Summary
In this live-recorded episode of The Blueprint Tour from the IIBEC Metro New York Chapter’s Building Smarter with AI conference in New York, hosts Kenneth Shultz, Engineering Director at PermitZIP, and Carter Huddleston, Electrical Principal Engineer at PermitZIP, sit down with Juan Vides, Vice President at Hire Point USA, Founder of Winning on Wednesday, and Business Development Manager at TechAcs, Inc.
With a background in programming turned business development, Juan shares practical insights on what actually drives sales in today’s world. From building a network through consistent outreach to creating meaningful relationships that go beyond transactions, the conversation explores the fundamentals of trust-based business.
The discussion covers the power of in-person networking, the limitations of digital-only communication, and why consistency is the most underrated advantage in sales and content creation. Juan also explains how his long-running networking group and podcast have helped him connect with professionals across industries, from students to executives, by focusing on authenticity and value.
Along the way, the trio dives into real-world lessons on personal branding, lead generation, and why many professionals struggle to promote themselves effectively. They also unpack the idea that people still prefer to work with those they trust, and how building that trust requires time, repetition, and genuine interaction.
Candid, relatable, and highly actionable, this episode is a practical guide for anyone looking to grow their network, improve their sales approach, and build long-term business relationships in an increasingly digital world.
“People do business who they know, like, and trust.”
Keywords
Sales strategy, business development, networking, relationship marketing, personal branding, B2B sales, lead generation, professional networking, content creation, trust-based selling, digital marketing, in-person networking, sales consistency, podcast marketing, LinkedIn networking, business relationships, entrepreneurship, client acquisition
“Consistency is key, you gotta keep doing it over and over.”
Takeaways
People still do business with those they know, like, and trust.
In-person interaction remains one of the most effective ways to build relationships.
Consistency in outreach, content, and networking compounds over time.
Trust and rapport cannot be built instantly—it requires repeated interaction.
Authenticity and sincerity are critical in building long-term business relationships.
Personal branding and visibility play a key role in attracting opportunities.
Many professionals underutilize self-promotion, which limits growth.
“You have to be in person… a phone call or Zoom call is not gonna do you justice.”
Chapters
Welcome and After-Hours Setup
Meet Juan Vides: From Programming to Business Development
Selling Safety Gear and Understanding Market Needs
Building Leads Through Networking and Digital Strategies
Why In-Person Networking Still Matters
The Impact of COVID on Business Relationships
Launching Winning on Wednesday: A Networking Community
Podcasting and Content Creation for Growth
Consistency as a Competitive Advantage
Building Trust Through Relationships
Authenticity vs Transactional Selling
Personal Branding and Self-Promotion
Golden Nuggets: Consistency and Genuine Connection
Final Thoughts and Where to Find Juan
“Be genuine, be sincere, people will see right through the fakeness.”
Where to Find Juan Vides
LinkedIn · TechAcs · Winning on Wednesday
Where to Find The Blueprint Tour
YouTube · TikTok · TheBPTour.com
Kenneth Shultz (Host) · Carter Huddleston (Host)
