Podcasts about leveraging

Are you an overachieving director, VP, or enterprise leader who wants to take the high-level communication habits you mastered in the corporate world and turn them into a sovereign, global career?   In this transparent guest conversation, host Billy Keels sits down with Derek Smith—a public speaking coach and veteran MC of over 5,000 events who used his corporate foundation to engineer an international lifestyle spanning 54 houses across three continents. Derek reveals how winning Samsung's content creator competition at the 2010 Winter Olympics served as a turning point, why over 70% of communication is non-verbal when navigating global boundaries, and how asking one life-changing question shifted his entire trajectory. Discover how to leverage corporate team dynamics, overcome the fear of starting late, focus on "Who, Not How," and build a business in your personal zone of genius entirely on your own terms.  

Benny Chen, Co-Founder @ Fireworks AI, joins the show to discuss his founder journey and share valuable insights on navigating common founder / product dev challenges in today's agent-first landscape. He and Jerry cover strategies for creating effective messaging, staying competitive in a crowded market space, hiring top-tier talent / what qualities to look for in high-performing engineers, navigating the cultural shift to managing agents, creating data flywheels & how this can help your customers, and more. ABOUT BENNY CHEN As co-founder and early product architect, Benny Chen shaped Fireworks AI's infrastructure strategy, spearheading the design of scalable systems to support high-throughput AI model serving. Benny's contributions established the technical foundation for Fireworks AI's robust and cloud-native architecture, which underpins its ability to meet enterprise demands. Formerly Meta's Ads Infrastructure Lead, Benny optimized large-scale ad-serving pipelines and developed significant expertise in distributed systems and cloud infrastructure. He holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Stanford University, bringing both leadership and technical depth to the Fireworks AI management team. Sinch is the communications infrastructure the AI era runs on. There's a layer of infrastructure behind every text, call, and login code your product sends, and it works exactly like plumbing: nobody thinks about it until it's the reason something broke. Most providers route through 4-6 intermediaries; Sinch connects in 1-2 hops, direct carrier relationships across 600+ connections, handling 900 billion interactions a year across 60+ countries. Routing, compliance, fraud prevention handled automatically rather than manually managed by the business sending the message! Sinch is the reliability layer underneath AI-driven customer communications; the infrastructure that determines whether an AI agent's output actually reaches a real person as a delivered text, connected call, or verified interaction. Check it out here! SHOW NOTES: Moving from an early idea to a rocket ship (1:13) Insights on developing / communicating your core message as an early founder (2:40) Role of open source & inference @ Fireworks AI (4:24) How Firework AI's company messaging evolved over time (6:07) Popular customization features today (7:25) Strategies for staying competitive in a crowded market (9:11) Defining the customer data flywheel & how it helps users (11:25) Common types of data that companies can collect to train their AI models (13:53) The customer's next steps after creating a data flywheel (15:53) Benny's perspective on acquiring engineering talent as a founder (16:43) Common traits shared by high-performing engineers @ Fireworks (19:05) How AI has altered which traits founders prioritize when hiring (20:45) Navigating the shift from engineering work to managing agents (22:40) Frameworks to ensure agents are doing the right thing (25:23) Aligning your metrics with the outcome you're trying to follow (27:37) What a typical day looks like for Benny as a founder (28:31) Advice for founders / eng leaders looking to embrace AI adoption (29:19) Rapid fire questions (31:15) This episode wouldn't have been possible without the help of our incredible production team: Patrick Gallagher - Producer & Co-Host Jerry Li - Co-Host Noah Olberding - Associate Producer, Audio & Video Editor https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-olberding/ Dan Overheim - Audio Engineer, Dan's also an avid 3D printer - https://www.bnd3d.com/ Ellie Coggins Angus - Copywriter, Check out her other work at https://elliecoggins.com/about/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if bad credit isn't the real problem—but a symptom of not understanding how money, credit, leverage, and banking relationships actually work?Haitian CEO joins Ash Cash inside the vault for a wealth-building masterclass on how everyday people can use credit strategically, build relationships with banks, access business funding, acquire cash-flowing assets, and eventually move from relying on personal credit to letting the business stand on its own.After earning a master's degree and making $39,000 a year, he discovered mentorship, business funding, and the power of leveraging the bank's money. Since then, he says he has helped everyday people secure more than $100 million in funding while building Bella Sloan Enterprises and Bella Sloan Academy.In this episode, Haitian CEO breaks down credit scores, banking relationships, credit card stacking, CDFI and SBA lending, business acquisitions, and why getting funding is only the beginning.The real goal? Cash flow.He shares how he used leverage to purchase real estate, how a Cleveland duplex helped him replace part of his job income, and why buying existing businesses from retiring owners could create major opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs.The conversation also dives into mentorship, delegation, AI, systems, and legacy. Haitian CEO explains how hiring the right operator helped him reach his first million-dollar year, how one mentee grew to $40 million in assets, and the financial blueprint he wants to pass down to his daughters and grandchildren.This episode is bigger than credit.It's about learning the rules, creating leverage, buying assets, building cash flow, and having the discipline to execute.Connect with Haitian CEO: Instagram: @haitian_ceo YouTube: Bella Sloan EnterprisesConnect with Inside the Vault: Instagram: @insidethevault InsideTheVaultShow.comHosted by Ash Cash: Instagram: @iamashcash IAmAshCash.comABUNDANCE IS YOUR BIRTHRIGHT.Join Ash Cash and a community focused on building wealth, increasing income, strengthening your mindset, and creating a more abundant life:TheAbundanceCommunity.comEPISODE TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Cash flow is king 00:59 – Ash Cash book CTA 02:00 – Welcome to Inside the Vault 03:44 – Meet Haitian CEO 05:10 – From a $39K salary to the funding business 06:23 – Discovering $50K in business funding 08:33 – Using leverage to fund your dreams 09:20 – When the business becomes the asset 10:06 – Credit scores & banking relationships 10:23 – The strategy behind $50K–$100K in funding 11:03 – Credit card stacking explained 11:28 – Fix your credit before seeking funding 11:44 – Using AI to review your credit report 13:26 – Credit specialists vs. AI 14:31 – Build bank relationships while repairing credit 15:08 – Which credit bureaus banks pull 15:56 – Moving beyond personal guarantees 16:32 – Buying businesses instead of starting one 16:56 – The baby boomer business wealth transfer 17:52 – Using SBA financing to purchase cash flow 18:27 – Improve the business with AI, then flip it 19:09 – “This is a masterclass on how to build wealth” 20:04 – Your 9-to-5 can be your first business partner 21:48 – Funding is the vehicle; cash flow is the goal 23:04 – “Cash is not king. Credit is not king. Cash flow is king.” 23:39 – The Cleveland duplex that changed the game 24:12 – $4K rent, $1.5K mortgage & the cash-flow strategy 24:58 – Replacing job income with rental properties 26:23 – Find your freedom number before chasing luxury 27:20 – Why banks want to lend money 28:44 – The power of bank relationship managers 31:40 – Why relationships & mentorship matter 33:28 – The story behind Bella Sloan Academy 35:06 – Charging $10K for mentorship 36:01 – Building a community of nearly 5,000 38:19 – Leverage goes beyond credit 39:32 – Why Herman stopped trying to run everything 40:43 – Hiring help and reaching his first $1M year 43:48 – Building an AI-first company 44:35 – “More money, less clients” 45:03 – From mentorship to $40M in assets 45:25 – Leveraging credit toward a $15M business 45:47 – Why he wants to flip businesses 48:50 – Legacy as a father & first-generation millionaire 50:41 – Building credit before age 18 51:31 – The $250K-by-graduation blueprint 52:19 – Building your child's financial foundation 52:44 – Using real estate to teach ownership & cash flow 54:06 – Using Glasp to execute on podcast information 55:19 – Bella Sloan Academy 56:03 – Motivation fades; discipline takes over 57:00 – “Audit your circle” 58:31 – Connect with Haitian CEO 59:02 – Closing the VaultAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

How can Property Sentinel help me as a Chicago building owner? ============= Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com Guest: Jim McMahon, Property Sentinel Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com Link: Build Your Team | Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast Properties for Sale on the North Side?  We want to buy them. Email: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com Have a vacancy? We can place your next tenant and give you back 30-40 hours of your time. Learn more: GCRealtyInc.com/tenant-placement Has Property Mgmt become an opportunity cost for you? Let us lower your risk and give you your time back to grow. Learn more: GCRealtyinc.com ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2026.

Lauren Cobello is the CEO and founder of Leverage with Media PR, a boutique public relations agency that helps authors, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders use media strategically to build authority, credibility, and growth. Before launching her agency, she spent nearly two decades building her own personal brand as a personal finance expert, becoming a three-time author and regular national TV personality on shows like The Today Show, Good Morning America, Dr. Oz, and Rachael Ray. After scaling her personal brand to seven figures, she sold that company and bootstrapped Leverage with Media PR from zero to a million-dollar agency in just 10 months. On this episode we talk about: How Lauren paid off 40,000 dollars in debt and built a personal finance brand from a couponing blog. How national TV appearances became top-of-funnel “ads” that fueled her seven-figure business. Why she sold her first company, downsized her lifestyle, and went all-in on starting a PR agency debt free. The truth about the PR industry, including low-quality agencies, profit-first models, and why so many founders feel burned. How traditional media, podcasts, and social platforms now work together to build authority in 2026. Why relationships and senior-level publicists are the real differentiators for landing meaningful TV and podcast placements. The realities of getting on top podcasts like Joe Rogan and why most entrepreneurs need a more strategic, ego-free media plan. Top 3 Takeaways Media is a multiplier: When used strategically, every TV appearance, podcast, or feature should act as top of funnel that drives people into a sales ecosystem and builds trust before you ever enter the room. Not all PR is created equal: Most agencies optimize for profit, staffing junior or outsourced teams, while the firms that actually move the needle rely on senior publicists with deep relationships and clear KPIs. Traditional media isn't dead—it's leveraged: In 2026, the strongest brands blend traditional TV, podcasts, social, and newsletters, using prestigious earned media (like major TV shows) for credibility and association that makes everything else easier. Notable Quotes "Every single TV appearance that I did became top of funnel—an ad that went into my sales funnel and got people to trust me before I even walked in the room." "PR is not marketing, and most PR agencies are full of it because they sell promises junior teams can't fulfill." "You probably aren't going on the top five podcasts you're dreaming about, but the right ‘smaller' shows can move the needle more than the ones with fake followers and vanity metrics." Connect with Lauren Cobello: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leveragewithmediapr Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leveragewithmedia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauren_cobello Other: ⁠Leverage with Media PR⁠  A Word from Our Sponsors:- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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#1061 What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn't strategy or execution — but the identity you're operating from? In this episode, host Brien Gearin sits down with Cassie Shea, founder of The Possibility Investor, to unpack what it really means to iterate with your identity as a business owner. Cassie shares how her journey from running a $14M company at 28 to logging 3,500+ coaching hours shaped her core framework: Desire → Deserving → Decisions — starting with the deceptively hard question, “What do you want?” Together, they explore why so many entrepreneurs hit an invisible “deserve ceiling,” how proving energy can quietly drive (and drain) growth, and how constraints — like health, seasons of life, or boredom — can become the catalyst for smarter, more sustainable business evolution. Cassie also previews her free 3D Assessment and where listeners can connect with her as she launches The Possibility Investor! (Original Air Date - 12/31/25) What we discuss with Cassie: + Identity-driven business growth + Iterating with your identity + Desire → Deserving → Decisions framework + The “deserve ceiling” + Proving vs. creating + Boredom as a signal + Constraints fuel creativity + Building beyond scarcity + Frameworks over hustle Thank you, Cassie! Follow Cassie on ⁠LinkedIn⁠. Watch the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠video podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of this episode! Get your FREE 5 Minute Business Plan at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MillionaireUniversity.com/Plan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MillionaireUniversity.com/Sponsors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniela from Mindful Goods joins the podcast to explore how New York State's new AI image regulations are impacting Amazon sellers and forcing brands to adopt greater creative transparency. As consumer sensitivity to "AI slop" grows, brands are encountering false negatives where overly polished human photography is mistaken for AI, making human split-testing and data-driven creative execution essential. While nimble solo founders leverage one-click AI tools for quick design wins, established 7-to-9-figure brands are using AI strategically to scale catalog design templates across thousands of SKUs and bridge visual gaps in costly photoshoots. To maximize conversion and overcome these creative challenges, Daniela outlines the importance of single-message visual hierarchy and leveraging internal databases to pre-test Main Images and A+ Content before launching.   Episode Notes: 00:00 - Introduction to Daniela and Mindful Goods 01:02 - New York State AI Regulations & Amazon Disclaimers 03:18 - Compliance Fines & The Shift Toward Creative Transparency 04:49 - How AI Raised the Creative Baseline for Entry-Level Sellers 06:34 - Consumer Sensitivity & "Over-Perfection" False Negatives 09:06 - How Enterprise Brands Strategically Use AI vs. Solo Founders 11:59 - Scaling Massive SKU Catalogs from Months Down to Minutes 13:38 - Leveraging 1,000+ PickFu Split Tests for Creative Strategy 17:38 - Live Amazon Listing Audit: Buzzed Honey & Premium A+ Content 22:55 - The #2 Factor in Amazon Conversion 26:45 - Daniela's Design Proof Substack & Free Split-Testing Playbooks   Related Post: AI Visibility for Amazon Products: Are ChatGPT and Rufus Recommending You? How to Reach Daniela: Substack: Design Proof Website: mindfulgoods.co LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dbolzmann Scott's Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

We've talked extensively about the demand side of data centers and AI and it's important to consider what's taking place in sustainably addressing it. Analyst Tony Lenior returns to the podcast to discuss his recent research with host Eric Hanselman. Booming demand has raised concerns that hyperscalers and data center operators would abandon sustainability goals, but, while some timelines have been pushed back, they continue to be some of the largest buyers of renewable Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and are driving carbon-free energy pursuits. That's despite three major energy shocks in the last six years. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are seeing wider deployment and rapid technology advances and are a means to addressing wind and solar's intermittency.  Water is another key resource associated with the data center operation and an area where progress is being made. It's part of a more complex set of interconnections, though as direct water consumption is typically what's measured, but secondary water consumption can be just as significant. Nuclear power is cabron-free, but consumes large quantities of water for cooling. Hydropower has even more complicated impacts on water use, despite its fundamentally sustainable nature. Sustainability concerns are critical to understand and very challenging to fully resolve.   More S&P Global Content: Renewable energy curtailment offers a surplus opportunity for Texas data centers Next in Tech | Ep. 266: Managing data center risk Nearly two-thirds of planned US BESS projects eligible for 40% tax credits For S&P Global Subscribers: Microsoft opens new windows into renewable investment, doubling down on decarbonization Amazon delivers on green commitments, but emissions rise amid the AI boom Google's search for power sustainability is yielding results, but AI slows progress Powering data centers: Leveraging energy community incentives in a changing regulatory landscape Host/Author: Eric Hanselman  Guest: Tony Lenoir Producer/Editor: Dylan Scheible 

In "Scale or Fail: Navigating Trade Volatility for Emerging Brands", Joe Lynch speaks with President and CEO of the Americas region of GEODIS, Laura Ritchey, about how emerging brands can navigate trade volatility, manage inventory, and build scalable, resilient supply chains. About Laura Ritchey Laura Ritchey joined GEODIS in July 2025 as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Americas region. Laura is responsible for overseeing the region's freight forwarding, contract logistics and transportation business units along with engineering and technology, IT, ProVenture (U.S.-based subsidiary of GEODIS focusing on industrial real estate) and Material Handling Resources (one of the country's leading material handling distributors owned by GEODIS). In total, Laura oversees GEODIS Americas' expansive operations including nearly 20,000 employees and more than 230 sites across eight countries. Laura brings over 30 years of experience to GEODIS, with 15 focused on supply chain management in both retail and third-party logistics. Laura began her career in finance before transitioning to supply chain operations, including sourcing, distribution and strategic transformation. Prior to her current role, Laura was most recently CEO at Radial, Inc., a leader in e-commerce fulfillment solutions, where she drove revenue growth and profitability through operational excellence. At Radial, she led the North American P&L for a $1.4B e-commerce logistics division, responsible for relationships with over 170 clients across four service lines. Before joining Radial, she held leadership positions at L Brands, FullBeauty Brands and Centric Brands. Laura is on the Dean's Advisory Council at Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University and is an active board member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's Nashville Branch. Additionally, she is actively involved with C200 whose mission is to inspire, educate, support and advance current and future women leaders. Laura earned her J.D., MBA and bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University. Additionally, Laura is accredited as a certified public accountant and admitted to the bar in Ohio. About GEODIS GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in four lines of business: Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express Transport, and European Road Network. The Group operates a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and 48,000 employees. In 2025, GEODIS generated €10.6 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group. Key Takeaways: Scale or Fail: Navigating Trade Volatility for Emerging Brands Beware the "10K Order Trap" During Rapid Growth: Scaling operations from 1,000 to 10,000 monthly orders often breaks a business before demand stalls. Emerging brands must build strong foundational supply chain building blocks early—such as maintaining clean master data (accurate dimensions and weights) and choosing a 3PL capable of global growth—to avoid costly operational failures when reaching inflection points. Adopt a Hybrid Inventory Strategy to Balance JIT and JIC: Shifting strictly between "Just in Time" (JIT) and "Just in Case" (JIC) risks either stockouts or trapped working capital. A balanced, hybrid approach—keeping adequate stock of fast-moving core basics while tightly controlling slow-moving seasonal items—helps protect cash flow without sacrificing availability. Re-evaluate the "Amazon Effect" and Recommerce to Protect Margins: High-speed, free shipping creates an illusion of necessity that drives up last-mile costs. Brands should focus on order delivery certainty over pure speed while implementing circular economy strategies (recommerce) to rehabilitate and resell returned apparel, which often recovers up to 95% of inventory value. Mitigate Sourcing Risks Beyond Single-Factory Bets: Diversifying supply chains requires going all the way back to raw material inputs rather than simply relocating assembly plants. Navigating evolving global tariffs requires nearshoring flexibility, dual-sourcing critical SKUs, and re-orchestrating supply chain flows across regional hubs. Understand True Landed Costs to Avoid Margin Shock: Delegating freight forwarding and customs clearance entirely to overseas manufacturers often leads to hidden markups and supply chain delays. Leveraging an end-to-end global provider with licensed customs brokerage capabilities ensures clear visibility into total landed costs and regulatory compliance. Leverage Global Scale with Curated, End-to-End Execution: Supported by a global network spanning nearly 170 countries, over 48,000 employees, and €10.6 billion (USD $12.35 billion) in revenue (2025), GEODIS provides emerging and established brands with an agile, end-to-end "launchpad for global growth" across contract logistics, freight forwarding, and transportation. Avoid the "Set It and Forget It" Supply Chain Mindset: Ongoing volatility, regulatory shifts, and geopolitical friction require continuous evaluation of supply chain networks. Taking a cautious, practical approach to emerging technologies like AI (for labor forecasting and route planning) ensures operational stability while safeguarding proprietary data. Learn More About Scale or Fail: Navigating Trade Volatility for Emerging Brands Laura Ritchey | Linkedin GEODIS | Linkedin GEODIS The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

In this inspiring episode, Paul Andrews welcomes Søren, the fourth graduate of the Beginner Guitar Academy, to share his journey from total beginner to advanced guitarist. Together, they discuss the realities of learning guitar as an adult, the importance of structured practice, overcoming challenges, and practical strategies for consistent progress.Key Topics CoveredSøren's Guitar JourneyInitial motivation: Desire to play favorite rock songs and seek structure in learning.Previous experience with Guitar Hero and Simply Guitar app versus real-life guitar progress.Joining Beginner Guitar Academy for step-by-step support, structure, and a clear path.Three-year journey through all five Academy levels.Facing Challenges & Overcoming PlateausThe struggle and ultimate success with challenging pieces like “Heartbreaker.”Battling “red light fever” when recording and pushing through performance nerves.The importance of balancing practice consistency with life's demands.The Value of Structure and CommunityWhy methodical, skill-based learning works better than random or gamified app learning.Benefits of module-based progression and not rushing through levels.Leveraging the Academy's workshops, practice diaries, and community inspiration.The power of seeing fellow members' playthroughs to stay motivated.Practical Advice for Beginner and Advancing GuitaristsConsistency beats perfection—practice most days, but don't obsess if you miss one.Don't rush; spending time mastering basics pays off in higher levels.Make your guitar easily accessible for frequent practice.Early adoption of good habits: counting beats, performance mindset, and recording yourself.Use tools like leg supports or footrests for better playing posture.If you hit a wall, try learning new songs or attending a workshop for a fresh perspective.Enjoy the journey—focus on growth, not just completing levels.What's Next After Graduation?Exploring workshops and developing new skills (e.g., looping with a looper pedal).Considering further studies in genres like blues/rock with other learning platforms.Continuing to participate in the Academy community as a graduate with ongoing access.Resources & CommunityGrad Club perks: Lifetime Academy access, exclusive merch, special workshops.New practice studio tool for tracking practice and progress.Active peer support through the Beginner Guitar Academy online community.Quickfire Favorites (from Søren)Favorite guitarist: Jack White and David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)Favorite genres: Rock and bluesTop riffs/songs to play: "Money," "Sweet Child o' Mine," “Hold On,” “Parisienne Walkways”Most valued guitar gear: Quality multi-effects pedal, looper pedal, leg support pillowInspirational Takeaway“If you put in the time and effort, you can learn almost anything on guitar.” – SernRemember, there's no quick fix in learning guitar—real progress comes from dedication and enjoying every step.Want to start your own journey?Learn more about Beginner Guitar Academy—structured courses, community support, and a proven path from absolute beginner to confident guitarist.

The Suite Spot attended the 2026 Hotel Data Conference and had the opportunity to interview some of the best and brightest hospitality leaders in the industry to gain their insights and perspectives on prevailing data trends, AI & technology, how to optimize the guest experience and much more.  Be sure to watch the full episode if you missed any of the action from the 2026 Hotel Data Conference.  Special thanks to: Amanda Hite, Jan Freitag, Erica Lipscomb, Max Spangler, & Sam Trotter. Ryan Embree: Welcome to Suite Spot, where hoteliers check in and we check out what’s trending in hotel marketing. I’m your host, Ryan Embree. Hello, everyone. Ryan Embree here at the 2026 Hotel Data Conference here with STR President Amanda Hite. Amanda, great to see you again. Congratulations here. This is our first time at the Hotel Data Conference. Amanda Hite: Oh, wonderful. Thank you. Ryan Embree: Record attendance was just announced. Welcome to The Suite Spot. We’re excited to be here. It was a ton of excitement that we just saw. Tell us a little bit about this event, and we were talking off camera about, do you ever expect it to be what it is right now? Amanda Hite: Yes, we started it 18 years ago with a couple hundred people, maybe. The very first year we’ve always had it in Nashville. This is our home base for the STR part of our business. Most of our employees are here that are in the US. So we started it with a way to connect with customers and more importantly, like, we all have this curiosity about the data. You know, we’re constantly in analyzing, looking at trends in the industry, and we wanted to get people together to hear what are you seeing and let’s talk about it. And that’s really how this started. So it’s, I think it’s for me, my most proud part of this conference is the feeling that everyone has when they come in of being really open and curious and wanting to learn from each other. So you get some really good dynamic conversations happening in the networking breaks and in the hallway. Ryan Embree: Well, it’s such an important time right now too, right? ‘Cause people are already starting, if you can believe it. Well, actually, probably you can look in 2027. Amanda Hite: That’s why we do hotel data conference when we do it. Exactly. It’s budget season. Ryan Embree: Brilliant. Brilliant. Right? And, you know, you just got off stage, like I said. One of the fascinating pieces, like I said, we weren’t here last year, but this is our first time. You said when you first stepped on stage, there were, and you showed some of those original numbers. There was a little bit of a gap in the audience last year. Amanda Hite: Yes. Ryan Embree: But this year, a little bit different story. Amanda Hite: Yes. We had a much better forecast to reveal this year. Last year at this time was when we took the forecast down to reflect what was happening in the industry. And this year, we raised the forecast, not just for the rest of this year, but also for 2027. Ryan Embree: So great to see. And a really cool inflection point, I made a note here, revenue for the first time outpacing expenses, right? What does that mean for hoteliers? Amanda Hite: Yeah. So we finally see the pace of growth on the revenue side outpacing the expense growth. I mean, we’re in a high inflationary environment. Expense growth is something that will continue and hoteliers are having to deal with. But to see that we’re actually going to get some GOP gains, it’s, it’s super helpful. I mean, the point I made this morning though is our margins are not growing. Yeah. So we’ve got some room to grow efficiencies and productivity within the hotels to try to get margins to grow at the same rate of GOP growth. Ryan Embree: Yeah, yeah. It’s challenging right now. And one of the things we’re doing to combat, or CoStar’s doing combat that, bottom line data being added to the product. What’s that mean for the hotel industry? Ryan Embree: Yeah, so within STR Benchmark and the CoStar platform, we introduced at the end of the first quarter our profitability benchmarking. P&L is something that STR has done for 30 years. We did it on an annual basis. And we introduced our monthly benchmarking back in 2020, literally as the world shut down. So maybe not the best timing. But of course, now we’re prepared in an environment like we are today, a very complex operating environment for our hoteliers. It’s, yes, we need to grow revenues, but we must make sure that that is flowing through to the bottom line and that our operators and owners are actually making money. And that’s not been the case in many types of hotels and many markets around the country. So we’re trying to make sure that we bring that visibility of not just the top line growth that we want to see for the industry, but the flow through all the way to the bottom line. Ryan Embree: Yeah, I’d love to see that. And, you know, another thing that we’re gonna hear constantly about at, and at this conference is AI, right? So I guess the overarching question would be more of like, how are you incorporating AI into your products right now? Amanda Hite: This is when I’m so thankful that we are a part of the CoStar Group entity. If you follow our other brands, homes and apartments launched AI in their products earlier this year. So we’re continuing to build off of that. We will have AI search in the CoStar product in the same way that you see in apartments and homes. But for STR benchmarks specifically, what we’re thinking about is making sure that we’re integrating AI into the product, not just sitting on top of the product, but like we interact with the clients all the time on the analysis in the industry. So we want to bring that through AI into the product for our customers to use. So we love when they pick up the phone and call us and wanna talk about data. Right. But we also wanna make it easier for them to surface it within their portfolios in product. And so that’s the path that we’re going down to bring that intelligence in the product and analyzing and spotting the trends, knowing what to look at or sometimes not look at, right? Sometimes it’s a great point. It’s just as important to say like, “Hey, I only have a limited amount of time. Where do I not need to spend time right now?” And that can be tricky, especially when you’re looking at a larger portfolio of trying to discern where, what makes the most sense to drive profitability for my business, for me to spend time on right now. Ryan Embree: 100%. Those complexities and driving efficiency so important right now. And turning those data, that data into actual insights. That what one of the promises of AI. So reason we’re here at the Hotel Data Conference, thank you for taking the time. We’ll, we’ll let you get back. I know you’re hosting almost 900 hoteliers here. So we’ll let, let you get back to Amanda. Thanks for stopping by. Amanda Hite: Thank you, Ryan. Appreciate it. Ryan Embree: Hello, everyone. Ryan Embree here with The Suite Spot live on location Nashville at the 2026 Hotel Data Conference here with Jan Freitag, National Director at CoStar. Jan, thank you so much for taking some time and very busy. You’re hosting almost a thousand hoteliers here. Jan Freitag: Yes, 18th year. Sold out again. So heads up, next year we’ll sell out again. But thanks for being here and sort of taking the pulse on the industry. We appreciate it. Ryan Embree: 100%. Congratulations. Amanda Hite opened us this morning saying last year when she unveiled the forecast, there were audible gaps in the crowd. I feel like behind us, people have been skipping, jumping down, up and down this escalators. Share with us, we got a revised forecast. Jan Freitag: So we’re proposing that RevPar this year is up 4.4%. So that is the second upward revision we had to make, quote unquote. And the data’s just so strong. But then that means that next year, we’re gonna see growth, but it’s much slower global. So next year we’re thinking that RevPargrowth is gonna be like, you know, 2-2.1% or so. So the negative way to say this is, “Oh, our growth rate is cut in half.” The positive way to say this is like, “Oh, we have growth on growth, right? 4% this year, ne – 2% next year.” Ryan Embree: 100%. I mean, a lot of people are going into, you know, we’ve talked to hoteliers here on the Suite Spot, going into their budgets. These are very, very important numbers for them as they go into their budgets because they wanna forecast. When we met last, we were at NYU. There had been zero soccer games played in the US. Now, 104 games later, we got a crown champion. Obviously had a big impact. We’re gonna talk about that in a minute. But that strong performance, one of your big takeaways from this morning was strong performance is gonna equal some tougher comps in 2027, right? Jan Freitag: Yeah, absolutely. So we had arguably easy comps this year, right? The Q2, three, and four RevPAR performance last year was negative. So yeah, we would outperform it this year. That was not a question. But because, RevPAR in the second quarter was up 5.7%, that is a, a very stout result, obviously driven in June, partially by the World Cup remember we’re gonna talk about. You know what that means for next year is, oh wow, we’re not gonna see that performance again. And so my conversation this morning with hoteliers is all about, okay, so how do you massage your owner? How do you have this conversation with your owner, with your team to say, look, there’s still gonna be growth, but we really have to think about this. And I heard this this morning from an asset manager at next year as a year of 10 months and two months, you know? So really take June and July out of your annual number and say, okay, so what’s the growth for that? And then, yeah, June, July is just gonna be tough cost. Ryan Embree: Yeah. Probably something that a lot of markets who hosted Taylor Swift a couple years ago had to deal with. And then maybe what LA’s gonna have to deal with in 2029 after the Olympics in 28. Jan Freitag: Yeah, exactly. So we’re already talking now about the Olympics. We’re gonna talk about, obviously the World Cup in four years over in Europe and what is the performance there. So these sporting events are just the gifts that keep on giving. Ryan Embree: Yeah. Yeah. And, and travelers continue what we heard this morning. Consumers continue to prioritize travel, which is really, really great for obviously our industry. But not without its cautionary tales, you also had a watch your margins kind of take away from that. Maybe expand on that a little bit. Jan Freitag: Yeah. So we’ve had for the last year and for the last couple of years, really this interplay between room rate growth and the rate of inflation being higher than room rate growth. And we’re taking the rate of inflation sort of as a proxy for how much more things are expensive. And the costs for hotels are obviously going up. Higher labor costs, higher insurance costs, higher food costs, higher costs, inner energy, everything. So if your costs are going up in order for your margins to expand, you need to drive room rate or revenue faster than the cost increase. And that just is not happening. So my colleague Isaac Collazo spent 55 slides and an hour explaining how margins are decelerating, unfortunately. Now, the total dollar amount, we’re everything gets more expensive, but it also means we’re having more money available as profit. But the margins are coming down. And that’s really the, maybe to me, the main takeaway from HCC this year for the budget conversation for 2027 is watch your margin. Ryan Embree: Efficiency is always looking for that, especially in these tight margin areas. And then lastly, you know, your whole presentation this morning was themed around the World Cup. And, and I do wanna bring it up because, obviously there was the quote was 104 Super Bowls. Yeah. Right? And you kind of explored that case a little bit. Found out maybe that might not be the case. Jan Freitag: Yeah, exactly. So the FIFA president had said at the time, just to explain to American audiences, “Hey, we have 104 soccer games and they look like 104 Super Bowls.” That is of course not the case. And that was never meant to be the case. Super Bowl is the largest cultural sport event in America. It happens once a year, right? And to sort of translate that was, I thought always a little silly. So it turns out that the 104 Super Bowls did not come to pass, and it was more like 30 Super Bowls, maybe if that. So yeah, it was still a very healthy impact. If you look at the markets that Hosta gave Kansas City, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, very, very strong room rate growth. Interestingly, in some markets, actually, occupancy declines. We saw that specifically in Vancouver, but we saw it in Atlanta, we saw it in Boston. Why is that? Well, because corporate America, meeting travelers, meeting planners said, “You know what? I don’t need to compete with the Tartan Army in Boston for our meeting. You know, let me just stay away. Let me have that meeting in August, or let me move that meeting to Chicago,” for example. Sure. Chicago had a very, very strong June, July meeting calendar. So it’s, um, the, the room rate increase was absolutely expected and is exactly what came to pass. It just wasn’t Autumn for a Super Bowl. Ryan Embree: Yeah. I mean, that just proves we are, uh, a collective of markets. Things are gonna be obviously different in each one. Yeah. Uh, with different factors there. You know, a- and there’s also an interesting stat, fascinating stat, I wanna bring it up, about booking windows, um, that, that you brought up there. Yeah. If you wanna expand on that. Jan Freitag: So I got this totally wrong in the run up to the World Cup because I thought, look, if somebody books that FIFA ticket a year out, and the airplane ticket’s six months out, surely they would book their hotel three months out. Yeah. That did not happen. Right. And so we saw specifically the chart that I had this morning for, uh, arrival dates, June 11, 12, 13, 20 basis points of, uh, 20 points of occupancy was booked after June 8th. Wow. So that’s a booking windows of, like, three or four days. Wow. For an event that you knew what happened, I mean, six years ago. Yeah. You know? And you had a ticket from one year ago. So I just completely though that the, uh, the, the leisure traveler, the, the soccer traveler would also book their room way ahead. That did not come with us. Ryan Embree: Very interesting. I wonder if that’s a macro trend happening right now, those booking windows starting to shorten a little bit. Jan Freitag: Yeah, and maybe that’s a takeaway for our friends, you know, in LA who are hosting the Olympics. Hey, you know, be very mindful how you match that booking window. Ryan Embree: Lessons from history learned there. Yes. Um, final as we wrap up, I always li- like, like to get any, you know, you look at a lot of data. So any interesting, uh, like, data points that really stood out or surprising? Jan Freitag: I mean, the July data came out yesterday and the luxury class RevPar growth was 16%. Ryan Embree: Wow. Jan Freitag: Talk about A, amazing, but B, A, tough comps. Yeah. In July of next year. But it was an amazing, amazing performance. July was very, very strong. Um, and June as well. So we clearly saw, you know, July was helped a little bit by 4th of July, World Cup, uh, 4th of July calendar year, but also the World Cup, obviously the final and the bronze medal games. They all, they all helped. So July was strong, June was strong. So now I think things are getting a little bit more normal – Yeah. Early on end. Ryan Embree: Awesome. Well, we’ll continue to look ahead as you will, but thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule, Jan. Jan Freitag: Thanks for being here. Thank you. Ryan Embree: Hello everyone, Ryan Embree here with The Suite Spot. We are live on location of the 2026 Hotel Data Conference. I am here with Erica Lipscomb, EVP of Commercial Strategy at PM Hotel Group. Erica, thank you so much for joining me on The Suite Spot. Erica Lipscomb: Well, thank you for having me. Very excited to be here. Ryan Embree: Yeah, first time here on the Suite Spot. Yes. But not your first time here at Hotel Data Conference. Erica Lipscomb: Not my first time at Hotel Data Conference. This is conference number eight. Ryan Embree: Okay. Yes. All right. Hotel data conference. You obviously are no stranger, you’re a pro. What do you call a hotel data conference a success kind of reflecting back? What do you come here to accomplish and to learn? Erica Lipscomb: You know, I, again, this is our start of budget season. Sure. Right? Yeah. So I actually, uh, had dinner with Amanda last night and said, “You do realize what you’ve done here, right? We cannot even start our budget calendars until there’s an HTC.” Yeah. So really what I look forward to is not coming here just to hear that the amazing news of an increase year over year, or that we’re gonna increase in the year for the year. Sure. But what are those things that I can take away that can make it tactical for our teams? Mm-hmm. So learning from industry leaders that are here. We have amazingly smart people that are here at this conference. And we’re really drafting and shaping what the industry will look like. So what are those learnings? And then how do I make sure that we trickle that down within the organization and get them to our teams? Ryan Embree: Which can change so rapidly, right? As we know – Absolutely. It’s gone from, uh, a yearly change to almost, it feels like a weekly, especially with the AI and technology conversation. Yes. You were on a panel last year here at this same conference. I’m curious, what were some of the conversations then versus now? Erica Lipscomb: Yeah. And very different. I think it’s been extreme polar opposites. Okay. I feel like last year, there was a lot of conversation about AI. Mm-hmm. But more on the what is AI. Mm. And how are we gonna use AI? Yep. And it’s already started in conversations this morning. You know, we started networking last night, and most people are now really talking about what is AI doing for us to make sure that we’re efficient, making sure that our teams are effective, um, ensuring there’s profitability back to our owners. So it’s gone from a concept – Yeah. To now actually, how are we utilizing AI to be better in the industry, but keeping the forefront our customers? Ryan Embree: It feels like we’re in the sandbox now, right? And there’s a lot of companies out there trying different things. It’s the exploration process and, you know, maybe some success, but even, uh, lessons in the failure. Uh, I, I’ve been hearing a lot about that as well. So hotel data, obviously data is the name of the game. Yes. Still one of the most important tools I feel like right now on our quest of guest personalization. And so much it can do to kind of like what you said, prepare us for the rest of 2026 and even into 2027. Right. How is PM Hotel Group kind of leveraging data for growth and, uh, experiences? Erica Lipscomb: So actually you started with, with growth and experiences. Yeah. So really starting with growth. Yeah. We really are starting with AI in our business development side of our, our, of our home. Sure. And really how are we looking for the right clients that fit PM? Yeah. How, again, when you look at, uh, BD, it’s a relationship. Mm. So who are those owners? Who are the asset managers? What do their teams look like? Is that a right fit? And how can we help them grow? So that’s really the act – acquisition of the client and the customer. And then when we get to the property level – Right. Then as an enterprise, as a support center, what we’re looking to do is how do we use data, which is the, the heart – Yeah. Of revenue optimization. Sure. How are you using that data to make sure that we’re pulling through every step of the guest journey? So from the time again, acquisition of a customer. Right. So now not an owner, but that actual guest that’s gonna be staying at our properties, what does that customer journey look like? How do we find the right customer? We have a very diversified portfolio – Oh, yeah. For each one of our assets in the portfolio, ensuring that they convert. And then once they’re there in their stay, are we pulling through on all the experiences they expect? Whether it’s an independent hotel and the experiences that come along or for the brands and the brand standards. And then once our guests leave, how do we make sure that we are still speaking to them – uh-huh. And making sure that they return? Ryan Embree: I love how you walk through the entire guest experience. I think sometimes we get caught up just thinking about one or two elements of it. Right. But it really does start. I mean, the hot topic right now is that AI visibility, right? Absolutely. And being bound, uh, because our travelers are changing the way that they’re searching for hotels and doing their research. So, uh, it’s super, super important there. We’re in Nashville, Erica, uh, no stranger for PM Hotel Group. Yes. Uh, you guys just, uh – Very excited. Assumed management, 12 properties. Yes. Uh, what do you lo – like, um, from a Nashville market standpoint? I mean, this has just been such a hot market right now in hospitality. Uh, but also, you know, a big threshold of, uh, exciting 80 plus hotels for PM Hotel Group? Erica Lipscomb: Yes. We’re very excited to have the 12 hotels that, from Pinnacle that joined our portfolio. And that’s really our sweet spot, right? Finding those type of assets that fit our growth in our platform, and that we can make sure that we’re optimizing on their revenue, as well as excellent customer experience and guest operations experience. So what I really like about Nashville, and it’s not a new growth. Right. You know, Nashville never stopped growing, right? Where the, where the rest of the world really has struggled even, you know, six years ago. Through COVID. Nashville didn’t, right? Ryan Embree: It was red hot. Erica Lipscomb: But what most people think about when you hear Nashville, they’re really just thinking it’s an entertainment city. That’s not just all Nashville is. So when we peel it back and take a look at the segmentation and what’s driving Nashville, you do still have that customer that is true corporate business. And you still have conventions and groups. I was just in a group maximization winning group seminar just not too long ago. And in that breakout session, we really talk about group continues to still grow. Oh, yeah. And when you take a look at the first half of this year, that growth is really happening not only just in convention centers, but those hotels that have group meetings. Even when you take a look at those assets, what’s interesting is the growth is not just in the hotel that has most of the group, but if you are affiliated. You’re feeling that demand. Leveraging the demand and continuing to drive occupancy and ADR. Yeah, absolutely. So that’s why we’re still excited about Nashville. It’s one of those markets that continues to do well, not just in entertainment, but on the corporate business transient side, as well as group side. Ryan Embree: It’s a perfect destination. That’s why we got almost a thousand hoteliers here at the hotel data conference. Erica Lipscomb: That’s sold out again this year. Ryan Embree: Absolutely. Well, any. I mean, I can tell just by the conversation we’re having, very passionate about your work. Any projects you’re particularly fired up about right now? Erica Lipscomb: The project I’m probably most interested in is what I was hired for is to really continue to evolve commercial strategy. So commercial strategy is not just looking at every discipline in a silo. They’re all very important to revenue optimization. But how do we now continue to go from just having the commercial conversations, but also leverage the experience in each discipline? So our customers, when they look at our hotels, And they look at that curse customer journey that we just walked through – Right. They’re not looking at sales, revenue, marketing, distribution, operations. They’re looking at their holistic experience. Yeah. And so why not make sure that we internally stop looking at how well each d- division does and, and, and our, each siloed discipline, but let’s look through the lens of a gu – of a customer. Yeah. What’s that experience look like? And then how do we all play a part of it? Yeah. Exactly. So that’s what I’m excited about. And using, continuing to use AI. Yeah. How do we make sure that we’re leveraging commercial? Yeah. And then making sure that our use of AI is making our teams much more efficient – Mm. And effective in h – in how we run our businesses. Ryan Embree: That’s what I was gonna say. It’s, it’s such an inflection point, and I’m sure very exciting for, for your job with the technology in hand. Now you’ve got the power to, uh, break down those silos, right? Absolutely. Create efficiencies there. Yes. Uh, well, as we wrap up, you know, we always. One of the things here that we love to do at the Hotel Data Conference is try to predict the future, right? Forecasting, everybody. It’s a, it’s an impossible job, but we do it every single year. Right. Uh, you know, so from a commercial strategy standpoint, I know you, you, you just mentioned the projects you’re working on, but what’s your vision for PM Hotel Group as we kind of go into the latter part of the 2020s? Erica Lipscomb: So latter part of the 2020s, I think that the company’s vision is to really leverage the portfolio and the diversity of the portfolio. We saw that growth that we had just here in Nashville. I’m sure you saw the news that Reset our first brand to enter Marriott’s or outdoor collection. Yeah. We’ve noticed that when you continue to diversify and not really just say, okay, we are just this type of company, making sure that we’re leveraging the expertise of our team. Mm-hmm. We can be many things – Yeah. To many customers. Yeah. And so lev – continue that leverage, that growth, but we do see that growth continue to be in experiences. Yeah. Right? So every brand is rolling out how they’re working with experiences. But what we do see, that lifestyle, outdoor – Oh, yeah. Experiences. We’ve had our first entree into it, and we’re gonna continue to grow. Ryan Embree: Awesome. We’re excited to watch that growth, and yeah, that experiential travel continues to be something, conversations we’re having here, prioritizing, that’s what the guests are prioritizing travelers are. Congratulations on all this. We continue to watch it with PM Hotel Group. Thanks, Erica. Erica Lipscomb: Thank you. Ryan Embree: Hello, everyone. Ryan Embree here with The Suite Spot. We are live on location at the 2026 Hotel Data Conference. I am here with Max Spangler, VP of Technology at Charlestown Hotel. Max, we know you’re on a panel tomorrow. We’ll talk about that in a second, but thanks for taking the time to join us. Max Spangler: Absolutely. thanks for hosting me, Ryan. Ryan Embree: Yeah, Gotel Data Conference. Name of the game, data. We’re gonna talk about, obviously, your role and, and where data plays into that. But first, you come to a conference like this, what’s the expectation? What do you hope to get out of it? And maybe when you’re a couple weeks down the line, looking back on the conference, that was a success. Max Spangler: Yeah, you know, for me, I spend a lot of time at conferences that are very narrow in scope, right? Sure. Whether it’s high tech or the hospitality show, or even technology conferences that are outside of hospitality. Sure. So coming to HDC is always great. It’s always refreshing. The keynote panel in the beginning always gives me, hopefully, optimism. And this morning, it was very optimistic – Yes. About the way things are going. So I’m thankful for that. But it’s great to hear from commercial peers how they’re using data, how they’re surfacing insights, what tools they’re using, and how they’re turning it actionable. I mean, I think for me, as someone who spends a lot of time staring at screens, developing tools, looking at dashboards, hearing from people that actually depend on this information – Yeah. So crucially is really refreshing. So I get to, like, cut through the noise a little bit and hear what’s working, and hopefully hear what’s not. Ryan Embree: Yeah, and that’s what leads to your panel tomorrow, connecting AI to commercial strategy. Yeah. Uh, maybe give our sweet spot listeners a little bit of sneak peek and maybe your thoughts on the subject. Max Spangler: We’ve got a great panel tomorrow. Super stoked for it. You know, so we, we had a pre-cause you tend to do with those panels. Right. And as a result of that, we decided to zoom out a little bit, which I though was important. So commercial still is the through line, as you would expect at HTC, but given the man – the, the members that are on the panel, we’ve got some people that, you know, are on the, the, the revenue management side. We’ve got some people from HFTP. Um, you’ve got me as an independent operator. It w- we felt, we felt it really important to say, “Let’s, let’s zoom out. Let’s take a pause and, like, let’s look at where the industry is holistically.” Sure. And so the questions are really driving off that. So you’ll find that, um, there’s insights about a year from now, what would we like to be doing differently, right? How are we driving ac- actionable insights? What KPIs are important? What KPIs are important? Yeah. Things like what’s the difference between automation versus th- this new agentic era? Mm. So I think it, um, I’m actually really excited for it. The panel’s great, and I think you’re gonna get some, some really interesting insights from a variety of different opinions. Ryan Embree: Yeah. And what we talked about is so much can change. Yeah. And you could talk about what could happen in a year. I mean, that could be a couple cycles with technology right now. And that’s why I, I was really looking forward this conversation, Max. Yeah. Because, you know, I get industry leaders, sometimes brand leaders, but you’re, you’re in it every single day, right? Yeah. Uh, VP of technology. Yep. Where do you think we are in the AI adoption – Yeah. Uh, uh, cycle? And then maybe zoom in a little bit on Charlestown Hotels. Max Spangler: Yeah. So if we, if we look at sort of where things are globally for the state of AI, I think obviously in the technology space, it’s an existential crisis, right? Right. I mean, I think you see that in, in jobs reports. I think you obviously see it in the way that they’re measuring AI as an accelerant. Yeah. You know, so, uh, friends of mine that work for tech companies, they’re seeing their time to release production code going from five weeks, four weeks down to one week. Wow. It’s easy for them to measure. It’s easy for them to see the outcomes for us. Yeah. I think it, it is ultimately a little bit more difficult. For Charlestown, you know, we think it’s really important to keep hospitality at the center of what we’re doing, right? And so we’re not parading around trying to be an AI company or a SaaS company. We firmly believe people and hospitality at the center of, is gonna be at the center of what we do.m. How do we use AI to power that? Whether it’s through efficiencies, you know, through maybe more sophisticated RMS, through, you know, generative guest insights. How do we make sure that we’re being discovered when people are asking what’s the best hotel in downtown Charleston, South Carolina? Those are really hard questions to answer. No one’s got it figured out. But the conversations that are happening here are super encouraging because I think there is a lot of people admitting that and coming together to try to find, um, the best path forward. Ryan Embree: And you were, this is not your first per – podcast that you’ve been on recently. I saw you, uh, on CoStar News Hotel podcast where you talked about escaping hospitality’s AI hype echo chamber. Yeah, yeah. What’s your thoughts on that? And maybe how do we avoid doing that here in, in spaces like this? Max Spangler: I mean, it’s, if you go on LinkedIn, you can feel like, you know, FOMO is like a- absolutely crushing you, right? Right. Everyone is, like, piloting something new. Right. Everyone is, is advancing seemingly at the speed of light. It’s really important to come to a conference like HTC, uh, to get a real life temperature check with what people are doing and how they’re doing it. There is a tremendous amount of hype. There’s a tremendous amount of potential, but I think for a lot of us, and especially from someone sitting in the seat of an operator, you have to be very disciplined. Yes. You know, you have to have a step-by-step sequence of how you’re actually gonna accomplish this. It’s okay to introduce a little bit of chaos. We’ve done that in the early days. I mean, if you go back, you know, to 2023, 2024, we’re experimenting with all the frontier models. But eventually, we wanted to collapse that into a unified choice, pick one model so that we can move forward and start measuring, you know, are our team members crawling? Who’s walking? Who’s running? How do we devise resources to help kind of get everyone on the same page, march in the same direction, and get better at this? Yeah. And so that, that’s, that’s been our strategy. And fortunately, like, that’s what I’m hearing here at the conference. Ryan Embree: And the motivation for implementing AI can’t come out of fear of we’re not doing enough. Yeah. Or, you know, we’re just, that FOMO feeling that you’re talking about, it has to have, what you said, discipline and direction. Yeah. And Max Spangler: Ryan, like, fear is a huge part. I mean, that’s one of the things that we’re constantly up against. There’s. I, I think the, the negative attitude and apprehension towards AI is only gonna continue to grow over time, right? Just like the excitement over it is gonna continue to grow. Yeah. Same thing’s true for the negative. I mean, you have people that absolutely have their head in the sand, which is okay. Right. Um, for, for certain reasons, you have people that obviously have negative feelings about it because of the socio – uh, economic impact. Sure. Companies potentially might be laying off job just Placement or replacement as a result of LLMs and the technologies that they introduce. There’s the environmental factors. So, like, all those things are absolutely true. We don’t think it’s, as Charlestown, our responsibility to sort of correct that. Right. But we do wanna make sure our associates, team members, and corporate, and corporate leadership team know this isn’t going anywhere. Yeah. It’s fundamental core to the business, and we’re gonna make an investment into our teams to make sure that they’re prepared for this new wave, whatever it looks like. Ryan Embree: It’s exciting times. And it’s okay to experiment fail sometimes, because that, that’ll show you some lessons too. Sure. Max Spangler: Yeah, we. Yeah, we’ve run so many pilots. We’ve had so many things fail. We’ve incinerated millions of tokens and subsequently thousands of dollars as a result of – Yeah. Um, so many pilots, but we’ve learned a lot. Yeah. Uh, and we’re in a much better spot as a result of it. You have to be willing to take risks, especially now. I do believe, like, no one’s gonna be left behind yet, but there is absolutely an advantage to being a first mover. And I think the companies that are at least experimenting and building AI fluency for their teams are gonna be much better, uh, much farther along than everybody else. Ryan Embree: 100%. And, you know, one of those spaces is, is the data, right? That’s, I mean, that’s the name of the game of this conference here. Yeah. How are some ways are you leveraging data to kind of – Yeah. Grow Charlestown hotels or even just create efficiencies? Max Spangler: Yeah. So for us, it, it, it is a challenge to think about the kind of company that we are. We focus mostly on the independent space. Mm-hmm. So we don’t have sort of the technology through line like the brands have where – Sure. You know, they can force a certain PMS, POS, CRS, like, it’s very clean and organized and scalable that way. Yeah. For us, you know, when we come into a new hotel operating environment, in most cases, technology hasn’t been a major form of investment, right? I mean, most people don’t come to Charlestown hotels with a great performing asset. They’re like, “We’re in trouble. We need your help.” Right. So then I come in, you know, from the technology perspective and it’s like, okay, this is difficult. How are we gonna extract information, put it into a centralized place, be able to sort of layer a, a, a, a BI tool or reporting package on top of it to actually surface the insights so these one-off owner operators can get the insights that, like, a company like Charlestown Hotels can deliver at scale with all the independent properties and things we’ve learned across the secondary and tertiary markets that we work in. Max Spangler: So, I mean, to put it simply for us, it is about having, like, a central data repository or warehouse. Sure. I mean, there’s plenty out there. Databricks, Snowflake. We’re a BigQuery customer. We do a lot with Google. Um, but it is, you know, if, if you think about where things are going to bring it back to AI, so much of the conversation surrounds having a good data foundation, because AI is an accelerant. If you have bad data, it’s gonna accelerate you to bad outcomes more quickly. Yeah, that’s a great point. If you have a bad business strategy, it’s gonna optimize for the wrong KPIs. So for us, it is very much about having solid fundamentals. Yeah. That’s not a reason for you to stop, right? It’s just more a reason for you to proceed cautiously. Ryan Embree: Absolutely. And, you know, you do it right. All of a sudden, you get that personalization, which, you know, hospitality’s been really the last decade – Yeah. Has been striving so much for to get that personalization within the guest experience. So as we wrap up, you know, we always like to. I know this is gonna be difficult because, like we said, things change so quickly in the tech space. Yeah. But what’s your vision for Charleston Hotels from a technology perspective? Max Spangler: Yeah, great question. I thought you were gonna ask me a hard one, like, what’s my favorite color? But, uh, no, for, for. Vision for technology, you know, for us, as long as we keep, like, hospitality at the center – Yeah. As our north star, that really does simplify things for us. It is gonna be difficult. There’s, you know, obviously a whole host of different frontier models you have to choose from. Tokenomics is gonna continue to be a big part. People talk about ROI with LLMs, but no one’s really talking about the expense – Yeah. And expenses continue to grow. Great point. Right? So we’re, we’re focused really on, you know, not only the, the ROI from some of the LLM tools, but, but obviously the tremendous cost that’s associated with running them at scale. But as long as we keep people and human beings at the center, reducing mundane work, admin tasks, friction so that our people can spend less time in front of screens and just be more hospitable, I think that really is the vision. Technology’s gonna support that. It’s gonna hopefully be more invisible to the people that come to hospitality. They didn’t come to, like, move information around – Right. Push paper or spend time in front of a computer. They spent it to, like, be empathetic, to be excited – Yeah. To surprise and delight. And so our goal, that’s our north star, and technology’s gonna be there to support it. Ryan Embree: Yeah, I mean, some industries, you’re, you’re right, are gonna be completely flipped upside down – Yeah. With this technology. But hospitality, we have that advantage of being a people first industry, so. Max Spangler: I, I think it’s, like, the, the key differentiator, and it honestly, it’s like, hospitality has an opportunity to have a really strong opinion. As so many industries are completely rolled over by this AI wave – Yeah. Hospitality can actually say, “No, you know what? People are…” And people in hospitality are at the center, and so as there is potentially more AI backlash and people are seeking more authentic experiences – Right. With people and connections – Yeah. I think it’s, it’s gonna be a great benefit to our industry. Max Spangler: Yeah, and we’ve seen from the data, experiences still seem t be – Yeah. I think that’s gonna grow. Yeah. Ryan Embree: Yeah. Agreed. Uh, Max, appreciate the time. Thank you. Uh, we’ll keep an eye on Charleston Hotels and everything you’re doing over there. Great. Congratulations. Max Spangler: Thank you. Ryan Embree: Hello, Everyone. Ryan Embree here with The Suite Spot. We’re live on location at the Hotel Data Conference 2026 here with Sam Trotter, Head of Digital Marketing for Indigo Road Hospitality Group. Sam, thanks for taking some time. Sam Trotter: Thanks for having me here. Yeah. I’m excited to be here at the Hotel Data Conference. Ryan Embree: It’s our first time here, but you said you’re, you’re a pro. You’ve been here for many years. Yeah. What does a successful hotel data conference look like for you and some of the takeaways that you look for? Sam Trotter: I really love having a good sense of what’s gonna happen next year. So you get some really great data here where you actually can take to your business planning sessions and use and say, “Hey, you know, I have this from the data conference, and they’re forecasting this growth in this market.” And you have something tangible. Yeah. So you’re about to head into budget season. Yeah. So having that in hand is really, really nice. Ryan Embree: That’s a big part of it. I mean, budget season, you gotta make those operation efficiency. We talked about the margins, how tight those are right now, especially in hospitality. One of the ways that hospitality’s changing right now is through AI search. You were on a panel here. For those that weren’t able to join us here in Nashville, maybe unpack that topic a little bit, because it’d certainly be top of mind for a lot of hoteliers right now. Sam Trotter: Well, it was really fun. It was a packed house, so a lot of interest in it. There’s a lot to talk about. I think we did a little bit of an intro to the topic, just so that everybody was sort of on the same page. But this is a new thing that we’re all having to adapt to. And we’re gonna have to focus on this. And in the panel, I said, “This feels a lot like 2006 when SEO was becoming a big thing.” And I remember I hired this French couple to do our SEO for this hotel that we were opening. It was like $10,000. In 2006. And it felt kinda like magic. Yeah. You know, like, what are they, what are they actually gonna do, right? And so it’s really tough. Who do you listen to? What actually works? And it was a great panel. And there’s no main takeaway other than we’re doing a lot of AB tests. We’re trying to figure out what works. I’m looking at the dashboards from our different properties. Who’s doing well? Who’s not? Yeah. And trying to pivot. And so we’re at this really interesting phase where it’s not really clear, right? Everybody’s telling us different things. Who do you listen to? So I honestly think it’s really exciting. Ryan Embree: The good news is it’s a challenge that a lot of people are attacking at once, right? And that’s where you’re gonna kind of find maybe lessons learned, even in those failures. So I think it is interesting because ultimately what happened with SEO is, like, there became a little bit of of a game plan that you could attack it with, right? That people are still trying to kind of balance. And then there were switches, right? That’s the other thing, is you could attack it one way and then all of a sudden, next week, algorithms change and it’s back to square one. So it was very, very interesting. But I think it’s events like this and panels that you’re on, Sam, that help kind of. Where everyone’s going through this right now. And to try to get through the weeds on it and try to figure out what is a good course of action here. And it changes so quickly. I think AI gets a spotlight, obviously, for good reason because it’s just this up and coming technology. But digital marketing also feels like it’s fast changing and evolving. And it’s been doing that for the past decade. You think about social media updates and everything like that. Yeah. I guess, how do you view digital marketing right now from a strategic standpoint and, and how hoteliers should be embracing and, you know, maybe investing in It? Sam Trotter: So that was a big question, right? Ryan Embree: Yes, sorry. Sam Trotter: When I have new marketers join, junior marketers, I always tell them there’s really no such thing as an expert anymore. Because it’s gonna change next year. Right? Ryan Embree: Great point. Sam Trotter: There are certain fundamentals that will help you no matter what, from 10 years from now, they’ll always be in play. I think what’s really interesting now with AI is I feel like there’s more emphasis on brand and category ownership. So if the AI is the most educated person in the entire world about hotels in Nashville. I mean, that’s what it is. Sure. It’s the most educated person in Nashville. What do you wanna teach it? And so if you’re teaching it, I have a pool and a fitness center, that doesn’t really help, right? ‘Cause now you’re just the same. And so what category can you own? Can you be the wellness hotel of Nashville? And if you’re the wellness hotel of Nashville, what that looks like is everything we say and we do reflects that. So I have spa packages, we have spa activations, we have a spa month. We have an amazing spa. We have spa content. We have spa creators that come in. And so when you’re doing that, all of a sudden the AI’s like, “Okay, no, this is the spa hotel of Nashville.” Because it’s, there’s evidence. Yeah. Right? And so I think there’s gonna be more emphasis on this category ownership, right? More than ever. And that boils back down to your brand. Ryan Embree: No, I love that. I think that’s a great explanation to someone who might feel overwhelmed in this right now. But those searches also could get very specific, right? I’m looking for a place that’s pet friendly, that is dedicated to wellness, where I’ve got my family coming to. So that’s where it gets a little bit tricky of the categories could turn into subcategories and then very, very niche. But it’s also the beauty of it, I think on the other side, is that your travelers are gonna be able to hopefully find the right hotel for them and what they’re looking for. Sam Trotter: So going back to your question, you asked me about social media. Because things are changing so fast, the, what we don’t really realize, and we don’t talk about, is the number one AI that we talk to is Google’s AI overview. That’s the one that when you have a long search, it defaults to, right? And it is weighing YouTube more than any other social platform – Great point. Because they’re not giving access. Right? So TikTok’s not giving them access. So now all of a sudden, YouTube is like this big player. And so we’ve got 76 locations. How do you scale YouTube? Yeah. And so, you know, we’re trying to figure this out in real time, and it’s a lot. There’s a lot of change happening. Ryan Embree: No, that’s a great point, what you said about Google, because a lot of people might be listening to this being like, “Well, I’m not, I’m not really looking, or I’m not using AI in my everyday life.” Well, Google’s really, you know, that AI overview, you are using, right? And it’s just, it’s gonna become more and more, whether we know it or not, a part of our life, you know? So that’s a different conversation. You know, Sam, Indigo Road Hospitality Group, you just mentioned tons of locations. What are some of the projects you’re most excited about that you’re working on right now? Sam Trotter: So, we have amazing locations, and there’s so many that are really interesting that we have coming up. We’re dabbling in more and more to membership clubs. Which is something that, we have one right now in Bentonville, and then by the end of the year, we’ll have two more. So we’re going from zero to three in a pretty short amount of time. It’ll be like a year and two months, we’ll go from zero to three. So it’s something that has been really fun to learn about, and there’s new platforms to learn about. So that’s really exciting. And then, I’m working on some fun data projects too, fun to me. I’m trying to set us up to have our own loyalty program. And so I’ve got some cool things in the works. So I’m really excited about that because we have a diverse portfolio. We have coffee shops and restaurants and hotels. And venues and how do you get them all to talk? Right? How do we put them all in one place, but have them separate? How can we share notes? How can we improve the guest experience? So there’s a lot of really cool things that are happening now. And one of the benefits of AI is partners are, are improving their platforms faster than ever. Oh, yeah. Which is fun if you have the right partners. And they are doing it. Ryan Embree: Yeah. I mean, and loyalty programs, you also learn more about your guests and hopefully create personalization, which is, you know, a topic that has been in hospitality. But we’re getting closer and closer, I feel like, to what we may have talked about five years ago at a conference like this. Be like, “There might be a time where we could do this, and now with the power of AI, it, it’s possible.” Yeah. Well, as we wrap up, kind of what’s your. I know we just talked about the future, but, and it’s hard to predict, but what would be kind of your vision for the future, in your role at Indigo Hospitality Group? Sam Trotter: I would say that, I guess thinking more optimistically, ultimately, it’s gonna be about the guest experience. It’s gonna be about the surprise and delight. It’s gonna be about having great employees who are happy to be where they’re at and that wanna be there. And the best marketing is a great experience, right? So what’s my role in that? You know, how can I help operations do their thing? And that’s the foundation of everything. At the end of the day, I think that’s it. Ryan Embree: There is a, there is a comfort, Sam, to being in an industry that we knew can only be disrupted so much by AI, but at the end of the day, it is gonna still come down to people serving people and creating those memorable experiences, and hopefully AI gives the opportunity to do. Sam Trotter: I have a anti-trend for you, right? Okay. So we’re here at, at the Grand Hyatt. There’s no kiosks, right? Check in. There’s still front desk people. 10 years ago at the hotel data conference, I think we would’ve though it was all kiosks. So hospitality has reigned supreme, and I think that’s the future. Ryan Embree: Yeah for, they say hospitality is the first ever industry and it’ll be here for a long time. So Sam, we appreciate it. We’re gonna watch you and, and everything you’re doing over there. We appreciate you taking some time with us. Sam Trotter: Thank you you so much. This was a lot of fun. All right. Ryan Embree: To join our loyalty program, be sure to subscribe and give us a five-star rating on iTunes. Suite Spot is produced by Travel Media Group. Our editor is Brandon Bell with cover art by Bary Gordon. I’m your host, Ryan Embree, and we hope you enjoyed your stay.

Protection strategies are the “glue” that holds a plan together when illness, disability, care needs, or death disrupt it. The advisors and institutions most likely to gather and retain assets are those that ask better questions, uncover and solve for risks before they become crises, involve the family, and coordinate the right expertise.In part two of this discussion, we cover how to get more advisors to utilize protection strategies, effective discovery, and leadership's role in institutionalizing the critical practice of asset protection.Listen in as our panel digs into these important challenges.Jeffery Roy – Hancock WhitneyRuss Harton - CeteraAlex Sarafianos – Regions

In this episode, J.P. Nerbun joins TJ and Sam to talk leadership development from the inside out, built around his new book for athletes, The Culture Captain. J.P. explains why knowing yourself is deeper than a personality assessment, and shares his "peel the onion" exercise for helping a diverse roster uncover the shared values that hold a team together. The conversation touches on practical aspects of coaching such as captain selection, and how you can build player to player accountability. J.P. and Sam also draw the line between the "curious challenge" and the "direct challenge," making the case that transformational coaching needs more truth paired with genuine care. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation — don't miss the next episode as they go deeper.Go to https://tocculture.com/ to learn more about J.P.'s books and programs. [More on J.P. below].Show Notes:Why The Culture CaptainThe four levels of leadershipKnowing yourself beyond personality testsAbove the line vs. belowThe "peel the onion" exerciseFinding and identifying shared valuesHow to choose team captainsOne or two players steer everythingPlayer-led vs. coach-led teamsCoach as culture facilitator, not controllerNever ask what you won't doDon't wait for natural-born leadersTeaching players to follow firstThe "stamp": affirmation and gratitudeResponsibility means action, not excusesCoach approval vs. peer approvalWorking through fearCurious challenge vs. direct challengeEmpathy without accountability relieves nothingPopovich and Tim Duncan modelThe note-card feedback drillFeedback as conversation, sometimes directiveBuilding trust through real vulnerabilityBe brave, not just safeWhere to find J.P.More on J.P. Nerbun: J.P. Nerbun is an ICF certified PCC Executive Coach (trained at Georgetown University), Growth Edge Coach, Facilitator, and author of The Culture System.He partners with leaders and teams across sports, education, business, and healthcare to intentionally create strong team cultures that drive results. Leveraging a practical and systematic approach developed through his background as a professional basketball coach and educator, J.P. enables organizations to achieve higher performance by focusing on shared vision, growing trust, building cohesion, and raising standards. He is the founder of the specialized coaching firm, TOC, and hosts The Coach Culture Podcast.Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.After analyzing over 100 million shots, basketball data scientists at Noah Basketball have uncovered the formula of the perfect shot, helping players on 28 of 30 NBA teams improve their accuracy faster than ever before.This same patented shot-tracking technology is now available to you in the Noah Backboard for a fraction of the cost. Learn more today at noahbasketball.com. Inquire while supplies last! Join us live on Sunday, August 23rd at 8 PM EST (5 PM PT) for a free preseason training.You'll leave with a preseason planning framework you can use to build buy-in, strengthen your culture, and lead with confidence before the season starts. - If you can't attend live, register anyway and we'll send you the replay. Go to PGCHustle.com/webinar and sign up now.

In this episode, Pooja Brown (Founder @ Inventry.ai) shares her insights on balancing being a founder & technologist, especially within the mid-market manufacturing industry. We cover why founders need to lead with curiosity as they seek out customer problems to solve, strategies for solving complex problems related to supply chain, and strategies for selling your products. Pooja also dissects important fundraising tactics, how to identify areas that AI tooling can enhance within your business, reading customer signals, and bolstering your engineering skills by leveling up business capabilities.   ABOUT POOJA BROWN Pooja Brown is a technology executive and founder focused on building AI-native platforms that power real-world operations across industries. She has led engineering at scale at companies like Stitch Fix and DocuSign, building systems that combine data, workflows, and machine learning to drive everything from personalization and supply chain to digital agreements used by hundreds of thousands of businesses.Her experience spans multiple verticals including retail, enterprise SaaS, education technology, and real estate, where she has consistently focused on embedding AI directly into core business systems rather than layering it on top. Pooja is currently the founder and CEO of Inventry.ai, where she is building autonomous AI agents that help mid-market manufacturers run procurement and supply chain operations more effectively. Across her career, she has focused on turning complex operational data into systems that don't just generate insights, but actually drive decisions and execution.   Sinch is the communications infrastructure the AI era runs on. There's a layer of infrastructure behind every text, call, and login code your product sends, and it works exactly like plumbing: nobody thinks about it until it's the reason something broke. Most providers route through 4-6 intermediaries; Sinch connects in 1-2 hops, direct carrier relationships across 600+ connections, handling 900 billion interactions a year across 60+ countries. Routing, compliance, fraud prevention handled automatically rather than manually managed by the business sending the message! Sinch is the reliability layer underneath AI-driven customer communications; the infrastructure that determines whether an AI agent's output actually reaches a real person as a delivered text, connected call, or verified interaction. Check it out here!   SHOW NOTES: What shaped Pooja's entrepreneurship journey & background (3:20) Looking for the right problem & leading with curiosity (6:47) Insights on solving problems related to supply chain (10:42) Building systems for chaos / complexity (12:46) Adopting a beginner's mindset when solving complex problems (15:40) Dissecting fundraising strategies & decision making (19:28) Emerging business patterns that eng leaders need to capitalize on (26:32) Understanding how customers make decisions on what products to adopt (29:09) Selling strategies for the mid-market manufacturing industry (37:08) Integrating AI tools to augment current business capabilities (41:03) Engineering skills that enhance sales processes (44:43) Communication frameworks when working with customers (47:21) Rapid fire questions (50:06)   This episode wouldn't have been possible without the help of our incredible production team: Patrick Gallagher - Producer & Co-Host Jerry Li - Co-Host Noah Olberding - Associate Producer, Audio & Video Editor https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-olberding/ Dan Overheim - Audio Engineer, Dan's also an avid 3D printer - https://www.bnd3d.com/ Ellie Coggins Angus - Copywriter, Check out her other work at https://elliecoggins.com/about/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Anika sat down with Andrew Colsky to explore a powerful counterintuitive truth: by the time a client reaches out to a professional, they have already decided who they are hiring. Drawing from a 30-year career as a trial attorney, litigator, and mediator, alongside his subsequent transition into a licensed mental health clinician specializing in sleep medicine and anxiety, Andrew revealed how human behavior is fundamentally driven by the pursuit of comfort. His insights offer a fresh framework for professional service providers looking to build credibility and master the "Left of Trust" space using modern AI search engines.   In This Episode   The transition from trial law and employment mediation to becoming a licensed mental health clinician Why people don't hire the most qualified professional, but rather the person who makes their fear stop Harry Harlow's surrogate mother experiments and how the innate human drive for comfort dictates decision-making The concept of "Left of Trust" and the massive open space where clients search for answers late at night The new digital land grab: why optimizing for AI search engines today dictates long-term business survival Building the Credibility Generator: automating content creation, YouTube videos, and blog drafts for professionals Vocabulary seating: how using your own natural language online trains AI search engines to recommend you exclusively The free assessment tool on be-picked.com to help service providers analyze their strengths and weaknesses   Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: Understanding the emotional root of why people start legal and professional processes  00:48 Welcome to Your Brand Amplified with Anika Jackson and guest Andrew Colsky  01:31 Andrew's journey from trial attorney and mediator to mental health clinician and entrepreneur  02:54 Leaving the exhausting world of litigation and finding a deeper understanding of human behavior  06:51 The new digital land grab: comparing the early days of the internet to modern AI search optimization  10:28 Expanding into behavioral sleep medicine and building a massive weekly radio audience  13:46 The overt versus covert reality of mediation rooms and the universal need for comfort  15:16 Harry Harlow's wire versus cloth monkey experiments proving comfort is a primary human need  18:40 Discovering treatments for OCD and sleep medicine that create rapid, major shifts for patients  21:00 The genesis of the Credibility Generator: automating administrative marketing hurdles for professionals  24:43 Defining "Left of Trust": the space before a client trusts you where they search for pain relief at 3:00 AM  30:31 Cognitive trust versus affective trust: factual credentials versus the feeling of alleviated distress  34:15 Leveraging digital twins and YouTube videos to answer client pain points without spending hours on camera  38:46 Why waiting to adopt AI search strategies means constantly playing catch-up  40:11 What to expect in Andrew's upcoming book Left of Trust  44:17 A free assessment tool and gold button report on be-picked.com to evaluate your marketing readiness  45:42 Maya Angelou's guiding quote on how people remember how you made them feel   Key Insights & Takeaways   Insight 1: Clients Hire the Person Who Makes the Fear Stop  Professional service providers often lead with cognitive trust credentials—degrees, licenses, and years in practice. However, clients in pain are driven by affective trust. They choose the professional whose material makes their anxiety dissipate and moves them from a state of fear to comfort.   Insight 2: Comfort is an Innate Human Necessity Above All Else Drawing from Harry Harlow's classic 1950s university experiments with baby monkeys and surrogate mothers, human beings inherently seek comfort above all else. Understanding that clients initiate legal or professional processes because they are uncomfortable and seeking a return to comfort is the foundational basis of effective communication and marketing.   Insight 3: The AI Search Era is the New Internet Land Grab  Just as early domain grabbers shaped the original internet, modern AI search engines represent a brand-new frontier. When clients lie awake at night searching for solutions to specific pain points, AI search engines recommend trusted authorities. Professionals who fail to publish content addressing these concerns will forever play catch-up.   Insight 4: Vocabulary Seating Compounds Your Online Credibility  Every professional uses unique words and phrasing to describe concepts. By consistently putting out content—such as blogs, LinkedIn posts, and videos—using your natural vocabulary, you train search engines to connect those specific terms directly to you, making you the inevitable expert clients find when they search.   Insight 5: By the Time They Call, They Have Already Decided  If a professional invests time into building online credibility in the "Left of Trust" space by answering specific client questions across multiple touchpoints, the client's decision is already made before the first phone call. They do not call to evaluate you; they call because they know you are the solution.   Resources & Links Mentioned Be-Picked.com (Andrew's company website featuring a free 15-question strength and weakness report) Left of Trust: Clients Choose You Before They Know You (Andrew's upcoming book) The Credibility Generator (automated content tool for professional service providers) Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine   About Andrew Colsky Andrew Colsky spent over 30 years as a trial attorney, litigator, and mediator, helping build what became the largest employment mediation program in the world. Driven by a lifelong fascination with human thinking and persuasion, he returned to school to earn a mental health degree, becoming a licensed mental health clinician specializing in obsessive-compulsive disorder and behavioral sleep medicine. As a radio host reaching roughly 70,000 listeners per week and an entrepreneur, he combined his legal, clinical, and technological expertise to found Be Picked and create the Credibility Generator. He helps professional service providers understand the science of fear, master the "Left of Trust" space, and build automated digital credibility.   Connect with Andrew Website: https://www.be-picked.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewecolsky/ Like the show? Leave us a rating or review: https://lovethepodcast.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857Follow the Show: https://followthepodcast.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857Send a Message: https://podcastfeedback.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857Check out our Website: https://www.yourbrandamplified.comSpeak to my Delphi Clone: https://www.delphi.ai/amplifywithanika Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I'm breaking down the four things that actually turn Instagram content into client inquiries, using real examples from my social media managers who are scaling their business.This is the exact content strategy I teach my social media manager students who are booking clients with 300 to 8,000 followers, and it starts with a proper content funnel.What's covered:✨ The content funnel explained✨ Why your best-selling content will rarely be your most-liked content✨ Leveraging social proof✨ Why faceless content is holding you back✨ Content psychology: write for YOUR audience✨ Real examples from accounts with 300 to 9,000 followers, You do not need to go viral to book clients. You need the right mix of content, social proof in almost all of it, and your face on camera.xxEllen

Anika sat down with Leysan Zigangirova to explore how marketing leadership must evolve as artificial intelligence makes content creation almost free. The conversation revealed a crucial truth: AI cannot replace human judgment, strategic risk-taking, or deep audience insight. Leysan's 15-plus-year background spanning Procter & Gamble, Philip Morris, Microsoft, Nebius, and now Async offered practical insights into transitioning from consumer marketing to tech startups, rebranding major products, and keeping human taste at the center of innovation.   In This Episode The early career roots in consumer market intelligence at P&G and managing the Marlboro Gold original rebrand Shifting from fast-moving consumer goods to enterprise tech at Microsoft Building Yandex Cloud from scratch and leading the visual identity and brand name creation for Nebius Taking a 15-country sabbatical around the world and how it built mental agility for the AI era Why marketing must share a revenue KPI with sales to eliminate department silos The danger of waiting for perfect data versus making bold, human-driven decisions Why Async shifted from Podcastle to focus on asynchronous creativity and editing co-creation The growing importance of human taste as a competitive advantage against AI-generated "slop"   Timestamps 04:11 — Managing the Marlboro Lights rebrand to Marlboro Gold and navigating ethical challenges within restricted tobacco markets. 07:13 — Transitioning into the technology sector at Microsoft and working on the Azure cloud rollout. 08:58 — Building Yandex Cloud from scratch and co-founding the brand identity for Nebius, leading to $700 million in strategic financing. 10:33 — Taking a life-changing 15-country global sabbatical and using that mental agility to adapt to fast-paced AI environments. 16:11 — Unifying metrics: Why marketing and sales must share revenue KPIs to build trust and eliminate departmental silos. 18:37 — Navigating uncertainty: The danger of waiting for complete data and why human risk-taking separates leaders from AI. 21:30 — Balancing AI automation with human judgment, resource reality, and operational limitations. 23:48 — The evolution of Async: Transitioning from Podcastle to an AI-native editing co-pilot for asynchronous creativity. 25:44 — The value of human taste: Why subjective perspective and authentic quality serve as the ultimate competitive defense against AI "slop". 31:47 — Advice for modern founders: Starting with core user conversations and anchoring strategy in founder passion.   Key Insights & Takeaways   Insight 1: AI Lacks Resource Reality and Risk-Taking   While AI optimizes productivity and text/image generation, it cannot comprehend internal team dynamics, operational capabilities, or resource realities. Furthermore, AI avoids risk, whereas human leadership relies on making bold decisions with incomplete data.   Insight 2: Marketing Must Share Revenue KPIs   Treating marketing purely as a brand equity exercise builds a wall between departments. When marketing shares a revenue KPI with sales, data tracking improves, inter-departmental hostility dissolves, and both teams work cohesively.   Insight 3: Speed Trumps Perfect Data in Fast-Moving Markets   Planning cycles have shrunk from annual strategies down to monthly or bi-weekly alignments. Waiting for complete data causes organizations to miss their window; modern leaders must embrace calculated risks and navigate blind spots faster than competitors.   Insight 4: Human Taste is the Ultimate Competitive Advantage   As AI-generated content increases, the internet is flooded with low-quality "slop". True market distinction stems from human taste, subjective perspective, and genuine emotional connections that technology cannot replicate.   Insight 5: Rebranding Requires a Deep Structural Pivot   A successful rebrand goes far beyond semantics. When Podcastle evolved into Async, it mirrored a complete structural shift toward asynchronous video creation, ensuring the brand identity aligned directly with evolving user needs and product reality.   Resources & Links Mentioned Async (formerly Podcastle)  Nebius Microsoft Azure   About Leysan Zigangirova Leysan Zigangirova is a seasoned marketing leader with over 15 years of experience scaling global brands. Starting her career in consumer and market intelligence at Procter & Gamble and managing iconic portfolios at Philip Morris, she later transitioned into technology. She spent four years at Microsoft, helped build Yandex Cloud from scratch as a founding member, created the brand identity for Nebius—which attracted $700 million in financing—and traveled across 15 countries on a life-changing sabbatical. Today, she serves as the Chief Marketing Officer at Async, helping creators and teams embrace asynchronous video creation and AI-driven editing.   Connect with Leysan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lzigangirova/ Website:  https://async.com Like the show? Leave us a rating or review: https://lovethepodcast.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857Follow the Show: https://followthepodcast.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857Send a Message: https://podcastfeedback.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857Check out our Website: https://www.yourbrandamplified.comSpeak to my Delphi Clone: https://www.delphi.ai/amplifywithanika Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In episode 172 of The Side Hustle Experiment Podcast  John (https://www.instagram.com/sidehustleexperiment/ ) and Drew (https://www.instagram.com/realdrewd/) Share their recent challenges and successes in business, emphasizing the importance of testing, mindset, and adaptability. They discuss how to navigate setbacks, the value of continuous learning, and maintaining confidence through ups and downs.Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the bell so you don't miss future episodes with top entrepreneurs and creators.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview02:43 John discusses his recent influencer program results and challenges03:36 The impact of platform changes and content theft on business04:48 The importance of persistence and testing amidst platform volatility06:13 Drew talks about testing, spending, and viewing money as a tool09:22 The value of rapid testing and data-driven decisions11:20 The mental battle of success, fear of loss, and confidence13:06 Building skills and long-term thinking in business14:27 The importance of skill development and opportunity recognition16:20 The role of content creation and AI in marketing18:28 Scaling opportunities and the importance of testing and learning21:19 The inevitability of platform changes and staying adaptable23:22 The mindset of risk, loss, and opportunity in business26:13 The importance of confidence and proof of success29:22 The value of persistence, testing, and continuous effort34:12 Leveraging assets, selling possessions, and betting on yourself38:41 The importance of mindset, confidence, and taking action43:46 The power of being one test away from success45:03 The mindset of failure, learning, and experimentation46:31 Closing thoughts and encouragement to keep pushing#makemoneyonline #sidehustleexperimentpodcast #sidehustles Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidehustleexperimentpodcast/ Listen on your favorite podcast platformYoutube: https://bit.ly/3HHklFOSpotify: https://spoti.fi/48RRKcPApple: https://apple.co/4bmaFOk Check out Drew's StuffInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/realdrewdTwitter: https://twitter.com/DrewFBACheck out John's StuffInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidehustleexperiment/Twitter: https://twitter.com/SideHustleExp FREE ResourcesFREE Guide: How to Make Money Reviewing Products https://bit.ly/3HIGFSP

In an interview at the 2026 Hotel Data Conference with CoStar News Hotels' Sean McCracken, Virgin Hotels' Jeff Borman talks about how the boutique, experience-focused Virgin Limited Edition is outperforming the company's larger hotel portfolio.

Many creators dream of building an empire, but how many actually pull it off while still making time for family and personal passions?That's what I wanted to dig into with Ben Greenfield. He's been podcasting since 2008 and has built a massive personal brand around health and wellness. But what really fascinated me is how he's leveraged that brand to launch not just one, but two other businesses that are scaling to entirely different levels: a supplements company and a revolutionary health tech platform.I sat down with Ben to break down his entire revenue pie, his strategies for growing multiple companies, and how he keeps his personal brand from becoming the bottleneck in his rapidly expanding empire.If you've built a creator business and are wondering what it would take to turn it into something much bigger, I think you'll get a lot from this episode.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:12 The early days of podcasting03:00 Early revenue and online ventures04:15 The lightbulb moment: Scaling IP online05:59 Mapping out Ben Greenfield Life revenue06:33 Audience and platform scale07:31 Podcast revenue breakdown09:18 Coaching and its growth potential11:03 Life Network and Life Market12:16 Total personal brand revenue breakdown13:19 Integrated ad packages and whitelisting16:09 Affiliate revenue and long-term partnerships17:27 Team structure for Ben Greenfield Life20:29 Lessons for scaling content businesses22:45 Lifestyle design and work-life balance23:52 Launching Kion28:44 Disentangling personal brand from Kion31:32 Leveraging brand for launch, then scaling independently35:44 The new venture39:55 Life OS's rapid growth and scale42:47 The power of recurring revenue models44:31 Intentional scaling beyond personal brand47:47 Building an empire vs. a lifestyle business49:30 Ben's daily lifestyle and routine52:16 Wrap-up and where to find BenIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://kit.comFollow Ben:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bengreenfieldlifeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bengreenfieldfitnessLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengreenfieldWebsite: https://bengreenfieldlife.comFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comBoundless: https://shopbengreenfieldlife.com/products/boundless-updated-revisedKion: https://getkion.comHighlights:04:15 - The lightbulb moment: Scaling IP online12:16 - Total personal brand revenue breakdown20:29 - Lessons for scaling content businesses31:29 - Don't let your brand be the bottleneck47:47 - How to build both empire and lifestyle businesses

Send us Fan MailWe catch up with Lark Elliott one year after opening Tuxedo Falls to learn what it takes to turn a rare waterfall property near Asheville into a high-demand glamping retreat. We dig into design choices like open air soak tubs, heated toilet seats, brutal infrastructure realities, and the operating and marketing decisions that drive reviews, pricing power, and direct bookings. • How exceptional land and location can do your selling • Choosing Bushtec safari tents and building true treehouses around living trees • Guest experience details that lift reviews and return visits • The hidden horizontal infrastructure budget: stormwater, roads, rock, wells and septic • Zoning, utility availability and fire access as early deal killers • Financing a proof of concept while building infrastructure for future units • The whiplash shift from builder to operator and what to fix first • Handing off social media marketing and using paid social to find the right guest • Dynamic pricing and revenue management trade-offs at different unit counts • Leveraging tourism board PR and avoiding costly OTA surprises • Mentoring, books and practical habits that make operations saner • Using travel insurance messaging to reduce cancellation pain Check out tuxedofalls.com or reach out to lark at lark@tuxedofalls.comWe work really hard to bring you the best content from the best operators in our industry and we do it all absolutely free of charge. All we ask is that you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so we can keep the momentum going. Simply go to the homepage of the podcast and scroll down till you see the stars. Thanks for your support and let's keep getting more people outside.Newbook - www.newbook.cloudInterested in learning more about Newbook? Book a software demonstration with one of their market consultants today and don't forget to mention you came from the Outdoor Hospitality Podcast to receive 15% off your Newbook subscription and your first month free. This offer is for Newbook Signature subscriptions only.This podcast is powered by Sage Outdoor Advisory, the industry leaders in feasibility studies and appraisals. 

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Kurt Farquhar. Television & Film Composer, Founder of Fall Crop Productions and True Music ProNotable Credits: The King of Queens, Girlfriends, The Parkers, Being Mary Jane, The Proud Family, The Neighborhood, Black LightningAwards: 10 BMI AwardsTenure: 38+ years in television Purpose of the Interview The purpose of this interview is to educate and inspire creatives, entrepreneurs, and professionals about longevity, adaptability, and wealth-building behind the scenes. Kurt Farquhar’s journey highlights how sustainable success comes from mastery of craft, relationship-building, and treating creativity as a business—not chasing visibility or fame. Rushion McDonald uses Kurt’s career as a blueprint for: Building mailbox money through residuals Staying relevant across decades of industry change Monetizing intellectual property Leveraging relationships to sustain opportunity Core Themes Discussed Longevity vs. “getting on” Behind-the-scenes success Residual income (“mailbox money”) Adaptability in changing industries Creative originality Relationship capital Diversifying income through ownership Treating art like a business Key Takeaways 1. Staying In Is Harder Than Getting In While many focus on breaking into the industry, Kurt emphasizes that lasting success requires constant reinvention. “The continuing it for the 30-plus years has been way harder than the getting in in the first.” Insight: Longevity requires discipline, humility, and evolution. 2. Behind-the-Scenes Roles Can Be More Sustainable Kurt chose composing over performing, allowing him to age into his career rather than age out of it. “In television and film… all I’ve got to say is John Williams is in his 90s and still composing.” Insight: Choose lanes that allow long-term relevance and recurring income. 3. Residual Income Is Real Wealth Rushion and Kurt discuss “mailbox money”—recurring payments from past work. “If you just had the mailbox money for King of Queens, you’d be fine.” Insight: True financial freedom comes from owning work that keeps paying. 4. Adaptability Is Non‑Negotiable Kurt has survived massive industry shifts—from analog tape to digital production—by embracing change. “Sustain that good idea, change it, polish it up, and mold it for the changing times.” Insight: Talent without adaptability becomes obsolete. 5. Originality Comes From Listening, Not Forcing a Style Kurt avoids creative stagnation by serving the story, not his ego. “I don’t come in every day trying to force the singular style I’ve done for 38 years.” Insight: Longevity depends on collaboration and humility. 6. Relationships Are Career Currency Kurt credits long-term success to consistently showing up for people—before they’re powerful. “If you only call someone once you read they’ve got something coming up, it’s already too late.” Insight: Relationships built without agenda produce lasting opportunity. 7. Saying “Yes” Creates Opportunity Kurt embraces what he calls the power of yes. “I figure I can say yes more than you and end up making more and doing better.” Insight: Opportunity favors those who remain open, prepared, and professional. 8. Ownership Multiplies Creativity Into Business Kurt built True Music Pro, a licensing library used across major networks and streaming platforms. “I realized companies were licensing more of my music than I was… so I built my own library.” Insight: Ownership turns talent into scalable income. Notable Quotes “The journey to stay in is harder than the journey to get in.” “Treat it like a business and it might treat you in kind.” “I do my job, I do it the best I can, and I move on to the next one.” “Character is character. Relationships matter.” “That success doesn’t happen by accident. It happens with care.” Overall Impact of the Interview This interview serves as a masterclass on creative longevity and wealth-building without celebrity dependency. Kurt Farquhar’s story reframes success as: Consistent excellence Relationship stewardship Business ownership Adaptability across generations It is especially powerful for: Creatives seeking sustainable careers Entrepreneurs building IP-based businesses Professionals navigating long-term relevance Anyone pursuing “quiet wealth” over public fame #SHMS #STRAW #BEST Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you are serious about changing your financial future through real estate but feel stuck at the starting line, this live episode is your ultimate playbook. Brent Daniels holds nothing back as he reveals the exact mathematical formulas, daily schedules, and marketing ratios required to build a wildly profitable wholesaling business from scratch. Discover how to defeat the Three P's that paralyze new investors, the precise 20-hour part-time schedule that created Brent's first million dollars, and how to start generating free leads from Facebook and agent referrals even if you have zero marketing budget. It is time to enter hustle season and take massive imperfect action. Be a part of the TTP training program now.---------Show notes:(0:00) Beginning of today's episode(1:52) Shifting from a want to to a must do mindset to guarantee success(3:14) The three main factors that force 80 percent of beginners to quit(4:24) Six questions to determine your starting schedule, budget, and goals(6:16) The zero-budget hustle season game plan for part-time wholesalers(7:35) Leveraging local Facebook investor groups to pull in free deals(9:03) Building a referral network of 30 agents who list distressed properties(11:32) The exact 20-hour schedule Brent used to make his first million(14:12) Defeating the Three P's that block massive imperfect action(17:13) The ideal daily lead-generation schedule for full-time wholesalers (23:28) Proven marketing conversion ratios to accurately predict your revenue----------Resources:Launch ControlGoHighLevelTo speak with Brent or one of our other expert coaches call (281) 835-4201 or schedule your free discovery call here to learn about our mentorship programs and become part of the TribeGo to Wholesalingincgroup.com to become part of one of the fastest growing Facebook communities in the Wholesaling space. Get all of your burning Wholesaling questions answered, gain access to JV partnerships, and connect with other "success minded" Rhinos in the community.It's 100% free to join. The opportunities in this community  are endless, what are you waiting for?

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Kurt Farquhar. Television & Film Composer, Founder of Fall Crop Productions and True Music ProNotable Credits: The King of Queens, Girlfriends, The Parkers, Being Mary Jane, The Proud Family, The Neighborhood, Black LightningAwards: 10 BMI AwardsTenure: 38+ years in television Purpose of the Interview The purpose of this interview is to educate and inspire creatives, entrepreneurs, and professionals about longevity, adaptability, and wealth-building behind the scenes. Kurt Farquhar’s journey highlights how sustainable success comes from mastery of craft, relationship-building, and treating creativity as a business—not chasing visibility or fame. Rushion McDonald uses Kurt’s career as a blueprint for: Building mailbox money through residuals Staying relevant across decades of industry change Monetizing intellectual property Leveraging relationships to sustain opportunity Core Themes Discussed Longevity vs. “getting on” Behind-the-scenes success Residual income (“mailbox money”) Adaptability in changing industries Creative originality Relationship capital Diversifying income through ownership Treating art like a business Key Takeaways 1. Staying In Is Harder Than Getting In While many focus on breaking into the industry, Kurt emphasizes that lasting success requires constant reinvention. “The continuing it for the 30-plus years has been way harder than the getting in in the first.” Insight: Longevity requires discipline, humility, and evolution. 2. Behind-the-Scenes Roles Can Be More Sustainable Kurt chose composing over performing, allowing him to age into his career rather than age out of it. “In television and film… all I’ve got to say is John Williams is in his 90s and still composing.” Insight: Choose lanes that allow long-term relevance and recurring income. 3. Residual Income Is Real Wealth Rushion and Kurt discuss “mailbox money”—recurring payments from past work. “If you just had the mailbox money for King of Queens, you’d be fine.” Insight: True financial freedom comes from owning work that keeps paying. 4. Adaptability Is Non‑Negotiable Kurt has survived massive industry shifts—from analog tape to digital production—by embracing change. “Sustain that good idea, change it, polish it up, and mold it for the changing times.” Insight: Talent without adaptability becomes obsolete. 5. Originality Comes From Listening, Not Forcing a Style Kurt avoids creative stagnation by serving the story, not his ego. “I don’t come in every day trying to force the singular style I’ve done for 38 years.” Insight: Longevity depends on collaboration and humility. 6. Relationships Are Career Currency Kurt credits long-term success to consistently showing up for people—before they’re powerful. “If you only call someone once you read they’ve got something coming up, it’s already too late.” Insight: Relationships built without agenda produce lasting opportunity. 7. Saying “Yes” Creates Opportunity Kurt embraces what he calls the power of yes. “I figure I can say yes more than you and end up making more and doing better.” Insight: Opportunity favors those who remain open, prepared, and professional. 8. Ownership Multiplies Creativity Into Business Kurt built True Music Pro, a licensing library used across major networks and streaming platforms. “I realized companies were licensing more of my music than I was… so I built my own library.” Insight: Ownership turns talent into scalable income. Notable Quotes “The journey to stay in is harder than the journey to get in.” “Treat it like a business and it might treat you in kind.” “I do my job, I do it the best I can, and I move on to the next one.” “Character is character. Relationships matter.” “That success doesn’t happen by accident. It happens with care.” Overall Impact of the Interview This interview serves as a masterclass on creative longevity and wealth-building without celebrity dependency. Kurt Farquhar’s story reframes success as: Consistent excellence Relationship stewardship Business ownership Adaptability across generations It is especially powerful for: Creatives seeking sustainable careers Entrepreneurs building IP-based businesses Professionals navigating long-term relevance Anyone pursuing “quiet wealth” over public fame #SHMS #STRAW #BEST Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Kurt Farquhar. Television & Film Composer, Founder of Fall Crop Productions and True Music ProNotable Credits: The King of Queens, Girlfriends, The Parkers, Being Mary Jane, The Proud Family, The Neighborhood, Black LightningAwards: 10 BMI AwardsTenure: 38+ years in television Purpose of the Interview The purpose of this interview is to educate and inspire creatives, entrepreneurs, and professionals about longevity, adaptability, and wealth-building behind the scenes. Kurt Farquhar’s journey highlights how sustainable success comes from mastery of craft, relationship-building, and treating creativity as a business—not chasing visibility or fame. Rushion McDonald uses Kurt’s career as a blueprint for: Building mailbox money through residuals Staying relevant across decades of industry change Monetizing intellectual property Leveraging relationships to sustain opportunity Core Themes Discussed Longevity vs. “getting on” Behind-the-scenes success Residual income (“mailbox money”) Adaptability in changing industries Creative originality Relationship capital Diversifying income through ownership Treating art like a business Key Takeaways 1. Staying In Is Harder Than Getting In While many focus on breaking into the industry, Kurt emphasizes that lasting success requires constant reinvention. “The continuing it for the 30-plus years has been way harder than the getting in in the first.” Insight: Longevity requires discipline, humility, and evolution. 2. Behind-the-Scenes Roles Can Be More Sustainable Kurt chose composing over performing, allowing him to age into his career rather than age out of it. “In television and film… all I’ve got to say is John Williams is in his 90s and still composing.” Insight: Choose lanes that allow long-term relevance and recurring income. 3. Residual Income Is Real Wealth Rushion and Kurt discuss “mailbox money”—recurring payments from past work. “If you just had the mailbox money for King of Queens, you’d be fine.” Insight: True financial freedom comes from owning work that keeps paying. 4. Adaptability Is Non‑Negotiable Kurt has survived massive industry shifts—from analog tape to digital production—by embracing change. “Sustain that good idea, change it, polish it up, and mold it for the changing times.” Insight: Talent without adaptability becomes obsolete. 5. Originality Comes From Listening, Not Forcing a Style Kurt avoids creative stagnation by serving the story, not his ego. “I don’t come in every day trying to force the singular style I’ve done for 38 years.” Insight: Longevity depends on collaboration and humility. 6. Relationships Are Career Currency Kurt credits long-term success to consistently showing up for people—before they’re powerful. “If you only call someone once you read they’ve got something coming up, it’s already too late.” Insight: Relationships built without agenda produce lasting opportunity. 7. Saying “Yes” Creates Opportunity Kurt embraces what he calls the power of yes. “I figure I can say yes more than you and end up making more and doing better.” Insight: Opportunity favors those who remain open, prepared, and professional. 8. Ownership Multiplies Creativity Into Business Kurt built True Music Pro, a licensing library used across major networks and streaming platforms. “I realized companies were licensing more of my music than I was… so I built my own library.” Insight: Ownership turns talent into scalable income. Notable Quotes “The journey to stay in is harder than the journey to get in.” “Treat it like a business and it might treat you in kind.” “I do my job, I do it the best I can, and I move on to the next one.” “Character is character. Relationships matter.” “That success doesn’t happen by accident. It happens with care.” Overall Impact of the Interview This interview serves as a masterclass on creative longevity and wealth-building without celebrity dependency. Kurt Farquhar’s story reframes success as: Consistent excellence Relationship stewardship Business ownership Adaptability across generations It is especially powerful for: Creatives seeking sustainable careers Entrepreneurs building IP-based businesses Professionals navigating long-term relevance Anyone pursuing “quiet wealth” over public fame #SHMS #STRAW #BEST Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is from our Launching series. Want every LYPP episode on using private audio to sell in one bingeable feed? Grab it here. Or why not grab all topics?!: List Building · Courses + Memberships · Summits + Events · 1:1 ServicesIn this episode, we explore Vix Meldrew's approach to launching her group program "Rave Results" using what she calls an "async launch strategy." Discover how this former teacher turned course creator used private podcasts as both lead magnets and program delivery methods to maintain business momentum while managing postpartum capacity. Learn how her batched content approach led to impressive conversion rates and student engagement.Topics CoveredThe async launch strategy combining masterclass, private podcast series, and batched emailsUsing private podcasts as lead magnets with high consumption ratesPostpartum business capacity management and energy-efficient launchingIncorporating private podcasts into program curriculum for accessibilityUsing bonus episodes for Q&A call replays and additional contentOptimization strategies for evergreen conversionLinks Mentioned@vixmeldrew on errthanghttps://raveresults.co/masterclass - 7 strategies for increasing engagement in your group program PLUS a private podcast series on why clients ghost your program and don't get resultsMore from Hello AudioGrab a free trialYoutubeInstagramFacebook Group Subscribe and ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review! Thank you so much for tuning in to Launch Your Private Podcast.

As we think about how students transition to college, how do we set expectations, how do we support students, and how is this all changing with social media – including for the better in some ways? We talk through these questions with Alexis Redding, developmental psychologist at Harvard's Graduate School of Education who co-leads their Transition to Adulthood Lab and edited the new book Mental Health in College: What Research Tells Us About Supporting Students. Discover how to dismantle perfectionist myths, support students through typical developmental hurdles, and build a stronger sense of campus belonging. Episode Highlights include: [04:33] Debunking the mythology of the best four years - Alexis Redding explains why normalizing the difficulty of transition is essential for student success. [08:31] Rethinking program calendars with the W-curve - Why colleges need to extend student programming beyond orientation week into the mid-semester dip. [12:45] Leveraging sense of belonging as a key outcome - How meaningful campus connections ensure struggling students are noticed and connected to resources. [23:37] Decoupling developmental challenges from clinical mental health care - A five-question framework to help faculty distinguish expected struggles from crisis situations. [30:53] Centering student voices in campus design - Why institutions must gather and act on student feedback from day one to preserve institutional resources. The book Alexis edited: Mental Health in College: What Research Tells Us About Supporting Students https://hep.gse.harvard.edu/9798895570753/mental-health-in-college/

This two-part episode discusses how protection planning is both a client-care discipline and a growth strategy. The advisors and institutions most likely to retain assets are those that ask better questions, uncover and solve for risks before they become crises, involve the family, and coordinate the right expertise. The practical challenge from this episode is straightforward: do not try to sell another product; instead, have a meaningful conversation about protecting well-earned assets.Protection strategies are the “glue” that holds a plan together when illness, disability, care needs, or death disrupt it. Without a documented protection review, clients may face serious consequences and advisors may lose relationships they spent years building. The discussion connects protection directly to business growth. Advisors who address risks that others ignore can differentiate themselves, build trust, gather more of a client's assets, and improve retention through major life transitions.Join our panel of experts as they discuss these important strategies.Jeffery Roy – Hancock WhitneyRuss Harton - CeteraAlex Sarafianos – Regions

In this episode, we explore KB's remarkable journey from a life-threatening stroke to building successful med spas, emphasizing resilience, authenticity, and purpose in entrepreneurship.key topics: entrepreneurship, resilience, medical spa, business growth, purpose, authenticity, recovery, leadership, mental health, familyKB's personal story of overcoming a strokeThe intersection of medicine and entrepreneurshipThe importance of authenticity and storytelling in brandingStrategies for scaling med spa businessesThe role of resilience and mindset in business successAuthenticity and a compelling story are key to brand differentiation.Resilience in the face of adversity can redefine your purpose.Leveraging social media for genuine connections accelerates growth.Balancing family, health, and business requires discipline and purpose.Sharing personal challenges can inspire and attract customers."Count your blessings and don't take it for granted""If you give me one more chance, I promise to be the best""The world needs inspiration and good news"Chapters00:00 Introduction and guest background02:04 KB's early life and challenges03:56 The stroke incident and immediate aftermath09:00 Recovery, faith, and new purpose11:51 Transition into real estate and business growth14:01 Founding med spa and wellness clinics17:04 The importance of authentic storytelling in branding20:02 Expanding into new markets and future plans22:05 Lessons on resilience, purpose, and leadership32:50 Advice for entrepreneurs facing challenges35:05 The role of discipline, presence, and faith

In this episode of Inside the Teen Brain, Takako Yeung explores how neuroscience can inform everyday teaching practice. Drawing on more than twenty years of experience driving systemic change in education, Takako discusses how the adolescent brain's heightened sensitivity to social and emotional cues makes the student–teacher relationship a powerful lever for both wellbeing and academic attainment. In conversation with Dr Jane Gilmour, Takako reflects on what it means to truly value and believe in each young person, and how that belief shapes the way teachers respond, set expectations, and support students through the ups and downs of adolescence. Her insights offer a thoughtful look at how small shifts in practice can make a lasting difference.Learning ObjectivesA. To understand how the adolescent brain's heightened sensitivity to social and emotional cues shapes learning and influences academic attainment.B. To explore how strong student–teacher relationships can be built and used to support young people's wellbeing, motivation, and engagement.C. To consider practical strategies for setting appropriately high expectations and supporting students through challenges without fuelling stress or perfectionism.Get a free CPD/CME certificate for listening to this podcast by registering for a FREE ACAMH Learn account at https://bit.ly/4fF4BBWVisit https://www.acamh.orgFacebook and LinkedIn search / ACAMHInstagram https://www.instagram.com/assoc.camhBluesky https://bsky.app/profile/acamh.bsky.socialX https://x.com/acamh

Most professionals treat LinkedIn like an online résumé. Successful business owners treat it like a business development platform. In this episode of The Practical Wealth Show, Curtis May sits down with LinkedIn strategist and nonprofit leader Lynne Williams for a live audit of his own LinkedIn profile. Rather than discussing theory, Lynne critiques Curtis's profile in real time, explaining how small changes to headlines, keywords, skills, branding, networking, and engagement can dramatically improve visibility and credibility. The conversation expands beyond LinkedIn into a broader discussion about business development, strategic alliances, networking, marketing, and building a personal brand that consistently attracts opportunities. Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, executive, or professional, this episode offers practical steps to make LinkedIn work as a true lead-generation and relationship-building tool.     Key Topics Why LinkedIn should function as your landing page Creating a keyword-driven headline The importance of professional branding Why "I help..." weakens positioning Using LinkedIn's searchable skills database Building authority through meaningful comments Creating strategic networking opportunities Turning LinkedIn into a referral engine Why relationships outperform cold prospecting Leveraging local networking organizations     Practical Wealth Connection One of my favorite moments is where you naturally tied everything back to your philosophy: "You can't shrink your way to financial freedom." That becomes the bridge to Practical Wealth. Lynne helps people become more productive. You help them become more profitable. Those complement each other perfectly.   Visit there website : https://greatcareers.org/   

If you haven't listened to part one please check it out here.Dr. Piya Sorcar, PhD, CEO TeachAids, Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics, Stanford School of Medicine talks to Lauren and Nick about concussion education and TeachAids in PART TWO. Leveraging her wealth of experience, including her previous program tackling HIV/AIDS education, Dr. Sorcar discuss the importance of genuine concussion education, free concussion education from TeachAids. Not simply telling athletes to not do something, or to remind them of the dangers, Piya and TeachAids, use the power of technology and peer messaging to really get through. In part two we talk about the education and communication aspect that has made TeachAids so effective and successful. Whether it's a fun game amongst friends or a more competitive official school or univesity league, TeachAids CrashCourse Concussion Education has become an increasingly important part of educating the public in the US, Canada, UK and globally. Did I mention it's free?!Check out all the free products that TeachAids CrashCourse has to offer and get started with your league!Concussion CrashCourse: https://teachaids.org/for-concussions/crashcourse/Concussion Story Wall: https://concussionstorywall.org/If you use VR, take advantage of the excellent interactive experience! If you don't have a VR set (like yours truly) the YouTube and 2D educational experiences are great as well!PLEASE SHARE, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE! WHATEVER THOSE OTHER PODCASTS AND YOUTUBE CHANNELS ASK YOU TO DO FOR THEM, DO FOR US TOO!Check us out on Youtube, Instagram and Facebook! @concussiontalk & @lziaksThank you!Subscribe and leave a review!Visit https://www.concussiontalk.com/ for more!Follow and subscribe! @concussiontalk on YouTube, Instagram & Facebook 2014 e-book, Detour: https://leanpub.com/detourFollow Lauren on Instagram @lziaksConcussion Talk Podcast discusses traumatic brain injury (TBI) by featuring interviews with experts (physiotherapists, doctors, researchers, athletes, community leaders, etc.) and people who have experienced TBI first-hand.Chronically dives deeper into concussions and brain injury as I team up with Lauren Ziaks; a DPT, ATC, and wealth of knowledge of chronic health conditions post-concussion. Join us as we interview more experts, spread awareness of brain injury and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dental marketing has changed significantly, but the goal is still to connect with the right patients and give them a reason to care. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Minal Sampat, marketing strategist, social media coach, dental hygienist, best-selling author, and founder of Marketologist, about what is working in dental marketing today. You will learn how to use AI without losing trust, create content around patient outcomes, improve local and social marketing, track where patients actually come from, and evaluate your marketing budget based on your audience and competition. For practical ways to make your marketing more effective, listen to Episode 1085 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Marketing platforms and techniques continue to change, but effective marketing still depends on connecting with people and giving them something they care about.AI should be used as a tool rather than a substitute for human communication, and practices should be transparent when AI-generated avatars or content are being used.Dental content builds more trust when it shows the patient outcome of treatment instead of focusing only on procedures.Practices can expand their local reach by supporting nearby businesses and organizations and collaborating with them through social media content.Marketing budgets should be based on the competitive environment, the patients the practice wants to serve, and the activities that produce a measurable return.New patient forms can help identify the patient journey by allowing patients to select every marketing source that contributed to their decision.Internal marketing should emphasize patient appreciation and practice culture, while external marketing should create a consistent experience across reviews, social media, websites, ads, and patient communication.Episode Chapters:00:00 What is working in dental marketing today.02:39 Minal's background in marketing and dental hygiene.05:40 Creating a Guinness World Record campaign.10:11 How dental marketing changed after COVID-19.13:26 The growing role of AI in marketing.14:55 Using AI while maintaining trust.17:00 Humanizing AI-generated communication.21:05 Social media content and Google search visibility.22:30 Creating dental content that builds trust.28:49 A simple local marketing strategy for dental practices.30:59 Combining ground marketing with social media.33:11 Leveraging existing marketing to reduce unnecessary spending.35:37 Understanding your target audience.36:52 Marketing KPIs and tracking patient sources.40:07 Internal versus external marketing.42:29 Evaluating the potential patient journey.44:15 Final thoughts on using marketing tools effectively.44:47 Minal's Exchange session.45:43 Podcast Wrap UpGuest Bio:Minal Sampat, RDH is the bestselling author of Why Your Marketing Is Killing Your Business, And What To Do About It. She is the founder of Marketologist® - an online marketing strategy & training course & community, a renowned marketing strategist, sought-after speaker, and social media coach extraordinaire.Minal is the founder of the popular CE on The Beach™ event! She hosts CE events & workshops on beautiful islands around the world. This event has sold out every single time!Plus, she is the Co-founder of the Pediatric Dental Marketing Course & Pediatric Dental Growth Summit!P.S. Many call Minal the "Marketing Therapist."Episode Resources:https://www.minalsampat.com/https://ceonthebeach.com/https://marketologist.com/https://www.instagram.com/minalsampatllc/https://www.facebook.com/RealTalkWithMinalSampatHeyGen: https://app.heygen.comChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com/Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Contact Gina to learn more about ACT: gina@actdental.comThe Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Smile Source Community Hub: https://www.actdental.com/community-hubUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

David Daoud explains Iran is currently leveraging negotiations with the U.S. to secure a ceasefire that protects Hezbollah from further Israeli military pressure while allowing the group to rebuild. Critics argue that U.S. security assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) is a poor investment, as the LAF lacks the political will to disarm Hezbollah within its own borders. While a fragile ceasefire has shifted active war toward localized "policing operations" and skirmishes, Hezbollah explicitly rejects any linkage between an Israeli withdrawal and its own disarmament. The Trump administration is reportedly prioritizing "quiet" in Lebanon, which has forced Israeli forces into a more reactive posture. (4)

In this episode of the Fitness + Technology Podcast, Bryan O'Rourke welcomes JJ Creegan to the show. JJ is the Principal at Creegan Co., a firm that helps founders, operators, and investors scale multi-unit consumer brands. Over the past two decades, JJ has partnered with founder-led and private equity-backed businesses to take concepts from launch through institutional scale — growing brands to 100+ locations and leading global networks of 1,500+ sites that generate more than $1 billion in annual revenue. His focus is on value creation through revenue growth, retention, and customer experience, supported by disciplined operating models, franchise development, and high-performing leadership teams. JJ works closely with ownership groups and boards as a fractional or interim executive, advisor, or board member across the wellness, hospitality, leisure, and consumer services sectors. In this conversation, Bryan and JJ explore how technology and human connection can work together to drive growth in consumer brands. They discuss the trends reshaping the industry, the role of digital apps and wearables in elevating the member experience, and how delivery models are evolving to become more comprehensive. JJ also shares practical advice for aligning technology with in-person service and offers key takeaways for industry leaders looking to scale with discipline and purpose. Check out FIT-C's 2026 Digital Pulse Report: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTV2QT18 Learn more about Fitness Brazil 2026: https://www.fitnessbrasil.com.br/fitness-brasil-expo-2026/ One Powerful Quote: 10:17: "Leveraging technology to simplify the work that needs to happen in person, and then amplifying the impact of it, is a really big opportunity for most brands today." 4-10 Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:20: JJ shares his career journey and his work as a fractional advisor. 7:30: JJ offers his observations on emerging trends across the industry. 9:48: JJ and Bryan discuss how business success depends on aligning technology with human integration. 13:42: JJ and Bryan examine the impact of technology through digital apps, wearables, and the member experience. 16:20: JJ and Bryan explore how delivery models are evolving to become more comprehensive. 20:16: JJ closes with his advice and key takeaways for industry leaders. Bullet List of Resources: https://www.jjcreegan.com/ Guest Contact Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjcreegan/ https://x.com/jjcreegan https://www.bryankorourke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryankorourke/ http://www.fittechcouncil.org/ https://www.youtube.com/user/bko61163 

How do you turn one of the hardest seasons of your life into the catalyst for a hospitality business that changes not just your family's future, but your guests' experience too? In this episode, I sit down with Joanna Woods, a British short-term rental host and co-host who manages properties in Grapevine, Texas, all the way from her home an hour north of Liverpool.We talk about:Navigating a life-altering family shift when her son became a wheelchair user, discovering wheelchair motocross (WCMX), and purchasing a home in Grapevine, Texas, to support his international athletic competitions.Reinvesting property cash flow into high-impact experiential amenities—like transforming an acre of land to include a game barn, outdoor cinema, pool table, and cowboy pool.Managing transatlantic operations by building an elite local team and creating a family "shift pattern" to ensure 24/7 guest support despite a six-hour time difference.Leveraging the Airbnb co-host network to scale, optimizing listings by restricting calendars to three-month windows, and actively analyzing daily search and pricing data.Using AI to mine guest reviews for exact phrasing, updating property copy to speak directly to both human guests and search algorithms, and making data-driven pricing adjustments during seven-day booking windows.Joanna pulls back the curtain on how she transitioned from seeing a property as a way to cover family travel bills to operating a high-performing hospitality brand. You'll hear how she balances market metrics with heart-led hospitality, constantly refining her listings to address missing guest needs while building a business that gives her family total flexibility.If you are a high-achieving professional wondering how to turn personal adversity into a thriving hospitality enterprise and manage operations remotely without losing quality, this conversation is your blueprint. Get ready to learn how to drop perfectionism and start leading your life and business with intention.HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[00:56] A short introduction about our guest Joanna Woods, shares how an unexpected family journey led her from long-term rentals in the UK to discovering short-term rentals in Texas[05:40] Joanna recounts the whirlwind journey of launching her first U.S. short-term rental while supporting her son's wheelchair motocross world championship competition[08:28] Joanna reveals what made her fall in love with hospitality after launching her first short-term rental[10:44] How Joanna's family manages overseas short-term rental operations across time zones with strong systems and a trusted local team [13:10] Joanna explains how co-hosting created a path to grow her short-term rental business without traditional financing options[15:16] Why co-hosting became the ideal path for growing her short-term rental business without the financial pressure of property management [17:44] Joanna shares how saying yes to an unexpected opportunity helped her land her first co-hosting clients from across the world[20:24] How Joanna maintained Airbnb visibility and optimized a part-time vacation rental impacted by owner stays[23:06] Joanna and I discuss how small listing updates, guest feedback, and AI analysis can transform Airbnb performance[27:44] Why AI requires human oversight, clear instructions, and careful review when used in short-term rentals[29:31] Joanna shares how tracking revenue, conversion metrics, and Airbnb insights helped her make smarter pricing decisions and maximize property performance[33:05] Joanna shares how she balances pricing data, market experience, and intuition when making revenue management decisions[36:03] Joanna shares the mindset shift that transformed her from someone who simply listed properties on Airbnb into a true hospitality business owner[39:55] The lightning round Golden Nuggets:“Co-hosting is a wonderful way for folks who want to grow their portfolio and grow their experience and expand their team.”“If I had to start over again, I would absolutely move into co-hosting first because as a property manager, I didn't realize early on how cash intensive the property management business is.”“Whether you tell yourself you can or you can't, you're right. So let's tell ourselves we can.”“We can all benefit by hearing someone else's story.”Let's Connect: Website : https://www.pathfindervacations.co/Facebook : www.facebook.com/p/Pathfinder-Vacations-LLC-100095005793929/Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/pathfindervacationsllc/Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

How do you combat employee turnover when, as a private practice, you have a hard time paying what larger competitors can pay? My guest today is a partner in a primary care practice. She's living this question, and she'll share what they do with us. Katie Nunn, MBA, CMPE, provides training and coaching for healthcare leaders and their organizations on process improvement, financial optimization, and cultural transformation. Leveraging extensive experience with financial and operational turnarounds, she is a valuable advisor for an organization experiencing rapid expansion or change. With over 20 years' experience in healthcare leadership, her broad areas of expertise include practice assessments, process improvement, financial management, IT implementations, telemedicine, strategic planning, providers on-boarding, and cultural transformation. In this episode Carl White and Katie Nunn discuss: How often they experience turnover in the practice Katie's experience with what works to combat turnover and what hasn't Benefits of  turnover – reorganize, when poor performers leave, etc. Want to be a guest on PracticeCare®? Have an experience with a business issue you think others will benefit from? Come on PracticeCare® and tell the world! Here's the link where you can get the process started. Connect with Katie Nunn https://www.linkedin.com/company/bright-ideas-medical-consulting/ Connect with Carl White Website: http://www.marketvisorygroup.com Email:  whitec@marketvisorygroup.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/marketvisorygroup YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD9BLCu_i2ezBj1ktUHVmig LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/healthcaremktg

One of the biggest shifts we can make as property managers is moving beyond simply managing properties to genuinely managing investments. I'm joined by Tim Meyers, co-founder and Managing Partner of Winvest Management in Miami, who brings a unique corporate finance perspective to property management. Our conversation explores why financial transparency, proactive communication and genuine relationship-building aren't "extra" services–they're the foundation of creating trust with both owners and tenants.We unpack what it really means to elevate the customer experience, from providing meaningful monthly financial commentary instead of generic statements to questioning maintenance costs, negotiating better outcomes and helping owners understand the performance of their investment. Tim shares how small, consistent touchpoints, clear communication and attention to detail can transform client relationships, strengthen referrals and position your agency as a trusted advisor rather than simply a service provider.If you've ever wondered how to stand out in an increasingly competitive market, this conversation is a timely reminder that exceptional property management isn't about flashy ideas—it's about doing the fundamentals exceptionally well. We also discuss guarantees, leadership, the power of listening before offering solutions, and why understanding an owner's long-term goals allows you to make smarter decisions that deliver value well beyond rent collection.“Property management is a little bit like a game. There's a rulebook. There's things you're not allowed to do. Right. And I'm not a rule breaker. I'm not insinuating that I violate the rules. But in order to run things efficiently and in the best manner, you have to know the rulebook really well. You get to know when you're close to it. You got to know when you're potentially going to overstep the lines.” - Tim MeyersWe cover:Importance of attention to detail in property management.Utilizing technology to manage costs effectively.Addressing gaps in customer service and financial transparency in the industry.Leveraging corporate finance experience for better property financial management.Building trust with property owners and tenants.Proactive communication strategies in property management.Financial oversight and alignment with property owners' goals.Simplifying financial management processes for property managers.Emphasizing rental guarantees and service level commitments.The significance of referrals and relationship-building for business growth.A big shout-out to our amazing podcast partner Ailo.Ailo is an Australian property management software and app designed to streamline communication and payments between property managers, owners, and tenants. It offers in-app chat, real-time rent tracking, and maintenance management, aiming to modernise property management and improve transparency for all parties.Book an Ailo Demo and get your Mecca Gift Card:http://ailo.io/tpmFollow Ailo:https://www.instagram.com/ailohq/Kylie's Resources:Property Management Growth School: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/TPM-BDMSchoolDigital Marketing School: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/digitalschoolThat Property Mum Courses: https://www.thatpropertymum.com.au/courses/The PM Accelerate Membership: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/accelerateBook a Strategy Call with Kylie: https://calendly.com/kylie-tpm/coaching-call Kolmeo: https://kolmeo.com/Find out about our Done for You Lead Generation - https://calendly.com/kylie-tpm/done-for-you-leads-discovery-call35 AI Prompts to help you Grow your Business on Social Media: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/35-prompts-to-grow-your-property-management-business-on-social-mediahttps://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/5-misktakes-replayDigital Marketing and AI Academyhttps://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/digitalmarketingyesConnect with Tim Meyers:https://winvestmanagement.com/Connect With Kylie:Follow Kylie Walker on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/thatpropertymum_/Follow Kylie on Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/thatpropertymumConnect with Kylie on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylie-wal...Explore Kylie's Website - https://www.thatpropertymum.com.au/Watch Kylie on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thatpropertymum

Not every haunted attraction has a Hollywood budget—but that doesn't mean you can't deliver a world-class experience.   This Master Class is all about maximizing creativity while minimizing costs. We'll cover practical techniques for building an impressive haunt without emptying your wallet, including:    Using lighting to elevate simple scenery  Finding affordable and reclaimed building materials  Creating reusable scenic elements that last for years  Leveraging actors, sound, and scent to sell the illusion  Using forced perspective to make small spaces feel larger  Knowing where to spend your money—and where to save it   The truth is, guests don't remember how much you spent. They remember how you made them feel.   Whether you're planning your first haunted attraction or looking to get more out of your budget this season, this class is packed with real-world advice you can put to work immediately Start your own haunted attraction on a budget: HauntersToolbox.com Get award badges for your haunt staff & scare actors: ScareItBadges.com   5OiwE495on5PPNp6Zljy

ElectraMet uses electrochemistry to pull copper and other critical minerals out of industrial wastewater — technology invented by PhDs and sold to wastewater managers at the world's largest semiconductor fabs. Chris Richardson, a communications major with no electrochemical background, has to make that legible without dumbing it down. His answer isn't better explaining. It's association: make sure Google and the LLMs know which published scientists belong to your company, then build content on top of that link. Along the way he argues GEO is mostly just SEO done well, that earned backlinks still pay dividends, and that the surest way to win over a camera-shy expert is to show them what the internet already says about them.

Marlen Kakkori is the creator of The Podcast Interview Leverage Method™ and founder of The Podcast Conversion Lab. She helps entrepreneurs turn podcast interviews into partnerships, referrals, and clients by leveraging conversations long after the episode is published. Originally from Europe and now based in Mexico, she works with experts, authors, coaches, and consultants looking to generate real business results from podcast guesting. Links https://www.skool.com/the-podcast-conversion-lab-1632 https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlenkakkori Check out her chapter in the book: https://todaysinspiredleader.com/ If you're enjoying Entrepreneur's Enigma, please give me a review on the podcast directory of your choice. The show is on all of them and these reviews really help others find the show. iTunes: https://gmwd.us/itunes Podchaser: https://gmwd.us/podchaser TrueFans: https://gmwd.us/truefans Also, if you're getting value from the show and want to buy me a coffee, go to the show notes to get the link to get me a coffee to keep me awake, while I work on bringing you more great episodes to your ears. →  https://ko-fi.com/entrepreneursenigma Support me on TrueFans.fm → https://gmwd.us/truefans. Support The Show & Get Merch: https://shop.entrepreneursenigma.com Want to learn from a 15 year veteran? Check out the Podcast Mastery Community:https://www.skool.com/podcasting Follow Seth Online: Instagram: https://instagram.com/s3th.me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethmgoldstein/ Seth On Mastodon: https://indieweb.social/@phillycodehound The Marketing Junto Newsletter: https://MarketingJunto.com Leave The Show A Voicemail: https://podcastfeedback.com/entrepreneursenigma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlocking Self-Storage Success with AI and Community Support With Joe Downs Storagemoguls.ai/ Belrosegrp.com About the Guest(s): Joe Downs is the CEO and co-founder of Bellrose Storage Group and Storage Moguls, as well as the host of the Successful Idiots podcast. An entrepreneurial powerhouse, Joe manages seven different business entities that span self-storage acquisitions, media, and consulting, primarily based in the Philadelphia suburbs. Leveraging his expertise, especially in the self-storage industry, Joe aims to revolutionize the way people learn about and enter the self-storage business through innovative uses of AI and community building. Episode Summary: Explore the Innovative World of Self-Storage with Joe Downs In this engaging episode of The Chris Voss Show, host Chris Voss converses with Joe Downs, a dynamic entrepreneur and the mastermind behind Bellrose Storage Group, Storage Moguls, and the Successful Idiots podcast. Joe shares his journey into the world of self-storage, where he has successfully led ventures that redefine traditional business models with the help of artificial intelligence and vibrant community engagement. Joe elaborates on the concept of Storage Moguls, a platform designed to teach individuals the art of acquiring and managing self-storage facilities. He discusses how the platform offers a unique approach in an era dominated by free information, focusing on experience, relationships, and community rather than outdated mentorship models. By providing educational media supported by AI, Joe enables learners to absorb knowledge through their preferred learning styles. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes the transformative role of AI in streamlining processes like market analysis and client communication in his industry, ensuring faster and more accurate outcomes. Key Takeaways: Joe Downs innovatively integrates AI into the learning and operations process of the self-storage industry, simplifying market analysis and client communications. Storage Moguls is a community-driven platform aimed at guiding novices in acquiring their first self-storage facilities using AI as a key facilitator. The education process in Storage Moguls is supported through varied forms of media to cater to different learning styles and enhance understanding. Joe and his team often advise against certain deals, providing guidance to ensure sound investments in self-storage ventures. His podcasts — Storage Moguls podcast and Successful Idiots — focus on industry insights and demystifying AI for both professional and personal use. Notable Quotes: “What are you paying for? You’re paying for experience, relationships, community.” “This is not a microwave business, it’s a Crockpot business.” “AI is incredible, but everyone has mental blocks. They open up Chat or Claude or whatever, and you look at it and you go, ‘I don’t know what to say.'” “We do more talking people out of deals than putting them in deals.” “The hardest is zero to one. That’s the steepest part of the learning curve.”

Welcome to a Monday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? with your hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent! We are officially kicking off August with a wild ride through the latest freight news and diving into the future of logistics tech with two incredible guests. Malcolm and Mike run through a mind-boggling roundup of recent freight crime and poor decisions: $20M Smuggling Bust: Customs officers at the Calexico Port of Entry seized 1,002 pounds of cocaine hidden under the wooden floorboards of a flatbed hauling rebar. Discount Store Heist: The California Highway Patrol recovered more than $500,000 in stolen cargo merchandise from a discount retail store in Rialto. Million-Dollar Truck Theft Ring: Two men were arrested in South Carolina after stealing 13 semi-trucks and 3 trailers over the course of three years. Bud Light Bumper Cars: A driver in a 2022 Freightliner crashed into nine stopped vehicles in Erie, PA, and allegedly fled the scene on foot while carrying a case of Bud Light. USPS Lottery Theft: A Florida mail carrier was arrested for stealing a resident's mail and cashing their $2,600 winning lottery ticket. Louisiana CDL Bribery: A massive bribery scheme was uncovered where over 120 people paid around $5,000 each to obtain fraudulent CDLs with the help of corrupt DMV employees The Innovators: AI in Logistics Paul Singer (Co-founder & CEO, FleetWorks): Coming hot off being named a Forbes Next Billion-Dollar Startup, Paul joins the show to discuss how FleetWorks is revolutionizing the industry. Leveraging his experience at Uber Freight, Paul explains how their AI agents (Chet and Sophia) help brokers and carriers automatically match freight, negotiate rates, and handle unstructured communications via phone, email, or text. Amir Haas (Founder & CEO, Eagle): Amir breaks down how Eagle is digitizing and securing manual freight yards. By automating gate check-ins with AI, they are stopping fake licenses, catching damaged or empty trailers, reducing dwell time, and saving facilities an average of $500,000 a year on labor costs. ⁠Watch on YouTube⁠ ⁠Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT⁠ ⁠Subscribe to the WTT newsletter⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠More FreightWaves Podcasts⁠ #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a Monday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? with your hosts Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent! We are officially kicking off August with a wild ride through the latest freight news and diving into the future of logistics tech with two incredible guests. Malcolm and Mike run through a mind-boggling roundup of recent freight crime and poor decisions: $20M Smuggling Bust: Customs officers at the Calexico Port of Entry seized 1,002 pounds of cocaine hidden under the wooden floorboards of a flatbed hauling rebar. Discount Store Heist: The California Highway Patrol recovered more than $500,000 in stolen cargo merchandise from a discount retail store in Rialto. Million-Dollar Truck Theft Ring: Two men were arrested in South Carolina after stealing 13 semi-trucks and 3 trailers over the course of three years. Bud Light Bumper Cars: A driver in a 2022 Freightliner crashed into nine stopped vehicles in Erie, PA, and allegedly fled the scene on foot while carrying a case of Bud Light. USPS Lottery Theft: A Florida mail carrier was arrested for stealing a resident's mail and cashing their $2,600 winning lottery ticket. Louisiana CDL Bribery: A massive bribery scheme was uncovered where over 120 people paid around $5,000 each to obtain fraudulent CDLs with the help of corrupt DMV employees The Innovators: AI in Logistics Paul Singer (Co-founder & CEO, FleetWorks): Coming hot off being named a Forbes Next Billion-Dollar Startup, Paul joins the show to discuss how FleetWorks is revolutionizing the industry. Leveraging his experience at Uber Freight, Paul explains how their AI agents (Chet and Sophia) help brokers and carriers automatically match freight, negotiate rates, and handle unstructured communications via phone, email, or text. Amir Haas (Founder & CEO, Eagle): Amir breaks down how Eagle is digitizing and securing manual freight yards. By automating gate check-ins with AI, they are stopping fake licenses, catching damaged or empty trailers, reducing dwell time, and saving facilities an average of $500,000 a year on labor costs. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#1018 Ready for a masterclass in grit, customer service, and unconventional scaling — all from a founder who built a booming merch company from scratch? In this episode, host Brien Gearin chats with Ethan Dowie, founder of Indigo Promotions, who went from making 400+ cold calls with zero traction to landing Zappos as one of his very first clients. Ethan breaks down how he bootstrapped his business, navigated fulfillment before he had any systems, built a powerhouse customer-first team, and eventually brought manufacturing in-house to compete with massive players like 4imprint and VistaPrint. If you want to understand what it really takes to build a product-based business that stands out, this conversation delivers! (Original Air Date - 11/26/25) What we discuss with Ethan: + Bootstrapping Indigo Promotions + Landing Zappos after 496 cold calls + Early fulfillment challenges + Finding reliable factories and partners + Bringing production in-house + Building a customer-service-first culture + Leveraging big clients to win bigger clients + Organic marketing and behind-the-scenes content + Handling complex custom projects + Scaling the team and future growth vision Thank you, Ethan! Check out Indigo Promotions at ⁠IndigoPromos.com⁠. Follow Ethan on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. Watch the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠video podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MillionaireUniversity.com/training⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Originally broadcast live.E-commerce fulfillment is hyper-competitive. Brands are demanding faster SLA turnarounds, custom unboxing experiences, and complete real-time visibility—all while warehouse operational costs rise and margins get squeezed tighter every year.Whether you're a 3PL looking to break into e-commerce fulfillment or an established operator aiming to scale without operational chaos, we're putting this livestream on to serve as your actionable playbook.Join Kevin as he sits down with three industry powerhouses to break down the full lifecycle of a profitable e-commerce 3PL.What We'll Cover:1. How to position your 3PL to attract high-value DTC brands without entering a price war.2. Vetting your Ideal Client Profile (ICP) and setting rock-solid SLAs before signing the contract.3. Transitioning from B2B/bulk moves to unit-level pick-and-pack workflows.4. Designing lean floor processes that handle 5x seasonal volume spikes without throwing extra labor at broken processes.5. Spotting silent margin leakage: uncaptured custom labor, manual billing errors, and unmonitored SLA penalties.6. Leveraging data and SKU-level profitability models to ensure every account remains profitable.Learn more about Pallite here.Learn more about Big Joe's AP44 here. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show

Travis is a seasoned entrepreneur, podcaster, and former door-to-door sales rep who has built multiple businesses by strategically using low-interest and 0% debt. He shares candid stories of funding his podcasting journey, a software startup, and a brick-and-mortar franchise, all while navigating the psychological and financial risks of borrowing. His experience-based approach makes this episode especially useful for anyone torn between “all debt is bad” and “leverage everything.” On this episode we talk about: How Travis used a 0% credit card to launch his podcasting career Why he values financial, time, and location freedom in online business Using 0% credit cards and funding to build a software startup Financing a brick-and-mortar franchise with credit cards and an SBA loan The psychological side of debt and creating urgency without being reckless Top 3 Takeaways Strategic, low- or 0%-interest debt can accelerate your path into a new business or skill set when it's used to buy knowledge, relationships, and revenue-generating assets—not toys. Debt works best when you have a clear plan to “outwork” it quickly, maintain strict discipline, and avoid stacking new debt just to cover old debt. Whether debt is “good” or “bad” depends on your psychology, habits, and situation; it's a case-by-case decision, not a one-size-fits-all rule. Notable Quotes “My content is documenting what I'm doing. It's not a sermon.” “I don't like debt, but seeing it makes me go into hyperdrive to earn more and pay it off.” “Ask yourself: is this helpful, what are the downsides, what are the upsides, and can I comfortably outwork this debt?” Connect with Travis: Linktree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/travischappell⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/⁠ Other: ⁠https://travischappell.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 583 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers are one day out from the How Many Dudes launch and walking through everything still in motion, from wishlist momentum and embargo management to Steam Deck verification and what the algorithm might actually do. They share how they're thinking through best and worst case scenarios, what lessons from Crashlands 2 are shaping their expectations, and how to stay sane when everything is out of your hands.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:29 Introduction and Welcome01:57 Pre-launch preparations and expectations03:58 Tracking wishlists and launch momentum06:01 Understanding platform algorithms and visibility08:14 Managing embargoes and influencer coverage10:09 Dealing with embargo breaks and public reactions12:02 Impact of demo updates and new content15:06 Community feedback and stereotypes in game content18:56 Post-launch content and ongoing engagement20:50 Leveraging short-form videos and social media24:03 Viral content and audience engagement30:02 Platform feature opportunities and challenges33:02 Lessons learned and final advice for indie devs41:44 Initial challenges with verification and wishlists45:27 Audience demographics and regional differences48:18 Comparing launch metrics: Crashlands 2 vs. How Many Dudes?51:52 Managing launch day activities and team coordination55:14 Handling community feedback and negative comments01:00:17 Setting expectations and scenario planning for launch01:07:09 Post-launch analysis and adjusting expectationsTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the National Crawford Roundtable podcast the guys review what's happening with the Fauci diaries--do they prove he was lying? Were the reports on Biden's health a cover up? And the DNC is leveraging HQ--why are they in such bad shape?