Breaking the Grade
Breaking the Grade is a thought-provoking podcast that follows entrepreneurs in the education space as they make their way to the top. Tune in for stories about breaking norms, introducing new ideas, and shaping our future society through every lesson let out.
Episodes
42 episodes
The Better Demo Method To Sell More Education Services & Products
Summary:Selling to schools and districts is more than just having a good product—it’s about really understanding the specific challenges and needs of the education market. In this episode, Special Guest: John Gamba (Entrepreneur i...
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31:45
How This EdTech Company Transformed Their Sales Process And Went From Stagnation to Leads In Just 8 Weeks
Join me as I sit down with Chris and Corey from Rocket PD to talk about how they revamped their entire sales process to feel more natural and focused on building relationships with their ideal customers. Chris and Cory have years of SaaS experi...
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31:07
How this EdTech Startup sharpened their message & went from struggling to selling!
SummaryImagine a tool that could revolutionize how students manage their homework—built not by some big tech company, but by a parent and a 12-year-old visionary. Curious?In this episode, we're diving into a sta...
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23:33
How this EdTech founder got clarity on his ideal client & product... making selling easier!
Summary:Starting a business with the goal of solving complex educational problems is a tall order. But Sam Saarinen, founder and CEO of Edapt Technologies, embraced this challenge head-on. In this episode, Sam shares his entrepren...
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26:29
3 Powerful Systems To Grow Your Education Business With More Ease
In this episode, Josh Chernikoff discusses the importance of implementing systems in order to scale and grow an education business. He highlights three powerful systems: offer system, lead generation and sales system, and delivery system. He em...
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26:57
3 Essentials To Grow Your Business: Lessons I Learned From Starting, Scaling, and Selling Flex Academies
In this episode, Josh Chernikoff shares his experiences and challenges in growing his second business, Flex Academies. He discusses the importance of finding the ideal client, pivoting the business model, and building a strong offer. He also em...
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21:29
Kathryn’s Lead Generation Transformation with the EdSales Elevation Experience
In this conversation, Josh Chernikoff interviews Kathryn Adabonyan, the founder and CEO of Go Pursue, a company that helps high school students explore career options and connect with professionals in those fields. They delve into Kathryn's jou...
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27:53
How to Build A Lead Generation System in 9 Steps
In this conversation, Josh Chernikoff discusses his nine-step process for building lead generation machines that produce high-quality and high-converting leads on repeat. He addresses the common challenge of not knowing how to get leads and emp...
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31:45
Rose’s Lead Generation Transformation with the EdSales Elevation Experience
Don’t miss the Catalyst at Penn GSE Innovation Summit on June 21st at the University of Pennsylvania. It’s a must-attend event for entrepreneurs in the education sector, filled with insights on advancing your business. Register now at
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26:44
Slow Burn Methods for Lead Generation in EdTech
Don’t miss the Catalyst at Penn GSE Innovation Summit on June 21st at the University of Pennsylvania. It’s a must-attend event for entrepreneurs in the education sector, filled with insights on advancing your business. Register now at
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17:07
How to sell to multiple stakeholders in the education space
In this episode, Josh discusses the importance of identifying the main stakeholders in the education space and how to sell to them effectively. He shares case studies of Brent and Katherine, who faced the challenge of determining who to sell to...
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12:34
Case Study with David Dvorkin
In this episode, Josh Chernikoff interviews David Dworkin, the CEO and founder of Hire Cause. They discuss David's experience in the Ed Sales Elevation Experience program and the impact it had on his business. David shares the challenges he fac...
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15:42
Transforming your LinkedIn profile into a sales page
In this episode, the host discusses how to transform a LinkedIn profile into a sales page that generates more leads. The importance of having a professional and engaging profile picture is emphasized, as it sets the tone for others to perceive ...
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16:53
The most powerful tool to connect with your ideal clients
SummaryIn this episode, Josh Chernikoff discusses how to confidently start conversations with potential clients that lead to booking more calls. He addresses the challenge of initiating conversations and offers strategies for buil...
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12:13
Why you need a signature solution to generate more leads and close more sales!
SummaryIn this episode, Josh Chernikoff discusses the importance of having a Signature Solution to generate more leads and close sales faster. He emphasizes the need for clear communication of value and the challenges entrepreneur...
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Episode 27
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15:37
How to promote your services and products in the education space without feeling icky or salesy
In this episode, Josh Chernikoff discusses the challenge of promoting oneself without feeling salesy or inauthentic. He shares his personal experience with imposter syndrome and how he overcame it. Josh also addresses common fears and challenge...
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Episode 26
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16:19
Growing MyOwl: LinkedIn Strategies for EdTech Startup Growth
In this conversation, Josh Chernikoff and Brent Newton discuss the power of LinkedIn for business growth and networking. They highlight the evolution of LinkedIn from a resume platform to a sales funnel and emphasize the importance of improving...
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Episode 25
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26:04
How do you use LinkedIn to get leads for education business?
In this episode, Josh Chernikoff discusses how to effectively use LinkedIn for lead generation in the education industry. He debunks common myths about LinkedIn and provides tips on optimizing your profile to attract the right audience. Josh em...
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22:53
Breaking Free from Traditional Goal Setting Methods with Rose Hastreiter
In this episode of Breaking the Grade, host Josh Chernikoff is joined by guest Rose Hastreiter to discuss breaking free from traditional goal setting. They explore the difference between goal setting and achieving goals, the importance of desig...
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Episode 24
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29:44
Sher Downing: On Taking Risks, Climbing Ladders and her "Journey" to the Top
Sher Downing has been a successful business owner for over 20 years. She’s become the go-to in the ed-tech space and also hosts her own podcast, “Ed-tech Speaks”. But Sher told us that she never discounts her own humble beginning...
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35:39
Erin Dowd: Learning to Love Stories | Sowing Seeds Early in Life
A fantastic time spent talking with Erin Dowd and how she found her true calling in life! Erin comes from a family of educators, and she always looked up to her father and grandfather as mentors. They were more than just mentors; they were t...
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33:41
Susan Gold: On Creativity, Critical Thinking and Being a Kid Whisperer
For as long as she can remember, Susan Gold has been the “kid whisperer.” She just gets kids and they get that she gets them. A match made in heaven, especially since she founded her school in 2010.
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41:35
Sher Downing: On Taking Risks, Climbing Ladders and her "Journey" to the Top
Sher Downing has been a successful business owner for over 20 years. She’s become the go-to in the ed tech space and also hosts her own podcast, “Ed-tech Speaks”. But Sher told us that she never discounts her own humble beginning...
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35:39
Keltse Bilbao: On Embracing Change and Staying Curious
A high-powered personality in the fashion industry decides she wants to move into the education space. And she is successful in her first attempt to create a beautiful space for parents to work and children to learn. But, what happens when o...
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34:07
Eric Nelson: Who You Become is Just as Important as What You Achieve
Eric Nelson has made a habit out of turning setbacks into silver linings. Having grown up in a family of educators, Eric was taught early on to prioritize how to, “learn like a champion”. This lesson served him well as he faced his own hu...
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35:42