.

Connect with Candy on her social media accounts to learn more about her work and insights into networking effectively:

LinkedIn URL - https://www.linkedin.com/in/candybarone/

Facebook URL - https://www.facebook.com/CoachCandySpeaks

Instagram URL - https://www.instagram.com/candy_barone/

Connect with Virginia:

https://www.bbrpodcast.com/