Buddy Rathmell · Founder, Map Winners

Win on Google Maps.
Get recommended by AI.

I've been building on the internet since 1998 and helping business owners grow online since 2003. Today my team at Map Winners puts businesses at the top of Google Maps — and in the answers when ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity recommend who to call.

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Rather talk? Call or text me at (540) 467-4751 Send a text

Buddy Rathmell
Since 1998
5.0 on Google

28

Years building on the internet

23

Years helping businesses grow online

7

Years ranking businesses on Google Maps

5.0★

Map Winners rating on Google

The story

28 years of building online.
The scars to prove it.

1998

Built my first website

The internet was dial-up and ugly. I was hooked anyway — and I never stopped building.

2001

Fortune 500 consulting

Recruited by Arthur Andersen Consulting out of college, then founded my own consulting firm serving multiple Fortune 500 companies two and a half years later.

2003

Started helping others win online

Shifted from building for myself to building for other people — websites, systems, and strategy for business owners.

2005

Launched one of the first leadership podcasts

Leadercast.com grew into a recognized brand — acquired in 2009 and still alive today as a national leadership event.

2009

Founded Stop Slavery

Turned attention to fighting human trafficking, with teams working in Thailand, India, and Cambodia.

The hard chapter

Lost $250K. Paid back every investor.

Two businesses in two countries went underwater at the same time. I let 15 employees go, repaid $100K to investors, and rebuilt from zero. That comeback taught me more than any win.

2019

Fell into Google Maps

Discovered the highest-leverage marketing channel in business: the map pack. Started ranking businesses where their customers actually search.

Today

Map Winners

My team ranks businesses on Google Maps — and gets them recommended by ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity through AI ranking (GEO).

What I do now

The complete local growth system.

Google Maps Rankings

Show up in the map pack where buying customers actually search. Google Business Profile optimization, local SEO, and review systems that compound.

AI Discoverability

Customers now ask ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity who to call. Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) makes sure the answer is you.

Growth Systems

AI-powered websites, automation, CRM, and lead capture — so every call and lead gets answered, followed up, and closed.

See if your business qualifies →

Proof

What people say after working with me.

"He was able to draw out of us in five hours what we had not been able to do ourselves in 6 years. Our team was reignited by the new strategy to reach our vision and implemented those changes over the last year."

Eric Ford

Cru International

"Buddy is an amazing facilitator which is why I bring him to help me with my own team each and every year. He has moved from advisor to friend and I actually consider him an extension of my own team… He always delivers. I can't recommend him highly enough."

Mark Plummer

Training Director, BAMTraining.org

"Buddy helped me believe I was ready to launch my cafe and even gave me a loan to help me get started"

Bay Sareephan

Founder, Bay’s Cafe

via The BAM School (opens in a new tab)
"Buddy helped us work through some team issues and created a safe place for us to take risks and grow together. We're a much stronger team for it."

Evan McCall

Co-Owner, Expat Homes

via The BAM School (opens in a new tab)
"Buddy is unrelenting in pushing you to be the best version of yourself. Through Buddy, I learned the best way to serve the people I encounter is to know myself well, accept those giftings, and live them out to the fullest… Buddy cares deeply about helping others hone in and be what is right for them and he has the systems and tools to get you there."

Liv Steffen

Founder, Liv Thai

livthai.com (opens in a new tab)
"Super blessed by The BAM School. It shaped, guided, and solidified our mission in Thailand. Oh, and it was super fun. Thanks again, Buddy, for being who you are in the place we needed you. You changed my life...possibly even saved it. Thanks, man."

Mike Gaudet

via The BAM School (opens in a new tab)

5.0 on Google · 47 reviews

Read all 47 reviews on Google → (opens in a new tab)
"Before working with [Map Winners], my schedule was only booked about a week in advance… Now, I'm booked out five to six weeks in advance, I've hired another employee, and I'm getting ready to move into a larger office… they WILL get you results."
Joshua MontmenyGoogle review
"My business had a nightmare situation on our hands, a vendor made an accidental change to our Google Business Profile that ended up wiping out over almost 1,000 review responses… I reached out to Buddy, and I'm so glad I did! He walked me through what needed to be done to clean things up, and most importantly how to move forward without triggering a suspension."
James T. GordonGoogle review
"Buddy is exceptional and a true expert in online marketing and AI-driven strategies… building high-converting sites that drive real results for local businesses."
John ChristopherGoogle review

The AI Ranking Checklist

How businesses get recommended by ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google Maps. The exact checklist we run for Map Winners clients — free.

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Free workbook76 pages · PDF · 2 MB

Already written:Love to Work.

My playbook for building a business your team loves working in. 76 pages of frameworks and worksheets, and you can type right into the worksheets.

Get the free workbook

Beyond business

Hey, I'm Buddy.

I live in Roanoke, Virginia with my wife. We've raised three kids, sent all three to college, and spent two decades doing work across the U.S. and Asia — including founding Stop Slavery, a nonprofit fighting human trafficking with teams in Thailand, India, and Cambodia.

I run on radical honesty and a bias toward action. My StrengthsFinder top five starts with Activator — which means once we know what to do, I want it moving today, not next quarter.

When I'm not ranking businesses, you'll find me on a boat, on the road with my family, or facilitating masterminds for entrepreneurs who want their business to fund their calling — not consume their life.

Thirty-six seconds, straight from me.
Buddy at the helm of a boat
Buddy with a tree care clientBuddy with a client over coffeeBuddy working from a beach chair by the waterBuddy with his family

Real clients, real family, and an office that moves.

Ready to win your local market?

Book a free strategy call. We'll look at your Google Maps presence, your AI visibility, and exactly what it would take to own both.

Book My Free Strategy Call

Or call or text me directly: (540) 467-4751

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