On this episode of Noob School, I sit down with Jean-Michel Moreau — entrepreneur, growth strategist, and host of the Rapid Product Growth podcast — to talk about what actually helps businesses scale sustainably. Jean-Michel’s background is anything but typical. Starting in device physics and the Bay Area startup world, he eventually led global tech commercialization efforts for billion-dollar companies before shifting his focus to helping mid-market businesses grow through smarter sales systems, technology, and marketing strategy. In this conversation, we break down why so many businesses fail with paid ads, the massive difference between marketing and advertising, and why understanding real customer pain points matters more than building “brand awareness.” Jean-Michel also explains: Why “foot in the door” offers dramatically shorten sales cycles How SaaS and consulting businesses can scale more predictably Why Meta ads can outperform LinkedIn for B2B growth The metrics he looks for before taking on a client Why founder mindset is often the biggest growth bottleneck How companies can identify the fastest path to sustainable growth This episode is packed with practical advice for entrepreneurs, founders, consultants, and business owners who want to grow intelligently instead of just spending more money on marketing. Subscribe to Noob School for conversations with entrepreneurs, operators, athletes, and leaders who’ve learned what works through real experience.

In this episode of Noob School, I sit down with Jay Jackson—a former Major League pitcher who spent nearly two decades grinding it out across the MLB, minor leagues, and international baseball circuits. Jay’s story isn’t just about baseball—it’s about resilience. From getting drafted later than expected to navigating the ups and downs of a global career that took him from the U.S. to Japan, Mexico, and beyond, he learned how to stay grounded, positive, and focused when most people would’ve quit. Over a 17+ year professional career, he played for multiple MLB organizations and built a reputation not just for performance—but for mindset. We talk about what it really takes to last that long in a high-pressure environment—and why success has less to do with talent and more to do with discipline, intentionality, and the people you surround yourself with. Jay also shares the philosophy behind his book, 9 Innings to Living Your Best Life—a framework for living with purpose, maintaining a positive mindset, and leading both on and off the field. The book breaks life into “innings,” each focused on habits like gratitude, accountability, and mental toughness. We get into: Why adversity is your biggest advantage (if you let it be) The power of starting your day with intention How elite performers stay mentally locked in Why “being where your feet are” might be the most important skill you can build The role of mentorship in long-term success Jay is now transitioning into his next chapter—focusing on coaching, mentorship, and helping the next generation develop both as athletes and as people. If you’re trying to build something, lead a team, or just get better every day, this conversation will hit home.

Welcome back to Noob School! Today, I’m joined by a very special guest and a longtime friend of the show, Amy Brusky. Amy is the President of Kolbe Corp, and the work her company does is a huge reason reason I was able to grow a tiny company into a massive success.

Years ago, I was a young sales manager struggling to get my team to make cold calls. A consultant named Bill Lee introduced me to the Kolbe Index, and it completely changed my life. It taught me how to stop whining about my team’s performance and start hiring the right kind of people for the job.

In this episode, Amy and I dive deep into why understanding your "doing" mind—your instinctive strengths—is the secret to finding what her stepmother and Kolbe founder Kathy Kolbe called "the freedom to be yourself".

What we’re talking about in this episode:

The Three Parts of the Mind: Why your personality and intelligence only tell half the story, and why your instinctive way of taking action is the missing piece to your success.

Building Your Hiring Avatar: I share my personal "recipe" for hiring, from the local "beer test" to making sure their Kolbe numbers match the role before I even meet them.

Sales Strengths vs. Role Requirements: We discuss why some people are built for high-pressure cold calling while others, like a guy I once hired with high Factfinder numbers, are the only ones who can close a $25 million government deal that takes two years to finish.

Permission to "Procrastinate": If you’re like me and do your best work at the eleventh hour, Amy explains why that’s actually "active procrastination" and how to work with that energy instead of feeling guilty.

Career Wisdom for Your 20s: My advice to young professionals: stop trying to just "get a job" and start figuring out where you add the most value with the least amount of friction.

If you’re a leader trying to get your team right, or if you’re just starting out and want to find a career where the day "flies by," you don't want to miss this conversation.

Take the Kolbe A Index: kolbe.com

Connect with Noob School: Don’t forget to Like and Subscribe so we can keep bringing you these insights to help you reach your full potential!