Featuring Chris Brisson on the Time to Thrive Podcast

This blog is based on an insightful conversation between Bethany Meadows and Chris Brisson, founder and CEO of SalesMsg, on the Time to Thrive podcast. Chris is revolutionizing how businesses use SMS to connect with leads and customers in a personal, meaningful and automated way. From solopreneurs to enterprise teams, his approach is changing the future of communication.

Let’s dig into some of the key takeaways from this game-changing episode.

From Wrestling Mat to CEO Mindset

Chris credits his upbringing and competitive sports background, especially wrestling, with shaping his entrepreneurial mindset. Wrestling taught him that the outcome depended solely on his personal effort and resilience, a lesson that carries into his business philosophy. As a founder, he embraces full ownership and accountability, applying the same grit to lead and grow SalesMsg.

Key takeaway: Entrepreneurship is a solo mat—your mindset, discipline and work ethic make the difference.

Why SMS is the Overlooked Marketing Powerhouse

Texting feels personal because it is personal. That’s why SMS has become a highly effective business tool. Chris breaks down the “Text-ize Your Business” framework—an approach that integrates texting into every stage of the customer journey:

• Lead generation: Text-to-join campaigns, QR codes, and web chats.
• Engagement: Real-time, two-way conversations.
• Automation: Missed call follow-ups and AI-powered replies.
• Conversion: Promotions, booking links and purchase reminders.
• Retention: Follow-ups, reviews and referrals.

Key takeaway: SMS isn’t just for reminders. It can support your entire customer lifecycle from lead to loyalty.

Make It Personal (Not Promotional)

Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of treating SMS like email by making them long, formal and overly promotional. But Chris emphasizes that the best messages are the simplest. Think real, human, conversational.

Example: A text saying, “Hey, I saw you downloaded our free guide—do you have any questions?” performs better than a templated pitch.

Key takeaway: Texting works when it feels like a real conversation and not a marketing campaign.

Scaling Through Conversations and AI

Chris’s company has even integrated AI into SMS, enabling businesses to deploy smart agents that sound human, answer questions and even book appointments. But he stresses that technology should enhance the experience, not replace it. A great example? Animated GIFs from customer success agents during onboarding. Simple, personalized touches make a lasting impression.

Key takeaway: Conversations create conversions. AI can help scale that personal touch when done right.

The Mindset Shift for Founders

As SalesMsg grew, Chris faced a major turning point—letting go of his original development team in order to scale the company. It was a difficult emotional decision, but a necessary one. He learned that the people who help start the journey may not always be the ones who take you to the next level.

Key takeaway: Letting go isn’t failure. It’s growth. Founders must evolve from doers to leaders.

Want to Double Sales in 90 Days? Start Texting

Chris offered a mini playbook for rapid growth using SMS:

• Re-engage old leads with simple “Are you still interested?” messages.
• Automate SMS follow-ups from web forms or missed calls.
• Add reminders and pre-appointment texts to reduce no-shows.

And perhaps the most powerful tool? Speed to lead. A fast SMS reply after a form submission can win a deal before a competitor even gets on the phone.

Key takeaway: Conversations are good for business. The faster you start one, the better.

Final Thoughts: Problems as Invitations

If Chris could text every entrepreneur in the world, he’d share a quote:
“Problems are secret calls to adventure.”
To him, every challenge in business is a chance to innovate and grow. It’s not about avoiding problems, it’s about solving the right ones with heart, hustle and a little help from technology.

Ready to make SMS work for your business? Learn more at salesmessage.com, or connect with Chris on LinkedIn.

Stay tuned for more episodes that help you thrive in business and life!