Sales as Service
Sales as Service is the podcast for creative agencies and solopreneurs who want to grow their businesses without feeling awkward about sales. If you’ve ever thought, “I hate selling,” or wondered how to get more clients, this show is for you.
We make sales simple and approachable with practical tips on topics like:
- How to get clients for your creative business
- Easy sales strategies for solopreneurs
- Overcoming the fear of selling
- Building a sales process that works
Whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, or running your own agency, you’ll learn how to handle objections, close deals, and grow your business with confidence—without hard-sell tactics.
Listen in to discover how a simple change in your perspective can create a complex change in your business.
Sales as Service
How to Find Clients Who Just Get It - Sales Lessons from Carl Cleanthes from Epic Made
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Carl Cleanthes, founder of Epic Made, joins me to talk about how he built a thriving creative studio by staying rooted in purpose, clarity, and aligned clients. With nearly two decades in business, Carl shares what helped Epic Made outlast trends and grow without compromising its creative core. We dive into his niche-focused approach, the intentional way he filters for clients, and how AI has found a place in his creative workflow without diluting the work.
Key Takeaways:
- Clarity is a sales tool. Carl’s deep niche in geek culture and entertainment allows Epic Made to attract aligned clients without chasing trends.
- No convincing required. If he has to talk someone into working with him, it's already a misalignment.
- AI is a collaborator, not a replacement. It’s part of his process—but the human touch still leads.
- Playing the long game pays off. Carl worked 15 years without a profit to build a brand he believed in.
- Your voice attracts your people. Carl’s content and creative style speak directly to his audience’s values—no mass appeal needed.
Sales as Service Challenge - Join In!
- Take 15 minutes to write down three traits of your dream client. Not just demographics—but behaviors, values, how they show up in the sales process, and what makes the work with them feel effortless and energizing.
- Then, use that list to audit your next inquiry. Do they align? Where’s the red flag? Where’s the green light?
- The goal isn’t to close everyone. The goal is to recognize who’s actually a fit—and stop convincing those who aren’t.
Links & Resources:
- Check out the LinkedIn Lead Generator Challenge to learn how to turn simple daily actions into real conversations with potential clients: https://studiothree49.com/linkedin-leads
- Learn more about Carl and Epic Made:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleanthes
- https://www.instagram.com/colorfulcarl/
- https://www.epic-made.com/
- https://www.youtube.com/@ColorfulCarlArt/podcasts
- Resources mentioned in the episode:
- https://juliacameronlive.com/books-by-julia/
- https://lunchclub.com
- https://jasonswenk.com/
Have an episode idea? DM me on LinkedIn or Instagram and let me know.
Have an episode idea? DM me on LinkedIn and let me know!
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Nothing happens in business — or life — until someone says hi. That's the philosophy behind Tam Smith's work as founder of Studio Three 49.
As a Sales Growth Strategist, she helps service founders build relationship-first sales systems through focused 1–3 day intensives — so they can stop relying solely on referrals, no cold pitching required. With 15+ years in sales leadership, Tam believes sales is an act of service. It's about what you give, not what you get. And when you serve well, the results always follow.
When she's not working with clients, you'll likely find her rock climbing or mapping out her next adventure with her Supermutt, Ila, in Durham, NC.