Podcasts about operators

Struggling to scale your business because of hiring bottlenecks?In Episode #357 of Spaghetti on the Wall, Michele Lambert—founder of Bella Connections and host of the Aligned Operators podcast—shares how to scale smarter by hiring the right operators, building aligned teams, and implementing systems that actually work.Learn how to avoid costly hiring mistakes, create strong company culture (even remotely), and use AI + SOPs to streamline your operations.In this episode, you'll learn:How to hire the right operator for your businessThe biggest hiring mistakes founders makeWhy alignment and culture matter more than resumesHow AI is changing hiring and team performanceThe role of SOPs and systems in scaling efficientlyHow to build and manage high-performing remote teamsWhether you're running a startup, scaling to 7–8 figures, or building your first team—this episode gives you the blueprint.

In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort explores a question many transit agencies are asking today: Do operators make the best transit leaders?Paul's guest, Michael Dylan Pal, Director of Public Transit for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) in Buffalo, has lived that journey firsthand.Pal began his career behind the wheel as a bus operator for New York City Transit, eventually rising through the ranks of the MTA, serving in senior leadership roles across multiple agencies, and later helping lead operations at Valley Metro in Phoenix before returning to New York to oversee transit in the Buffalo–Niagara region.In this conversation, Pal reflects on how starting on the front lines shaped his leadership philosophy—and why understanding the daily realities of operators can make a real difference when managing a complex transit system.Today, Pal leads the NFTA Metro system, which provides bus, light rail, and paratransit service to the Buffalo–Niagara region—supporting more than a million residents and carrying roughly 50,000–60,000 riders on a typical weekday. Paul and Michael discuss:How Pal's career started as a bus operator in Brooklyn What transit leaders can learn from working on the front lines The transition from Phoenix's desert system to Buffalo's winter operations Major projects underway in Buffalo, including the DL&W Station redevelopment Plans for the Amherst rail extension The upcoming Bailey Bus Rapid Transit corridor Fleet modernization, electric buses, and future propulsion strategies Pal also shares how Buffalo is experiencing a new wave of investment and growth, and how transit is playing a key role in connecting people to jobs, education, and opportunity across Western New York.For Pal, the lesson is simple: the best transit leaders never forget what it's like to serve riders and support operators every day.Host: Paul ComfortExecutive Producer: Julie GatesProducer: Chris O'KeeffeEditor: Patrick EmileAssociate Producer: Cyndi RaskinTransit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world's people.Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.

In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo challenges Dan Wentzel to confront one of the biggest hidden obstacles investors face: lack of intentional control over their calendar. After reviewing the previous week, it becomes clear that progress isn't just about knowing what actions to take—it's about protecting the time required to execute those actions.   Alex explains why operating without a clear plan is like being a leaf in the wind—reacting to whatever comes your way instead of intentionally directing your week. Together, they unpack the importance of structuring your calendar, planning your work blocks, and protecting the activities that actually move deals forward.   This episode becomes a powerful reminder that building a business isn't only about strategy or knowledge—it's about discipline, time ownership, and committing to the daily actions that create results.   ⸻   You'll Learn How To:   Take control of your calendar so your priorities don't get dictated by others Structure your week to create intentional time for deal-making activities Recognize when lack of planning is slowing your progress Turn vague goals into scheduled action blocks Protect focused time for conversations, underwriting, and follow-ups Build momentum by aligning daily habits with long-term goals ⸻   What You'll Learn in This Episode: [0:00] Why controlling your calendar is essential to success [1:37] Recap of the Season 2 coaching journey with Dan [2:30] Why resistance always shows up when you pursue meaningful goals [3:33] How momentum can disappear when life interrupts your routine [3:55] Alex challenges Dan to be honest about the past week [5:10] Why operating without a plan leads to lost time [7:15] The "leaf in the wind" analogy for unstructured schedules [10:02] Why intentional planning increases productivity [13:48] Structuring your calendar around meaningful actions [17:26] The difference between activity and progress [20:14] Aligning daily actions with the goal of buying your first storage facility   ⸻   Who This Episode Is For: Investors who feel busy but struggle to make real progress Listeners who find their weeks slipping away without meaningful output Anyone trying to balance investing goals with work and family responsibilities Operators who want to become more intentional with their time and focus ⸻   Why You Should Listen:   Many investors believe they need more knowledge, more resources, or more opportunities to succeed. In reality, they often just need better control over their time.   This episode highlights how easily momentum can be lost when your calendar isn't aligned with your goals. By becoming more intentional with how you plan and protect your time, you create the space needed for meaningful conversations, deal analysis, and consistent follow-up.   If you've ever felt like your week disappeared without moving you closer to your goals, this conversation will challenge you to take back control of your schedule—and your progress.   ⸻   Follow Alex Pardo here:   Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/   ⸻   Have conversations with at least three storage owners, brokers, private lenders, or equity partners inside the Storage Wins Facebook Group. Join for free here:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/

What if the universe is a simulation — and the beings who built it are trying to hand you the cheat codes?   Somewhere between waking and sleep, between the edge of your known world and something far larger, there is a meeting waiting for you. With beings who built this place — this magnificent, intricate, endlessly surprising simulation we call physical reality. They are friendly. They are warm. And they are genuinely delighted that you showed up, because they have been waiting for players like you to wake up inside the game.   They have a strategy guide. They wrote it into the architecture from the beginning.   In this activation, you will meet The Operators, reality's engineers, and they will walk you through six consciousness states that function as cheat codes inside the simulation. Not tricks. Not workarounds. Features. Built-in unlock mechanisms coded into the fabric of existence itself, available to anyone who knows the right frequency state to enter.   The six codes: Coherence Lock. Time Scroll. Probability Engine. Avatar Upgrade. Network Protocol. Source Access.   Each one expands what is possible for you. Each one has always been available. And by the end of this activation, you will have entered every single one.  

In this episode of The Ross Simmonds Show, Ross sits down with Mike King, founder of iPullRank, to unpack the seismic shift from traditional SEO to AI search, AEO, and GEO, and why framing it as "just SEO" is quietly costing teams budget, influence, and growth. Together, they break down the Google leak, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), content ecosystems, and what separates operators from spectators in the next era of search. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. SEO vs. AEO vs. GEO: why it's not "just SEO" -The tactics SEOs talked about for years are now mandatory in AI search,and AI platforms evaluate your entire content ecosystem, not just your website. -Calling AI search "just SEO" limits budget, authority, and strategic ownership before the conversation even starts. 2. The C-suite perspective most SEOs miss -Executives are already asking why their brand doesn't appear in ChatGPT, and AI search carries trillion-dollar narratives that traditional SEO never did. -Teams that frame this as a new growth channel are the ones unlocking real investment. 3.Why video is a high-leverage AI search play YouTube is one of the most cited sources in AI-generated answers,and AI search rewards consensus across formats, from video and Reddit to PR and editorial. Starting with five strategic videos in an underserved topic cluster, then repurposing aggressively, is one of the highest-ROI moves available right now. 4.How AI search actually works: RAG and query fan-out explained -AI search uses retrieval-augmented generation: prompts expand into synthetic sub-queries, each with their own format expectations. -The more relevant passages a brand owns across formats, the more chances it has to be cited, think of it as accumulating raffle tickets. 5. Measuring AI search performance the right way -There are three metric buckets that matter, performance, channel, and input. Most teams are only tracking one. -Input metrics like synthetic query rankings, passage relevance, entity salience, and bot activity are where the real diagnostic power lives. 6. Real AI workflows inside iPullRank -The team is building internal tools with Gemini and AI Studio, including automating internal linking through vectorization combined with human business rules. -AI handles the minutiae ,humans make the strategic calls, and that efficiency is the hedge against client scrutiny over the next two years. 7. Programmatic SEO, why most sites tank -Google is indexing less and testing content performance faster, and high bounce rates signal UX failure, not an AI penalty. -Recovery demands tight topical authority and, in many cases, new URL structures and full content audits. 8. Building a career that survives the next five years -Technical AI fluency is no longer optional, and content alone is now a free commodity, the leverage is in systems and engineering. -Operators beat theorists. The next generation of SEOs must ship, not just strategize. 9. Creativity, code, and AI as an artist -Writing rhymes and writing code pull from the same creative muscles,and AI works best as a feedback loop, not a ghostwriter. -The real risk isn't AI,  it's lazy implementation. Tools expand creative possibility; they don't replace taste. 10. Relevance engineering,building a new category -AI search needs new frameworks, not retrofitted SEO tactics, and creating a named methodology positions a brand above commodity vendors. -Owning a concept, building authority around it, and ranking for your own category is a long game worth playing. Resources & Tools:

In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo and Dan Wentzel have a candid conversation about what happens when life gets in the way of progress. After building momentum with several promising storage opportunities, Dan hits a week where things slow down and the rhythm breaks.   Instead of ignoring it, Alex uses the moment as a coaching opportunity to talk about resilience, mindset, and how successful investors respond when plans get disrupted. They unpack why resistance is inevitable when you commit to a goal, how to remove emotional pressure from the process, and why consistency always matters more than perfection.   The episode also dives into a subtle but powerful mindset shift when speaking with storage owners: approaching conversations with curiosity and service instead of pressure and expectation.   This conversation serves as a real-time case study in what to do when progress stalls — and how to reset quickly so momentum keeps building.   ⸻   You'll Learn How To: Respond productively when life disrupts your plans Remove guilt and negative emotions when progress slows Maintain forward momentum even after losing rhythm Approach seller conversations with curiosity instead of pressure Focus on progress rather than perfection in the acquisition process Use mindset shifts to improve confidence and communication   ⸻   What You'll Learn in This Episode: [0:00] Why approaching seller calls with curiosity changes everything [1:11] Expecting resistance whenever you commit to a big goal [1:43] How life disruptions can derail momentum [2:09] Turning setbacks into learning opportunities [3:30] Why guilt and frustration don't help you move forward [5:12] Resetting your rhythm after losing momentum [7:48] The mindset shift from "what can I get?" to "how can I help?" [10:15] Removing pressure from seller conversations [14:27] Staying committed even when progress slows [18:40] Why consistency beats perfection in the long run   ⸻ Who This Episode Is For: Investors who feel discouraged when momentum slows Listeners trying to balance life responsibilities with investing goals Anyone struggling with guilt or frustration when plans get disrupted Operators who want to maintain consistency without burnout Investors looking to improve their mindset around seller conversations   ⸻   Why You Should Listen:   Every investor eventually hits a week where things fall apart.   The difference between those who succeed and those who quit is how they respond to those moments. This episode shows you how to reset quickly, learn from setbacks, and keep moving forward without letting frustration derail your progress.   If you're on the path to your first deal and feel like life keeps interrupting your momentum, this conversation will remind you that progress is rarely linear — but persistence always wins.   ⸻   Follow Alex Pardo here: Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/   ⸻   Have conversations with at least three storage owners, brokers, private lenders, or equity partners inside the Storage Wins Facebook Group. Join for free here:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/

Card Ladder tracked $481 million in online card sales in one month.Most collectors see the cards.This episode looks at the system behind the number.Brett reverse engineers the $481M month by examining the infrastructure that allows collectors to transact at scale. Marketplaces, pricing data, grading, and vaults all play a role in building the trust required for buyers and sellers to complete transactions online.Collectors chase cards.Operators build the rails.Both rely on trust.This episode explores the infrastructure powering the modern hobby and what it reveals about the future of the market.Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On HypeStart your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A founder blocks time for sales.The calendar fills anyway.Client work.Slack messages.Problems that feel urgent.By the end of the day, nothing new entered the pipeline.Not because the founder lacks discipline.Because some work feels heavier than others.Nicholas Loise helps founders build sales teams that scale beyond them.In this conversation, something uncomfortable shows up.Why the work that grows a company is often the work founders quietly avoid.About NicholasNicholas Loise helps founders build and manage sales teams so the business no longer depends on them to sell.INSIDE THE EPISODE• Why founders fill the day but the pipeline slows • How “I should prospect” quietly creates resistance • The moment business development starts feeling heavier than deliveryTHIS EPISODE IS FOR• Founders who know the growth work but avoid it • Leaders whose days fill while the pipeline shrinks • Operators who feel busy but not moving forwardGUEST LINKSLearn more about Nicholas Loise and his work here: Sales Performance Team Website: https://www.salesperformanceteam.comEmail: Nick@salesperformanceteam.com WHAT TO DO NEXTSharethis with a founder who is working hard but avoiding the work that actually moves the business. Ask them, “what do you know you should be doing, but you end the day without getting it done?” It will land, and they'll know you are the person who cares about their success mode.Connectwith Dr. Yishai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dryishai/Let's ChatBook your free Ceiling Break Session on his LinkedIn page to get the shift yourself.ABOUT THE PODCAST You were built for speed.But right now you feel slower than you look on paper.Most founders try to outwork that slow-down.It only burns them out.Your mind is the only machine your company doesn't upgrade.So leaders keep pushing against the wrong thing.Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr Yishai Barkhordari. DISCLAIMER This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Some examples or stories are composites. Results vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being. © 2026 Yishai Barkhordari. All rights reserved.

Operators Titans is brought to you by AppLovin. Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits here: https://www.9operators.com/paid-growth Or, skip the waitlist and launch your AppLovin ads today with our Operators-exclusive link: https://axon.ai/en/9operators What does it take to create a billion-dollar brand from scratch — homeless at 16, no investors, no safety net? Hudson Leogrande, founder of Comfrt, joins Sean Frank (CEO of Ridge) and Matt Bertulli (CEO of Pela & Lomi), to trace the story behind one of the fastest-growing ecommerce brands ever built. Hudson started with $1,000 in his mom's basement, spent five years grinding through an oral care brand, and bootstrapped Comfrt to what will soon be a billion dollars in annual revenue. The conversation covers how Hudson cracked the creator economy, why Comfrt runs 500 commission-based content creators as mini-CMOs, and how the brand survived going broke seven times. Hudson also pulls back the curtain on dynamic pricing, the pre-order strategy that saved the business, and the product innovations that he believes will make everything the brand has done so far look small. 

Restaurant profits are under pressure, and many operators are unknowingly making mistakes that destroy their restaurant margins. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, Roger Beaudoin breaks down the five biggest profit-killing mistakes he sees in restaurants today, from poor menu engineering and rising food costs to labor inefficiencies and weak operational systems. Drawing on decades of operating highly profitable restaurants, Roger shares practical strategies you can use immediately to stop margin leaks and run a stronger, more profitable operation. If you're serious about improving profitability, this episode reveals simple changes that can dramatically protect and grow your restaurant margins. In this episode you'll learn: • The five most common mistakes destroying restaurant margins • Why menu engineering directly impacts profitability • How labor inefficiencies quietly erode profits • The systems profitable restaurants rely on • Simple operational changes that improve margins fast Free Resource for Restaurant Owners Want to quickly identify hidden profit leaks in your menu? Join Roger's Free 5-Day Menu Margin Makeover Challenge and learn how to engineer your menu for stronger restaurant margins and profitability. https://restaurantrockstars.com/the-5-day-menu-margin-makeover-challenge/ Thank you to our sponsors Smithfield Culinary Smithfield Culinary serves up perfect proteins for every dish and every daypart—from Smithfield's new ready-to-eat Select Bacon and new ground chorizo to the broadest portfolio of pork. When you partner with Smithfield, you serve what you love and your guests will love what you serve. https://smithfieldculinary.com/smithfield Restaurant Rockstars Coaching Increase your profit, create a dream team staff, and execute trackable marketing strategies that work. If you're facing restaurant challenges and want to uplevel your operation, Roger can help dial in your systems, maximize opportunities, and give you back your peace of mind. https://restaurantrockstars.com/consulting/ TouchBistro TouchBistro is an all-in-one cloud-based POS and restaurant management system designed exclusively for restaurants. It connects front-of-house, back-of-house, and guest engagement into one powerful platform. Operators in the U.S. and Canada can get started for less with limited-time savings on upfront costs. Terms and conditions apply. https://www.touchbistro.com/restaurantrockstars Ajinomoto Foods Ajinomoto Foods delivers fast, easy-to-prep frozen Asian products that look homemade and taste incredible. With more than 100 years of Asian culinary expertise, Ajinomoto helps restaurants save time, reduce labor, and protect profits without compromising quality. https://ajinomotofoodservice.com

Join the #1 real estate community for agents and investors: https://www.skool.com/offmarketmethod/about?ref=791b3644f63045c9a6d3d8634e57c1f1Want to SCALE your real estate business to $100k/month? Go here: https://easybuttonrealestate.com/Summary:In this episode, we talk about the growing hype around AI and what it actually means for real estate entrepreneurs. There's no question the technology is powerful, but we don't think AI is going to replace operators anytime soon.We break down how we're thinking about AI in our own businesses not as a magic solution, but as a tool that can make good operators more efficient. From underwriting deals to running systems and making better decisions, AI can help, but it won't replace experience, judgment, or execution.We also talk about where the real estate market sits right now, why stable markets can create great opportunities, and why trying to skip steps in this business is usually a mistake.At the end of the day, the best deals still go to the best operator AI or not.Connect with Cole Ruud-JohnsonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coleruudjohnsonTwitter: https://twitter.com/coleruudjohnsonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coleruudjohnsonTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coleruudjohnson

Membership programs have become the backbone of many carwash businesses — but the real key to success lies in retention. In this episode of Professional Carwashing & Detailing's Executive Spotlight, host Brian Ankney talks with industry expert John Booth about the metrics operators should be watching beyond membership counts. The discussion explores how churn rate and customer lifetime value reflect the true health of a carwash operation. Booth shares why consistent processes, employee training and detailed site inspections are critical for delivering the experience customers expect every time they visit. Operators who align their operational checklists with the customer journey — from entering the lot to exiting the wash — can reduce churn and strengthen long-term membership value.

In this episode of Successful Scales, we sit down with Casey Woo, community leader of the 1,200-member Operators Guild and the investing syndicate Fog Ventures.Casey takes us through his fascinating career journey spanning the military, Wall Street, and serial startup operations, sharing the "business physics" that dictate how organizations must adapt and specialize to grow.We dive into everything from why early-stage operators are the "special forces" of business to the stark differences in how public equity versus venture capital investors evaluate companies. Casey also unpacks the core themes of his upcoming book, and shares his bold predictions on how AI will displace junior specialists while amplifying strategic leaders.If you're a builder, an operator, or an entrepreneur looking to navigate the chaos of hyper-growth, this episode is an absolute firehose of information you won't want to miss!

If episode eight was about creating leverage and increasing deal flow, episode nine is about building the systems that keep deals from slipping through the cracks.   In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo continues coaching Dan Wentzel as momentum begins to build. Dan now has multiple legitimate storage opportunities in his pipeline, and the conversation shifts from simply generating leads to managing them effectively.   Alex walks Dan through the importance of having a clear lead intake process, a consistent follow-up system, and a structured way to track offers and key performance indicators. With several potential deals in motion, they break down how to organize opportunities, maintain momentum, and avoid letting promising leads fall apart due to lack of process.   The episode also reinforces one of the biggest lessons of the season so far: repetition creates mastery. Just like athletes train through thousands of reps before game day, investors must repeat the same disciplined actions—calls, offers, follow-ups, and deal analysis—until the process becomes instinctive.   ⸻   You'll Learn How To:   Build a simple lead intake system so opportunities don't fall through the cracks Track offers, follow-ups, and key performance indicators effectively Use repetition to improve seller conversations and deal execution Create a weekly accountability rhythm to evaluate progress Organize multiple storage opportunities without losing focus Develop confidence through consistent execution and feedback   ⸻   What You'll Learn in This Episode: [0:00] Dan now has four active storage opportunities in his pipeline [2:07] Why leads without systems quickly become chaos [2:29] The importance of tracking offers and key performance indicators [3:10] Building a structured lead intake process [6:00] Managing multiple storage opportunities at once [9:15] Why repetition builds confidence and decision-making speed [14:22] Using weekly reviews to evaluate progress and performance [18:10] How to prevent promising deals from slipping through the cracks [23:40] The value of structured follow-up with storage owners [31:08] Narrowing seller options to reduce decision fatigue [32:17] Why repetition leads to instinctive execution [33:19] Guiding sellers through the process instead of asking permission   ⸻   Who This Episode Is For:   Investors starting to generate deal flow but feeling overwhelmed by opportunities Listeners who struggle to stay organized with leads and follow-up Anyone unsure how to track offers and conversations effectively Operators who want to build systems that support consistent growth   ⸻   Why You Should Listen:   Finding deals is only half the battle. Without systems, even great opportunities can fall apart. This episode highlights the transition from hustling for deals to building a process that supports consistent progress. By creating simple systems for tracking leads, offers, and follow-ups, investors can stay organized, move faster, and increase the likelihood of turning opportunities into actual acquisitions. If you're starting to generate momentum but feel like things could slip through the cracks, this episode will help you build the structure needed to keep moving forward.   Follow Alex Pardo here: Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/   ⸻   Have conversations with at least three storage owners, brokers, private lenders, or equity partners inside the Storage Wins Facebook Group. Join for free here:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/

Few founders have seen Silicon Valley from every seat at the table.After co-creating Google Maps at Google, serving as CTO at Facebook, and later as co-CEO of Salesforce, Bret Taylor is now building AI agents at Sierra to redefine customer experience.On Grit, he explains why “competitive intensity” is a core value at their fast-growing company and why he believes AI won't lead to a world where people stop working.Guest: Bret Taylor, co-founder of SierraConnect with Bret XLinkedInConnect with JoubinXLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.comFollow GritLinkedInX​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins:https://www.kleinerperkins.com/

On today's podcast, we're joined again by James Hwang, co-founder of Stellar Housing Solutions in New Jersey, where he and his partners operate 20+ midterm rentals through a mix of ownership, co-hosting, and arbitrage. James breaks down how he's expanded his reach far beyond his own units by building a local MTR network—a WhatsApp group of New Jersey operators who share leads, referrals, and vendors. That collaboration acts like a “third OTA,” keeping units booked even in slow seasons and opening doors to new co-hosting and arbitrage deals. We dig into arbitrage in today's market—where it still works, where it doesn't, and how James structures profitable deals. He targets solid but slightly less “premium” areas near hot markets, negotiates creatively around rent vs. deposits, and positions himself as the stress-free solution for landlords. James also walks us through his landlord conversation playbook: speaking as a fellow owner, addressing pain points like non-payment and property damage, and demonstrating how midterm rentals can mean early, automated rent and better-maintained units. That credibility often leads to repeat opportunities and more doors. If you're looking to scale midterm rentals, tap into community instead of competing, or revive arbitrage with smart analysis and systems, this episode with James is a masterclass in doing MTRs the right way.     Resources: Simplify how you manage your rentals with TurboTenant Get in touch with Envy Investment Group Connect with James on Instagram Get the deets on Stellar Housing Solutions Find out more about MTR Office Hours Listen to Episode 193 Make sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Leave us a review on Spotify Join our private Facebook Community Connect with us on Instagram

Scaling a short-term rental company isn't just about getting more properties.It's about building the team that can support the growth.In this episode, Chris and E sit down with Alex Hall — talent advisor and leadership strategist — to break down the real challenges STR operators face when building teams.From job clarity and org structure to burnout, hiring, and leadership development, Alex shares the frameworks that help operators scale from a handful of listings to a real company.If you're trying to grow beyond the stage where you do everything yourself, this episode is a masterclass in leadership and people management.Inside this episode:• Why most STR companies don't actually know who reports to who• The biggest hiring mistake operators make while scaling• How to structure a team from 10 to 100+ listings• Why burnout happens during fast growth• The leadership habits that retain great talent• When to introduce equity or long-term incentivesIf you want a real business — not just a portfolio of properties — it starts with leadership.Guest Bio:Alex Hall is the founder of Valinor Talent Solutions, where he serves as a fractional HR executive helping growing companies build strong people strategies, leadership development, and scalable teams. With over a decade of experience in talent and organizational development, he partners with businesses to create high-performing workplaces. Alex works with short-term rentals to develop their talent strategy so they can focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences through thoughtful design, strong systems, and hospitality-driven service.Guest Contacts:alex@valinortalent.comwww.valinortalent.comGet FREE Access to our 6 STEP course:https://www.strsecrets.com/podcastTimestamps:00:00 – Why Most Teams Don't Know Their Role02:00 – Success, Identity, and Leadership Growth04:30 – Introducing Alex Hall: Talent Advisor for STR Operators07:25 – When STR Businesses Actually Need HR Support09:20 – The 3 Levels of Team Structure as You Scale12:40 – The Most Common Hiring Problems in STR Companies14:00 – Why Job Clarity and Accountability Are Missing17:10 – The 33% Rule: When Leaders Outgrow Their Team20:05 – Burnout Signals Every Operator Should Watch23:20 – Building Org Structures for 10–100 Listings26:00 – Why Systems Matter More Than Org Charts27:00 – How Great Leaders Reward and Motivate Teams30:00 – Equity vs Performance Bonuses for Key Employees33:00 – The 3 Rules of Leadership: Clear, Kind, Respectful36:10 – Leadership Lessons for First-Time Founders39:50 – AI's Role in Future STR Operations42:40 – Final Advice for Building a Great STR Team

Mitch Bach talks with Jenn Barbee, co-founder of Destination Innovate, about the real inner workings of DMOs, those three letters that every tour operator has an opinion about but few actually understand. Jenn has spent 30 years inside destination marketing, from a shoestring US Department of Commerce team trying to promote America on a $50,000 budget to her current work closing the gap between DMOs and the small businesses they are supposed to serve. The conversation covers how DMOs get funded, why they sit on valuable visitor data, and what tour operators can actually do to get beyond the dead-end website listing.It goes further than the typical "how to work with your tourism board" advice. Jenn and Mitch get into the identity crisis hitting tour operators and DMOs at the same time: both are losing ground to OTA platforms, both need direct guest relationships, and neither is building enough local partnerships to fight back. They talk short-term rental hosts as untapped referral channels, guerrilla marketing tactics that cost almost nothing, and the hard truth about inbound tourism to the US heading into World Cup and the 250th anniversary.Key TakeawaysYour DMO has expensive visitor data that could sharpen your product, pricing, and ads, but they will not hand it over unless you ask. 06:14 – 07:19 DMOs invest in data about visitor appetite, competing markets, and traveler clusters by neighborhood and interest type. That information rarely trickles down to small tour businesses because DMOs feel pressure to contextualize it or fear judgment on their numbers. Frame your ask around strengthening the destination's tourism product, not just helping your business, and you stand a real chance of getting access to insights you could never afford on your own.The single best first move with your DMO is to find the community manager and introduce yourself with specific visitor language, not a sales pitch. 11:48 – 12:58 Audit your tour product against what the destination website is promoting in terms of itineraries or themes, then reach out where you see a match or a gap. Lead with collaboration. Once you have that baseline, you can inch toward higher-value asks like data sharing or co-promotion, but only after you have earned the relationship through showing up and being useful.Survey your customers about whether they booked the experience before the hotel, then bring that data to the DMO. 56:29 – 56:39 If you can show a DMO that your tour attracted bed nights, you are speaking their only real language: occupancy and bed tax justification. Most tour operators never collect this data, and most DMOs have never seen it from a small business. It positions you as a strategic asset rather than another name on a listings page.DMOs are shifting from marketing organizations to stewardship organizations, and that tension is something you can use. 08:50 – 09:59 Many DMOs now describe themselves as "destination management" or "stewardship" organizations, moving toward what is right for their communities. Their boards and bed tax collectors still want heads-in-beds KPIs. If your tour disperses visitors into underserved neighborhoods, supports local businesses, or tells a more honest destination story, you become the kind of partner that helps a DMO justify its new direction to the people holding the purse strings.Getting listed on the DMO website is a win. Stop underestimating it. 13:10 – 13:45 Many operators treat a listing as table stakes, but some DMOs do not even offer that without a paid membership. If you are listed, follow up by tagging the DMO constantly on social media and feeding them content they can reshare within their brand guidelines. The social media managers have more flexibility than the executive staff and will amplify content that feels fresh or on-brand.If your local DMO is stuck promoting only the marquee attractions, skip them and go to the state level. 17:38 – 18:32 A DMO locked into bread-and-butter promotion is usually in protection mode, worried about occupancy numbers. State tourism offices have embraced experience-driven programming and are more open to working with operators who tell a broader story. For most small tour businesses, the state governor's conference on tourism is where accessible DMO relationships start.Short-term rental hosts are closer to the guest than any DMO, and tour operators should be building direct relationships with them now. 24:31 – 26:00 Short-term rentals nationally overtook hotels in occupancy as of September 2025. Those hosts talk directly to guests about what to do in town. A recommendation from a local Airbnb host is warmer than any OTA listing and costs zero commission. Finding them is manual (social media DMs, local searches), but the payoff is a direct referral channel with no middleman.Stop chasing first-time visitors. Loyal, repeat visitors spend more, stay longer, and sustain the businesses that matter. 32:49 – 33:32 DMOs and operators both fixate on acquiring new customers while ignoring the people who already love the destination. Repeat visitors become patrons of smaller, niche experiences and local businesses. For multi-day operators especially, a returning guest who books a deeper or different tour is more profitable than constantly feeding the top of the funnel.Identity beats branding. Know who you are and say no to the rest. 38:44 – 41:27 Jenn draws a hard line between brand (what you market) and identity (who you actually are and who you serve). When you lead with identity, you market less because the right people find you. That means turning down some customers and product ideas, which is terrifying for newer operators, but it prevents the bland, generic positioning that makes you invisible on platforms like Viator and GetYourGuide.The "book direct" movement matters for tour operators just as much as it does for short-term rentals and hotels. 42:58 – 44:28 Hotels lost roughly 80% of their distribution to OTAs. Tours and activities sit around 40% OTA-controlled, which means there is still time to build direct channels. DMOs missed the OTA boat the first time and are caught in a relevancy crisis. That creates a shared interest: both of you need to reclaim the guest relationship before the platforms own it entirely.Guerrilla, person-to-person marketing is the only thing worth betting on in this environment. 34:16 – 35:03 Replace coffee sleeves at a local shop for a week with a message like "next time mama's in town, try this." That costs almost nothing and puts your name in front of a local audience in a real, physical moment. Operators burning money on flashy ad campaigns and agencies are losing to the ones doing the manual work of building one relationship at a time.Bring tour operators, short-term rental hosts, and local businesses into the same room. The collaboration that comes out of it is worth more than any campaign. 30:35 – 32:17 A 12-person Tourpreneur meetup in Dallas turned competitors into collaborators planning joint tours before they left the room. Those rooms should include short-term rental hosts, restaurants, coffee shops. Nobody is organizing these cross-sector local gatherings yet. That is the opportunity.Rethink the "travel presentation at the library" model. Gather local people around something that is not your tour. 53:23 – 54:46 Jenn pitches a revival of the house-party model for travel: 10 to 15 people, food, conversation, then introduce the experience. For multi-day operators, this replaces the stale slide deck. Book clubs are surging. House gatherings are surging. The sale happens because you built trust in a personal setting, not because you ran a Facebook ad.Quirky, unpolished video cuts through. But virality does not equal business success. 36:32 – 37:38 Behind-the-scenes, day-in-the-life content is what is actually getting traction on social right now. The less templated and less AI-generated it feels, the better it performs. Use that attention as a hook, then shift to collaborative content and real relationship-building that converts. A weird 30-second clip of your tour prep is worth more than a polished banner ad.The inbound tourism situation in the US is worse than most operators realize, and pretending otherwise is a losing strategy. 48:28 – 50:43 Canadian airlines are pulling US routes for summer 2026. Sixteen countries now have travel advisories against

Scaling a short-term rental company isn't just about getting more properties.It's about building the team that can support the growth.In this episode, Chris and E sit down with Alex Hall — talent advisor and leadership strategist — to break down the real challenges STR operators face when building teams.From job clarity and org structure to burnout, hiring, and leadership development, Alex shares the frameworks that help operators scale from a handful of listings to a real company.If you're trying to grow beyond the stage where you do everything yourself, this episode is a masterclass in leadership and people management.Inside this episode:• Why most STR companies don't actually know who reports to who• The biggest hiring mistake operators make while scaling• How to structure a team from 10 to 100+ listings• Why burnout happens during fast growth• The leadership habits that retain great talent• When to introduce equity or long-term incentivesIf you want a real business — not just a portfolio of properties — it starts with leadership.Guest Bio:Alex Hall is the founder of Valinor Talent Solutions, where he serves as a fractional HR executive helping growing companies build strong people strategies, leadership development, and scalable teams. With over a decade of experience in talent and organizational development, he partners with businesses to create high-performing workplaces. Alex works with short-term rentals to develop their talent strategy so they can focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences through thoughtful design, strong systems, and hospitality-driven service.Guest Contacts:alex@valinortalent.comwww.valinortalent.comGet FREE Access to our 6 STEP course:https://www.strsecrets.com/podcastTimestamps:00:00 – Why Most Teams Don't Know Their Role02:00 – Success, Identity, and Leadership Growth04:30 – Introducing Alex Hall: Talent Advisor for STR Operators07:25 – When STR Businesses Actually Need HR Support09:20 – The 3 Levels of Team Structure as You Scale12:40 – The Most Common Hiring Problems in STR Companies14:00 – Why Job Clarity and Accountability Are Missing17:10 – The 33% Rule: When Leaders Outgrow Their Team20:05 – Burnout Signals Every Operator Should Watch23:20 – Building Org Structures for 10–100 Listings26:00 – Why Systems Matter More Than Org Charts27:00 – How Great Leaders Reward and Motivate Teams30:00 – Equity vs Performance Bonuses for Key Employees33:00 – The 3 Rules of Leadership: Clear, Kind, Respectful36:10 – Leadership Lessons for First-Time Founders39:50 – AI's Role in Future STR Operations42:40 – Final Advice for Building a Great STR Team

Daniel Buitrago & Brandon Fifield welcome special guests Travis & Lori Price, Owners & Operators of Fish Em, LLC in studio to talk Kenai River Guide Life, river ethics, and providing a world class fishing experience!    Fur Rondy was bust and freezing ass cold, enjoy the ice sculptures, B's trip up to Coke Wallace's place this weekend, Skilak Lake has some sketchy ice, shout out to all the folks who donated prizes to the 3rd annual Dray Result Party @ Double Shovel Cidery, (AK Wild Sheep, Alaska Gear Company, Alaska Blade Works, Screaming Eagle Archery & BHA Alaska) Alaska Outdoor Mentorship Program, Women hunting Alaska, On this day in Alaska History brought to you by Northern Waste, Travis & Lori's backstory & history, from Virginia and Hawaii to Alaska, building the guiding business, Fishing with Santa Event, favorite part of the Kenai river to fish, timing for flies, beads & flesh, best trout fishing during the pink runs, guides giving guides a hard time, give and take with the locals, a love for the upper Kasilof River, green mountain grille smoked salmon, Traeger Coffee Rub seasoning, Graying in Upper Kenai River, Trivia brought to you by Connoisseur Crude, 2026 Iron Dog Champs, AK State Record Rainbow Trout/Steelhead, Japan eats all our salmon, over 600 registered fishing guides operate in Alaska, Rapid Fire brought to you by Alaska Gun Co, Catch Fish & have Fun!         Visit our website - www.alaskawildproject.com Follow us on Instagram - www.instagram.com/alaskawildproject Watch on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@alaskawildproject $upport on Patreon - www.patreon.com/alaskawildproject Visit Fish Em - www.fishem.net

Tariffs are no longer theoretical.They're now showing up in earnings calls, pricing data, and customer behavior across the entire eCommerce market.Walmart reported merchandise inflation jumping from 1.7% to 3% in a single quarter. Adobe tracked a 4% spike in online prices in January, the largest single-month increase since they began tracking eCommerce prices 12 years ago.Most sellers see these headlines and panic. Operators translate them into decisions.In this episode of the High Voltage Business Builders Podcast, Neil breaks down what the latest tariff data, price increases across Amazon and Walmart, and changing consumer behavior actually mean for eCommerce operators, and how to build systems that protect your margins when markets shift.

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupJacob (Head of Meta at Pilothouse) joins Eric to break down what Meta's actually rolling out right now, what's hype, and what's worth testing. They get into CASC (combined awareness + sales), Meta's new AI “business assistant,” and a super practical creative testing feature that can even help you split-test landing pages without nuking social proof.For DTC founders + performance marketers scaling spend who need creative variety and cleaner measurement in Meta.In this episode, you'll learn:Why most accounts are trending video-heavy (think ~70/30 video/static), and where statics still make sense (hint: retargeting).What CASC is trying to solve (awareness + sales in one campaign) and who's most likely to get access first.How Meta's AI assistant can speed up reporting… and why you still need to fact-check it.How to use Meta's ad-level creative testing to quickly find winning hooks (and kill losers fast).A sneaky use case: split-test URLs (homepage vs PDP vs collection vs presell) using the same ad.Who this is for:Operators managing Meta at $50K+/mo who are feeling the “Andromeda” shift and need more creative throughput without turning the account into spaghetti.What to steal:Run 5-hook tests on one hero concept before you film 10 more “new” creatives.Use ad-level creative testing to test landing pages while keeping comments/likes intact.Treat AI insights as a junior analyst: fast drafts, then human verification.Timestamps:00:00 CASC explained and why Meta is combining awareness with sales02:05 Why consolidation and bigger budgets matter more in the Andromeda era04:05 Who CASC is for and when it makes sense to test05:10 Creative strategy for upper funnel: intent buckets and first 2 seconds08:05 Meta AI Business Assistant: what it can answer inside Ads Manager11:25 Creative Testing at the ad level: how the new feature works13:55 Using Creative Testing to split test landing pages without losing social proof16:10 Attribution changes: engaged views and Meta taking less credit18:25 Rollout notes and how to start using these updatesSubscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://www.pilothouse.co/?utm_source=AKNF591Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

In This Episode of Business Lunch: Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss explore the critical aspects of CEO succession, when to hire outside leadership, and how founders can maintain control and passion for their business as it scales. They share practical insights, real-world examples, and strategies to help entrepreneurs navigate growth without losing their vision.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates02:51 The Role of CEO and Founder Dynamics05:49 The Risks of Hiring a Professional CEO09:06 Identifying the Right Time for Transition11:53 The Importance of Vision and Narrative14:50 Functional Leadership vs. Professional CEOs17:46 Finding Joy in Entrepreneurship Again23:27 Achieving Operational Happiness24:43 The Importance of Taking a Vacation25:55 Upgrading Your Company Operating System27:23 Identifying Key Leadership Hires29:52 Understanding Financial Health31:51 Hiring the Right People34:08 The Role of Operators in Business39:02 Navigating Hiring Challenges42:44 Maintaining the CEO Vision44:50 Reframing Your CEO RoleConnect with me on social:TikTok: Check out my TikTok HereInstagram: Check out my Instagram HereFacebook: Check out my Facebook HereLinkedIn: Check out my LinkedIn HereSubscribe to my YouTube

If episode seven was about converting conversations into contracts, episode eight is about increasing deal flow — and knowing how to analyze opportunity when it hits your desk.   In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo and Dan Wentzel break down what happens when consistent action finally compounds. After months of hesitation, Dan hires a virtual assistant — and within two weeks, four legitimate storage opportunities land in his pipeline.   Alex and Dan unpack why hiring a VA took eight months, what mindset blocks were holding Dan back, and how leveraging the Storage Wins community made the transition easier. From there, they dive deep into one specific 36,000 square foot facility, walking through back-of-the-napkin underwriting, cap rate analysis, seller motivation, and how to think about value-add potential the right way.   This episode isn't just about hiring help. It's about understanding leverage — leverage of time, leverage of community, leverage of terms, and leverage of upside inside the deal itself.   You'll Learn How To: Use a virtual assistant to dramatically increase deal flow Overcome hesitation around hiring and delegation Underwrite a storage deal using simple back-of-the-napkin math Analyze revenue, expenses, and NOI quickly on a seller call Identify upside through rate gaps and unsophisticated operations Use seller financing terms to increase purchasing power Control deal structure by focusing on terms, not just price Incentivize your VA to create long-term leverage   ⸻   What You'll Learn in This Episode:   [0:00] Why cash flow in storage "depends" [1:08] The Season 2 mission: closing before Thanksgiving 2025 [3:02] Hiring a VA after eight months of hesitation [6:42] The fear of training and financial commitment [7:30] Why $70 per week created massive leverage [9:01] Leveraging community to solve hiring challenges [12:42] Four new facilities added to the pipeline in two weeks [13:40] Why mom-and-pop operators create opportunity [15:36] Reducing expenses vs. increasing revenue [18:40] Explaining debt service coverage ratio to sellers [21:38] Breaking down a 36,000 sq ft deal opportunity [34:58] Back-of-the-napkin NOI calculation using a 35% expense ratio [35:54] Applying an 8 cap to determine baseline valuation [36:48] Spotting 50% rate gaps vs. competitors [39:28] Matching a $2M offer with better positioning [41:52] "Your price, my terms" explained [45:08] Why incentivizing your VA accelerates growth   Who This Episode Is For: Investors stuck trying to do everything themselves Listeners who want more deal flow but feel time-constrained Anyone unsure how to quickly analyze a storage opportunity Operators learning how to structure seller-financed deals Investors ready to move from slow progress to momentum ⸻   Why You Should Listen:   Momentum changes everything.   Dan didn't suddenly get lucky — he created leverage. By hiring a VA and leaning into community support, he multiplied his outreach and surfaced four serious opportunities in two weeks.   This episode shows you exactly how to think through a real deal: how to estimate NOI, apply cap rates, spot value-add potential, and structure terms that increase purchasing power. If you've ever wondered how experienced investors quickly evaluate deals while staying disciplined on risk, this is a real-time masterclass.   And perhaps most importantly — it proves that sometimes the biggest breakthrough isn't a signed contract. It's the decision to stop doing everything yourself. ⸻ Follow Alex Pardo here: Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/   ⸻   Have conversations with at least three storage owners, brokers, private lenders, or equity partners inside the Storage Wins Facebook Group. Join for free here:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/

You built the company.So why does it still feel like you can't step away?You delegate. You hire well. You try to step back.And somehow, you still step back in.Even when you promised yourself you wouldn't.You tell yourself you're helping. Being responsible. Protecting the standard.But something still feels heavy.Christoph Merrill, founder of Habit Freak, sits inside a tension most founders never say out loud.The instinct that saved the company early on can quietly keep your team from ever fully owning their work.Nothing breaks overnight. Progress just slows.At some point, every founder faces a question they rarely admit they're asking.This conversation starts exactly there.About ChristophChristoph Merrill is the founder of Habit Freak, helping leaders build habits that hold up when pressure hits.INSIDE THE EPISODE• Why delegating feels right, then founders quietly take work back• How pressure exposes habits leaders never meant to build• The invisible line where ownership quietly becomes control• What slowly stops improving when teams wait for founder approval• The ping-pong-ball moment that changed how he led his teamTHIS EPISODE IS FOR• Founders who feel responsible for everything• Leaders who still fix work after delegating it• Operators carrying more weight than their role requires• High performers who struggle to fully step back• People who know they should let go but can't yetGUEST LINKSLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophmerrill/Website: https://habitfreak.com WHAT TO DO NEXTShareSend this to someone who takes ownership seriously. They'll feel understood while listening. And they'll know you sent it because you see a version of them who doesn't have to carry everything themselves.Connectwith Dr. Yishai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dryishai/Let's ChatBook your free Ceiling Break Session on his LinkedIn page to get the shift yourself.ABOUT THE PODCAST You were built for speed.But right now you feel slower than you look on paper.Most founders try to outwork that slow-down.It only burns them out.Your mind is the only machine your company doesn't upgrade.So leaders keep pushing against the wrong thing.Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr Yishai Barkhordari. DISCLAIMER This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Some examples or stories are composites. Results vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions.Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being. © 2026 Yishai Barkhordari. All rights reserved.

AI for restaurants is no longer a futuristic concept reserved for large chains or experimental kitchens. It has become a necessary response to an industry weighed down by complexity, disconnected systems, and operational blind spots. Few people understand that reality better than Alex Hult, a founder whose path into restaurant technology was shaped not by theory, but by lived experience. Alex's journey into AI for restaurants began far from Silicon Valley. After a professional hockey career that took him around the world, he shifted into restaurant ownership, opening and operating multiple bars, nightclubs, and restaurant concepts across two states. That transition exposed him to the day-to-day realities of running hospitality businesses, from staffing and inventory to customer experience and profitability. It also revealed a fundamental problem: restaurant technology was fragmented, complicated, and often worked against operators rather than for them. As Alex scaled his restaurant group, he encountered a growing stack of tools that failed to communicate with one another. Point-of-sale systems, inventory platforms, labor tools, and reporting dashboards created more noise than clarity. Instead of empowering operators, technology added friction. That frustration became the catalyst for his next chapter and the foundation for AIO. AI for restaurants, as Alex envisions it, is not about replacing people or automating hospitality out of existence. It is about simplifying operations so leaders can make better decisions faster. AIO was built as an AI-first platform designed to unify restaurant data, eliminate silos, and give operators a single source of truth across their business. The goal is not complexity masked by intelligence, but clarity powered by it. This perspective resonates deeply within an industry that has been forced to adapt rapidly over the last several years. Rising labor costs, supply chain volatility, and shifting consumer expectations have made operational efficiency more critical than ever. AI for restaurants offers a way forward, but only if it is designed with operators in mind. Alex's background as a restaurant owner gives him credibility in a space crowded with tools built without firsthand understanding of hospitality. Rather than layering AI on top of broken systems, AIO was created to rethink how restaurant technology should function at its core. By consolidating data and surfacing insights that matter, the platform helps leaders focus on outcomes instead of dashboards. This approach reframes AI for restaurants as a practical business tool rather than a buzzword. Ford Saeks brings a complementary lens shaped by decades of helping organizations grow through alignment and execution. From his experience, technology only creates value when it simplifies decision-making and supports strategy. Businesses struggle when tools multiply faster than clarity. AI for restaurants becomes powerful when it reduces complexity, strengthens accountability, and supports leadership at every level. The restaurant industry is uniquely human. Success depends on people, process, and experience coming together seamlessly. Technology that disrupts that balance can do more harm than good. Alex's work emphasizes that AI should enhance hospitality, not interfere with it. By creating systems that serve operators, teams can spend less time managing tools and more time delivering great experiences. AI for restaurants also represents a shift in how founders and operators think about growth. Instead of adding layers of management or reactive reporting, intelligent systems provide foresight. That foresight allows leaders to address issues before they escalate, allocate resources more effectively, and maintain consistency across locations. In an industry defined by thin margins, those advantages compound quickly. Alex's transition from restaurant owner to tech founder highlights an important lesson for modern entrepreneurs. The most impactful solutions often come from those who have felt the pain themselves. By building AIO from the operator's perspective, he has positioned AI for restaurants as a bridge between technology and hospitality, not a barrier. As restaurants continue to evolve, the demand for smarter systems will only increase. Operators want tools that work together, insights that matter, and technology that respects the pace of real-world service. AI for restaurants, when executed thoughtfully, delivers on that promise. Alex Hult's work serves as a reminder that innovation does not always come from disruption alone. Sometimes it comes from simplification. By addressing the broken tech ecosystem head-on, he is helping restaurants reclaim clarity, efficiency, and confidence in an increasingly complex landscape. Watch the full episode on YouTube. Join Fordify LIVE every Wednesday at 11 a.m. Central on your favorite social platforms and catch The Business Growth Show Podcast every Thursday for a weekly dose of business growth wisdom. About Alex Hult Alex Hult is the Founder and CEO of AIO, an AI-first platform designed to simplify restaurant operations and eliminate fragmented technology systems. A former professional hockey player turned restaurant owner, Alex built and operated multiple restaurant and nightlife concepts before launching AIO to solve the operational challenges he experienced firsthand. His work focuses on using AI for restaurants to create clarity, efficiency, and smarter decision-making across the hospitality industry. Learn more at AIOapp.com About Ford Saeks Ford Saeks is a Business Growth Accelerator with more than two decades of experience helping organizations drive scalable, profitable growth. He has generated over one billion dollars in sales worldwide for companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 brands by helping leaders align strategy, systems, and execution. As President and CEO of Prime Concepts Group, Inc., Ford works with business owners and executives to attract loyal customers, strengthen brand positioning, and ignite innovation. He has founded more than ten companies, authored five books, earned three U.S. patents, and received numerous industry awards for marketing and business excellence. Ford is widely recognized for his expertise in modern growth strategies, including AI-driven marketing, customer engagement, and operational efficiency. He hosts Fordify LIVE and The Business Growth Show Podcast, where he shares insights and conversations designed to help leaders think differently, act strategically, and grow with intention. Learn more at ProfitRichResults.com and watch his show at Fordify.tv. .

Brendan Crowley, Vice Chair for the Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland, calls for immediate supports for Bus and coach operators amid rising fuel costs.

In today's episode of iGaming Daily, SBC Media Manager Fernando Noodt is joined by SBC Researcher Ana Maria Menezes and SBC Notícias Brasil Editor Leonardo Biazzi live from the show floor at the SBC Summit Rio in Rio de Janeiro. Making his debut on the show, Leonardo dives straight into Brazil's rapidly shifting regulatory landscape as the team unpack the political drama surrounding the proposed 15% tax on player deposits, the growing influence of the “BBB” campaign, and what it all means for operators navigating one of the world's most talked-about betting markets.Tune in to today's episode to find out:Why Brazil's Chamber of Deputies blocked the proposed 15% player deposit tax and what that decision signals about political fragmentation in Brasília.How the “BBB” campaign targeting Bets, Banks and Billionaires is shaping regulatory rhetoric ahead of elections and why President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is leaning into anti-betting messaging.The real risk of aggressive taxation and how it could further strengthen Brazil's already massive illegal betting market.Why this tax defeat may only be temporary, with strong lobbying pressure and future legislative attempts likely on the horizon.Whether Brazil remains a strategic growth market for global operators despite regulatory volatility and political uncertainty.Host: Fernando NoodtGuests: Ana Maria Menezes & Leonardo BiazziProducer: Anaya McDonaldEditor: Anaya McDonaldLearn how Optimove's Positionless Marketing is changing how iGaming teams operate. Discover how operators are using Optimove's Positionless Marketing Platform to launch personalised CRM campaigns, dynamically change casino lobbies and bet slips, and create engaging gamified experiences. Learn more at optimove.com.To see how this approach comes to life, Optimove Connect returns to London on March 11 and 12, 2026. It is the only user conference where marketers from around the world share real-world results of Positionless Marketing driving efficiency and ROI. Register at connect.optimove.com.Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.

This is the All Local 4pm update for March 4, 2026

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why retail is now a demand chain, not a supply chain How AMRs deliver 6–12 month ROI in high-variability e-commerce Why robotics-as-a-service changes peak capacity planning The real bottleneck in AI adoption: structured WMS data Why dashboards are dying and exception-based orchestration is rising How consolidation will reshape 3PL economics Why operational excellence remains the ultimate differentiator HIGHLIGHTS 00:01–00:12 | Consumer expectations and the “fast + free + cheap” reality 00:12–00:15 | AMRs, ASRS, RaaS, and 6–12 month automation ROI 00:15–00:16 | Buy vs build: what's commodity vs “secret sauce” 00:16–00:19 | Agentic AI in warehouse ops: labor planning + execution 00:19–00:22 | AI proof, case studies, and demand planning as the next frontier 00:22–00:24 | Dashboards vs operators: turning analytics into actions 00:24–00:28 | Operator advice: efficiency, mechanization, and competition shifts 00:29–00:31 | Manifest trends: retail channels evolving + tech-driven 3PL future QUOTES  [00:04:10] “One of the biggest changes is you used to have a choice. You could either have it fast, you could have it free, or you could have it cheap. The consumer today wants all three.” – Jeff Wolpov [00:05:10] “We as logistics supply chain companies need to lean in and figure out how to do more with less. Today it's a necessity.” – Jeff Wolpov [00:07:30] “You need automation... We need to be faster and more flexible. Peaks have gotten much higher.” – Jeff Wolpov [00:16:00] "The hard part isn't building AI or using AI. It's what do you do with the results?" - Gary Allen [00:16:50] “Operators shouldn't hunt dashboards, they should get alerts, exception-based triggers. AI takes analytics to the next level.” – Gary Allen [00:23:00] "Reporting is the death of analytics." - Gary Allen  ABOUT THE GUESTS Jeff Wolpov Jeff Wolpov is Senior Vice President of E-commerce and Ryder Last Mile at Ryder System, Inc., where he leads the vision and strategy for omnichannel fulfillment and big & bulky home delivery. Previously, he served as CEO of Whiplash (formerly Port Logistics Group), achieving nearly 30% year-over-year revenue growth before its acquisition by Ryder in 2022. Earlier in his career, Jeff founded Distribution Solutions, scaling it from a startup into a $50 million regional logistics firm that became the foundation of Whiplash's national network. He holds a degree from the University of Michigan. Gary Allen Gary Allen is Vice President of Supply Chain Excellence at Ryder, overseeing Solution Design, Continuous Improvement, Data Analytics, and Automation across the supply chain organization. With more than 32 years of experience, he previously led EY's logistics consulting practice and held leadership roles at DHL and FedEx in product innovation, solution design, sustainability, and operations. Gary helped launch and co-author the “Annual Third Party Logistics Study” with Dr. John Langley of Penn State University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Materials and Logistics Management from Michigan State University. LINKS MENTIONED Ryder report: https://www.ryder.com/en-us/insights/white-papers/e-comm/2025-ryder-e-commerce-consumer-study Ryder website: https://www.ryder.com/en-us Subscribe and Keep Learning!If you're a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don't miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges.Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

Scot Crow and Benjam Sobczak of Dickinson Wright tare back this week to discuss the industry's significant $6 billion debt crisis and the necessary survival strategies for compromised companies. The debt crisis is separate from 280E tax liabilities, rooted in market volatility (like the sharp price drop in Michigan) and poor financial projections made by both operators and lenders. For operators facing default, the critical advice is to make an early decision: either cooperate with the lender's efforts or fight, recognizing that fighting carries the high risk of multi-million dollar personal judgment liens due to personal guarantees (PGs) on the loans. Experts stressed that honesty and transparency are paramount; struggling companies must openly communicate their financial position with existing lenders and be upfront with initial equity investors about the likely washout of their investment.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Running a bar or restaurant right now isn't just hard, it's overwhelming.Costs are up, regulations keep shifting, and somehow you're still expected to master tech, lead a team, control inventory, and deliver unforgettable service at the same time. The truth? Most owners were never taught the business fundamentals before jumping in and the failure rate shows it.In this episode, Jay Ashton and Domenic Pedulla, hosts of the Late Night Restaurant Podcast, share what they're seeing from the front lines of hospitality across Canada and beyond.They break down government pressure, rising alcohol taxes, tech resistance, lack of execution, and why education (not hustle) is the real separator between operators who survive and those who shut their doors.If you care about profitability, longevity, and building a bar or restaurant that doesn't become another statistic, this conversation will challenge the way you think about running your business.Connect with Jay and Domenic and check out the Late Night Restaurant Podcast 

Most high performers treat rest like a prize. Something you earn when the work is done. When the inbox is clear. When there's nothing left outstanding. The problem: there's always something left outstanding. So they never really stop. And they wonder why they've hit a ceiling. In this episode, Tom Foxley breaks down a real coaching case — a business owner running at six days a week, ten-hour days, who couldn't understand why performance felt harder the more effort he put in. The answer wasn't more strategy or better systems. It was simpler and more uncomfortable than that: he was a depleted operator trying to build a high-performing business. One weekend changed everything — not because of what he did, but because of what he didn't do. Tom unpacks the three patterns underneath the never-stop cycle, introduces a practical recovery protocol used by some of the world's top performers, and reframes rest not as the opposite of performance — but as the condition for it. Topics covered: - Why hustle becomes a coping mechanism disguised as dedication - The impossible condition high performers set before allowing themselves to rest - The interval session model applied to business performance - NSDR / Yoga Nidra — what it is, why it works, and how to use it - One action this week to start treating recovery as a performance input

This week, learn three key takeaways from the Best Ever Conference that can shape how you approach multifamily investing in today's market. You'll hear why AI is becoming a competitive advantage for operators, what a 35% drop in multifamily values really means for buyers and sellers, and how the "thinning of the herd" is creating new opportunities for disciplined investors ready to act.     Make sure to download our free guide, 7 Questions Every Passive Investor Should Ask, here.     Key Takeaways Surround yourself with committed investors by attending paid conferences and high-level networking events  Leverage AI tools to streamline underwriting, investor communications, and administrative workflows  Recognize that multifamily values are down roughly 35% from peak levels, creating potential buying opportunities  Understand that lenders are no longer extending and pretending, performance matters  Take advantage of decreased competition as operators exit the space      Topics Why Being in the Right Rooms Matters Paid conferences attract serious operators committed to growth  The Best Ever Conference played a pivotal role in launching John's syndication journey  Relationships built in high-level rooms can shape long-term portfolio growth  The Power of AI in Multifamily AI tools can function like adding analysts or investor relations support to your team  AI agents can assist with underwriting, broker follow-ups, reporting, and tracking  Operators who integrate AI effectively position themselves to succeed in 2026  The State of Multifamily Today Multifamily values are down approximately 35% from peak levels  Many believe the market is near a bottom and poised for recovery  Now is the time to analyze deals, build broker relationships, and be opportunistic  Lenders are no longer extending troubled loans, operators must perform  The Thinning of the Herd Layoffs and operator exits have reduced competition  Less competition creates room for disciplined investors to carve out space  Success now depends on updated strategies and strong execution     

With GPS supporting so much of the U.S's critical infrastructure, it is a known single point of risk. NextNav's Mariam Sorond joins Light Reading to discuss how operators whose own networks are vulnerable to GPS attacks, can help solve the national security challenge with GPS, secure their networks with a resilient terrestrial timing back-up and open up opportunities by offering 3D PNT capabilities. Sponsored by NextNav. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2026 edition of the Bar & Restaurant Expo is right around the corner (March 23–25 in Las Vegas), and this year's show couldn't be more timely.Before heading to Vegas, David sat down with Brandy Rand, Vice President of Questex (the producer behind the Bar & Restaurant Expo, The Hospitality Show, and the VIBE Conference) to unpack what operators should really be focused on in 2026.If you've been feeling the weight of industry headlines, this conversation may recalibrate you. Inside this episode:Why the “hospitality is collapsing” narrative doesn't align with the dataResearch shows guests still want to go out and are prioritizing bars and restaurants as a form of self-reward and social connectionWhat's really happening with Gen Z and alcohol (spoiler: they are drinking, but they're opting for more premium, super-premium, and ultra-premium brandsThe importance of understanding that “value” means something different to every guestWhy experience design matters more now than everThis isn't blind optimism, it's perspective: Costs are real, pressure is real, and competition is real. But so is demand.If you're an independent operator, a multi-unit leader, a hospitality professional building a career, or a hospitality marketer trying to interpret guest behavior, this episode is about replacing fear-based assumptions with informed strategy.And if you'll be at the Bar & Restaurant Expo, don't miss Doug Radkey's session at 10 a.m. on March 23: “Top 8 Reasons for the High Failure Rate in Hospitality.”See you in Las Vegas.NotesBar & Restaurant Expo websiteBar & Restaurant Expo IGBar & Restaurant Expo FacebookBar & Restaurant Expo YouTube⁠Bar Hacks IG⁠⁠David Klemt IG⁠⁠KRG Hospitality IG⁠⁠KRG Hospitality website

In this episode of Storage Wins, Alex Pardo coaches Dan Wentzel through one of the most important skills in self-storage investing: converting conversations into contracts. With a healthy pipeline finally in place, the focus shifts from prospecting to persuasion—without being pushy.   Alex breaks down how to uncover seller motivation, ask better timeline questions, create urgency the right way, and position yourself as the preferred buyer instead of just another offer. The episode features a live cold-call role play between Alex and Dan, followed by a detailed breakdown of what worked, what could improve, and how subtle adjustments can dramatically increase closing odds.   This episode isn't about scripts—it's about psychology, positioning, and controlling the conversation through questions.   ⸻   You'll Learn How To: Convert seller conversations into signed contracts Ask timeline questions that reveal real motivation Create urgency without sounding salesy or desperate Use offer expiration dates as leverage Position certainty and credibility over highest price Handle pricing gaps with strategic follow-up questions Avoid overcomplicating creative financing too early End every call with leverage—including referrals   ⸻   What You'll Learn in This Episode: • [0:00] Why you should almost always make an offer • [3:40] Converting conversations into contracts and cash • [5:00] Three-year follow-up paying off in real opportunities • [6:05] Becoming a welcome guest—not an annoying pest • [9:00] Why relationships outlast transactions • [14:12] The power of asking about timeline early • [17:44] When NOT to put an offer in writing • [18:27] Building urgency without pressure • [21:33] Why certainty often beats the highest offer • [22:14] Leveraging expiration dates the right way • [24:19] Live cold-call role play begins • [41:00] Call breakdown: what Dan did well • [48:00] Missed opportunities inside seller language • [52:00] Why industry jargon can kill deals • [56:00] The hidden leverage in family decision dynamics • [59:00] Why collecting the seller's email matters • [1:00:30] The referral question most investors forget   ⸻   Who This Episode Is For: Investors who struggle turning conversations into real offers Listeners unsure how to handle "your price is too low" Anyone who feels awkward asking for timeline or motivation Operators who want to improve call structure and confidence Investors ready to sharpen their seller psychology skills   ⸻   Why You Should Listen:   Most deals aren't lost because of bad underwriting—they're lost because of weak conversations.   This episode shows you how to control the frame, ask the right questions, and build positioning that makes sellers want to work with you. If you've ever felt like calls "go fine" but don't turn into contracts, this breakdown will show you exactly where the leverage lives.   If you want to become the buyer sellers trust—not just another number—this episode is essential listening. ⸻ Follow Alex Pardo here: Alex Pardo Website: https://alexpardo.com/ Alex Pardo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexpardo15 Alex Pardo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpardo25 Alex Pardo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo Storage Wins Website: https://storagewins.com/   ⸻   Have conversations with at least three storage owners, brokers, private lenders, or equity partners inside the Storage Wins Facebook Group. Join for free here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322064908446514/

Send a textIs AI quietly becoming the most powerful competitive advantage in self-storage operations and are most operators already behind? Meyers sits down with Peter Smyth of White Label Storage, fresh off an industry panel on AI and self-storage at the Florida show. Peter breaks down how operators at every level, from single-facility owners to large portfolio managers, should be thinking about AI: not as a tech project, but as a gap-filling leverage tool. From agentic call centers handling 30,000 calls a month to automated gate testing and sentiment-driven review outreach, Peter shares what's actually working in the field.He also weighs in on market transaction volume, the maturation of the asset class, and the consumer complaint environment now threatening rent control. If you're a self-storage investor trying to run leaner, smarter operations in 2026, this episode delivers the inside view. WHAT TO LISTEN FOR1:18 How should self-storage operators actually think about AI before buying any tools?4:18 What does White Label Storage's 30,000 monthly calls reveal about AI's real value?11:28 What are the quickest AI wins a self-storage operator can implement right now?18:12 Why is the Extra Space lawsuit a warning sign for every self-storage investor in 2026?23:48 Is the self-storage market setting up for more transaction volume and opportunity in 2026?  Leave a positive rating for this podcast with one click CONNECT WITH GUEST: PETER SMYTHWebsite | LinkedIn | Email | You Tube | Facebook | XCONNECT WITH USWebsite | You Tube | Facebook | X | LinkedIn | InstagramJoe Downs on LinkedInBelrose website | Belrose email | Belrose LinkedIn Follow so you never miss a NEW episode! Leave us an honest rating and review on Apple or Spotify.Attend the LAST Self Storage Academy of 2026A 3-Day Live Implementation Event for Investors Ready to Executehttps://selfstorageacademy.com/https://selfstorageacademy.com/

In this episode of the Real Estate Pros Podcast, host Michelle Kesil speaks with Amanda Larson, a multifamily syndication expert. Amanda shares her journey from a background in engineering to becoming a successful real estate investor. She discusses the importance of analytical skills in real estate, the current market cycle, and common mistakes new investors make. Amanda emphasizes the need for strategic investment opportunities and the significance of building relationships with investors. The conversation concludes with Amanda offering insights on how to connect with her for further learning.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

In this episode of The Ross Simmonds Show, Ross breaks down the so-called “SaaSpocalypse” after $1 trillion in SaaS market cap vanished in a single week. While headlines scream that “AI will replace SaaS,” Ross argues the reality is far more nuanced. He introduces a three-part framework ; Exposed, Embedded, Evolved , and outlines the strategic shifts founders and marketers must make to survive and compound in the age of AI agents. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. The $1 Trillion Wake-Up Call -SaaS stocks were crushed in early 2026, triggering fear across markets. -AI agents, LLM advancements, and disappointing earnings accelerated the correction. -The dominant narrative says AI will replace SaaS , but the situation is more complex. -Market fear is loud. Structural change is quieter, but very real. 2.AI Agents, Vibe Coding & the Death of Per-Seat Pricing? -AI agents interacting directly with APIs challenge traditional SaaS interfaces. -“Vibe coding” demonstrates how quickly software can now be replicated. -Per-seat pricing models are under pressure as automation scales output. -The interface is shifting from dashboards to conversations. 3.The Data Reality Most People Ignore -Global SaaS spending is projected to grow from $318B (2025) to $500B+ (2028). -Enterprise contracts and deep dependencies don't disappear overnight. -Pricing models may change. Market leaders may change. -Software demand isn't vanishing, it's evolving. 4.The Extinction Stack: Exposed, Embedded, Evolved -SaaS companies fall into three survival tiers. -Not all SaaS companies face equal risk. -Your future depends on depth of integration and data moat. -Operators must identify where they sit, now. 5.Type 1: The Exposed -Horizontal point solutions with weak moats and low switching costs. -Easily replicated with AI tools in days or weeks. -Rely on habit rather than proprietary advantage. -Most vulnerable to margin compression and churn. 6.Type 2: The Embedded -Deeply integrated systems of record inside enterprises. -Painful and complex to replace due to migration risk. -The risk isn't extinction ,it's interface disruption. -Must become AI-first before agents abstract them away. 7. Type 3: The Evolved -AI-native or aggressively AI-integrated platforms. -Built on proprietary data, regulatory moats, and deep user memory. -AI increases the value of their data advantage. -Positioned not just to survive, but accelerate. 8.Distribution Is the New Defensive Moat -AI can replicate features. It cannot replicate trust. -Brand equity, audience relationships, and distribution compound. -As product development gets cheaper, distribution becomes the advantage. -This is the moment to double down on quality and amplification. 9.From Time-Based to Outcome-Based Thinking -Per-seat and time-based pricing models face structural pressure. -The future favors outcome-driven pricing and accountability. -Buyers will demand measurable impact, not access. -Service businesses must shift from hours sold to results delivered. 10. Intentional AI vs Fear-Based AI -Two types of teams are emerging: intentional adopters and reactive adopters. -AI without process creates noise, not leverage. -10,000 mediocre AI assets won't move the needle. -10 strategic, AI-enabled assets can change a business trajectory. —

AI is moving fast. Most hobby businesses are not.In Episode 6 of Built for the Hobby, Brett sits down with Scott Lock, CEO and Co-Founder of InfernoRed Technology, to talk about what AI means for hobby operators in 2026.This is not hype.This is practical.Scott breaks down:Why most businesses are underusing AIWhere small hobby shops can remove friction todayHow automation can protect your marginsWhy waiting is the riskiest strategyHow to think about AI without chasing shiny objectsIf you run a $500K shop or a $5M operation, this conversation is about you.AI will not replace your business.But someone who learns how to use it might.If you are AI-curious but stuck using ChatGPT like Google, this episode gives you a clear next step.Built for the Hobby is about one thing: helping operators think better and build smarter.Check out the awesome software that InfernoRed Technology can build for you.Get your free copy of Collecting For Keeps: Finding Meaning In A Hobby Built On HypeStart your 7 day free trial of Stacking Slabs Patreon Today[Distributed on Sunday] Sign up for the Stacking Slabs Weekly Rip Newsletter using this linkFollow Stacking Slabs: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Brought to you by Applovin. Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits. https://www.9operators.com/applovin Matt Bertulli, CEO of Pela Case and Lomi, and Mike Beckham, CEO of Simple Modern, sit down with Kat Cole, CEO of AG1, to trace one of the most unconventional executive careers in consumer. From hostess at Hooters at 17 to vice president by 26, to leading a multi-billion dollar restaurant empire through the pandemic, Kat's path defies every traditional playbook. The conversation covers how crisis sharpens leadership into an arrow, why Kat's “Hotshot Rule” has been a weekly practice for nearly two decades, and how AG1 quietly spent two years shoring up operations and clinical science before unleashing a wave of launches — new products, new flavors, a Costco debut, and Hugh Jackman — in a single six-month run. They also dig into the Athletic Greens to AG1 rebrand, what it really means to stay close to your customer when you're fully remote, and why Kat believes product quality is the most underrated growth strategy in the game.

The first solar flare ever observed was also by far the biggest yet seen. But such a monster storm will happen again. And when it does, it’s unlikely that even a single spacecraft in Earth orbit will come out unscathed. And many could be destroyed. The benchmark storm so far was the Carrington Event. It was observed by British astronomer Richard Carrington, in 1859. He saw a brilliant flash of light erupt from a dark sunspot. The eruption produced beautiful displays of the northern and southern lights. It also zapped telegraph wires, disrupting transmissions and even starting fires in some stations. Scientists at the European Space Agency recently simulated what would happen to satellites if such a monster storm hit us today. They concluded that it would be bad – really bad. Over a period of about a day, GPS systems would fail. Satellite instruments would glitch or fail, entire satellites would be destroyed, and some ground stations would be knocked out. Earth’s outer atmosphere would expand dramatically, dragging satellites down. That would increase the risk of collisions, and reduce the time in orbit for any survivors. Operators can take some actions to protect their satellites. But that requires good forecasts of space weather. And future satellites could be equipped with better shielding. Even with those precautions, though, no satellite would be unaffected by the fury of a monster storm on the Sun. Script by Damond Benningfield

What began as a 14 year old fixing infected computers became Malwarebytes, an 800 person cybersecurity company trusted by millions of customers.On Grit, Marcin Kleczynski joins Joubin Mirzadegan to explore AI driven cyber threats, strategic reinvention, and the discipline of evolving before the market forces you to.“We've exceeded. Now, what do we do to protect individuals against the next wave of threats, which are plentiful?”Guest: Marcin Kleczynski, CEO at MalwarebytesConnect with Marcin KleczynskiX: https://x.com/mkleczynskiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcinkleczynski/Connect with JoubinX: https://x.com/JoubinmirLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joubin-mirzadegan-66186854/Email: grit@kleinerperkins.comFollow on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/kpgritFollow on X:https://x.com/KPGrit​Learn more about Kleiner Perkins: https://www.kleinerperkins.com/

OPERATING - IT'S JUST PAN AND TILTING RIGHT?Hosted by Ed Moore BSC."Beyond the wheels: Discover the camera operator as the diplomatic heart of the film set. We explore the vital choreography between directors, DPs, actor, ADs and more, demonstrating that the best operating is as much about human connection as it is about the frame."Panelists include: Zoe Goodwin Assoc BSC ACO (President of the Association of Camera Operators), Colin MacDonnell ACO, Katie Swain, Danny Bishop Assoc BSC ACO and David Chameides SOC. To view a video of this panel visit the podcast section at www.theop.ioPlease check us out on our website and on instagram and like us and review us if you enjoyed the episode.Theme Music - Tatyana RichaudTheme Mix - Charles Papert

Welcome to the latest episode of LIFTS, your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories. In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal are joined by Troy Taylor from Tonal to explore one of the most important shifts happening in fitness today: strength as the foundation of longevity. Drawing on connected strength data from thousands of members, this conversation examines a surprising insight — in many cases, 60-year-olds are matching or outperforming 30-year-olds in relative strength gains. The difference isn't age. It's consistency, progressive overload, and measurable outcomes. As the industry shifts from aesthetics and performance toward healthspan and preventative health, the discussion explores what truly matters as we age. From muscle mass and maximal strength to power and velocity, Troy explains why lower-body power may be one of the most important predictors of long-term resilience, fall prevention, and independence. The episode also explores minimal effective dose training, advanced tools like eccentric overload, and the growing role of connected strength technology. For operators, this conversation challenges traditional KPIs such as check-ins and time-in-gym, making the case for tracking strength progression and real outcomes instead. This episode moves beyond trends to examine what fitness operators, brands, and leaders should prioritise if the goal is not just participation — but measurable progress and long-term health impact. In this episode, we cover: • Why older members often outperform younger ones in relative strength gains • The real driver of progress: consistency and progressive overload • Why strength is becoming foundational for longevity • Muscle vs strength vs power — and why power matters most as we age • Minimal effective dose training and why 20–35 minutes works • Why lower-body power is critical for healthspan and fall prevention • Why operators must shift from tracking visits to tracking outcomes

Full show - FrYiday | We've been working on our beauty regimens | Can you claim a baby name? | Feel Good Friday - Defibrillators, crane operators, and lost wallets | Ice cream horoscopes | Slacker might try this pickleball dating app | Slacker's new bedroom | Dangerous thing you did as a kid | Oughta be a law | Big mad, big smoke! | Stupid stories

On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with industry leaders from across the country at the American Bus Association's Marketplace 2026 in Reno, Nevada, to uncover what's next for destinations, attractions, and travelers. You'll hear from Josef Kruger of US Ghost Adventures, Aisha Jones of Mystic Seaport Museum, Jana Carter from Visit Annapolis, Kay Calzolari of Visit Winston Salem, Meredith Dollevoet from Cartersville Museum City, Jim Vozzella with 360Chicago, and Debra Tassone from Discover Long Island. Together, they share fresh insights on how storytelling, immersive activities, and hands-on programming are reshaping group experiences. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How group travel experiences are evolving to focus on immersive storytelling and hands-on engagement Strategies for collaboration between destinations, attractions, and local partners Trends shaping group travel for 2026, including wellness-focused itineraries and multi-generational groups How destinations and attractions are using customizable programming to add value and create memorable moments for visitors Why DMOs and attractions are bundling experiences and aligning their offerings to appeal to new travel trends Innovative approaches organizations are using to keep travelers engaged before, during, and after their visits How getting involved with associations like the ABA contributes to building enduring relationships and fostering continuous growth in the travel industry Innovation Through Collaboration Collaboration is no longer a "nice to have". It's mission-critical critical. Guests stress the importance of teaming up with regional partners, DMOs, and local organizations. By curating joint itineraries, sharing resources, and feeding each other's strengths, destinations can offer more complete and compelling travel experiences. Kay Calzolari of Visit Winston Salem shares how investing in personal relationships with nearby towns and attractions has enabled her to offer valuable regional itineraries, extending stays, and enhancing visitor value. This collaborative spirit isn't just about logistics, it's about approaching every partner as part of a larger community, working together to create seamless, memorable journeys for guests. Trends Driving Group Travel With the approach of major milestones like America's 250th anniversary in 2026, destinations are getting creative. Thematic travel is gaining traction, from wellness retreats and service-oriented projects to festivals and Be Revolutionary experiences, as Jana Carter describes for Annapolis. Operators are increasingly tapping into local culture, outdoor recreation, and even culinary partnerships. Museums are stepping up with exhibits that go beyond static displays. As Aisha Jones discusses, Mystic Seaport Museum is bringing in unique traveling exhibits, like shipwrecks recreated in LEGO, and launching virtual educational programs to grow engagement beyond the museum's walls. The Power of Networks At the heart of this evolution is the network effect. ABA Marketplace events and similar gatherings have become essential for building lasting industry relationships. Whether it's a first-timer bonding over shared experiences or seasoned pros joining councils and volunteer teams, the connections made drive both business and inspiration. As several guests reflect, returning to these conferences is like coming home—reconnecting with peers, learning from each other, and growing together. Resources: Josef Kruger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlkdreams/ Aisha Jones: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aishamjones/ Jana Carter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jana-carter-b01b8160/ Kay Calzolari: https://www.visitwinstonsalem.com/sites/default/files/2024-11/Kay%27s%20Profile%20Sheet Meredith Dollevoet: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-dollevoet-62413615/ Jim Vozzella: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-vozzella-b53a7416/ Debra Tassone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-tassone-upward/ We value your thoughts and feedback and would love to hear from you. Leave us a review on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you want to hear more o​f. Here is a quick tutorial on how to leave us a rating and review on iTunes!

Send a textAI is shifting virtual assistants from task execution to decision support... changing how modern teams scale.Learn how to invest in real estate with the Cashflow 2.0 System! Your business in a box with 1:1 coaching, motivated seller leads, & softwares. https://www.wealthyinvestor.com/Want to work 1:1 with Ryan Pineda? Apply at ryanpineda.comJoin our FREE community, weekly calls, and bible studies for Christian entrepreneurs and business people. https://tentmakers.us/Want to grow your business and network with elite entrepreneurs on world-class golf courses? Apply now to join Mastermind19 – Ryan Pineda's private golf mastermind for high-level founders and dealmakers. www.mastermind19.com--- About Ryan Pineda: Ryan Pineda has been in the real estate industry since 2010 and has invested in over $100,000,000 of real estate. He has completed over 700 flips and wholesales, and he owns over 650 rental units. As an entrepreneur, he has founded seven different businesses that have generated 7-8 figures of revenue. Ryan has amassed over 2 million followers on social media and has generated over 1 billion views online. Starting as a minor league baseball player making less than $2,000 a month, Ryan is now worth over $100 million. He shares his experiences in building wealth and believes that anyone can change their life with real estate investing. ...

Scaling is not about working harder — it's about thinking differently.In this episode, Keith sat down with Casey Woo, former operator at WeWork, OpenAI, Flexport, and Zappos, founder of Operators Guild, and Managing Partner at FOG Ventures, to break down what it really takes to scale a company.Casey introduces the concept of the “Scaler” — the operator who thrives in complexity, builds systems that evolve, and helps companies move from chaos to clarity. He shares how the world's fastest-growing startups fail not because of bad ideas, but because they lack the operating structure needed for sustainable growth.They dive into:Why scaling is a discipline, not a phase How great operators think across product, people, and processWhat founders misunderstand about growth- Why systems—not heroics—create durable companiesHow AI is changing the way companies scaleWhether you're a founder, operator, or investor, this episode is a masterclass in building companies that don't just grow — they scale.Connect with Casey Woo: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseywoo/ Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses' growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487dApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keithnewman74 For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: sponsorships@wherewithstudio.com#TheScaler #StartupScaling #Hypergrowth #Operators #StartupOperators #Founders #VentureCapital #FOGVentures #OperatorsGuild #BusinessGrowth #ScalingStartups #Leadership #SaaS #TechStartups #FutureOfWork