Podcasts about 10m

Win a free one-year subscription to Bits + Bips Premium by completing our survey!  The state of Texas just passed a law that creates a $10 million strategic Bitcoin reserve. Laura talks to Lee Bratcher, president of the Texas Blockchain Council, who helped drive this new law. He explains how bipartisan support made it possible, why this might be the start of a broader trend, and what's next for public Bitcoin ownership in the U.S. We get into: The logic behind the $10 million number Why custody and compliance are key Whether California or Illinois could ever do something similar And how other states are reacting Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! FalconX Ledn Guest: Lee Bratcher, President and Founder of the Texas Blockchain Council Links: Texas Blockchain Council Bloomberg: Texas Gov. Abbott Signs Bill to Create State Bitcoin Reserve Unchained: Senator Cynthia Lummis on Why Crypto Now Has Bipartisan Support Timestamps:

Jordan DiPietro is the former CEO of Hampton, a community business that's scaled to over $10M in annual revenue. Episode Topics & Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Hampton and Community Business Models03:07 Marketing Strategies for Community Growth05:56 Sales Process and Lead Conversion Techniques09:12 Content Marketing and Lead Generation12:09 The Role of MoneyWise Podcast in Community Engagement15:06 Building Relationships in Community Spaces18:04 Core Groups and In-Person Retreats21:12 The Evolution of Community Dynamics25:51 The Importance of In-Person Connections26:40 Confidentiality and Community Integrity27:57 Balancing Exclusivity and Growth30:57 Criteria for Membership in Exclusive Communities33:29 Staying Focused as a CEO35:38 The HubSpot Acquisition of The Hustle42:07 The Future of SaaS Companies Acquiring Media45:47 Jordan's Next Chapter: Writing and CoachingLinks MentionedJordan's newsletter: https://jordandipietro.beehiiv.com/ Jordan's website: https://jordandipietro.com/

Lumber is revolutionizing how construction companies manage their workforce through a comprehensive back-office automation platform. With over $21 million in funding, the company is addressing critical challenges in an industry where 41% of the workforce will retire by 2031, leaving a massive knowledge and labor gap. In this episode of Category Visionaries, we spoke with Shreesha Ramdas, CEO and Co-Founder of Lumber, about his journey from serving the tech industry to tackling one of the most transformation-resistant sectors in the economy. Topics Discussed: Lumber's origin from 200+ customer discovery interviews with construction firms The company's focus on back-office automation versus field management Lumber's multi-channel marketing strategy emphasizing events and content The challenge of change management in construction technology adoption How AI is creating new opportunities to modernize legacy workflows The company's vision of building a knowledge graph for construction workers GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Lead with value in customer discovery, not just research requests: Shreesha hired an SDR to set up 200 meetings with construction firms, but didn't just ask for their time. Instead, he offered concrete value - either an industry best practices guide or one year of free service if they helped shape the product. This approach appealed to early innovators who wanted to be part of industry transformation. B2B founders should always answer "what's in it for them" before asking prospects to invest their time in discovery conversations. Events require 60-day pre-and-post commitment for success: Lumber generates 30% of its leads from industry events, but Shreesha emphasizes that showing up isn't enough. They start outreach two months before events, targeting previous attendees with promotional activities like free tickets or after-party invitations. During events, they focus on booking demos on-site rather than leaving follow-ups to chance. Post-event, they dedicate 60 days to aggressive follow-up because "those leads age faster than anything else." B2B founders should treat events as 4-month campaigns, not 2-day activities. Use AI to solve change management challenges, not just productivity: Rather than forcing manual timesheet users to adopt mobile apps, Lumber uses AI to digitize handwritten timesheets with 94% accuracy. This eliminates the change management barrier while gradually transitioning users to digital workflows. Shreesha noted that change management is "the toughest thing about construction industry" because workers are focused on building, not adopting new tools. B2B founders in traditional industries should use AI as a bridge between old and new workflows rather than demanding immediate behavioral change. Position against established category leaders, not alongside them: Lumber deliberately positions itself as the "back office" solution while Procore owns the "field management" category. Shreesha explained that back offices are "always thinly staffed" but "always overwhelmed" with regulatory compliance, payroll complexity, and worker management. Rather than competing directly with Procore's field focus, they created their own category serving CFOs, controllers, and payroll admins. B2B founders should identify underserved buyer personas adjacent to established categories rather than trying to displace category leaders directly. Leverage vertical AI opportunities to rewrite industry rules: Shreesha sees AI as the reason construction tech is finally attracting significant investment. The key is using AI to "rewrite the existing rules" rather than just digitizing current processes. For construction, this means taking workflows that have been manual for decades and reimagining them entirely. B2B founders should look for AI applications that fundamentally change how work gets done in their vertical, not just make existing work more efficient.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM   

This is the brutally honest startup story every founder needs to hear. Benedetta  shares how she built a fintech app to half a million users and raised $10M—yet still failed. You'll learn why chasing big partnerships can backfire spectacularly, how a seemingly successful startup can quietly fall apart, and how to set yourself up to avoid common but deadly fundraising mistakes. This isn't just another success story; it's a real guide on how not to fail.Why You Should ListenDiscover why even rapid growth and millions raised might not save you.Find out the hidden dangers of relying on corporate VCs.Learn why equal founder equity splits might not be a good idea.Hear the biggest fundraising mistakes early-stage founders make (and how to avoid them).Get practical advice on how to truly validate your startup before building tech.Keywordsstartup failure, fundraising mistakes, fintech startup, founder lessons, corporate VC, startup partnerships, product validation, founder equity split, early-stage fundraising, startup growth challenges00:00:00 Early Days at Uber and Moving into Fintech00:07:00 Launching a Consumer Fintech App in Europe00:13:37 Validating Without Tech Building an MVP by Hand00:19:22 Why US Startup Models Don't Work in Europe00:23:07 Raising Money Quickly—and the Hidden Costs00:28:56 Running Out of Cash When COVID Hit00:32:15 Tough Decisions Layoffs, Sales, and Shutdown00:37:53 How Big Partnerships Can Sink Your Startup00:43:41 Staying Optimistic Even When Everything Falls Apart00:46:38 Crucial Fundraising Advice for Early-Stage FoundersSend me a message to let me know what you think!

Celebs are flooding Venice for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's $10M wedding, with Kim Kardashian, Oprah, and Orlando Bloom turning it into the biggest A-list event of the summer. Closing arguments kick off today in Diddy's federal sex-trafficking trial, where both sides are making their final push before jury deliberations. And at last night's NBA Draft, the internet couldn't stop talking about one top pick's mom, who completely stole the spotlight. Hosts: Charlie Neff & Edward Lewis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

BackOps AI is transforming supply chain operations by automating the human-intensive processes that plague logistics companies daily. With $8 million in funding, the company has developed AI-powered solutions that autonomously resolve supply chain issues like damaged shipments, delivery problems, and vendor inquiries. In this episode of Category Visionaries, we sat down with Sean McCarthy, Co-Founder and CEO of BackOps AI, to explore how his experience at Amazon led to building an AI platform that handles 80% of supply chain problems without human intervention. Topics Discussed: BackOps AI's mission to remove human capital from supply chain issue resolution The evolution from Amazon shipping experience to founding an AI automation company Building and launching the Relay product for autonomous problem resolution Targeting 3PLs and industrial companies with high-volume, repetitive supply chain issues The changing sentiment around AI adoption in supply chain operations Strategic vision to become the central system of record for supply chain operations GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Target problems that scale with volume: Sean discovered that whether customers were nine-figure Amazon sellers or shipping 50 packages daily, they all faced identical supply chain problems. This universality across different company sizes and tech stacks validated the market opportunity. B2B founders should look for problems that persist regardless of customer sophistication or existing technology investments, as these represent fundamental market gaps rather than feature requests. Build prototypes that fail 50% of the time and still get customers: BackOps secured their first paying customer within 30-45 days despite having prototypes that "50% of the time just didn't work." Sean credits this to showing tangible ROI potential even with imperfect technology. B2B founders should focus on demonstrating clear value proposition over perfect execution in early stages - prospects can envision the full potential if the core value is evident. Position against human labor, not just competitors: BackOps rarely competes against other software solutions. Instead, they compete against hiring additional warehouse staff or outsourced development agencies. Sean explains customers evaluate them against "maybe they were planning on opening a new warehouse and adding two or three headcount." B2B founders should identify whether their primary competition is human labor or alternative solutions, as this fundamentally changes positioning and pricing strategies. Leverage domain expertise for customer development: Sean's Amazon background provided immediate credibility and a network of potential customers in 3PLs and fulfillment. His firsthand warehouse experience allowed him to articulate problems with authority. B2B founders should systematically leverage their professional background not just for product insights, but as a channel for early customer development and validation. Avoid generic AI positioning in favor of specific use cases: Sean emphasizes the challenge of selling AI products that "can kind of do anything" versus traditional software with clear functions. BackOps focuses on showcasing specific problems they've solved for similar businesses rather than generic "agentic workflow" messaging. B2B founders in AI should lead with concrete use cases and customer outcomes rather than technical capabilities or broad AI potential. Plan the system of record roadmap from day one: While BackOps launched with Relay, Sean has a clear vision to become the central nervous system that eliminates the need for "18 different systems." He positions this as their path to avoid commoditization and create defensible value. B2B founders should design their initial product as the foundation for a broader platform that consolidates multiple point solutions in their target market.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM   

Tai Lopez breaks down why no single place in the world gives you everything—health, wealth, love, and happiness. From working on the farm to flying to Europe, he shares the real trade-offs between city and country, America and Scandinavia, ambition and peace. This isn’t just theory—this is lifestyle architecture grounded in hard-earned experience. Want a better life? Understand the trade-offs.

Welcome to our fifth episode in the all-new Summit Series! As we were in the second episode, we're joined by two operations leaders in one conversation:- Emily Smith, Chief Operating Officer for Wemert Group Realty- Gio Sanginesi, Agent Partner who's also served as VP of Growth for Pozek GroupSee or hear our first conversation with Emily and Gio: www.realestateteamos.com/episode/real-estate-team-agents-productive-scale-summit-series Here in this second conversation, we get an end-to-end walkthrough of agent recruiting, agent onboarding, and agent retention from leaders inside 60-agent and 30-agent teams (Wemert and Pozek, respectively). Learn how they're attracting $10M producers and helping them level up. Hear similarities and differences in their processes - including how one team uses a clear 30/60/90-day process and the other doesn't. Watch or listen to this Summit Series episode for insights into:- Growing to 60 agents without a recruiting funnel - with half of the team at a tenure of 5 years or longer- Key aspects of their agent avatars and why neither focuses on brand new agents- Questions they ask to create a match between agent and value prop- Elements of the 15-minute pre-interview and other ways to pre-qualify agents- What the first 90 days looks like as a new agent with Pozek Group from Associate Agent Partner to Agent Partner- Learn what the first two weeks looks like as a new agent at Wemert Group Realty, who agents meet, and how the process is supported by their Monday.com build out- How both teams balance financial and cultural factors to improve retention- Specifically why Gio joined Ken Pozek as an agent and why he's continued to stay with the teamIn case you missed these Summit Series episodes:- Team Leaders: When, How, and Why We Started Our Teams- Team Leaders: How Our Teams Create Growth Opportunities with Agents- Ops Leaders: How Our Teams Keep Agents Productive at Scale - Agents: Successful Team Agent vs Successful Solo Agent We recorded this series at The Creator House, a studio in Orlando created and run by our friends at Sweet Fish Media.Sign up for subscriber-only episodes and email-exclusive insights so you don't miss any of them: https://realestateteamos.com/subscribeFollow our Summit Series guests:- Emily Smith https://www.instagram.com/emily_t_smith/- Gio Sanginesi https://www.instagram.com/gio407realtor/Real Estate Team OS:- https://www.realestateteamos.com- https://linktr.ee/realestateteamos- https://www.instagram.com/realestateteamos/

Why Community Involvement is the Secret Growth Engine for Home Service BusinessesIn this episode of the Hook Better Leads Podcast, Tim Brown sits down with Ty Backer of TC Backer Construction to uncover how community involvement transformed his business — from survival mode to significance.Discover how the 21 Turkey Salute, food drives, and “Swing for Recovery” became not only powerful acts of service but strategic marketing and culture-building tools.Whether you're at $1M, $5M, or $10M in revenue — this conversation will challenge you to think bigger and inspire you to give back with intention.✅ Learn the real ROI of giving✅ Build a brand that people want to work for✅ Get tactical tips to launch community initiatives now

Ann, EJ, and Wesley attended Bernie Sanders' Oligarchy Tour with some awesome 817 Gatherers. We give a full analysis of the event, but also what is to come! Watch on YouTubeBig Story: Bernie's Fighting Oligarchy Tour at Dickies ArenaShort Story 1: Absences force cancellation of Tarrant County Commissioners Court meetingShort Story 2: Fort Worth City Council weighs ending minority business incentive programsCouncil to vote on suspending Fort Worth's diversity and inclusion departmentShort Story 3: Kelly Hancock, who represents Fort Worth, set to become next Texas comptrollerWins: Trinity Metro approves 10-year, $324M contract extension for TEXRail, TRE rail operationsHigh-speed rail study will highlight economic impact for Fort Worth, ArlingtonFort Worth dives into options to create more publicly accessible pools for residentsCould a Latino cultural museum open in Fort Worth? A study underway explores the possibility.Hundreds of Texans walk for Opal Lee at her annual Fort Worth Juneteenth celebrationMore than $10M awarded for street improvements in 3 Tarrant County citiesLosses: Federal construction disputes push back Panther Island's flood control projectFort Worth is short $66.1M for street maintenance. What options could fill the gap?Actions:Tuesday, July 1st at 10am, Tarrant County commissioners' court meeting.Sign up to speak about the wasteful spending for the inevitable lawsuit over the racist gerrymandering map.Trinity Pride Festival June 28th

Geoff Suval is the founder of Xceleran Business Funding Solutions, who helps small and medium businesses become bankable by building real business credit separate from their personal finances.Through his coaching programs and comprehensive funding solutions, Geoff guides companies to secure better lending rates and terms while reducing personal risk, leveling the playing field for businesses making $500K to $10M in annual revenue.Now, Geoff's commitment to rescuing businesses demonstrates how dedicated expertise can transform SMB financing opportunities.And by bundling services through his affiliated company Xceleran, he's making professional financial guidance accessible to entrepreneurs who need it most.Here's where to find more:https://member.xbizfunding.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffsuvalSister/Affiliate company: https://www.xceleran.com___________________________________________________________Welcome to The Unforget Yourself Show where we use the power of woo and the proof of science to help you identify your blind spots, and get over your own bullshit so that you can do the fucking thing you ACTUALLY want to do!We're Mark and Katie, the founders of Unforget Yourself and the creators of the Unforget Yourself System and on this podcast, we're here to share REAL conversations about what goes on inside the heart and minds of those brave and crazy enough to start their own business. From the accidental entrepreneur to the laser-focused CEO, we find out how they got to where they are today, not by hearing the go-to story of their success, but talking about how we all have our own BS to deal with and it's through facing ourselves that we find a way to do the fucking thing.Along the way, we hope to show you that YOU are the most important asset in your business (and your life - duh!). Being a business owner is tough! With vulnerability and humor, we get to the real story behind their success and show you that you're not alone._____________________Find all our links to all the things like the socials, how to work with us and how to apply to be on the podcast here: https://linktr.ee/unforgetyourself

What if the blueprint to a multi-million dollar company didn't start with outside capital but with flipping one simple piece of land?In this episode, Dan and Mason strip it all back and walk through what it actually takes to build a $10 million-a-year business in land flipping. From losing $40K on a deal to building strategic partnerships and revenue stacks, they share personal updates and lay out the exact model they're testing right now.You'll hear how they plan to move from simple flips to large-scale land development, how much capital you really need to start, and why hiring slow and learning sales in-house might be the most important early moves. They get real about setbacks, execution challenges, and why clarity of model rather than chasing too many strategies—is the foundation of scale.Tune in to hear the unfiltered truth behind starting with $30K in the bank, stacking revenue streams, and whether building a $10M land business is just a dream or something you can actually do if you start right now!===Key Topics:-Starting with basic land flips to build experience and credibility-The real capital needed to quit your job and go all-in-Hiring the first few roles that matter most in land flipping-Building multiple income streams from flips, subdivisions, and construction-Why execution and focus matter more than a perfect plan===

  AidKit is revolutionizing how emergency aid and government benefits reach people in need. Having distributed over $350 million to more than 500,000 individuals and small businesses, the company is addressing critical inefficiencies in government aid systems during a time of unprecedented policy upheaval. In this episode of Category Visionaries, CEO Brittany Christenson shares how AidKit is building technology that delivers aid with dignity while navigating a rapidly changing political landscape that includes the dismantling of USAID, proposed cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, and plans to shift disaster relief responsibilities from FEMA to state and local governments. Topics Discussed: AidKit's origin story as founders built the platform to solve their own emergency aid distribution challenges during the pandemic The current political climate's impact on government aid programs and how it's creating both challenges and opportunities How outdated procurement processes and billable-hour consulting models create systemic inefficiencies in government aid systems The false trade-off between fraud prevention and accessibility in aid distribution Using AI and big data to simultaneously improve fraud detection while making aid more accessible Building technology that reduces administrative burden for both caseworkers and aid recipients AidKit's partner-first approach to business development and customer relationships The company's unique alignment between revenue objectives and social impact metrics GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Build from your own pain point and expand organically: AidKit's founders created the platform to solve their own emergency aid distribution challenges during the pandemic. When neighboring states asked to use their system, they recognized the broader market opportunity. B2B founders should pay attention when their internal solutions generate external interest—this organic demand often signals strong product-market fit and can provide a natural path to scale. Challenge industry pricing models that misalign incentives: Brittany identified that the prevalent billable-hours consulting model in government aid creates perverse incentives that discourage efficiency and innovation. AidKit deliberately structured their pricing to reward successful outcomes rather than time spent. B2B founders should examine whether traditional industry pricing models align with customer success and consider alternative structures that better incentivize the outcomes customers actually want. Leverage disruption as a growth catalyst: Despite the challenges posed by massive government aid cuts and policy changes, Brittany views the disruption as creating opportunities to build better infrastructure. She notes that "there is never massive disruption without opportunity." B2B founders should develop frameworks for identifying and capitalizing on market disruptions rather than just defending against them. Use technology to eliminate false trade-offs: AidKit demonstrates how AI and modern data sources can simultaneously improve fraud prevention while making aid more accessible—previously seen as competing priorities. Brittany explains that "in 2025 with AI, those trade-offs don't exist." B2B founders should look for areas where technology can resolve longstanding industry tensions and create solutions that deliver multiple benefits previously thought to be mutually exclusive. Align business metrics with customer success: AidKit's revenue model directly correlates with the amount of aid distributed and number of people served. This creates perfect alignment between business growth and social impact. B2B founders should structure their business models so that their success metrics directly align with customer success metrics, creating sustainable growth that benefits all stakeholders. Focus on procurement reform for government sales: Brittany emphasizes that procurement reform is essential for getting better technology into government systems. She notes the need to make procurement "more navigable for better tech solutions" instead of relying on "custom built monolithic systems that are incredibly expensive to maintain." B2B founders selling to government should engage with procurement reform conversations and position their solutions as alternatives to traditional, expensive custom builds.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM   

Democrat mayors and governors are aiding and abetting criminal illegal aliens by pushing for the "unmasking" of the ICE agents charged with deporting them. Disney World gets an expensive summer attendance lesson and PRIDE parades are losing steam... and corporate sponsors. A triangle back-scratching scheme in New York connects governor Kathy Hochul, Hochul's husband's law firm, and AG Letitia James. Do you think New Yorkers know their taxes are funding a $10M slush fund to cover James' legal expenses?

The 9th Circuit Court rules President Trump DOES have command over the National Guard after California governor Gavin Newsom sued to remove the control from him. Newsom digs himself a bigger hole with another stupid tweet. New data suggests republicans who go up against Trump suffer greatly in polls and JD Vance addresses the people of East Palestine, Ohio: You are Not Forgotten. Vance unveils a new $10M initiative to study the long-term effects of the toxic train derailment. Good News will make you cry. 

In this episode of Owned and Operated, we're diving into real-world strategies for sourcing and securing small business acquisitions. From outreach to private equity firms to using freelancers for off-market deals, we break down how acquisition entrepreneurs are getting creative and staying competitive.We explore how personal branding can help attract brokers, how to craft a buyer persona that actually stands out, and how Chris Barr is navigating live negotiations for niche businesses—including pool services and a high-end art framing company.Whether you're just starting your acquisition journey or already mid-process, this episode is packed with practical insights for sourcing deals and building a compelling presence in the marketplace.

Samotics is pioneering a revolutionary approach to industrial asset monitoring, delivering condition, performance, and energy efficiency insights for hard-to-reach industrial equipment without requiring sensors to be installed on the machines themselves. Founded by Simon Jagers, the company has developed Electrical Signature Analysis (ESA) technology that monitors over 10,000 machines by analyzing electrical data captured remotely, enabling companies to prevent unplanned downtime and save 10-20% energy without compromising performance. In this episode of Category Visionaries, Simon shares the fascinating journey from a failed AI-first approach to discovering breakthrough technology that's now being integrated with ABB drive systems to create the data fabric for smart factories of the future. Topics Discussed: The evolution from data-driven AI approach to hardware-enabled sensorless monitoring How railway switch monitoring led to the breakthrough discovery of remote electrical signature analysis Samotics' strategy of targeting hard-to-reach assets in extreme industrial environments The challenge of creating the "sensorless condition monitoring" category in a vibration-dominated market Building a service-heavy go-to-market model in an AI-first technology company Partnership strategy with ABB to integrate ESA technology into drive systems GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Target the "either us or nothing" market segments: Simon's breakthrough came from identifying industrial assets operating in extreme conditions where traditional monitoring was impossible or impractical. ArcelorMittal's conveyor moving steel plates across a 1500°C blast furnace exemplified this perfectly - they had two choices: Samotics' unproven technology or no monitoring at all. B2B founders should actively seek market segments where incumbent solutions physically cannot compete, creating natural "blue ocean" opportunities. Focus on unique positioning rather than universal applicability: Initially, Samotics tried to monitor every type of machine possible, believing their AI could handle any scenario. Simon learned to focus specifically on the 25% of rotating equipment that operates in extreme or hard-to-reach conditions where their remote sensing advantage was undeniable and easy to communicate. B2B founders should resist the temptation to be everything to everyone and instead dominate the specific use cases where their solution provides clear, defensible advantages. Embrace service components even in technology-first companies: Despite starting as an AI company with inclinations to automate everything, Samotics discovered that the human service element - having mechanical and electrical experts bridge AI findings with customer needs - became one of their most appreciated product components. They now deliver hardware, AI, and dashboards as a service with regular customer calls and visits. B2B founders should test whether adding high-touch service elements enhances rather than detracts from their technology value proposition. Build category credibility through scale and proof points: Simon emphasizes that category creation requires time, credible data, and real-world examples at scale. With over 10,000 machines monitored, Samotics can now make credible claims about accuracy and effectiveness. The category definition evolved from internal team alignment to external market education. B2B founders attempting category creation must first achieve meaningful scale and documented success before expecting market adoption of their category framework. Use enemy-based positioning strategically in early stages: Samotics initially positioned aggressively against traditional vibration-based monitoring, using humor and edge to grab attention from early adopters who appreciated the contrarian approach. However, Simon notes this was effective primarily for reaching experienced early adopters who understood the technology's limitations but were drawn to unique solutions. B2B founders should consider enemy-based positioning as a tactical tool for early adoption rather than a long-term brand strategy.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM   

Cloudastructure has raised over $57 million to transform video surveillance from a passive recording tool into an active crime prevention platform. What started as a solution born from a laptop theft in a South of Market office has evolved into an AI-powered service that protects multifamily properties across the country. In this episode of Category Visionaries, we spoke with Rick Bentley, founder of Cloudastructure, about his unconventional path to building a category-defining company—from working at the legendary General Magic to self-funding his startup by working as a contractor in Baghdad. Topics Discussed: How a laptop theft incident revealed the fundamental flaws in traditional video surveillance systems The breakthrough moment when Google open-sourced TensorFlow in 2015 and its impact on computer vision Cloudastructure's pivot from broad security applications to finding product-market fit in multifamily properties The company's unique crowdfunding success, raising $35 million from 13,000 individual investors Building a hybrid AI-human monitoring system with guards operating from India The technical evolution from basic object detection to holistic, cross-camera intelligence using LLM-like systems GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Timing technology waves requires patience and resourcefulness: Rick spent over a decade keeping his cloud video vision alive before the infrastructure caught up. He recognized that Moore's Law would eventually make broadband faster than video files would grow larger, solving the technical constraints. He funded the company through consulting work, including a dangerous stint in Baghdad, demonstrating that sometimes founders need to get creative about survival during technology transition periods. B2B founders should identify self-resolving technical limitations and prepare to bridge the gap through alternative revenue streams. Vertical expertise beats broad horizontal approaches: Cloudastructure's breakthrough came when they hired Whitney, a VP of sales with deep multifamily industry relationships. She brought not just contacts but intimate knowledge of purchasing processes, budgets, and pain points specific to property management companies. Rick noted, "She knew what their budgets were, what their approval processes were, what their pain points were." B2B founders should prioritize hiring salespeople with vertical domain expertise over generalist sales talent when targeting specific industries. Product-market fit emerges from pain intensity, not market size: The multifamily space proved ideal not because of its size, but because of the acute pain property managers experience. Rick explained the stark difference: "The next morning you could have a dozen people in your leasing office because their cars got broken into last night" versus "an email that says these guys showed up, we did a talk down, they ran away." B2B founders should prioritize markets where their solution prevents catastrophic scenarios over those with mild inconveniences, even if the latter appears larger. Crowdfunding can validate B2B concepts when VCs miss the opportunity: After traditional VCs dismissed Cloudastructure as too late to market, Rick raised $35 million through crowdfunding with 13,000 individual investors. This approach not only provided capital but validated market demand from a broader audience. The success came from clearly articulating the value proposition to non-technical investors who could understand the basic premise of preventing crime versus just recording it. B2B founders facing VC skepticism should consider alternative funding sources that might better appreciate their value proposition. Build the full stack when integration creates competitive advantage: Cloudastructure didn't just provide software—they built the entire monitoring infrastructure, including training guards, developing custom interfaces, and managing the complete service delivery. Rick emphasized, "You can't just hop on Fiverr or whatever and say, I need someone to do this. You need to build the tools for them." This vertical integration created defensible value that pure software solutions couldn't match. B2B founders should consider owning more of the value chain when seamless integration significantly improves customer outcomes.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM   

  Rhumbix is pioneering the field workforce management category in construction, transforming how contractors capture real-time data from job sites. With $46 million in funding raised, the company has evolved from a wearables IoT startup to becoming a leading mobile-first SaaS platform serving mid-market and enterprise construction companies. In this episode of Category Visionaries, we sat down with Zach Scheel, CEO and Co-Founder of Rhumbix, to explore the company's journey from Stanford dorms to creating an entirely new software category for the construction industry's underserved field workforce. Topics Discussed: Rhumbix's pivot from wearables IoT technology to mobile workforce management software The challenge of digitizing paper-based processes in a traditionally analog industry Building founder-market fit in construction tech through authentic industry experience Navigating the 2022 funding freeze and achieving profitability through strategic cost-cutting Creating the "field workforce management" category and educating the market The evolution from founder-led sales to scalable go-to-market operations Strategic decision to move upmarket for higher ASP and better unit economics GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Let the market dictate product-market fit, not your vision: Zach emphasized that "the founder doesn't get to dictate product market fit. The market dictates product market fit." After conducting 100+ customer discovery calls, Rhumbix pivoted from their original wearables IoT concept when customers consistently said they'd pay immediately for digital time cards instead. B2B founders must listen to market signals over their initial product vision and be willing to pivot when customers clearly articulate a different, more urgent need. Find intrinsic motivations in early customers: Rhumbix secured their first customers by identifying intrinsic motivations beyond the product itself. One customer was a tech-savvy IT director excited about digitizing workflows, while another was a fellow veteran who wanted to support Zach's veteran-founded company. B2B founders should look beyond product fit and identify personal or professional motivations that drive early adopters to take risks on unproven solutions. Be intentional about market segment alignment: Zach's most important go-to-market decision was pivoting upmarket to focus on customers willing to spend $5K-$10K rather than trying to serve everyone. Small customers were "a drag on professional services and customer success" compared to larger ones. This strategic focus led to higher NPS scores, more evangelistic customers, and increased referrals. B2B founders must align their product development, pricing, and go-to-market strategy around a specific market segment rather than pursuing a "sell to anyone" approach. Leverage founder-market fit for category creation: In construction, an industry skeptical of technology vendors without domain expertise, Zach's authentic background as a Navy veteran who managed construction projects was crucial for credibility. His "workers first" positioning wasn't just marketing—it influenced product decisions and resonated with industry buyers who could spot inauthentic positioning immediately. B2B founders entering traditional industries should leverage authentic domain expertise as a competitive advantage in both sales and product development. Embrace pivots as smart business strategy, not failure: Initially viewing pivots negatively, Zach learned that "almost all successful companies have pivoted" and that experienced entrepreneurs use pivots strategically to find product-market fit. When they updated investors about moving away from hardware to pure SaaS, the response was overwhelmingly positive due to better unit economics and reduced complexity. B2B founders should reframe pivots as intelligent responses to market feedback rather than admissions of failure.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM   

321: How to be an Adaptive Leader in Turbulent Times (Theo Ellington & Genevieve Leighton-Armah)SUMMARYSpecial thanks to TowneBank for bringing these conversations to life, and for their commitment to strengthening nonprofit organizations. Learn more at TowneBank.com/NonprofitBanking.What does it take to lead with purpose when resources are stretched, burnout is high, and the future feels uncertain? In episode #321 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Genevieve Leighton-Armah and Theo Ellington share how Black Citizen is redefining leadership development through trust-based philanthropy, flexible funding, and deep community engagement. Grounded in their lived experience and commitment to equity, they describe how their cohort model supports Black change makers with grants, coaching, and media tools to amplify impact and avoid isolation. ABOUT THEOTheo Ellington has extensive public and private sector organizing experience. As co-founder of Black Young Democrats of SF, he successfully fought against Stop-and-Frisk and later led The Salvation Army's efforts to double its impact on homelessness, modernize its real estate, and respond to COVID-19—generating $10M in new revenue. As a city commissioner, he helped create over 1,200 affordable housing units. At the Golden State Warriors, Theo secured approvals for a $1B arena across 14 agencies. He holds a BA in Political Science from Notre Dame de Namur University and an MA in Urban Affairs from the University of San Francisco.ABOUT GENEVIEVEGenevieve Leighton-Armah is a first-generation Dominican and Ghanaian changemaker working with BIPOC youth and elders in criminal justice reform, violence prevention, and advocacy. For over 12 years, she's led nonprofit initiatives connecting young people to tech/media careers and advancing equity across Northern California. She designs trauma-informed programs for healthcare settings and launched Bay Area Black Leaders in response to George Floyd's death, centering restorative rest and equity planning for Black leaders. She earned a BA in Criminal Justice with a minor in Ethnic Studies from San Francisco State University.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves by Dr. Shawn GinwrightWant to chat leadership 24/7?  Go to delphi.ai/pattonmcdowellDon't miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadershipLooking for your next leadership opportunity?  Check out our partners Armstrong McGuire

Can you pitch your SaaS idea in a way that actually sticks?In this power-packed episode of SaaS Fuel, legendary speech coach Patricia Fripp joins Jeff Mains to unlock the secrets of persuasive communication. Whether you're pitching investors, leading a team, or closing deals—this episode shows you how to make your message memorable, repeatable, and powerful.You'll learn how to use storytelling to inspire action, why most founders make fatal presentation mistakes, and how to structure your message for maximum impact.Perfect for SaaS founders, tech execs, and anyone who wants to lead with influence.Key Takeaways00:00 - The #1 persuasive storytelling technique01:08 - Welcome to SaaS Fuel02:13 - Why slides + scripts fail03:42 - How to craft presentations that resonate04:42 - Guest intro: Patricia Fripp05:06 - Why less is more in communication07:37 - Founders must pass down the company story10:08 - Biggest mistake founders make when speaking12:18 - Scripts vs. frameworks: what actually works15:12 - How to build credibility fast18:21 - Making storytelling practical for SaaS22:52 - Pulling stories out of leaders27:14 - Crafting stories from lived experience30:00 - The perfect opening: how to hook your audience35:32 - The one story everyone remembers40:46 - Founders: how to use narrative instead of numbers45:39 - Metrics wrapped in meaning49:11 - Making your story land in a pitch53:23 - How to contact Patricia54:10 - Bonus: Gandalf's magic storytelling deckTweetable Quotes“If you're selling your service, your idea, or yourself—use the words of happy customers.” — Patricia Fripp“Don't start with data. Start with a story that hits the heart, not just the head.” — Jeff Mains“It's not about writing a speech. It's about structuring one people remember and repeat.” — Patricia Fripp“The most powerful leadership skill in tech? Speaking with clarity, credibility, and connection.” — Jeff Mains“Your message should be repeatable without needing slides.” — Patricia Fripp“Tech leaders often drown in metrics—storytelling is the life raft that gets you remembered.” — Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership LessonsStories persuade better than stats.Logic informs, but emotion moves people. Wrap metrics in meaning.Less is more in tech communication.Short sentences and pauses give your audience space to process.Every founder needs a signature story.It's not optional—your story is your brand glue.Strong openings set the tone.Grab attention with something memorable in the first 30 seconds.Frameworks beat word-for-word scripts.You can stay authentic while staying structured.The best stories are relatable.A moment with your kid may hit harder than a $10M deal.Guest ResourcesEmail - pfripp@ix.netcom.comWebsite - http://www.fripp.com/FB - http://facebook.com/patricia.fripp.3LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/executivespeechcoach/Episode SponsorSmall Fish, Big Pond –

Strap in for episode #116 of the Business Growth Podcast. This isn't your average rags-to-riches tale... It's a jaw-dropping journey from homeless at 17 to building two powerhouse businesses worth £15 million+.In this raw, powerful episode, Andrew Wood shares the darkest moments of his past — from prison cells to rock-bottom bank balances, and how those moments lit the fire for a complete life transformation.He reveals how a second chance, a green band in jail, and one man's forgiveness gave him purpose, and how that purpose turned into a multi-million pound empire.This is the ultimate masterclass in: ✅ Bouncing back from failure ✅ Building structure and scaling to 8 figures ✅ Humble leadership and empowering your team ✅ Specialising to stand out in a crowded market ✅ Leading with PURPOSE — and why it changes everythingIf you're a founder, entrepreneur, or dreamer stuck in survival mode, this is the real talk you need. You'll leave inspired, refocused, and ready to take your next step — no matter how tough the journey has been.You'll learn:

You've seen Read Choi's viral videos—over 10M on TikTok and Instagram—calling out the Devil, breaking down suffering, and making us laugh through it all. But behind the boldness is a story he's never told—until now.For the first time, Read reveals the abuse he survived as a child—including nights spent sleeping on the street as punishment—and how pain shaped his faith, humor, and message.He also shares the wild moment God told him to adopt a schizophrenic homeless woman—and the backlash that followed.This episode is raw, honest, and full of hope. Read is redefining what faith looks like in the digital age—and paving the way for a new kind of witness.Read's website: https://readchoi.comRead's IG: https://instagram.com/readchoiRead's TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@readchoiNEW: Join our exclusive Rose Report community! https://lilaroseshow.supercast.com - We'll have BTS footage, ad-free episodes, monthly AMA, and early access to our upcoming guests.A big thanks to our partner, EWTN, the world's leading Catholic network! Discover news, entertainment and more at https://www.ewtn.com/ Check out our Sponsors:-Seven Weeks Coffee: https://www.sevenweekscoffee.com Buy your pro-life coffee with code LILA and get up to 25% off!-Good Ranchers: https://go.goodranchers.com/lila Purchase your American Meat Delivered subscription today and get a free add-on of beef, chicken, or salmon! Use code LILA for $40 off! -Cozy Earth: Better Sleep, Brighter Days - Get the highest quality sleep essentials for 40% OFF at https://cozyearth.com/lila!00:00:00 - Intro00:05:58 - UC Berkley and Writing00:09:45 - Seven Weeks Coffee00:10:27 - Did you have faith growing up?00:11:39 - Homelessness00:17:59 Have you talked to your parents about this?00:20:32 - Good Ranchers00:21:47 - How did you come to faith?00:30:37 - CozyEarth00:31:35 - Darkness and Comedy00:34:16 - Helping the homeless woman00:40:17 - Angelic encounters00:46:56 - When did you decide to start TikTok?00:50:02 - How do you decide what to create?00:54:02 - Watching Read's TikToks01:00:55 - Current Christian content community:01:04:06 - What to say or not to say online?01:05:56 - What things does Lila keep private?01:08:45 - Advice for young women on internet01:12:32 - Future of content and media01:15:52 - Gen Alpha

Anastasia Trofimova sold everything, moved across the world and started Sundae to make food content shoppable—linking influencers, grocery carts, and brand dollars. Her pitch checks all the boxes. But when she asks for a $10M valuation, things got complicated. Will investors buy in, or bail at the register? This is The Pitch for Sundae. Featuring investors ⁠Charles Hudson, Elizabeth Yin, Ben Zises and Kate McAndrew. ... Watch Anastasia's pitch on YouTube (@thepitchshow) and Patreon (@ThePitch) Subscribe to our public email newsletter: insider.thepitch.show Join our private investor community on Substack: thepitch.fund Register for the Season 13 Finale Watch Party: pitch.show/party *Disclaimer: No offer to invest in Sundae is being made to or solicited from the listening audience on today's show. The information provided on this show is not intended to be investment advice and should not be relied upon as such. The investors on today's episode are providing their opinions based on their own assessment of the business presented. Those opinions should not be considered professional investment advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Troy Helming is building the future of infrastructure with EarthGrid, a company developing an underground super grid network of tunnels across North America using revolutionary plasma torch technology. As a serial entrepreneur who founded two unicorns in the renewable energy space, Troy brings decades of experience in wind and solar power to solving one of the most critical infrastructure challenges of our time. EarthGrid has raised $63 million and secured an $18 billion joint venture commitment from the Kuwait Investment Authority to build 10,000 miles of underground tunnels over the next decade. Topics Discussed: EarthGrid's mission to build an underground super grid network using plasma torch excavation technology The massive infrastructure challenge of transmission line development in the United States Troy's journey from early solar exposure 45 years ago to founding multiple renewable energy companies The regulatory breakthrough of becoming a telecommunications utility in 46 states Overcoming the "supply problem, not demand problem" with over 20,000 potential customers in their pipeline The $18 billion joint venture with Kuwait Investment Authority's Enertech subsidiary Plasma torch technology's ability to cut through hard granite and other materials conventional machines cannot handle The vision for moving freight and eventually people through underground tunnel networks GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Choose industries with structural supply-demand imbalances: Troy has successfully built three consecutive companies where demand far exceeds supply, eliminating the need for traditional sales teams. He specifically targets infrastructure sectors where "the need is so acute and there aren't that many companies doing it, and the ones that are, the demand exceeds the supply." B2B founders should research industries with massive unmet demand and limited competition, particularly in infrastructure where the barriers to entry are high but the market need is desperate. Solve regulatory risks early through strategic positioning: Rather than fighting regulatory battles, Troy transformed EarthGrid into a regulated telecommunications utility, gaining rights to build under public roads in 46 states representing 97% of US GDP. This strategic move eliminated the primary risk factor that kills most infrastructure projects. B2B founders should identify their biggest regulatory or compliance risks early and find creative ways to work within existing frameworks rather than against them. Build resilience through failure conditioning: Troy's experience with rock climbing and American Ninja Warrior taught him to "overcome the fear of people looking at you when you might fail" and to "shake it off, get back up and go again." After pitching over 2,000 times with a 97% rejection rate, he learned to treat fundraising as a numbers game rather than personal rejection. B2B founders should actively seek experiences that condition them for repeated failure, whether through athletics, public speaking, or other challenging pursuits that build mental resilience. Validate demand before building supply: EarthGrid already has "close to 20,000 potential customer contacts" and over 50 signed letters of intent before fully commercializing their technology. Troy validates market demand through extensive research and customer outreach before investing in full product development. B2B founders should spend significant time understanding their market's pain points and securing early customer commitments before building complex solutions. Leverage personal capital for strategic advantage: Troy's ability to "wait to start your company until you have enough money in the bank" prevents short-term financial pressures from forcing poor strategic decisions. His personal investment in EarthGrid (part of the $63 million raised) demonstrates commitment to investors while providing operational flexibility. B2B founders should consider how personal financial runway affects their ability to make optimal long-term decisions rather than being forced into suboptimal short-term choices.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM   

127 founders (net worth: ~$1M–$100M+) opened up their personal books. Want to see how your finances stack up? https://www.joinhampton.com/wealth-reportJess Chan scaled to 7 figures fast, then tore it all down. Today, she's worth ~$10M, spends less than ever, and says profit > revenue every time.Here's what we talk about:Jess hit $40K/month as a freelancer, then walked away to build her agency, Longplay.Why chasing $1M in revenue nearly burned her out, and what she did to rebuild.The shift from ego-driven growth to sustainable, profitable business.How embracing feminine leadership transformed her company and her life.Her net worth is ~$10M, but her monthly spend has dropped to ~$6K.The underrated skill: learning how to spend money well.Why contentment and ambition can coexist and how chasing more can actually cost you.Jess's financial setup: super simple. Mostly ETFs. Barely checks it.Cool Links:Hampton https://www.joinhampton.com/Lower Street https://www.lowerstreet.co/Chapters:(00:00) Introduction to Jess Chan's Journey(00:58) Early Revenue Chase and Freelancing(02:03) Building and Scaling Long Play(02:55) Challenges and Burnout(04:42) Rebuilding and Stabilizing(06:14) Shifting Focus from Revenue to Profit(08:20) Embracing Feminine Leadership(15:03) Redefining Wealth and Success(19:37) Breaking Free from Business Metrics(20:21) Childhood Reflections and Entrepreneurial Drive(22:09) The Unexpected Path to Entrepreneurship(27:41) Transparency in Financial Success(31:57) Personal Finance and Contentment(37:00) Balancing Ambition and ContentmentThis podcast is a ridiculous concept: high-net-worth people reveal their personal finances. Inspired by real conversations happening in the Hampton community.Your Host: Harry MortonFounder of Lower Street, a podcast production company helping brands launch and grow top-tier podcasts.Co-parents a cow named Eliza.

In part two of this three-part series, Colleen welcomes back Jennifer Williams to explore the financial power behind Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs). This isn't just a values-based feel-good exit. EOTs now offer significant tax advantages that can rival, and even exceed, traditional business sale routes. From how to qualify for the new $10M lifetime capital gains exemption to why Canada introduced this legislation, Jennifer breaks it all down - plus, the importance of doing it right with guidance from experts.   ✨ Key Highlights and Timestamps  

Ann, EJ, and Wesley walk into the studio with a smile on their faces and hope in their hearts, after attending the No Kings Rally in Fort Worth and a weekend of community events. The trio discusses what's next after Mayor Parker's Gay Pride Proclamation, as Juneteenth is this week and Bernie Sanders is coming to town.BIG STORY: Protesters in downtown Fort Worth declare US has ‘No Kings' Turnout was great for Fort Worth. Easier 2-3 times more than last month.EJ's speechMarch Dissent Short Story 1: Fort Worth mayor declares ‘Y'all means all' with recognition for LGBTQ Pride monthShort Story 2: Fort Worth LGBTQ historical marker abandoned after letter from Tarrant County judgeWhite House Pushes Texas to Redistrict, Hoping to Blunt Democratic GainsShort Story 3: Texas lawmakers allocate $10M to support National Juneteenth Museum developmentInaugural festival aims to make Fort Worth epicenter of Juneteenth celebrationsWINS, LOSSES, AND ACTIONS: WinWesley: SparkFestEJ: CommunityAnn: Momentum from city activismLosses: Wesley and EJ: Echo Heights silencing at city councilActionsEJ: Speak at the city council on June 17th at 6 PMWesley:  Vibefest Juneteenth Week ScheduleAnn: Sign up for Bernie Sanders

It's official — Aaron Rodgers is a Pittsburgh Steeler for the 2025-26 NFL season. The Steelers locked in the future Hall of Famer on a one-year, $13.65 million deal with $10M guaranteed — and up to $19.5M with incentives. Now the real questions begin: Can Rodgers take this team on a deep playoff run? Is this just a short-term stunt or a real championship push? And when should Pittsburgh finally start developing a young QB for the future? The Dead End Sports crew breaks down the move, what it means for the AFC North, and how the Steelers should play this new era. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Climate change isn't just an environmental issue—it's a market opportunity waiting to be captured. Invert, a carbon reduction and removal company, has raised $26 million to transform how companies think about nature-based investments. Starting from a villa in Antigua during COVID lockdowns, co-founder and CEO Andre Fernandez has built a business that's helping companies put nature on their balance sheets as an accretive investment. In this episode, Andre shares the tactical decisions that took Invert from a cottage conversation between friends to a cash-flow positive business serving some of the largest buyers in the carbon credit space. Topics Discussed: Transitioning from mining focus to broader industry verticals based on market readiness Building customer-centric product development in a complex, non-fungible market Navigating the shift from Carbon Markets 1.0 to premium Carbon Markets 2.0 Balancing direct B2B sales with broker/trader distribution channels Leveraging network effects and domain expertise for customer acquisition Managing long sales cycles in annual purchasing environments Educating buyers in a market where 75% lack dedicated due diligence teams GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Start with network advantages, then expand strategically: Andre's team began in mining because they had a strong network of mining engineers from Queen's University, one of only two Canadian schools with mining engineering programs. However, they quickly discovered mining was 2-4 years behind other industries in decarbonization readiness. The lesson: leverage your network for initial traction, but don't let it constrain your market expansion. Use early success to identify industries that need your solution today, not in 2-4 years. Build customers into your business from day one: Invert's most important GTM decision was starting with customer input before building anything. Andre emphasized: "We don't build things that we want. We build our customers into our business. Whenever we're developing something new, we ask them for feedback. Sometimes we lock up the contract before we've actually developed the project or the product." This approach reduces market risk and ensures product-market fit from the outset. Navigate complex markets with education-first marketing: In markets where 75% of companies lack dedicated teams for due diligence, marketing must serve dual functions: education and simplification. Andre noted that carbon credits aren't fungible—buyers care about jurisdiction, social impact, biodiversity protection, and other project-specific attributes. Founders in complex B2B markets should design marketing to educate while simultaneously streamlining the buying process for overwhelmed buyers. Pivot distribution strategy based on market liquidity: Initially focused purely on direct B2B relationships, Invert learned that in markets with lower liquidity, partnering with brokers and traders accelerates growth. Andre explained: "Carbon credits is a 12-month at least buying cycle because it's annual, so it takes a lot of time. If you have a network of people who already have those relationships in place and they have buyers who are ready to buy, they can introduce you as a credible counterparty." When your sales cycles are long, leverage existing relationships rather than building everything from scratch. Differentiate through execution, not just messaging: As the carbon credit market matured, Andre observed that "everybody's talking about quality or high integrity. No longer is high integrity or quality just the differentiator." Invert's competitive advantage shifted to actual execution—developing projects, investing balance sheet capital, achieving cash flow positivity, and demonstrating results with large buyers. In maturing markets, operational excellence becomes the key differentiator when messaging parity emerges.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM     

Spot AI is pioneering the transformation from traditional video surveillance to intelligent video AI agents that can monitor, analyze, and respond to events in the physical world. With $93 million in funding, the company has evolved from providing simple camera management to building AI security guards and operational agents that can process hundreds of video feeds simultaneously, take autonomous actions, and augment human workers in manufacturing, retail, and security roles. In this episode of Category Visionaries, I sat down with Sudarshan Bhatija, Co-Founder and COO of Spot AI, to explore the company's journey from video surveillance to video AI agents and their vision for physical AI. Topics Discussed: Spot AI's evolution from video surveillance to video intelligence to video AI agents The shift from IT-focused security tools to operations-wide business applications How AI agents can monitor hundreds of camera feeds and take autonomous actions The role of customer feedback in driving product development and market expansion Marketing philosophy focused on authenticity and customer outcomes Building high-performing marketing teams based on capability over experience The future of physical AI and AI agents with "eyes, hands, and legs" GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Capture existing demand and redirect to your category: Spot AI initially targeted customers searching for "video surveillance" but converted them by demonstrating superior value in video intelligence and operational insights. Sudarshan explained that customers "are still married to the old category and starts looking for that, but the subset of customers that wants more" responds to messaging around deeper insights and operational outcomes. B2B founders should identify customers searching for legacy solutions who are actually underserved by existing categories and ready for innovation. Let customer demand pull you upmarket and into new use cases: Rather than forcing expansion, Spot AI allowed existing customers to drive their evolution into higher-value AI agent applications. Sudarshan noted, "customers proactively pulling us into higher value use cases, pulling us up market, and basically the demand has already been created and we've been responding to that." B2B founders should build strong customer listening mechanisms and let proven demand from existing customers guide product development and market expansion. Build an early organic acquisition engine around category transition: Spot AI captured significant early growth by ranking for legacy category searches while converting visitors with next-generation messaging. They "built an organic strategy on Google to be able to acquire a lot of these leads" searching for video surveillance but presented solutions for video intelligence. B2B founders in evolving categories should dominate SEO for legacy terms while using landing pages and demos to educate prospects about superior alternatives. Hire marketing talent based on "can do" over "has done": Sudarshan emphasized that marketing success comes from "the ability to learn really fast and are deeply, you know, take strong ownership of their outcomes" rather than just experience. He found that "people who have the right bent of mind, the marketing bent of mind, but just have really high horsepower" outperform resume-based hires. B2B founders should prioritize intellectual curiosity, ownership mentality, and learning velocity when building marketing teams. Develop authentic, customer-centric marketing that speaks human-to-human: Spot AI's marketing philosophy centers on "focusing all our efforts on high value customer outcomes" and "authenticity" rather than "manicured" corporate messaging. Sudarshan noted that even in B2B, "you're selling to a business, but you're actually selling to a person." B2B founders should embrace authentic, conversational marketing that addresses real customer problems rather than polished but generic corporate communications.     //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM 

Carmen Li spent decades in financial services across trading floors and data companies before spotting a massive inefficiency in the AI/compute economy. After managing global data partnerships at Bloomberg, she witnessed AI startups struggling with unpredictable compute costs that could swing their margins from healthy profits to devastating losses overnight. Drawing parallels to how airlines hedge oil prices through futures markets, Carmen realized that compute—despite being one of the fastest-growing commodities—lacked basic risk management tools. Within months of leaving Bloomberg, she built Silicon Data into the world's first GPU compute risk management platform, raising $5.7M without ever creating a pitch deck and publishing the industry's first GPU compute index on Bloomberg Terminal. Topics Discussed: The systemic problem of compute cost volatility destroying AI company margins Why compute lacks the risk management tools available in every other commodity market Building the world's first GPU compute index and benchmarking service Raising venture capital without pitch decks through product-first demonstrations Operating as a solo non-technical founder leading a team of engineers The unique buyer dynamics when selling to CTOs, portfolio managers, and AI researchers simultaneously GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Price on value, not cost, and let customer conversations reshape your understanding: Carmen admits that every client conversation changes her valuation of the product's impact, typically making it bigger than initially thought. She prices based on the value delivered rather than cost structure. B2B founders should remain flexible in their value proposition and pricing as they learn more about customer impact through direct engagement. Product demonstrations beat pitch decks for technical buyers: Carmen raised $5.7M without ever creating a pitch deck, instead letting prospects interact directly with her product and writing a simple memo. For technical products solving complex problems, demonstrating actual capabilities often proves more effective than polished presentations. B2B founders should prioritize building working products over perfecting sales materials. Embrace being the "dumbest person in the room" for learning velocity: Carmen describes consistently being the least technical person in rooms full of CTOs, AI researchers, and GPU experts, but leverages this as a learning advantage. She asks hard questions and co-creates products on the fly based on these conversations. B2B founders should view knowledge gaps as opportunities for rapid learning rather than weaknesses to hide. Target systemic problems that span multiple sophisticated buyer types: Silicon Data serves everyone from chip designers to hedge funds to AI companies, requiring Carmen to handle technical GPU questions, financial modeling queries, and AI workflow concerns in single meetings. This breadth creates natural expansion opportunities and defensibility. B2B founders should look for problems that affect multiple stakeholder types within their target market. Leverage unique background intersections to spot obvious-but-overlooked opportunities: Carmen's combination of financial services expertise and data company experience let her quickly identify that compute needed the same risk management tools available in every other commodity market. The solution was "extremely intuitive" to her but invisible to others. B2B founders should examine how their unique background combinations reveal opportunities others might miss.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM   

Minoa is pioneering the value intelligence category, helping B2B companies transform how they sell by connecting product capabilities to customer outcomes. With $2.7 million in funding, the platform enables go-to-market teams to build personalized business cases at scale and move beyond feature-selling to value-based selling. In this episode of Category Visionaries, I sat down with Max Elster, CEO and Founder of Minoa, to explore his journey from product manager at CSP Co to building a platform that bridges the disconnect between product development and go-to-market execution. Topics Discussed: Minoa's evolution from solving internal product-to-GTM communication challenges The emergence of value engineers as a new role in B2B organizations Building and co-creating the "value-based selling tools" category on G2 Leveraging customer advisory boards for evangelism and network growth The shift toward AI-powered personalization in B2B sales processes Mid-funnel optimization strategies for reducing deal drop-off rates GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Co-create categories with platforms early: Max successfully worked with G2 to establish the "value-based selling tools" category within six months by building genuine relationships with researchers and sharing market insights consistently. He explains, "I connected with different researchers... and just shared my thoughts. I didn't have actually any idea that they could be launching this category in the near future." B2B founders should proactively engage with category-defining platforms like G2 and Gartner by sharing authentic market observations rather than pushing for category creation. Optimize for AI-powered buyer research: Max discovered that prospects increasingly use ChatGPT and Perplexity to build vendor shortlists, and these tools reference G2 as a primary source. He notes, "If you are not there, if you're not existing in your category, it's going to be hard for ChatGPT to shortlist you." B2B founders should ensure their presence in authoritative databases and directories that AI tools commonly reference, as this represents a new channel for buyer discovery. Build strategic advisory networks with equity + recognition: Max created a "Star Path Collective" of advisors incentivized with equity shares and bottles of wine for successful referrals. His approach is refreshingly simple: "Just say, hey, we're trying to build this market... are you interested?" This generates warm introductions and ongoing strategic guidance. B2B founders should systematically identify potential advisors who are already bought into their vision and offer meaningful but not overcomplicated incentive structures. Focus on mid-funnel conversion, not just top-funnel generation: Max emphasizes that many companies obsess over lead generation while ignoring massive drop-offs in the middle stages. He explains, "You can solve everything around pipeline, but if you don't get your mid funnel right... you're also going to lose." B2B founders should analyze their CRM data to identify specific drop-off points and create targeted collateral and processes to address these conversion bottlenecks rather than simply generating more leads. Leverage customers as category evangelists: Max's most successful content and growth strategies center on customer stories and insights. He advises, "The customers are the best people to tell a story about what they have achieved with your product." Rather than creating generic thought leadership, B2B founders should systematically capture and amplify customer transformation stories, which serve dual purposes of social proof and category education. Maintain founder-led sales longer with AI augmentation: Max continues doing founder-led sales while building scalable processes, noting that AI tools enable small teams to maintain high personalization at scale. He believes this approach is more sustainable than rushing to hire sales teams. B2B founders should consider extending their founder-led sales phase by leveraging AI and automation tools rather than defaulting to rapid sales team expansion.     //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM   

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute:Zara's Growth Woes: Inditex starts Q2 with only 6% sales growth and warns of a 3% annual sales hit from foreign exchange pressures. Despite this, the fashion giant is investing €2.7 billion in store upgrades and logistics to weather global volatility.Starbucks Goes AI: The coffee giant pilots Green Dot Assist, a new generative AI tool powered by Microsoft Azure, aimed at streamlining barista workflows and improving customer service across 35 stores—part of a broader digital operations overhaul.Victoria's Secret Hit by Cyberattack: A data breach cost the brand $10M in lost Q2 income. As sales stall and margins shrink, the company leans into its Pink brand, while activist investors demand a bolder transformation plan.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights. Be careful out there!

Michael Mogill doesn't believe in staying comfortable. He builds businesses by pushing past the breaking point—and then raising the bar again. As founder of Crisp, he's helped over 1,000 law firms grow by seven figures each. Now, he's chasing a $100B impact by helping 10,000 firms hit $10M. His secret? Relentless hiring, deep brand building, and setting goals that force transformation. If you're serious about scaling, this is a blueprint you can't ignore. You'll learn: Why most firms stall at 7 or 8 figures—and how to break through How brand can attract not just clients, but elite trial lawyers The overlooked power of streaming ads (for pennies per view) What “unreasonable success” actually takes—and why it's worth it If you like what you hear - we do this every week. Learn how to build the personal injury law firm of your dreams - its easy.  Just hit subscribe.   PIMCON 2025 Tickets On Sale Now. Get yours today! Get Social! Personal Injury Mastermind (PIM) is on Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

Every real estate investor has heard of bonus depreciation... But in 2025, the game has changed—and if you're not up to speed, it could cost you. In today's episode, I sat down with Gian Pazzia, a cost segregation expert with a background in engineering and Big Four accounting. He breaks down exactly what's changed, what's staying, and how to capitalize on bonus depreciation while it's still available. Whether you're holding small rentals or $10M commercial deals, this is a must-listen if you want to reduce your tax bill legally and massively. In this episode, we cover: How cost segregation really works (with simple math examples) When it makes sense to pay for a study—and when it doesn't What “recapture” means and how it can ruin investor returns if misunderstood The political outlook for bonus depreciation (hint: it might return to 100%) How Gian's firm is using AI to help smaller investors get in the game Listen now and make sure your tax strategy is 2025-ready. Take Control, Hunter Thompson Resources mentioned in the episode Gian Pazzia Website LinkedIn Interested in learning how to take your capital raising game to the next level? Meet us at Capital Raiser's Edge. Learn more here: https://raisingcapital.com/cre

For episode 529, Brandon Zemp is joined by Nicolas Kipreos, Co-founder and COO of diio.Nicolás is an entrepreneur with extensive experience in SaaS and B2B technology. He was the COO and Co-founder of Beetrack, a leading last-mile logistics software company in Latin America, which was acquired by DispatchTrack in 2021 in a $40M+ operation. Under his leadership, Beetrack grew to over 800 clients across four countries, achieving a 100% CAGR and generating more than $10M in ARR before the merger.Diio is a SaaS company that enhances consultative remote sales by automating key meeting insights, tracking commitments, and streamlining CRM workflows. His expertise lies in scaling tech businesses, optimizing sales strategies, and driving growth through data-driven decision-making. Start your 14 day trial here: https://bit.ly/3Hx0AUdGet 90% off your first month with discount code: BLOCKHASH ⏳ Timestamps: 0:00 | Introduction1:15 | Who is Nicolas Kipreos?4:00 | What is diio?5:23 | How does diio capture & analyze information?7:44 | diio integrations8:50 | Does diio learn over time?10:29 | Use-cases of diio12:57 | Who is diio designed for?14:12 | Future of AI in Sales17:22 | What is the Future of diio?20:19 | Roadmap for diio in 202521:52 | How to get started with diio?23:21 | diio website, socials & community 

“Double your income in less time—some people go, You can't do that', because they aren't open to a possibility. It's not only possible. It's actually a better way to do it---Get better.”  Generating 6–8 figures isn't just about hustle—it's about who you become in the process. This mastermind breaks down how to set bold, emotionally charged goals, install beliefs that support high performance, and commit to daily actions that align with your biggest vision.  Marc Von Musser explains how to build a $10M business with clarity, energy, and purpose. He shares how to overcome limiting beliefs, protect your dreams, and focus on $20K/hour activities that drive results.  Marc Von Musser is a peak performance coach and strategist with deep experience in scaling businesses to multi-million dollar success through mindset, mission, and structure.  Expert action steps:  1. Set a Big, Bold Goal  Pick one goal that excites and scares you. If it doesn't fire you up, it's not big enough.  2. Upgrade Your Beliefs  Ask yourself: Do my beliefs help or hurt my goal? Keep the ones that help. Change the ones that don't.  3. Focus on High-Value Work  Figure out the one or two things you do that make the most money. Do more of those. Cut or delegate the rest. Visit https://www.eCircleAcademy.com and book a success call with Nicky to take your practice to the next level.

What happens when business meets conviction? In this episode of Owned and Operated, we explore how faith, intentionality, and grit shaped one plumbing entrepreneur's journey from early struggle to long-term success.Dalton Hatch, founder of DH Plumbing in San Antonio, opens up about the mindset and personal transformation that fueled his growth. From rejecting aggressive sales tactics in favor of real customer care, to learning the hard lessons of money, mentorship, and marketing—Dalton lays it all out.If you're a trades entrepreneur, service business operator, or just getting started, this episode will shift how you think about scaling, culture, and staying true to your values in business.

What if the biggest thing holding your business back… is you?In this episode of Scaling Expertise, I sit down with Jill James, founder of The Jill James, a fractional COO firm that helps expert founders scale without burning out or staying stuck in operator mode. Jill built her firm by asking one powerful question: “How can I help people do the work they love without being buried in admin?”We dig deep into the invisible costs of overwork, the identity shift from doer to leader, and the moment Jill realized she needed to break her own rules to scale. If you're feeling like your business can't run without you, this episode is your wake-up call.Jill shares hard-earned wisdom from scaling businesses to $10M+ and offers actionable ways to reclaim your time, build operational clarity, and let go of control—without compromising your vision.Key Takeaways:Founders can be the bottleneck. If your business can't function without you, it's not scalable.Don't sell your time—sell your thinking. Experts grow when they stop doing and start designing systems.Scaling isn't about doing more—it's about doing less, better. Create space so the business can operate without you.You don't need to be a “visionary.” You just need to be clear about where you want to go.Resist the "fixer" urge. Let your team solve problems so they can grow into their roles.Fractional leadership. This can help expert founders transition out of operator mode with structure and sanity.Jill is a featured author in The Wisdom Collection: Stories That Transform How We Live, Connect, and Lead—an anthology of powerful insights from business leaders who've built, failed, and figured things out the hard way so you don't have to. Each chapter is practical, quick to read, and full of hard-won wisdom.The book launches June 24 and will be available for just $1.99 during its first 24–48 hours.Want the launch link or more details? Check out Jill's announcement post on LinkedIn.Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute:Walmart launches “Sparky,” an AI shopping assistant that's not just answering questions — it's getting ready to take actions for you. Think reorders, recipe planning, even DIY help, all from the app.CMOs are all in on GenAI. BCG says 83% are optimistic, and most will spend over $10M on AI in the next 3 years — but will content saturation kill the magic?Grubhub levels up with multi-store ordering — now you can get tacos and tequila in one order. With new alcohol and flower delivery options, the platform wants to be your everyday convenience hub.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights. Be careful out there!

Len Testa reviews Epcot's swanky new GEO82 Lounge—crab cakes, price tags, and time limits included—while Jim Hill breaks down the surprisingly tangled history of film companies at Disney Parks. Plus, thoughts on the reimagined Rivers of America concept art, Disney trains going backwards, and how one bear-loving park ranger is making a comeback. The show ends with Part 2 of the wild saga behind Journey into Imagination's 2002 reopening, featuring a side of Art Linkletter, Henry Fonda, and bitter corporate rivalries. First thoughts on Disney's new Piston Peak National Park concept art The EPCOT GEO82 Lounge: gorgeous views, high prices, strict timers Disney trains to run in reverse—literally Why a DVC rental checkbox could be tied to speculative booking issues The forgotten film war: Kodak, Polaroid, and the $10M that didn't pay off How Art Linkletter turned a favor into Disneyland's most profitable deal Whether you're craving peanut brittle from a charcuterie plate or just here for vintage theme park trivia, this episode has you covered. ⁠SHOW NOTES⁠ Support Our Sponsors DVC Resale Market Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free. Learn More DVC Rental Store Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you're a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don't forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures! Learn More Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Len Testa reviews Epcot's swanky new GEO82 Lounge—crab cakes, price tags, and time limits included—while Jim Hill breaks down the surprisingly tangled history of film companies at Disney Parks. Plus, thoughts on the reimagined Rivers of America concept art, Disney trains going backwards, and how one bear-loving park ranger is making a comeback. The show ends with Part 2 of the wild saga behind Journey into Imagination's 2002 reopening, featuring a side of Art Linkletter, Henry Fonda, and bitter corporate rivalries. First thoughts on Disney's new Piston Peak National Park concept art The EPCOT GEO82 Lounge: gorgeous views, high prices, strict timers Disney trains to run in reverse—literally Why a DVC rental checkbox could be tied to speculative booking issues The forgotten film war: Kodak, Polaroid, and the $10M that didn't pay off How Art Linkletter turned a favor into Disneyland's most profitable deal Whether you're craving peanut brittle from a charcuterie plate or just here for vintage theme park trivia, this episode has you covered. ⁠SHOW NOTES⁠ Support Our Sponsors DVC Resale Market Thinking about joining Disney Vacation Club or selling your contract? DVC Resale Market is the leader in the secondary market, with over 70,000 satisfied DVC members. Their expert team of 21 former DVC Cast Members brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to every transaction, making buying or selling DVC simple and stress-free. Learn More DVC Rental Store Dreaming of deluxe Disney accommodations at a fraction of the cost? The DVC Rental Store connects guests with incredible savings on Disney Vacation Club resorts. Whether you're a DVC member looking to rent your points or a guest looking to stay in style, the DVC Rental Store offers a seamless process for both. Don't forget—they also offer exciting point swaps for unforgettable experiences like cruises and adventures! Learn More Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode Rich sits down with Soli Cayetano - Real Estate Investor, Entrepreneur, and Founder of Out Of State Investor Academy. Soli is a 26 year old investor located in the Bay Area, CA with a portfolio of properties in Ohio, Georgia, and soon to be Palm Springs, CA. In her first 4 years of investing she's built a $10M portfolio including 45 rentals and a 64 unit multifamily syndication. She started investing using long term and mid term rental strategies and is now expanding into the boutique hotel space to create unique experiences. In 2023 she founded Out of State Investor Academy which has helped hundreds of investors learn how to build cash flow in more affordable markets across the country.Rich and Soli start off by discussing initially meeting, coordinating yacht meetups, Rich's first deal, Soli's experience speaking at the Mid Term Rental Summit, how to raise private capital, the BRRRR strategy, Rich's first boutique hotel, Soli's experience as a commercial real estate broker, how Soli got into real estate investing, the opportunities afforded by real estate investing, how Rich got into real estate investing, the price range that Soli buys in, Cincinnati, Georgia, Soli's first boutique hotel, geodomes, finding the right market, learning experiences, and getting what you asked for.They then reflect on the Palm Springs market, nude resorts, sending in credibility stacks, pushing ourselves outside our comfort zone, adding tremendous value to properties, cosmetic changes, the importance of wellness, modernism in Palm Springs, Soli's new community, mastermind retreats, Jesse Vasquez, and Rich's new idea for a San Diego conference. Lastly, they talk about posting daily content, the changing algorithm, Alex Hormozi, the differences between platforms, viral content and the value of a good hook, TRT, and whether everyone should be posting social media content. Connect with Soli on Instagram: @lattes.and.leasesVisit BYLTBasics.com and use code “Somers20” at checkout for 20% on your next purchaseConnect with Rich on Instagram: @rich_somersInterested in investing with Somers Capital? Visit www.somerscapital.com/invest to learn more.Interested in joining our Boutique Hotel Mastermind? Visit www.somerscapital.com/mastermind to book a free call.Interested in STR/Boutique Hotel Management? Visit www.excelsiorstays.com/management to book a free call.Join our investor waitlist and stay in the know about our next investor opportunity with Somers Capital: www.somerscapital.com/invest. Want to join our Boutique Hotel Mastermind Community? Book a free strategy call with our team: www.hotelinvesting.com. If you're committed to scaling your personal brand and achieving 7-figure success, it's time to level up with the 7 Figure Creator Mastermind Community. Book your exclusive intro call today at www.the7figurecreator.com and gain access to the strategies that will accelerate your growth.

Researchers discover what may be China's largest ever data leak. CrowdStrike cooperates with federal authorities following last year's major software bug. A researcher discovers over half a million sensitive insurance documents exposed online. Microsoft offers free cybersecurity programs to European governments. The FBI chronicles the Play ransomware gang. Google warns a threat group is targeting Salesforce customers. A former Biden cybersecurity official warns that U.S. critical infrastructure remains highly vulnerable to cyberattacks. The State Department offers up to $10 million for information on the RedLine infostealer malware. Our guest is Anneka Gupta, Chief Product Officer at Rubrik, on the challenges of managing security across systems. Some FDA workers want to put their new Elsa AI on ice. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our daily intelligence roundup, Daily Briefing, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow CyberWire Daily on LinkedIn. CyberWire Guest Today we have Anneka Gupta, Chief Product Officer at Rubrik, talking about organizations moving to the cloud thinking security will be handled there and the challenges of managing security across systems. Selected Reading Largest ever data leak exposes over 4 billion user records (Cybernews) CrowdStrike Cooperating With Federal Probes Into July Software Outage (Wall Street Journal) Two Decades of Triangle Insurance Documents Exposed Publicly (Substack) Microsoft offers to boost European governments' cybersecurity for free ( (Reuters) FBI: Play ransomware gang has attacked 600 organizations since 2023 (The Record) Google Warns of Vishing, Extortion Campaign Targeting Salesforce Customers (SecurityWeek) ‘I do not have confidence' that US infrastructure is cyber-secure, former NSC official says (Nextgov/FCW) China issues warrants for alleged Taiwanese hackers and bans a business for pro-independence links (AP News) US offers $10M for tips on state hackers tied to RedLine malware (Bleeping Computer) FDA rushed out agency-wide AI tool—it's not going well (Ars Technica) Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at cyberwire@n2k.com to request more info. The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The #1 Skill You Must Master to Scale Your Business (It’s Not Marketing) In this episode of The Tai Lopez Show, Tai breaks down the real reason most entrepreneurs fail to scale—people. Finding, hiring, training, managing, and retaining top performers is the single hardest part of building a business, and Tai shares a no-BS blueprint on how to do it right. From the three classical factors of production to the power of cognitive quizzes and Napoleon's strategy of mind-reading lieutenants, Tai walks you through his proven 3-phase system: How to consistently find A-players using story ads and quizzes Why you should hire in batches, not one at a time The 67-day onboarding method to filter elite talent When (and how) to nurture, retain, and train your high performers If you're trying to grow from $100K to $100M and beyond, mastering people is non-negotiable.