Horizon Search

Make sure to subscribe to our new channel at  @bizdevpod  for more deep dives into innovation, growth, and startup strategy. David Hirshfield — 35-year tech veteran, founder of Tekyz Corp, and host of the  Scaling Smarter  podcast — joins us to share what it  really  takes to build, scale, and sustain a successful startup in today’s AI-driven world. In this deep-dive conversation, David unpacks hi...

Ernesto Mandowsky is helping entrepreneurs turn chaos into clarity by systemizing their businesses for sustainable growth. With a background spanning hospitality, tech, and consulting—including a chief of staff role at a fast-scaling POS startup and experience at Deloitte—Ernesto blends operational excellence with creativity. As the founder of the Million Dollar Machine framework and author of Mom...

Sctacy Bishop is helping FinTech founders close more deals by turning technical brilliance into sales clarity. With over two decades of experience at Jack Henry and a deep understanding of the banking world, Stacey now leads Selling FinTech, where she empowers startups to position their products effectively, build strategic partnerships, and master the art of selling to financial institutions. In...

Jennifer Fondrevay is helping leaders navigate the emotional side of mergers and acquisitions with deep expertise drawn from years in executive roles and consulting. As the founder of Day One Ready and author of  Now What? A Survivor’s Guide for Thriving Through Mergers and Acquisitions , she supports organizations in building people-first strategies that drive successful integrations. In this epi...

Can trust be measured, coached, and improved using AI? In this episode, we sit down with Rowland Hirst, President of Relate Research and Technology Co , to explore how AI-driven technology is revolutionizing the way businesses build trust with clients and partners. 🔹 Why trustworthiness can be objectively measured and how AI acts like a coach for professionals. 🔹 The problem with traditional tru...

What makes Disney one of the most successful brands in the world? The answer lies in systems, marketing, and customer experience. In this episode, we sit down with Vance Morris, a former Disney leader and expert in customer service, business systems, and direct response marketing, to break down the billion-dollar playbook that can transform any business. 🎯 In this episode, we cover: ✅ How Disney...

In this episode of the Horizon Search Podcast, we dive deep into the reality of building a business with Erik Caputo, co-founder of Evenda, an AI-driven sponsorship marketplace that’s revolutionizing how events and brands connect. With years of experience consulting Fortune 500 companies at Deloitte, Erik shares the unfiltered truth about entrepreneurship and what it really takes to succeed. Why b...

AI and technology are transforming the legal industry, making justice more accessible, faster, and fairer than ever before. In this episode, we sit down with Rich Lee, Co-Founder & CEO of New Era ADR, to discuss how his platform is reshaping dispute resolution with a 100-day arbitration model and flat-fee pricing—cutting down years of legal battles into months. In this episode, we cover: Why t...

What if everything you thought you knew about AI, automation, and business success was a lie? Daniel Theobald, founder of Vecna Robotics and a pioneer in robotics and AI, reveals the truth that the rich don’t want you to know—from why most venture-backed startups fail to how AI is overhyped, and the mental toll of entrepreneurship no one talks about. In this episode, we cover: Why AI and humanoid...

Nuo Jiang has built a career at the intersection of  corporate leadership, AI innovation, and entrepreneurship . With experience at major global companies like  Vodafone and Huawei , he made the bold decision to leave the corporate world and launch  Ground AI . Now, he helps businesses scale through  audience-led growth and automation , leveraging  AI-driven strategies  to drive success. How  inno...

After building two billion-dollar business units, Steve Walsh walked away from the corporate world in 2018. Burned out but driven by a new mission, he turned his focus to helping early-stage founders raise capital, scale revenue, and accelerate growth. Now, as a Contrarian Investor and Techstars mentor, he's invested in 66 startups, with 35 reaching Series A, and his portfolio raising over $1....

Howard Rosen, a leading innovator in healthcare technology, shares insights on how AI is reshaping patient care, streamlining medical workflows, and enabling precision medicine. With a background in film production and health tech, he has developed cutting-edge AI-driven solutions while keeping human connection at the core of healthcare. Having worked with organizations like the U.S. Armed Forces...

Robert Wolcott is an innovation expert and early-stage venture investor with a robust background in economics and emerging technologies, as he reveals how digital transformation is reshaping business models. He explains how digital innovations compress capabilities to drive value creation precisely when and where it matters. He also emphasizes the power of embracing small-scale experiments and man...

Neil Twa returns for another deep dive into the strategies that turn e-commerce brands into seven-figure businesses. Neil has spent over 20 years helping brands scale to seven and eight figures on Amazon and beyond. His expertise in AI-driven automation, multi-channel expansion, and data-backed decision-making has helped countless entrepreneurs optimize their operations and increase profitability....

Chris Tatge went from framing houses to building Wisconsin’s largest framing contractor and one of the fastest-growing building materials suppliers . In this episode, he shares: ✅ His transition from hands-on labor to leadership ✅ How to scale a construction business efficiently ✅ The role of risk management and cash flow in rapid growth 🎧 Save hours with top business hacks every Friday: 👉 Su...

Jamie Crosbie, sales expert and founder of  ProActivate , reveals how to  break through limiting beliefs, build high-performing sales teams, and scale businesses effectively . Mindset is the number one factor in sales success. Jamie explains why top sales professionals and leaders succeed not just because of skill but because of the way they think. She also shares her  proven three-step process  f...

Shaun Arora is transforming how businesses approach neurodiversity in the workplace.  As a  COO, coach, and advisor , he has helped organizations create  inclusive workflows  that turn neurodivergence into a  competitive advantage . In this episode, we discuss why  psychological safety is crucial , how  flexibility in work structures can boost productivity , and why  shifting from labels to streng...

Madeleine Raiford-Holland went from working as a COO in a family business to building a multi-seven-figure short-term rental empire. Through years of experience, she has mastered the art of creating automated, guest-focused rental businesses that generate both time and financial freedom. In this episode, she shares how  consistency in content and branding  played a major role in her success, why ...

Michael McLean is empowering entrepreneurs to scale their businesses by mastering the art of sales, cultivating the right mindset, and creating a long-term vision. He highlights why taking full responsibility for your success is the ultimate game-changer and how it can accelerate your growth. 🔗  Save hours with top business hacks every Friday: thesearchlight.com/subscribe 🎙  Connect with Michael:...

Blaine Bartlett, a renowned leadership expert and founder of Avatar Resources, shares his expertise on leadership, communication, and personal growth. With over 40 years of experience, Blaine highlights the importance of adapting your communication style when working with different cultures and explains how mastering the art of language interpretation can help you convey true meaning. 🔗 Save hour...

Dori Yona, co-founder and CEO of  SimpleClosure , shares his journey as a three-time founder and dives deep into his expertise in helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex and often emotional process of closing a business. He sheds light on how the startup ecosystem remains resilient despite market cycles and hype trends. Whether you're a founder facing tough decisions or someone curious abou...

Graham Bodie explains why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to listening, how our fluid identities shape our communication, and why daily practice of active listening can revolutionize both personal and professional relationships. Discover practical strategies to pause, reflect, and truly hear others, paving the way for deeper connections and transformative leadership. Whether you're an entre...

We sit down with Dare Makun, an Agile productivity coach and consultant, to explore how Agile methodologies can transform the way small teams work. Dare shares how Agile helps small businesses scale efficiently while maintaining flexibility. Drawing from his diverse experience in brand management and software development, he explains why a fresh approach to productivity can make all the difference...

Ashish Gupta, founder of ScaleUpExec, shares his journey from managing a $2B/year budget at Apple to turning around distressed businesses and helping them scale efficiently. After co-founding and selling a wireless company to Qualcomm, he discovered the power of fractional COOs in driving growth and revitalizing teams. In this episode, Ashish explains how businesses stuck in stagnation can achieve...

Michael Jacobson is redefining the floral industry while championing innovation and growth! With a background in consulting, real estate, and transportation solutions, Michael has proven himself as a visionary leader across multiple industries. As the CEO of French Florist, he transformed a struggling business into the largest flower shop in Los Angeles, generating $10M in revenue by 2024. He is a...