Business Growth Spotlight

Show Notes:   In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk chats with John Brubaker, founder of Hats by Bru, who shares his unconventional journey from being a speaker and author to launching a hat business. John reflects on the power of storytelling, the role of vulnerability in building meaningful relationships, and how authentic connection fuels business success. The conversa...

Show Notes:  In this episode, Heidi sits down with Joyshree Reinelt, co-founder and “business humanizer” at Innate Motion, for a powerful conversation about putting people back at the heart of business. Joyshree unpacks what it really means to humanize a brand and why empathy isn’t just a buzzword but a strategic advantage. She dives into how companies can shift from being purely profit-driven to...

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk speaks with Anthony Garcia, a combat veteran turned entrepreneur, who shares his powerful journey from military service to founding Purepost—a company committed to helping veterans successfully transition into civilian careers. Anthony discusses the often-overlooked challenges veterans face when translating military experi...

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with Phil Portman, serial entrepreneur and founder of Textdrip, to explore the power of SMS marketing and the evolving role of automation in business communication. Phil shares his entrepreneurial journey, offering insights into the highs and lows of building and scaling companies in a competitive digital landsca...

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk speaks with Slater Victoroff, co-founder of Mythica, a company on a mission to transform video game asset production through AI and open-source collaboration. Slater shares his entrepreneurial journey, offering a candid look at the challenges of the gaming industry and how Mythica is creating tools that empower developers...

Show Notes: In this episode, Heidi sits down with Letizia Alto and takes us behind the scenes of her inspiring journey from practicing family medicine to building a life of freedom through real estate investing. Letizia shares how she transitioned from the demands of the medical field to a version of semi-retirement that’s not about slowing down, but about living with purpose and intention. She di...

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk welcomes Carolin Zeitler, founder of the Impact Collective, for a conversation about “leading with love” in business. Carolin explores how a values-driven company culture fuels growth and why purpose-driven entrepreneurs face their own set of challenges. She delves into the power of self-reflection for effective leadership...

In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight , Heidi sits down with Ginger Ontiveros, President and CEO of Tomorrow’s Talent, to explore the widening gap between education and workforce readiness and what it will take to close it. Ginger shares why internships, early career exposure, and real-world experience are essential for students navigating a rapidly evolving job market shaped by AI, automat...

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with Daniel Peña, co-founder and CEO of DevSavant, a specialized software development firm. Daniel shares his unexpected path from the legal world to the tech industry, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the founding of DevSavant and the principles that guide its success. The discussion explores how the company...

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight , host Heidi Schalk sits down with Mark Casper, President and CEO of Tech for Troops, to explore how his organization is bridging the digital divide for veterans. Mark shares the powerful mission behind Tech for Troops—providing refurbished technology, digital skills training, and career support to help veterans successfully transition to ci...

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk speaks with Peg Kinda, founder of Reliable Billing, about the critical role of effective billing in the healthcare industry. Peg shares how she got started in medical billing and discusses the major challenges healthcare providers face when managing revenue cycles and claims. She explains how Reliable Billing helps improve...

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight , host Heidi Schalk sits down with Greg Writer, CEO and founder of Launch Cart, to explore the future of e-commerce and the tools transforming how businesses scale online. With decades of entrepreneurial experience, Greg shares why Launch Cart is emerging as a high-impact alternative to platforms like Shopify. He unpacks the platform’s uniqu...

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk talks with Daren Lauda, CEO of Outset, about his journey as an entrepreneur and the realities of scaling SaaS companies in a fast-paced, tech-driven world. Daren discusses the critical role operational efficiency plays in growth, along with how AI and automation are reshaping business processes. He shares his perspective o...

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight , host Heidi Schalk sits down with Ted Beringer, founder of The Beringer Group, to explore the often-complex world of family business transitions. With decades of experience in investment banking and consulting, Ted shares his deep insights on how legacy businesses can successfully navigate leadership shifts, whether transitioning to the nex...

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with Bill Price, founder of DRIVA Solutions and former Amazon executive, to explore the pivotal role of customer service and loyalty in driving sustainable business growth. Bill shares insights from his journey starting at Amazon and evolving into launching his own consulting firm and highlighting the importance...

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, Ashok Giri, CEO of PageMajik, shares a behind-the-scenes look at how AI is reshaping the publishing industry. He opens up about the challenges of scaling a business in a sector that's often slow to adopt new technologies, and how PageMajik is using AI to streamline workflows, reduce operational costs, and improve efficiency without los...

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk chats with Asmir (Seb) Muminovic, founder of WebConvert, a Shopify-focused conversion rate optimization (CRO) agency. Seb unpacks the critical role CRO plays in boosting e-commerce performance and navigating the increasingly competitive digital landscape. The conversation explores effective marketing tactics, how AI is res...

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk speaks with Elizabeth Louis, a high-performance consultant dedicated to helping leaders and teams break free from toxic mindsets and reach their full potential. Elizabeth dives into the mental traps that often hold high achievers back, such as perfectionism and fear, and explains how these patterns can undermine both leade...

In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk welcomes Marika Flatt, co-founder of PR by the Book, for a deep dive into the changing world of public relations. Marika unpacks how PR has transformed in the digital era, common pitfalls companies fall into, and why compelling storytelling remains at the heart of every successful campaign. She offers practical tips for seizing media...

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with brothers, David and Jonathan Steele to discuss the journey of One Wealth Advisors, a family-run financial planning firm. They explore the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, the importance of creativity and agency in business, and the transition from income-focused thinking to long-term wealth creat...

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight , host Heidi Schalk sits down with Carole Robin, co-founder of Leaders in Tech and widely regarded as the “queen of touchy-feely,” about the crucial role of interpersonal skills in effective leadership. Drawing from her acclaimed curriculum at Stanford, Carole explains how emotional connection and honest feedback are key to building trust an...

Show Notes: In this episode, Heidi Schalk sits down with Nick Honegger to explore the challenges early-stage startups face and how Geekdom plays a vital role in offering support and fostering community. Nick highlights the value of collaboration, mentorship, and being receptive to feedback as essential components of startup success. They delve into navigating funding, the impact of technology, esp...

Show Notes: In this episode, Heidi sits down with Sarah Ellis Conant and they dive into the transformative impact of coaching on both individuals and organizations. Sara breaks down the difference between coaching and consulting, and explains how coaching can elevate leadership, strengthen team dynamics, and drive sustainable business growth. Sara shares the behind-the-scenes story of growing A Pl...

Show Notes: In this episode of the Business Growth Spotlight podcast, host Heidi Schalk is joined by Dr. Barbara Provost, founder of Purse Strings, for a powerful conversation on financial empowerment for women. They explore the unique financial challenges women face, the societal narratives that contribute to money-related stress, and the mindset shifts needed to build lasting confidence and weal...

In this episode, Heidi Schalk sits down with Christy Hamilton to unpack the unique challenges of leadership in the nonprofit sector, especially when private equity enters the picture. They explore how nonprofit leaders must navigate competing priorities—balancing stakeholder expectations while staying true to their organization’s mission. Christy draws from her experience as a COO to highlight the...