I Hope This Email Finds You Well
“I hope this email finds you well” is where business development gets real. Hosted by Neil Barrow, this show brings you candid conversations with business development professionals and leaders who know what it takes to grow. No fluff, no endless theory — just practical strategies, stories of wins (and failures), and the unfiltered lessons that actually move the needle. Whether you’re building your pipeline, closing bigger deals, or rethinking how you approach growth, each episode gives you tools you can use today. Listen in, level up, and let’s make business development simple, sustainable, and successful.
Episodes
In this episode, Kate Hall, Business Development Principal at Embark, joins Neil and breaks down her unconventional path from a Big 4 accountant to a high-volume recruiter, and finally to a top-tier business development leader helping drive Embark’s massive 12x growth over five years.
They discuss the gritty reality of building a network from scratch, why "doing the work" is the only networking hack that matters, and the critical di...
Join Neil Barrow for this Strategies & Tactics edition as he unpacks key takeaways from his conversation with Alissa Kolm. Neil dives deep into two specific areas: defining what it actually means to "add value" and the mechanics of the old-school, but highly effective, "drop-in" strategy.
Neil breaks down the "3 I's" framework for cultivating new relationships (Invites, Insights, Introductio...
Join Neil Barrow as he chats with Alissa Kolm, a seasoned Relationship Manager who built her career by launching into a brand new market with zero existing network. In this episode, Alissa shares the gritty details of how she went from "casting a wide net" to building a highly targeted referral engine using CPAs and bankers.
They dive into practical, low-friction tactics that actually open doors—like bringing competitors t...
Join Neil Barrow for this Strategies & Tactics edition as he unpacks key takeaways from his conversation with Chad Corley. Neil answers the most common question for new BD professionals: "What should I actually be doing day-to-day when I start a new role?"
Neil outlines a clear, step-by-step playbook for the first 30, 60, and 90 days. He explains why you must prioritize "internal business development" bef...
Join Neil Barrow as he chats with Chad Corley, Senior Relationship Manager at Armanino. They dig into the internal and external components of business development - from tracking and nurturing referral sources to building relationships that create lasting deal flow.
Chad shares his unique journey from software sales to investment banking, and finally to a top 25 accounting firm. He breaks down the difference between "sales ...
Join Neil Barrow for this Strategies & Tactics edition as he unpacks the key takeaways from his conversation with Emily Ackerman. Neil dives into the concept of "unapologetic authenticity" and why wearing a "professional mask" is actually hurting your ability to close deals.
Neil breaks down how to integrate your personal obsessions (whether it’s heavy metal music, barbecue, or faith) into your professional b...
Join Neil Barrow as he sits down with Emily Ackerman, Director of Business Development for the Southwest at Bennett Thrasher. Known in the DFW area as the "Queen of BD," Emily shares how she channels a lifelong competitive drive into a high-motor career that leaves competitors looking lazy.
They discuss her unique approach to staying "famous" in her market so she is the first call when a deal goes south, and ...
Join Neil Barrow, host of I Hope This Email Finds You Well, as he kicks off the podcast with a deep dive into why BD professionals need both clarity in their role and community with peers. Neil shares lessons from 15+ years in sales and business development, explaining the difference between "origination" and "enablement" in BD, how leadership and culture shape your role, and why so many BD pros feel like they a...
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