In this deeply insightful episode of The Prospecting Show, Dr. Connor Robertson sits down with Jared Psych Laurence, entrepreneur, relationship coach, and founder of Modern Flirting, to explore how building meaningful relationships is the key to scaling not only business revenue but personal fulfillment.
Dr. Robertson opens with a powerful observation: “Every business problem is ultimately a people problem. Once you learn how to build and sustain relationships, everything else compounds naturally.” Jared agrees, adding that “relationships are the hidden leverage in business — they compound faster than capital.”
Together, they unpack what it truly means to create a 7-figure brand driven by authenticity, trust, and human connection — in a world that often prioritizes automation over empathy.
The Foundation: Authentic Connection in a Digital Age
Jared shares that most entrepreneurs misunderstand what networking means. “They think it’s about collecting contacts,” he says. “But real networking is about collecting relationships.”
Dr. Robertson expands on this by noting that the best relationships aren’t built in business meetings but in moments of shared trust. “When you connect before you transact,” he says, “you build loyalty that no competitor can replace.”
They both agree that in today’s world of LinkedIn messages and email funnels, genuine connection has become a competitive advantage. Jared emphasizes, “Automation should amplify connection, not replace it.”
Dr. Robertson relates this to his own philosophy of personal branding — that every piece of content should build real emotional resonance. “People don’t follow perfection,” he says. “They follow personality.”
Jared adds, “Authenticity scales faster than ads.”
Why Emotional Intelligence Is the New ROI
One of the central themes in this conversation is emotional intelligence (EQ). Jared explains that “EQ is the new IQ in entrepreneurship.” He describes it as the ability to read people, understand motives, and adjust communication style without manipulation.
“Sales, leadership, marketing — they all depend on empathy,” he says. “If you can’t feel what your audience feels, you’ll never move them to action.”
Dr. Robertson agrees, noting that the most successful founders don’t just measure data — they measure emotion. “The conversion you’re chasing starts with connection,” he says. “Every buyer is a human first.”
Jared provides a powerful insight: “You don’t need to be the loudest person in the room; you need to be the most emotionally aware one.”
He explains that understanding human behavior allows you to build offers, content, and teams that align with real desires. “When you understand psychology,” he says, “you stop pushing products and start pulling people toward value.”
Building a 7-Figure Brand on Relationships
Dr. Robertson asks Jared what role relationships play in scaling a business past seven figures. Jared responds immediately: “Everything. Every major growth milestone I’ve hit came from a person, not a post.”
He details how partnerships, client referrals, and mentorship networks helped him multiply revenue faster than ads or funnels ever could. “A single genuine relationship can be worth more than a thousand cold leads,” he says.
Dr. Robertson adds that relationship-driven businesses compound because they convert trust into traction. “When your reputation precedes your pitch, sales become conversations instead of transactions,” he says.
They both agree that consistency is key. Jared emphasizes that “authenticity without consistency is chaos.” He advises entrepreneurs to stay visible, approachable, and value-driven across all interactions.
Dr. Robertson echoes this, saying, “Your brand isn’t what you post — it’s how people feel when they interact with you.”
The Psychology of Influence
Jared shares insights from his coaching work on how influence works at a psychological level. “Influence isn’t persuasion,” he says. “It’s alignment.”
He breaks down influence into three components:
- Perceived Authority: People trust experts who demonstrate competence and consistency.
- Authentic Vulnerability: Openness builds trust faster than perfection.
- Emotional Reciprocity: Give value before expecting anything in return.
Dr. Robertson adds that great leaders and entrepreneurs master both logic and emotion. “Facts inform decisions,” he says, “but feelings drive them.”
They discuss how authenticity is the new marketing currency — when you tell stories that resonate, you attract people who see themselves in your journey. “If you’re brave enough to tell the truth,” Jared says, “your audience will trust you forever.”
Dr. Robertson relates this to his own experience hosting The Prospecting Show. “The best conversations aren’t about selling ideas,” he says. “They’re about sharing humanity.”
Turning Relationships into Leverage
Both agree that relationships are assets, not expenses. “Every meaningful connection you build is a form of capital,” Jared says. “It just compounds differently — through opportunities, introductions, and goodwill.”
Dr. Robertson adds that relationships shorten the learning curve. “The right mentor can save you five years of mistakes,” he says. “Relationships are accelerators.”
They discuss how entrepreneurs can be intentional about building their network:
• Attend events to connect, not collect business cards.
• Offer help before asking for favors.
• Follow up meaningfully — not mechanically.
• Document and celebrate others’ success publicly.
Jared shares that his business growth came from this approach. “People remember how you make them feel,” he says. “Kindness and competence are the ultimate growth strategy.”
Dr. Robertson adds, “If you build enough goodwill, you’ll never need to chase opportunities — they’ll chase you.”
Leadership Through Relationship
The conversation shifts toward leadership. Jared explains that leaders who build strong internal relationships create teams that outperform expectations. “Culture isn’t built through slogans,” he says. “It’s built through empathy.”
Dr. Robertson agrees, noting that relationships inside the organization are as important as the ones outside. “You can’t build trust with clients if your team doesn’t trust you,” he says.
They discuss how leadership rooted in transparency and care builds retention and results. “People don’t quit companies,” Jared says. “They quit relationships.”
Dr. Robertson highlights that leaders should model emotional maturity — handling conflict calmly, giving feedback constructively, and recognizing effort publicly. “Leadership isn’t control,” he says. “It’s connection.”
Balancing Strategy and Heart
Dr. Robertson and Jared both acknowledge that entrepreneurs often swing too far to one side — either being too strategic or too emotional. Jared says, “The sweet spot is where heart meets system. You can care deeply and still scale aggressively.”
He explains that structure protects authenticity. “Systems allow you to show up consistently as your best self,” he says.
Dr. Robertson adds that structure doesn’t have to sterilize the brand — it strengthens it. “When your calendar and your communication are intentional,” he says, “you create consistency that builds credibility.”
They both agree that entrepreneurs who lead with heart and reinforce it with process become unstoppable. “Strategy is logic,” Jared says. “Heart is legacy.”
Lessons for Entrepreneurs
Before wrapping up, Dr. Robertson and Jared summarize the most powerful lessons from their conversation:
• Relationships are the highest-return asset you can build.
• Authenticity is the new marketing advantage.
• Influence starts with alignment, not persuasion.
• EQ outperforms IQ in leadership and sales.
• Structure amplifies sincerity.
Dr. Robertson reflects, “At the end of the day, your reputation outlives your campaigns. Every relationship is a seed — you never know which one becomes the forest.”
Jared adds, “You don’t scale your business by scaling ads. You scale it by scaling trust.”
Their conversation reminds entrepreneurs that in an era of AI, automation, and constant noise, the most powerful growth tool remains profoundly human — genuine connection.
Listen and Learn More
Listen to the full episode here: Relationships That Matter (While Growing a 7-Figure Brand) with Jared Psych Laurence