Dave Gerhardt

Hey I'm Dave Gerhardt. I created Exit Five, which has turned into the top community for B2B marketing professionals. Before starting Exit Five I had a 10 year career in marketing and grew from PR intern to CMO. I even once had hair! My wife says I'm more handsome now though, and she's quite pretty so that means a lot -- but the internet just boxes me in as the typical bald guy tech bro. So oh look, another bald tech guy writing on LinkedIn! whoopty freaking do.

Anyway. Where was I... OH. Receipts! I wanted to talk about receipts, because in a world of fluff and online influencers, I actually have some receipts and I want to tell you about them here because it signals power, credibility, and makes it seem like I'm super rich, so: I used to be pretty good at marketing, and my work as a marketer played a key role (at least I think so) in helping two software companies to successful exits: Drift for $1B+ and Privy for $100M+. I certainly helped the founders make a bunch of money, and I was able to comfortably purchase a brand new Toyota Sienna minivan for my family in 2021.

Today I spend my time working on Exit Five, and it's actually been super fun and given me a bunch of purpose. We're a team of six full-time team members now, and we have a private online community and host in-person events around the world. Plus there's a popular podcast and newsletter for marketers. We reach something like 20 MILLION marketers with our content every year, and we've got a pretty special thing going on. I hope to keep it going. You can learn more about it all at exitfive.com.

I spent most of my life in the Boston area but now live in the woods in Vermont with my wife, two kids, two cats, and one dog.

You can reach me at dave@exitfive.com if you want, but TBD if I reply. Depends on the message. But please don't send me any more swag or books. But if for whatever reason you do want to send me something, I play the ProV1x golf ball and like the low numbers.

PS. Find my podcast “The Dave Gerhardt Show” on Spotify

Founder & CEO

Exit Five is a media company focused on B2B marketing. We help B2B marketers build successful careers through our content and community. Learn more at exitfive.com

The CEO should put the Product team and Marketing team together. 

In lock step. 

To drive momentum and success for the company. 

I see so much about Sales and Marketing. 

Not enough about Product and Marketing. 

There should be a vision. And a roadmap. And regular launches. Some small. Some big. And this becomes the operating system for the company. 

You can CREATE momentum for your company by doing this. Deadlines drive actions. 

These regular launches give Marketing and Sales regular opportunities to talk to new customers. 

The CEO should be in the middle of this.

PS. If this topic lands with you and you're a CMO: we've been running a super secret group for CMOs / VP Marketing doing $25M+ ARR at Exit Five over the last few months and we're now accepting new members. Community is more important now than ever and it's all about who is in the room. We have curated the right room for you. If you want a peer group like this you can apply for a spot here: tinyurl.com/23h2c5eh

Founder: Exit Five. Community Builder. Former CMO. Building the top community for B2B marketers right now at exitfive.com

I didn't want my team to publish this talk. It was too good. Should have only been for the memory of the people that went to Drive this year.

But I'm also a marketer and understand the power of social media and free content, so fine. 

We published my pal Harry Dry's talk from Drive 2025 yesterday, and if you missed it he gave a masterclass in storytelling.

The long lost art of conflict and emotion in the world of AI, PLEASE GO LISTEN TO THIS MAN.

The first line of this clip says it all "You should know so much about your category you could write a book on it."

You're not creating a category to fit into Gartner or G2. You are creating a category because you are literally inventing a new of way of doing things!

That's the opportunity.

I'll put the recording in the comments (audio only)

Founder: Exit Five. The top community for B2B marketers.

Javier Lozano Jr

Bolder Media Co

Helping B2B Tech and Service Companies Scale with Strategic Marketing & Fractional CMO Leadership

At Bolder Media Co, I partner with growth-minded businesses that need senior-level marketing leadership without the full-time CMO overhead. My focus is building predictable pipelines, stronger brands, and scalable revenue engines.

Here’s how I help:

Strategic Marketing Planning: Turn your marketing from a wish list into a clear roadmap that drives measurable growth.

Sales & Marketing Alignment: Shorten sales cycles and improve lead quality by aligning marketing efforts directly to revenue outcomes.

Demand Generation Frameworks: Build data-driven campaigns that attract, nurture, and convert high-quality prospects into long-term customers.

Branding & Positioning: Strengthen authority, differentiate from competitors, and position your business as the market leader.

Leadership & Advisory: Provide executive-level guidance that aligns your marketing team with business goals and long-term growth.

Whether it’s as your Fractional CMO or through custom marketing frameworks, my goal is simple: help you establish authority, build predictable revenue, and scale with confidence.

Fractional Chief Marketing Officer

Wrapmate

As CMO, I transformed Wrapmate from $1M to $20M+ revenue in 3.5 years, scaling four GTM motions (DTC, Franchise, Fleet, OEM) and positioning the company as the leading national provider of vehicle graphics and wraps.

Key Impact:
- Built an AI-driven demand engine that 11x pipeline and sustained 8:1 ROAS on $1M+ annual spend.

- Compressed sales cycle 50% with automated nurture + RevOps hand-offs; increased aged SQL close rate from 15% → 40–60%.

- Lifted lead quality to 97% through predictive scoring/routing, reducing CAC 20% and achieving LTV/CAC > 6:1.

- Secured $5M+ in strategic co-marketing partnerships (Volkswagen, 3M, Cox Automotive), driving enterprise and OEM growth.

- Led SEO/content strategy that scaled Wrapmate from 2 → 1,200+ top keywords and increased organic search value 23x.

- Built and enabled a high-performing marketing team, aligning sales and marketing to consistently exceed revenue goals.

No BS B2B Growth

Have you ever asked yourself how to successfully grow a facility management company in today's digital age... while STILL remaining profitable?

I mean, you probably know that marketing should probably be in the mix. Actually... marketing should be part of your business function, such as finance or operations. But, you may not know the best approach to market your Facility Service company. There are so many new trends, strategies, and digital platforms -- marketing can just be plain confusing.

So how do you use marketing to grow your FM business today? How does marketing grow your pipeline? How does marketing generate leads? How does marketing make you a category king (or queen)?

Plus, if you're used to going to trade shows such as Connex, RFMA (Restaurant Facility Management Association), SPECS, and more -- you're literally SHARING the "leads" generated at these conferences.

Wouldn't it be awesome to have YOUR own leads? Where these FM's found you through a Google search, Google ad, social media -- or some other form of marketing.

Well... this podcast will give you the answers on how to use marketing to grow your Facilities Management company.

Welcome to the Facility Management Marketing Podcast

Podcast Host

Anchor Wave Internet Solutions

Built and launched an omni-channel demand engine (email, paid, webinars) that increased inbound by 35% and reduced CAC 18%.

Implemented lead-scoring + SDR playbooks, boosting MQL → SQL conversion 20% and accelerating pipeline velocity by 22 days.

Expanded brand authority and inbound pipeline through SEO-driven content and executive thought leadership.

Chief Marketing Officer

The Trust Tipping Point Marketing Podcast

The Trust Tipping Point Marketing Podcast is the ideal digital marketing resource for home services and consumer service based companies.

We help business owners, entrepreneurs and executives that operate a residential based, consumer focused business using the most effective marketing strategies and tactics that deliver results.

Do you operate an MEP type business such as HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing? 

Or, maybe a business that focuses on roofing, handyman services, general contractors, flooring, landscaping, solar -- and more.

Then, The Trust Tipping Point Marketing Podcast will help you execute the best and most effective marketing strategies that have helped our business and our clients succeed for nearly two decades.

Inside each episode, we will share some of the marketing secrets that we keep close to our chest. And, how Anchor Wave’s team (one of the top internet marketing agencies in the US) uses them to capture more business for their clients… and their business.

Facility and Property Management Secrets Radio

Hosted the #1 Facility and Property Management podcast catering to Facility Services and Building Management industry with nearly 1,500 subscribers.  

Delivered the highest amount of value, education and content to the Facility Services industry by interviewing CEO's, C Suite Executives, Industry Leaders and long-time professionals.

Promoted this podcast through social media, industry groups, large associations and email list.

Podcaster & Host

CMI Mechanical HVAC and Refrigeration

At CMI Mechanical, I transformed sales and marketing into a growth engine — scaling enterprise accounts, securing Fortune 500 partnerships, and driving multi-million-dollar revenue expansion.

Key Impact:
- Scaled enterprise accounts 3x ($500K → $1.5M+) by executing ABM and securing deals with T-Mobile, Dollar General, Anheuser-Busch, and Raytheon.

- Built an affiliate program onboarding 30,000+ partners, boosting appointment productivity 300%.

- Drove 750% SEO visibility lift and 200% web traffic growth, converting the website into a top lead source.

- Launched PPC campaigns with 10% CTR and 5%+ conversion rates, delivering strong ROI.

- Produced an industry podcast (1,500+ listeners) featuring executive leaders, strengthening brand credibility.

- Led multi-channel marketing (email, social, video, content, podcasting) to expand reach and pipeline.

Result: Elevated CMI’s brand authority and established it as an industry leader in HVAC and refrigeration services.

Head of Sales and Marketing

The Dojo of Karate & Fitness

Founder & CEO | Built a Thriving Martial Arts Business from the Ground Up

When I launched The Dojo of Karate & Fitness, I knew I wasn’t just building a martial arts school—I was creating a business designed to dominate a competitive industry through strategic marketing, high-performance sales systems, and world-class customer experience.

Revenue Growth & Sales Optimization
- Built a high-converting inside sales funnel that achieved an impressive 90% close rate by understanding customer pain points and creating a seamless path to enrollment.
- Generated over $2.5 million in revenue through hyper-targeted marketing campaigns, ethical sales operations, and client retention strategies.
- Designed a strategic sales funnel and website, converting 25% of leads into paying clients by addressing objections and positioning solutions effectively.

Marketing & Brand Awareness
- Executed monthly advertising campaigns across print, digital, and community events, achieving a 2-5% response rate in a local market.
- Leveraged SEO, content marketing, and PPC strategies to establish search engine dominance, driving organic leads and increasing brand visibility.
- Secured major media coverage, crafting press releases that led to features on Fox 31 News, Channel 2 News, and local newspapers.

Leadership & Community Engagement
- Built and led a team of coaches, instructors, and sales consultants, creating a culture of excellence while scaling business operations.
- Hosted community events, training seminars, and internal promotions to foster engagement and brand loyalty.

By combining innovative marketing, strong leadership, and a customer-first approach, I built The Dojo of Karate & Fitness into a highly profitable and recognized brand in the industry.

Founder/CEO

RegOnline / Active Network

Surpassed monthly and quarterly inside sales quota by 25%, or more using consultative selling methods, a challenger sales approach, and strategic follow ups.

Hosted weekly online webinars for event planners and business executives, and converted 75% of attendees to paying customers using ethical persuasion & offer creations.

Executed consultative selling methods for B2B organizations needing to purchase an event registration SaaS product for conferences, events, and training.

Lead organization with revenue in the pipeline, closed business and gross revenue generated each quarter while managing leads & customers in salesforce.com.

Trained, developed and on-boarded new sales consultants to transition as top sellers on the team.

Sales & Marketing Consultant

CMO @ Wrapmate | 1st FM Industry Marketing Podcast Host | World Champ Athlete | #1 Best Selling Author

Hey, I’m Javier. My friends call me Javy. I’m the guy who builds revenue engines that scale brands.

At Wrapmate, I helped guide the business to a 20x growth machine in just over 3 years — without a subscription model. Just high-velocity GTM execution, data-backed demand generation, and brand strategy that turned marketing into a true growth driver.

Before that, I founded and scaled my own company during the Great Recession, ultimately exiting after building a turnkey growth system. 

Since then, I’ve applied that playbook across B2B tech and service providers, as well as DTC, franchise, OEM, and enterprise brands. 

Along the way, I’ve partnered and managed relationships with organizations like Volkswagen, 3M, and Cox Automotive to amplify reach and accelerate growth.

Here's What I Deliver:

- Growth-first marketing: Marketing must be accountable to revenue, not vanity metrics.

- Demand engines that scale: I balance data and creativity to fuel acquisition and retention.

- Brand authority: Helping companies control their reputation and market position daily.

- Partnership leverage: Unlocking strategic collaborations that outperform ad spend.

- Team builders: I don’t just create campaigns — I build high-performing teams that scale companies.

Today, I partner with B2B tech & service companies as a Fractional CMO and growth advisor. I help brands architect and execute scalable marketing systems that drive predictable revenue.

Or, if the opportunity makes sense, I would love to join a growth-stage company needing a dedicated marketing leader to create awareness, shape a positive perception, and drive sales.


Now hear me out. I don’t hire marketers. I hire operators who happen to market.

😐

Most marketers are trained to focus on activities. Campaigns. Content. Channels. And, that's all fine-and-dandy... for another company.

Operators think in systems.
They want to know:
→ Where’s the bottleneck?
→ What’s the payback window?
→ How do we scale it without breaking delivery?

That difference changes everything. Especially for startup and growth-stage companies.

The best marketers I’ve hired weren’t “creative rockstars.” They were system-builders.

They could walk into chaos, find the constraint, and design a process that made revenue predictable again.

When I interview, I don’t care how many campaigns someone’s run. I care how they think when things break.

Because let's be honest. That’s what actually happens in a real business. Things ephing break. And sometimes... it's a dumpster fire.

If they freeze, blame, or start guessing — hard pass. If they start mapping the system — keep them.

Hiring tip for CEOs and founders:
❌ Don’t look for people who can run your playbook.
✅ Look for people who can build one with you.

That’s who scales.

#Leadership #B2BMarketing #Hiring #Culture #FractionalCMO #RevenueOperations #TeamBuilding

Fractional CMO + CRO | GTM systems for B2B Tech and tech-enabled Built World | Helping founders & CEOs build predictable pipeline they can count on | Scaled $1M→$20M+

Take 2 on launching my LinkedIn newsletter 🤦‍♂️

Subscribe! (or don't... if you don't like predictable pipeline, GTM systems, revenue engines... you know. Things that make your company money).

Let me know what you think.

View newsletter: Predictable B2B Growth Weekly

Hey — Javy here. I figured the first edition of this newsletter should be the story I’ve never really written out, but the story that shaped everythin

Open article: How a 20-Year Detour Led Me Exactly Here by Javier Lozano Jr • 4 min read

If you don’t know me well, I’m gonna share something about me. 

I love to cook. Like. It brings me peace. 

My typical go-to is the smoker and/grill. Or Neapolitan pizza on my outdoor oven. 

And just 3 months ago I started getting into baking artisan bread. 

Don’t get how cooking relaxes me. But it does. 

And when I have family and friends able to enjoy it. Even better. 

As for turkey. I’m sorta meh.🫤 

One year I made fillets. My wife and I were happy. My kids… not so much. 

So this year I decide to smoke a turkey. But this time I did an apple spice brine overnight. 

Aahhhhh… hands down, my best turkey. I’d put this up there with a fried turkey. Honestly, those are the only 2 ways to cook a turkey. 

Hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving. 

Yea… that’s my Boston. Just chilling outside. In the sun. On our end table. His name is Maverick.

No alternative text description for this image

taplio

The Battle

Dave Gerhardt

Javier Lozano Jr

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreDave Gerhardt's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreJavier Lozano Jr's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Dave Gerhardt

Javier Lozano Jr

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Dave Gerhardt's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreJavier Lozano Jr's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreDave Gerhardt's LinkedIn Performance