What I Learned From Closing A Business This Year

 

At the end of this financial year, I want to share something personal with you.

We recently closed our Think BIG Coworking space after 2.5 years of operation. It wasn’t a profitable business for us—and yet, it was one of the most enriching chapters in recent years.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

Even thoughtful planning and good intentions don’t always produce the outcomes we expect. Some businesses correct us over time—especially those we started from opportunity, not deep alignment.

Because the truth is: only ventures rooted in purpose and values have the resilience to go the distance.

But this so-called “unsuccessful” venture gave us so much:

  • I found two business partners I now work with in beautiful synergy.

  • My wife landed a great job—thanks to someone who visited our space.

  • We created a vibrant community through our events.

  • We were reminded to keep the main thing the main thing.

Another lesson? Investing in people and marketing matters more than investi...

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Your clients aren’t ghosting you—they’re confused

Quick question:

Have you ever had a lead go cold after what felt like a great pitch?

Chances are, it wasn’t the price.
It wasn’t the timing.
And it probably wasn’t your product.

More likely?
You were speaking your language
 not theirs.

We’ve talked about this already:

✅ High-Cs want data.
✅ High-Ds want speed and ROI.
✅ High-Is want energy and vision.
✅ High-Ss want safety and trust.

If you’re only speaking to one, you're leaving 3 out in the cold.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

This is your final nudge to join us in Communication Mastery—where we show you how to connect before you ever convince.

👉 Sign up solo or bring your whole team (we’ve got tables of 6 available):
https://www.bramlagrou.com/communication-mastery-class-only

🎯 Whether you’re in sales, marketing, or business leadership—this training gives you the tools to speak other people's language before they ever say “I’m just not sure.”

đŸšȘ Enrollment’s closing soon. If you wait, you’ll miss it. And that means going bac...

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Transforming Minds and Lives: An Exclusive Interview with Dr. John Demartini

Welcome back to the Energize With Bram podcast—a sanctuary for entrepreneurs who aspire to create meaningful change and have ambitious goals.

Today, we're thrilled to feature Dr. John Demartini, an iconic figure known from "The Secret," and a legend who has inspired billions through his profound insights and global teachings.

From Personal Development to Global Influence Dr. Demartini has crafted a remarkable life dedicated to learning and teaching. With more than 40 self-development books and manuscripts, and a lifetime tally of nearly 31,000 books read, Dr. Demartini is a powerhouse of knowledge. His passion for personal development is evident as he speaks about his continuous engagement with personal development programs like the Breakthrough Experience, Mastering Your Perceptions, and more.

Understanding Values and Living Authentically A significant part of Dr. Demartini's philosophy is the ‘Values Determination Process’, which he developed to understand what intrinsically dr...

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How a manufacturer unlocked 40.6% growth—without new products

Let me tell you a quick story about a national manufacturer we worked with recently.

They had a solid sales team.
Good product.
Decent growth—around 18.9% year over year in key regions.

Respectable, right?

But here’s the thing

They knew they were leaving money on the table.

So we stepped in—with the same methodology I teach in Communication Mastery.

We didn’t change the product.
We didn’t throw more money at ads.
We simply helped them communicate differently—based on DISC profiles.

Here’s what we did:

✅ Assessed their sales and ops teams with DISC
✅ Identified what their customers actually cared about through targeted interviews
✅ Built messaging and product specific tools that aligned with all 4 DISC types (not just the default “D-style” pitch they'd been using)
✅ Rolled out a team-wide WIG (Wildly Important Goal), tracked weekly in PowerBI
✅ Trained not just their team—but their customers’ retail teams—to sell more effectively

Result?

📈 Sales jumped by 40.6% in under 10 months.
That’...

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75% of your buyers are still waiting to hear from you (in their language)

By now, you know the truth:

“One-size-fits-all” sales and marketing is like shouting into a megaphone


in a room where only 1 in 4 people speak your language.

The other three? They’re tuning out, checking their phones, or ghosting your funnel entirely.

And it’s not their fault.
It’s just that your messaging wasn’t built for them.

But here’s the exciting part:
Once you know how to spot and speak to each DISC style—sales and marketing suddenly click. Revenue climbs. Closing rates soar. People feel understood.

That’s exactly what we dive into inside Communication Mastery.

🧠 You’ll learn how to craft marketing and sales conversations that resonate with all four styles—not just the one you naturally use.

🎯 For solo professionals or full teams (yes, we have team tables of 6—bring your crew). This program turns communication into your unfair advantage.

👉 Sign up here:
https://www.bramlagrou.com/communication-mastery-class-only?cid=90f5c553-d712-4204-bb81-409b705058e1


Just for fun ...

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Why “one-size-fits-all” sales tactics are costing you big

 

If McDonald’s ran your sales team, every rep would flip the sales conversation the exact same way—just like burgers.

And honestly, that’s how a lot of companies do sell.

They find one “proven” method and then teach everyone to use it, word for word, script for script. No deviation. No nuance. Just “this is the way.”

But here’s the kicker: when we follow a single sales method, we risk alienating 75% of our potential buyers.

Yep—three out of four people walk away
 not because they didn’t need what you offer, but because you didn’t speak their language.

Here’s what I mean:

Each buyer processes the world differently, and DISC helps us decode that.

  • The Trusted Advisor model? Great for highly analytical buyers (about 12% of people—DISC type C).

  • The Challenger Sale? Works like a charm on results-focused, ROI-driven types (18%—DISC D).

  • Emotional storytelling? That lights up the experiential, high-energy crowd (36%—DISC I).

  • Relationship-first selling? It’s gold for

    ...
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How To Keep Your Spark As An Entrepreneur

Join us on this episode of The Energize With Bram podcast as we explore the incredible journey of entrepreneur Arthur Kallos.

Arthur shares his inspiring story, from growing up in a family business to making a career in banking and ultimately founding Spark Financial Group.

Learn about his personal growth, business strategies, and how he built a successful financial planning network with a unique profit-for-purpose model.

We also discuss the significance of having a core business that can support spinoff ventures, and the importance of honest advisory teams to ensure long-term success.

Arthur offers valuable insights on entrepreneurship, maintaining solidarity in business, and the importance of creating opportunities for others.

Whether you're an entrepreneur or simply looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with lessons on resilience, leadership, and achieving success. 

đŸ“č To watch the full interview, go to https://youtu.be/YN0gGXImx7Q 

🎧 To listen to the podcast, clic...

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The hidden reason your marketing only clicks with 1 out of 4 people

If McDonald’s ran your marketing teams, every message, every ad, every pitch would follow “the one right way.”

And that’s exactly the trap most businesses fall into.

They land on a “winning” script, a high-converting headline, or a slick visual—and then use it everywhere, for everyone. Same funnel. Same story. Same buyer in mind.

The problem?
What clicks with one type of buyer often leaves the other three scratching their heads or scrolling on.

That’s because every piece of communication—whether it’s a website, a landing page, a video, or an Instagram post—speaks to a style. And unless we’re intentional, it usually only speaks to one.

Enter the DISC model:

  • That clever infographic or in-depth whitepaper? Speaks to high C buyers—analytical, detail-driven types (12% of your audience).

  • ROI-focused headlines and bold claims? That’s music to the ears of high D types—results-first decision makers (18%).

  • Emotional storytelling with lifestyle imagery? You’re hitting home with

    ...
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Transforming Communication: Debunking 13 Myths

Welcome to the Energize With Bram Podcast Blog Series!

In our latest podcast episode, we delve into the fascinating world of communication, focusing on misconceptions that many business leaders and entrepreneurs have been taught over the years.

Join me, Bram Lagrou, as we uncover and debunk 13 pervasive myths, offering new perspectives and strategies to enhance your communication skills.

Let's explore how understanding these myths can pave the way to better relationships, leadership, and business success.

Listen 🎧 to the podcast here

Watch đŸ“ș the full episode here

Introduction

Welcome back to another exciting entry in our podcast-driven blog series, Energize With Bram. This space is crafted especially for entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders eager to constantly improve and make impactful changes in society.

Today, I sit down to discuss my book, "How to Communicate for Results and Feel Great," and debunk some common myths about communication.

Myth 1: DISC is about per...

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The Retreat for Those Who Refuse to Die With Their Music Still Inside

You didn’t come this far just to play it safe.

You built something.

You overcame.

You rose when others would have quit.

But if you’re honest, you know there’s still another level inside you—a legacy you haven’t fully unleashed yet.

That’s why I created The Edge.

The Edge is not another retreat.

It’s a precision-crafted environment for entrepreneurs, innovative CEOs and legacy builders who are ready to:

  • Sharpen their leadership with elite minds

  • Reignite their boldest vision

  • Expand their influence with total alignment

This is your invitation to apply. We’ll hand-pick a small, powerful group for a transformational experience this July in Phuket.

▶ Apply here for The Edge retreat

If you’re ready to play a bigger game—and build something that truly outlasts you—step forward.

You’re not done. You’re just getting started.

With energy,

Bram Lagrou
Author / Speaker / Trainer / Coach

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