Millions Were Made

In this episode of Millions Were Made, Jessica Marx welcomes Ashley Brock, founder of The Paid Ads Academy and best-selling author of How to Win with Paid Ads, for an in-depth discussion on how paid advertising becomes a strategic growth lever—not a gamble—when executed with precision and leadership oversight.
With more than a decade of experience managing over $200 million in ad spend, working directly with CMOs of Fortune 500 companies, and building a nearly eight-figure company in under three years, Ashley brings a rare perspective that bridges enterprise-level strategy and founder-led execution.
Together, Jessica and Ashley examine why many businesses struggle to see returns from paid ads and what separates organizations that scale profitably from those that continuously reinvest without clarity.

They explore:
Why paid advertising failures are often rooted in messaging and positioning, not platforms
The five core competencies required for effective and profitable ad performance
How founders can use paid ads to increase visibility while maintaining brand trust
Common misconceptions around testing, learning periods, and performance benchmarks
Minimum investment considerations and the importance of lifetime customer value
How service-based and high-ticket businesses can successfully convert paid traffic into qualified consultations
The evolving role of AI, automation, and creative testing within Meta and other platforms
Strategic considerations for bringing paid advertising in-house versus outsourcing

Ashley also shares her transition from agency leadership to entrepreneurship, the operational lessons learned along the way, and why understanding paid advertising is no longer optional for founders scaling into seven and eight figures.
This conversation is designed for leaders who want clarity, accountability, and sustainable growth—without relying on outdated strategies or blind experimentation.
If paid advertising is part of your growth strategy—or needs to be—this episode is for you.
Listen now!

Mini-timeline
00:00–03:40 — Introduction to Ashley Brock and her professional background
03:41–07:20 — From agency leadership to entrepreneurial transition
07:21–11:10 — The realities of large-scale ad management and performance pressure
11:11–15:30 — Why most paid advertising underperforms
15:31–19:40 — The five core skills behind profitable ad strategy
19:41–23:50 — Messaging, targeting, and platform alignment
23:51–27:30 — Visibility, trust, and pre-ad infrastructure
27:31–32:10 — Testing frameworks and performance expectations
32:11–36:50 — Budget strategy, lifetime value, and scalability
36:51–41:10 — Paid ads for service-based and high-ticket offers
41:11–46:00 — Platform evolution, AI-driven targeting, and creative strategy
46:01–50:00 — In-house vs. outsourced advertising models
50:01–End — Final insights and next steps

Resources
Follow @millionsweremade on Instagram for frameworks + strategy tips
Learn about Ashley’s programs: Paid Ads Playbook, Ads Mastery Mastermind, & Win with Paid Ads Challenge

Connect with Jessica:
Instagram: @millionsweremade | @thejessicamarx
Work with Jessica: Tailored Premier
Website: Millions Were Made

Connect with Ashley Brock:
Website: https://www.paidadscoaching.com/challenge
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ads.with.ashley
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyjettonbrock/

In this episode of Millions Were Made, Jessica Marx is joined by Brooke Dumas to explore one of the most pressing operational questions facing modern founders: how should AI be integrated within a team environment?
While many business owners are personally experimenting with AI tools, far fewer have implemented structured policies, training, or oversight for how their teams use them. Jessica and Brooke outline what they are seeing across six-, seven-, and eight-figure companies—teams actively using AI without guardrails, formal education, or clear standards for data protection and deliverable quality.
They discuss the two common scenarios emerging inside organizations: teams over-relying on AI without strategic context, and teams resisting AI due to concerns around quality, speed, or job security. Through real examples, they explain why responsible implementation requires more than encouragement—it requires policy, leadership, and clarity.
This episode covers:
Why every company needs a formal AI policy
Security and legal considerations for service-based businesses
The importance of company-owned AI accounts
How to maintain quality control when AI contributes to deliverables
Addressing employee concerns about replacement
Using automation to enhance capacity rather than eliminate talent
AI is not a strategy—it is a tool. And like any tool, its impact depends entirely on leadership.

Listen now to learn how to implement AI thoughtfully, securely, and in alignment with your company’s long-term vision.

Mini-timeline
00:07–01:00 — Introduction: AI from a team and organizational perspective
01:01–03:20 — The two types of teams: over-adoption vs. resistance
03:21–05:45 — Why AI was implemented without structured training
05:46–06:55 — Security risks and data exposure concerns
06:56–08:30 — Case example: When AI-generated research missed critical insights
08:31–10:05 — Expert-driven businesses vs. generalized AI outputs
10:06–12:00 — Responsible experimentation and optimization
12:01–13:50 — Legal implications and client transparency
13:51–15:10 — The importance of company-owned AI accounts
15:11–17:30 — Managing resistance and fear within teams
17:31–19:30 — Framing AI as support for growth, not replacement
19:31–21:05 — Scaling capacity through strategic automation
21:06–22:24 — Final recommendations: policy, education, and open dialogue

Resources
Listen to Episode 73 - The Limits of AI Strategy: How to Leverage Technology Without Losing Market Position
Follow @millionsweremade on Instagram for frameworks + strategy tips

Connect with Jessica:
Instagram: @millionsweremade | @thejessicamarx
Work with Jessica: Tailored Premier
Website: Millions Were Made

In this episode of Millions Were Made, Jessica Marx welcomes Natalie Hunter, transformational leadership coach and motivational speaker, for an in-depth conversation on what it truly means to lead in today’s small-business and entrepreneurial landscape.
As companies scale, many founders find themselves overwhelmed, overextended, and unintentionally becoming the bottleneck in their own organization. Despite strong vision and strategy, growth begins to stall when leadership patterns rooted in fear, avoidance, or over-control take hold.
Natalie introduces a powerful lens for leadership transformation by examining energy, behavior, and awareness, and how these elements shape team performance, trust, and execution. Together, Jessica and Natalie explore why leadership challenges rarely stem from capability gaps—and instead emerge from unaddressed patterns that quietly undermine autonomy and confidence within teams.
This episode offers a grounded, practical exploration of how founders can shift from reactive leadership to intentional influence, creating environments where both people and businesses thrive.
You will learn:
Why leadership identity matters, regardless of title or company size
How founder energy directly impacts team behavior and decision-making
The common avoidance patterns that prevent organizations from scaling
Why awareness alone does not create transformation
How fear-based leadership limits autonomy and initiative
Frameworks for having clear, compassionate, and effective conversations
How to establish trust without sacrificing accountability
Why energetic stability is a non-negotiable skill for leaders in 2026 and beyond

Natalie also shares insights from her Transformational Leadership Skills framework, outlining how leaders can increase self-awareness, shift entrenched patterns, and create lasting change across their organizations.
If you are a founder or executive navigating growth, complexity, or leadership fatigue, this conversation provides a strategic and human-centered approach to leading with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Tune in now!
Mini-timeline
00:00–04:33 — Introduction to Natalie Hunter and the evolving definition of leadership
04:34–07:54 — Leadership identity and its influence on organizational culture
07:55–11:09 — Understanding energetic impact and the ripple effect of leadership
11:10–13:28 — Founder overwhelm and operating in reactive modes
13:29–16:50 — Avoidance patterns and fear-based leadership behaviors
16:51–19:48 — Micromanagement, control, and unintended consequences
19:49–23:00 — How leader energy shapes team confidence and performance
23:01–24:57 — Trust, autonomy, and the founder’s role in team development
24:58–27:48 — Desire versus readiness for meaningful change
27:49–29:49 — Leadership patterns and their impact beyond the business
29:50–33:01 — Navigating difficult conversations with intention
33:02–36:15 — Creating psychological safety while maintaining standards
36:16–41:14 — Leading through curiosity, clarity, and compassion
41:15–43:11 — Real-world leadership example and applied learning
43:12–46:23 — Overview of the Transformational Leadership Skills training
46:24–End — Final reflections and where to connect with Natalie Hunter

Resources
Follow @millionsweremade on Instagram for frameworks + strategy tips
Transformational Leadership Skills Live Workshop

Connect with Jessica:
Instagram: @millionsweremade | @thejessicamarx
Work with Jessica: Tailored Premier
Website: Millions Were Made

Connect with Natalie Hunter:
Website: https://agency.personalbrand.com/natalie-hunter/
Website: http://nataliehunterlive.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/nataliehunterlive
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliehunterlive

In this episode of Millions Were Made, Jessica Marx is joined by Brooke Dumas for a focused discussion on the role of AI in business strategy—and why founders must be careful not to confuse automation with leadership.
As AI tools become more accessible and widely adopted, many business owners are using them to generate marketing plans, onboarding systems, offers, and internal processes. While AI can be highly effective as a research and support tool, Jessica and Brooke explain why it is not equipped to deliver true strategy, future forecasting, or market leadership—especially for six- and seven-figure businesses.
They also explore the structural limitations of AI, including its reliance on historical and unvalidated data, its inability to think futuristically, and its tendency to agree rather than challenge assumptions. Through real-world examples from marketing, hiring, onboarding, and product development, they outline where AI adds value and where human expertise remains essential.
This episode provides practical guidance for founders who want to integrate AI into their businesses responsibly—without outsourcing critical thinking, vision, or strategic decision-making.
Listen now!
Mini-timeline
00:21–02:40 — Why AI strategy is a critical topic for founders right now
02:41–03:20 — Can AI actually provide a real business strategy?
03:21–05:45 — The limitations of AI-generated insights
05:46–8:15 — Why AI-driven strategies are often outdated upon execution
08:16–09:45 — The issue with AI agreeing instead of challenging assumptions
09:46–12:25 — Expert decision-making versus automated responses
12:26–14:50 — Why founders relying solely on AI will struggle to scale
14:51–16:10 — Will AI replace businesses—or expose weak leadership?
16:11–18:45 — Where AI is most effective
18:46–20:30 — Using AI to gather data without replacing expertise
20:31–22:10 — Why AI should be one input, not the only source
22:11–23:45 — Onboarding and operational risks of AI-generated systems
23:46–24:55 — Why effective onboarding requires business-specific design
24:56–26:00 — Final guidance for founders using AI strategically

Resources
Follow @millionsweremade on Instagram for frameworks + strategy tips

Connect with Jessica:
Instagram: @millionsweremade | @thejessicamarx
Work with Jessica: Tailored Premier
Website: Millions Were Made

In this episode, Jessica Marx welcomes best-selling author, internationally renowned speaker, and coach Amberly Lago for an insightful conversation on what it truly means to build resilience in business and life.
After surviving a near-fatal motorcycle accident, undergoing 34 surgeries, and facing a life-altering diagnosis, Amberly transformed adversity into a platform that empowers millions to cultivate mental toughness, emotional agility, and sustainable success. Her journey is a powerful illustration of how grit and grace can coexist—and how they can elevate leadership effectiveness.
Together, Jessica and Amberly explore how high-performing entrepreneurs, executives, and creators can navigate challenges without sacrificing well-being, relationships, or long-term vision.
They discuss:
Why resilience is not about “bouncing back,” but intentionally moving forward
The importance of acceptance, self-awareness, and values-driven decision-making
How leaders can leverage adversity as a catalyst for transformation
Building systems of emotional, physical, and spiritual self-maintenance
The risks of over-relying on grit and ignoring early signs of burnout
The role of community and connection in high-performance sustainability
Practical habits that support consistency, clarity, and confidence
How Amberly rebuilt her career and brand with limited resources and unwavering commitment

Amberly also shares the daily practices, rituals, and structures that help high performers protect their energy, maintain perspective, and pursue ambitious goals without compromising themselves.
If you’re a leader navigating growth, transition, or uncertainty, this conversation offers a roadmap for cultivating resilience—not as a reaction, but as a deliberate strategy.
Mini-timeline
00:00–03:11 — Introduction to Amberly and her body of work
03:12–04:41 — The accident, surgeries, and a 1% chance
04:42–08:21 — Gratitude practices and their role in emotional resilience
08:22–11:41 — Entrepreneurship, pain, and redefining forward momentum
11:42–15:42 — Acceptance as a catalyst for change and clarity
15:43–18:38 — Building a business without resources, connections, or tech
18:39–21:49 — Strategic use of social platforms to create opportunities
21:50–24:54 — Grit vs. grace: operationalizing rest and recovery
24:55–27:59 — Non-negotiables and personal systems for performance
28:00–30:48 — Seasons of work: adaptation and self-awareness
30:49–33:03 — The myth of returning to “normal” after disruption
33:04–36:18 — Iteration, pivoting, and using adversity as an asset
36:19–38:11 — Community and connection as strategic advantage
38:12–End — Where to find Amberly and upcoming opportunities

Resources
Follow @millionsweremade on Instagram for frameworks + strategy tips

Connect with Jessica:
Instagram: @millionsweremade | @thejessicamarx
Work with Jessica: Tailored Premier
Website: Millions Were Made

Connect with Amberly Lago:
Website: http://amberlylago.com
Upcoming Events: https://amberlylago.com/events/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberlylagomotivation/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberlylago/