In this episode of The Deal Scout, host Susan Reilly interviews Carl Gould, founder of 7 Stage Advisors and a business strategist who has mentored over 5,000 companies worldwide.

Carl’s entrepreneurial path began at 18 with a landscaping business and a broken leg. What he lacked in experience, he made up for in hustle—learning early on that showing up is half the battle. That realization would go on to inform his work for decades to come.

In this high-value conversation, Carl shares:

The story behind his first big lesson in business (spoiler: he won a contract simply by showing up)

How he built a guarantee model that allowed him to charge 35% more than competitors

Why most businesses—even those earning $1M+—don’t have a business plan

How 7 Stage Advisors embeds with companies to guide both strategy and execution

The difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it

How relationships and referrals became the cornerstone of his early success

Why understanding your ideal customer is key to pricing, branding, and scaling

The concept of business growth in 18-month cycles

What makes 7 Stage Advisors different from other firms—and why their advisors are required to have built or led larger businesses than their clients

His thoughts on capital, investments, and becoming a conduit between business needs and available funding

Carl also offers a look into his personal life, including a love for live music, outdoor adventure, and wellness. He talks about his children—including his daughter Vanya, a social media consultant—and his passion for helping others live longer, healthier lives through biohacking and plant-based living.

If you're a business owner, investor, or dealmaker, this conversation is packed with strategies you can implement immediately—and stories that will stick with you.

Want to connect with Carl or learn more about 7 Stage Advisors?
Visit: [Link in description or show notes]

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Contact Susan: susan@thedealscout.com or follow the link below.

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