Persevering from a basement full of spiders to building a 7-figure business, with entrepreneur Steven Pemberton
Release Date: 02/14/2023
The Secret to Elite Business Performance
Measure Success Podcast
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Michael Erath, founder of Next Level Growth and author of The Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations. Michael shares his powerful story of losing a multimillion-dollar company to fraud and how that crisis transformed his view of leadership. He explains how elite organizations are built around five obsessions—great people, inspiring purpose, optimized playbooks, performance-driven culture, and sustainable profits. Tune in to learn how you can lead with purpose, build stronger teams, and achieve both a return on investment...
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Radical Clarity: How Founders Lead with Purpose
Measure Success Podcast
Many technical founders find themselves running companies almost by accident. They know their craft — but struggle to lead with clarity. In this Measure Success Podcast episode, Carl J. Cox interviews Pete Steege, author of Radical Clarity, to discuss how “accidental CEOs” can grow their businesses by uncovering their true story. Pete explains why clarity — not more effort — drives growth. He shares how to focus on purpose, align your team, and communicate with meaning so your message connects with customers. 🎧 Tune in to learn how to move from complexity to clarity.
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Leadership Without Accountability Fails
Measure Success Podcast
Leadership alone doesn’t drive success—it’s only part of the equation. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Dr. James Chitwood shares how his TRAC framework—Training, Recognition, Accountability, and Communication—creates lasting organizational transformation. Hear how his military background shaped his leadership philosophy, why capitalism is at risk, and what it takes to build high-performing, people-centered teams. Listen now and learn how to lead through structure, not just inspiration.
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Data Privacy Laws Every CEO Must Know
Measure Success Podcast
In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Jenny Sheridan, attorney and founder of JL Sheridan Law, about how changing data privacy laws are shaping the way companies operate. Jenny shares insights on how businesses can stay compliant with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and similar state laws, the real risks of ignoring them, and how privacy can become a competitive advantage when managed strategically. Listen to learn how to protect your business, reputation, and customers in a data-driven world. 🎧 Stream now at...
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Innovation Starts from the Bottom Up
Measure Success Podcast
In this week’s episode of the Measure Success Podcast, I sit down with Richard Dunbar, CEO of Bottom Up Consulting and author of Bottom Up Breakthrough, to discuss how true innovation often starts from the ground up. Richard shares how empowering employees at every level builds trust, strengthens transparency, and improves retention. He explains why many leaders fear “bottom-up” leadership—and how shifting from a top-down model can uncover hidden ideas that transform organizations. From his experience in the Canadian Armed Forces to founding Bottom Up Consulting, Richard’s work...
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The 4 P’s of Startup Success
Measure Success Podcast
Amanda Patterson, CEO of Rocket Fuel Labs, joins Measure Success Podcast to share how startups and high-growth companies can achieve predictable growth. She explains her Four P’s framework—precision, process, positioning, and performance—and why knowing your LTV to CAC ratio matters. We discuss how AI is reshaping marketing, why human connection is still the key differentiator, and how founders can break through growth plateaus. 🎧 Tune in for strategies to hit your numbers with confidence
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Profit Over Vanity Metrics
Measure Success Podcast
On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox talks with Marley Majcher, CEO of The Party Goddess and author of But Are You Making Any Money? Marley shares her journey from early mistakes in the restaurant world to building a thriving events business while helping other entrepreneurs avoid the same pitfalls. You’ll learn: Why profits matter more than press or followers How to price your services with confidence Why time is your most valuable resource Practical steps to build a profitable, sustainable business Listen now and discover how to stop chasing vanity metrics...
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99% of Projects Fail—Here’s Why
Measure Success Podcast
Why do 99% of projects go wrong? Dr. Thomas Zweifel, author of Gorilla in the Cockpit, joins the Measure Success Podcast to explain why the real cause is human—not technical. We explore: The “black box” of hidden conversations that sabotage progress Why mindset and accountability are key to successful projects How leaders can transform breakdowns into breakthroughs If you want to uncover the hidden reasons projects fail and learn how to lead with impact, this episode is for you. Listen now and gain practical insights you can apply today.
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AI, Tariffs & Survival in 2026
Measure Success Podcast
Tariffs, AI, and pricing pressures are reshaping manufacturing and small business. On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J Cox talks with Paul Menig, CEO of Business Accelerants, about why companies are “tariff-ified” and how leaders can adapt. Key takeaways include: How tariffs impact cost structures and margins Why gross margin dollars matter more than percentages The role of AI in manufacturing and marketing Practical steps to stay competitive in 2026 Listen now and learn strategies to survive and thrive in the face of rapid change.
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AI and Data Strategies for E-Commerce Success
Measure Success Podcast
On this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox welcomes Matthew Stafford, co-founder of Build Grow Scale. Matt shares how he turned a $1,000 investment in analytics into a billion-dollar path in e-commerce. They dive into the mindset shifts leaders need, how AI transforms data into action, and why profitability matters more than revenue growth. You’ll hear how one client scaled from $10,000 to a $60M run rate in just three years. Tune in for insights you can apply to your business today. 🎧 Listen to the full episode now
info_outlineBig, scary, spiders. This is when you know you’ve hit rock-bottom: when you have no other place than to live in a basement full of them! For entrepreneurs, how they respond to that situation (and that location) is often the most important piece of their business journey.
And no one knows the peaks and valleys of the entrepreneurial journey quite like our latest guest. Steven Pemberton is an entrepreneur who’s generated over $3 million in revenue on e-commerce platforms. He now helps coaches and business leaders get in front of their ideal customers to accelerate their impact through a system called “Challenges.”
Listen to the full episode for more on Steven’s backstory (from losing all his money and living in a basement, to building a 7-figure business), some of the top characteristics the most successful entrepreneurs have in common, the dangers of pride, and more.
Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn:
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More about Steven’s approach to helping entrepreneurs grow their impact and increase their sales
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Why you don’t have to have a ton of money in order to get started on your entrepreneurial journey
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An idea of the conversion percentages that Steven’s clients have experienced by using his “offer drop” tactic
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More on Steven’s backstory, including he and his wife losing everything and how that first taste of “failure” held him back from getting back into business later
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How Steven’s wife went from no experience to making $1 million in revenue — and why she convinced Steven to once again go into business
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Why gross revenue doesn’t tell the full story of a business
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Why Steven says success in business can come down to the intersection of skillsets, opportunity, and perseverance
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Why pride can get in the way of business success, and why transparency is so important when it comes to gross and net revenues
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The difference between providing value and ideas, and why authenticity is so important
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How Steven measures success in his business and in his personal life
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Some of the habits that Steven has integrated into his daily life to be at his best
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
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“The Blessed Life: Unlocking the Rewards of Generous Living” by Robert Morris
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“No Pain, No Gaines: The Good Stuff Doesn’t Come Easy” by Chip Gaines
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“Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” by James Clear