How a Vision Became a $40 Billion Business

Most entrepreneurs dream of building a business that scales, but very few actually achieve it.

Gui Costin, author of Millennials Are Not Aliens: …but they are 80 Million Americans Who Are Changing How We Buy, Sell, Vacation, Invest, and Just About Everything Else, went from working 14 different jobs to founding Dakota, a $40 billion sales and marketing powerhouse.

What was his secret? Focus, consistency, and the right people.

In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox, CEO of 40 Strategy and 40 Accounting, talks to Gui, who shares:

• How to build a high-performing sales team
• The mistakes most sales leaders make
• What private equity firms need to know about raising capital
• How long-term thinking fuels business success

If you’re looking for practical strategies to grow your business and improve your sales team, this episode is packed with insights.

The Key to Scaling a Business: Focus

Many entrepreneurs try to do too much at once. Gui learned that the key to scaling isn’t chasing every opportunity, it’s staying focused on the right one.

Why Focus Matters in Business Growth:

• Prevents wasted time on distractions
• Allows teams to master their core offering
• Makes marketing and sales efforts more effective

💡 Gui’s advice: Get crystal clear on what you do, who you serve, and why it matters, then double down on execution.

How to Build a Winning Sales Team

Sales is the lifeblood of any business, but most companies get it wrong.

Common Sales Team Mistakes:

• Hiring salespeople based on personality instead of skills and resilience
• Not creating a repeatable sales process
• Focusing on short-term wins over long-term relationships

💡 Gui’s strategy for high-performing sales teams:

• Hire for grit and resilience, not just experience
• Develop a structured, repeatable sales process
• Train teams to focus on long-term customer relationships

How Private Equity Firms Can Secure More Funding

Raising capital isn’t just about numbers and presentations. It’s about knowing how to sell your firm’s value effectively.

How to Improve Fundraising Efforts:

• Know your audience: Tailor your pitch to investors who align with your goals.
• Develop strong relationships: Fundraising is more than transactions—it’s about trust.
• Communicate value clearly: Make it easy for investors to understand why your firm stands out.

💡 Gui’s advice: If you can’t sell your vision, you can’t raise capital. Master your message and your positioning.

The Power of Consistency in Sales & Business

Gui didn’t build a $40 billion firm overnight. His success came from consistent execution, sticking to a clear strategy over the long haul.

Why Consistency Beats Short-Term Hustle:

• Builds trust with clients and investors
• Establishes a strong market presence
• Creates scalable, repeatable success

💡 Gui’s advice: Most people give up too soon. Stay consistent, refine your approach, and results will follow.

Final Thoughts: Scaling with Strategy, Not Luck

Gui Costin’s journey proves that business success isn’t about luck, it’s about having the right strategy and executing it consistently.

• Focus on what truly matters: not every opportunity, just the right one.
• Build a sales team that can scale: train, refine, and repeat.
• Play the long game: growth takes time, but consistency wins.

🔊 Listen to the full episode now and learn how to apply these strategies to your business.

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