
126 —How Google Reviews Generated $1M in Revenue Without Ads | Karl SchwantesÂ
 Â
IIf you're relying on word-of-mouth referrals to grow your business, you're playing a dangerous game
Â
Â
Â
 In this powerful conversation, Sean Steele speaks with Karl Schwantes, a second-generation entrepreneur who turned Google reviews into a $1 million lead engine during COVID, without spending a cent on ads. From running a high-end diamond business to building Reputable, a reputation marketing consultancy, Karl reveals how smart founders can turn everyday customer experiences into a scalable marketing and valuation asset.Â
What You’ll Learn:Â
- Why word-of-mouth is not a growth strategyÂ
- How AI (like ChatGPT & Rufus) is using reviews to personalize searchÂ
- The difference between lead origin and sale originÂ
- Karl’s 9-part Reputation Marketing FrameworkÂ
- How customer experience directly influences business valuation and exit-readinessÂ
- How to get your team aligned and excited about 10/10 experiencesÂ
- What to do in your first hour after listeningÂ
ABOUTÂ OURÂ GUEST:
Karl Schwantes is a customer experience expert, award-winning author, and the founder of Reputable. With a background in leading his family’s second-generation business, Xennox Diamonds, Karl knows firsthand how powerful genuine customer experiences can be in driving growth.Â
Today, he helps business owners and corporate teams turn those great experiences into consistent warm leads using the power of Google Reviews, without spending a dollar on ads. His approach has helped hundreds of businesses build trust, increase visibility, and stand out in a crowded market.Â
Karl is passionate about helping others see reputation not just as marketing, but as one of their most valuable business assets. His work bridges the gap between operational excellence and emotional connection, proving that the businesses that lead with trust and service are the ones who thrive long term.Â

About Sean Steele
Sean has led several education businesses through various growth stages including 0-3m, 1-6m, 3-50m and 80m-120m. He's evaluated over 200 M&A deals and integrated or started 7 brands within larger structures since 2012. Sean's experience in building the foundations of organisations to enable scale uniquely positions him to host the ScaleUps podcast.