Entrepreneurs: The Sales Mindset to Build a $500M Business + Technology Innovation and Personal Transformation
In this episode, Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show, sit down with a powerhouse lineup of entrepreneurs and innovators to explore how mindset, resilience, and strategic thinking can drive extraordinary success.
The conversation features award-winning sales and marketing executive Gordon Fraser, who built a global sales organization generating over $500 million in retail sales, alongside entrepreneur presenters Matt Strippelhoff, founder of Red Hawk Tech, and Karen Rubinstein, a transformation coach launching a powerful recovery community for women.
From scaling global businesses and leveraging technology to rebuilding lives after addiction, this episode offers powerful insights into the many forms entrepreneurship can take—and the courage required to pursue success.
Listeners will discover how successful leaders confront fear, build scalable businesses, innovate with technology, and turn personal challenges into missions that help others.
Gordon Fraser – Sales Leadership and the Mindset Behind a $500M Business
Gordon Fraser is an internationally recognized sales and creative marketing executive, speaker, coach, and philanthropist who has helped build and lead organizations responsible for more than $500 million in accumulated retail sales.
Growing up in a small town on the west coast of Scotland, Fraser faced significant adversity early in life. Without a traditional academic background and originally trained as an actor, he entered entrepreneurship with no experience, no track record, and no safety net.
Through determination, strategic thinking, and relentless persistence, Fraser built a successful global sales organization in the health and wellness industry.
Key insights Gordon shares in this episode:
- Success is a mindset — successful entrepreneurs visualize their goals and work relentlessly toward them.
- Set audacious goals — many people fail because their goals are too small, not too big.
- Don’t quit before “payday.” Entrepreneurial success often requires years of effort before major results appear.
- Create scalable systems — true growth happens when you stop trading time for money and start leveraging teams and systems.
- Use tools to empower teams — Fraser developed a sales tool that helped drive massive growth across international markets.
Fraser now mentors leaders worldwide, helping entrepreneurs build scalable businesses and develop the mindset necessary for long-term success. Read more at: https://www.gordonfraser.co/
Matt Strippelhoff – Red Hawk Tech and the Future of Custom Software
Matt Strippelhoff is the founder of Red Hawk Tech, a software engineering consultancy that develops and maintains custom business applications for small and mid-market companies across the United States.
Red Hawk Tech stands out by offering a managed service model for custom software development, providing companies with ongoing development, support, and maintenance through a predictable monthly service.
Key topics Matt discusses:
- Why many companies struggle with disconnected software systems
- How custom software can unlock the full value of company data
- Using technology to integrate systems, automate workflows, and power AI tools
- The importance of understanding ROI before investing in technology
- Lessons learned from major business setbacks, including losing major clients and rebuilding stronger
After navigating difficult setbacks early in his entrepreneurial journey, Strippelhoff redesigned his company’s business model. Today, Red Hawk Tech has achieved rapid growth through a recurring revenue model and a focus on helping businesses leverage their data for better decision-making. Read more at: https://www.redhawk-tech.com/
Karen Rubinstein – Transformation Coaching and Women in the Rooms
Karen Rubinstein is a certified transformation coach and life coach who helps women rebuild their lives after addiction and personal trauma.
After overcoming her own battle with alcoholism and achieving sobriety, Rubinstein dedicated her career to supporting others on their recovery journeys.
She is launching Women in the Rooms, an online recovery community designed specifically for women seeking support, healing, and personal transformation.
Karen’s mission includes:
- Creating safe communities for women in recovery
- Teaching emotional and spiritual growth tools for long-term sobriety
- Helping individuals discover the deeper causes behind addiction
- Building supportive networks for women transitioning into healthier lifestyles
The online community will feature virtual spaces focused on wellness, emotional growth, spiritual development, and practical life tools—offering a holistic approach to recovery.
Rubinstein’s story demonstrates how personal adversity can become the foundation for meaningful entrepreneurship and social impact. Read more at: https://www.karenrubinstein.com/
Key Takeaways from This Episode
Entrepreneurs and business leaders will gain valuable insights including:
- Why fear never disappears—but successful entrepreneurs learn to work through it
- How mindset shapes business success
- The importance of scalable business models and residual income
- Lessons from building global sales organizations
- How technology integration can transform small businesses
- Why community and support systems are essential for personal and professional growth
Whether you’re launching a startup, growing a technology company, or transforming your personal life, this episode offers inspiration and practical strategies from entrepreneurs who have overcome significant challenges.
FAQs
What is the Passage to Profit Show?
The Passage to Profit Show is a nationally syndicated radio show and podcast hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart that features interviews with entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders discussing entrepreneurship, intellectual property, and business growth strategies.
Who is Gordon Fraser?
Gordon Fraser is an internationally recognized sales and creative marketing executive, speaker, and coach who helped build a global sales organization responsible for over $500 million in retail sales and now mentors entrepreneurs worldwide.
What does Red Hawk Tech do?
Red Hawk Tech develops, supports, and maintains custom software applications for businesses. The company helps organizations integrate data systems, automate workflows, and create scalable technology solutions.
What is Women in the Rooms?
Women in the Rooms is an online recovery community created by transformation coach Karen Rubinstein to support women who are working toward sobriety, personal growth, and life transformation.
What can entrepreneurs learn from this episode?
Listeners learn how to overcome fear in business, build scalable companies, use technology strategically, and transform personal challenges into opportunities for growth and leadership.