Mara Dorne, self-made millionaire and top leader at a Fortune 500 subsidiary, joins The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast this week to share her insights and wisdom in all things business. Mara has built a remarkable career in a male-dominated industry. She made history when she exceeded $1 billion in sales before turning 40, so she knows a thing or two about the formula for success.

In Part One of their discussion, Mara opens up to Dwayne about her resilience, rebuilding from scratch, and how finding her WHY changed everything. They unpack everything from the changing sales landscape in a post-COVID world, to the non-negotiables of leadership, recruiting, and mindset.

If you agree that business, and life, should be about pursuing purpose and passion, not paycheques, this episode is for you!

Timestamps
00:00 Mara’s billion-dollar journey: how she went from broke in 2008 to a national leader.
03:00 Dwayne introduces Mara’s background and story of reinvention.
06:00 Post-COVID realities: why remote work is killing culture and sales energy.
10:00 The recruiting challenge—how to attract and keep great people in today’s market.
13:30 Always be closing: the mindset and systems behind continuous recruiting.
17:30 Compensation, culture, and the power of residual income.
22:00 “Recruit your way out of a slump” — how to rebuild momentum when numbers drop.
25:00 Accountability and structure: why every salesperson needs discipline.
31:00 The evolution of training—AI, Google Classroom, and sales in 2025.
37:00 “Scared money don’t make money” — why investment and inspection matter.
42:00 Lessons from failure and leadership—owning your mistakes and fixing fast.
50:00 The sales turning point: broke, desperate, and one decision that changed everything.
55:00 From insecurity to confidence: how sales became her transformation story.
1:00:00 Gamification, goal setting, and leading high-performing teams.
1:06:00 Final takeaways—confidence, structure, and staying relentlessly hungry.

Key Takeaways
1. Recruit Your Way Out of a Slump
Growth solves almost every sales problem. When in doubt, fill your pipeline with new energy and new people.

2. Structure Equals Success
Freedom without accountability is failure. Even independent agents need rules, rhythm, and standards.

3. Invest in Your Business—Smartly
“Scared money don’t make money,” but blind spending isn’t strategy. Inspect every process before you invest.

4. Confidence Is Built, Not Born
Confidence grows through preparation, discipline, and mastering your craft—especially when no one’s watching.

5. Culture Is the Competitive Edge
In-office synergy, shared goals, and consistent communication drive long-term retention and results.

6. Own Your Mistakes, Lead from the Front
The fastest way to rebuild momentum is to get back in the trenches and show your team what leadership looks like.

Links:
● Website: https://maradorne.com/
● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDorneRegion
● TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mara.dorne
● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maradorne/
● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maradorne/
● BILF Podcast: https://maradorne.com/bilf-podcast/

Quotes:

“ABC, always be closing. It’s a constant conversation. I’m telling everybody that I know in my life works in this, even my ex-husband and my husband—it’s crazy. And why wouldn’t you want to offer that to somebody if you’re doing well with it and you know that there is uncapped income potential, unlimited growth, you can be your own boss, you’re in business for yourself, not by yourself.” Mara Dorne

“Scared money don’t make money. I learned that very early on.” Mara Dorne

“Inspect what you expect. And if you don’t do that—because sometimes you think they got it—they don’t got it.” Mara Dorne

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Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.