Business Ninjas by WeLevel

In this episode of Business Ninjas , host Andy Steuer sits down with Isabelle Tashima, Investor at Volition Capital, for a behind-the-scenes look at growth equity investing. Isabelle walks through her path into private equity, what a day in the life of an investor actually looks like, and how Volition partners with founder-led companies that are ready to scale. Together, they unpack what investors...

What does it take to transform a 50-year-old lighting supplier into a modern infrastructure intelligence partner? In this episode, WLS Lighting & Electrical CEO, Brandon Scogins, shares how the company evolved from bucket-truck service calls to leading the industry in connected lighting, analytics, and sustainability reporting. We talk about the LED boom, the rise of total cost of ownership th...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, Andrew Lippman sits down with Kristin McLane, President of CIMx Software, to talk about three decades of transforming how manufacturers build, track, and deliver products. Since 1996, CIMx has been helping manufacturers modernize production processes, eliminate paper-based workflows, and gain visibility across the shop floor with their advanced Manufacturing Exe...

In this episode of Business Ninjas , host Andrew Lippman sits down with Nikhil Rai of QNX, a BlackBerry subsidiary, to explore how their real-time operating system powers the automotive industry — and why the company is expanding into new frontiers like industrial automation, medical devices, and aerospace. From digital cockpits and over-the-air updates to mission-critical systems that demand zero...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman sits down with Stu Seltzer, President of Seltzer Licensing Group. Stu shares his journey from working at Yves Saint Laurent and Warner Brothers to founding his own licensing agency more than 25 years ago. They dive into how brand licensing helps companies—from global CPGs to nonprofits and entertainment brands—unlock growth through partnershi...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman sits down with Logan Yonavjak, Co-Founder and CEO of the Founder Readiness Institute. Logan shares how her two decades in impact investing, natural capital, and startup financing led her to launch a groundbreaking new tool: the Founder Readiness Level. Unlike typical assessments, this framework measures a founder’s ability to handle complexit...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman chats with Matt Seefeld, EVP at MedEvolve. Matt shares his journey from consulting to healthcare entrepreneurship and how MedEvolve helps medical providers survive and thrive in today’s margin-crushing environment. From skyrocketing costs and declining reimbursements to the complexity of revenue cycle management, Matt breaks down the realitie...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman sits down with Daniel Murray, President and CEO of Roman Stone. Founded in 1903, Roman Stone has been at the forefront of precast concrete manufacturing for more than a century. Daniel shares how his 30+ years of experience in precast shaped his leadership—and how Roman Stone is scaling from a New York legacy brand into a national player. Fro...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman chats with Paula Grunfeld, Chief Revenue Officer and Managing Director at Bunny Studio and Bunny Creative. Paula shares her global journey from media to SaaS to creative leadership—and how Bunny Studio grew from a scrappy voiceover platform into a full creative services powerhouse. Now, with the launch of Bunny Creative, the company offers a...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman chats with Ladd Schuiling, VP of Sales at SkilledTrades.com Ladd brings nearly two decades of experience in construction recruiting and operations to explain how SkilledTrades.com is tackling one of the toughest challenges in the industry—finding and retaining skilled labor. From electricians to plumbers to CDL drivers, SkilledTrades.com is a...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, Andrew chats with Ravi Bijlani, Founder & CEO of KYXStart, about how they’re changing the game for B2B fintech. KYXStart is on a mission to make it easier for banks, fintechs, and financial institutions to activate new product offerings, streamline KYB (Know Your Business) processes, and accelerate client onboarding: all through a single integration. Ravi sh...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andy Steuer sits down with Chris Carter, CEO and Founder of Approyo, to talk about how his team is transforming SAP cloud migrations with AI‑driven insights and real‑world expertise. Chris shares why the clock is ticking for the 483,000 organizations that need to move to SAP S/4HANA by 2027—and how Approyo’s AI‑powered tools like Overwatch and FlowGen simpl...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman chats with John Fontein, Co‑Founder of Sesame, the first direct‑to‑consumer healthcare marketplace where patients can book appointments with doctors at clear, upfront cash prices—no insurance needed. John shares how a personal family health scare inspired him to tackle one of America’s most frustrating problems: access to affordable, transpar...

In this inspiring episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman sits down with Beth Demke, CEO of North Dakota’s Gateway to Science, to discuss how a grassroots idea grew into a 43,000-square-foot science hub serving over 130,000 people annually. Beth shares how passion, community support, and good old-fashioned organization turned a former shoe store into a state-of-the-art learning center wher...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman sits down with Nelson Dunk, Owner and Chief Creative Officer of Hammer & Anvil, a trailblazing immersive content studio reshaping how museums engage the public. Nelson shares how his passion for handcrafted storytelling and cutting-edge virtual reality tech converged to form a new kind of educational experience. One that’s high-resolution...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman chats with Michael McGuire, Chief Revenue Officer at NobelBiz, a leader in omnichannel contact center solutions and carrier services. With over 30 years of experience running and fixing call centers, Michael shares why NobelBiz stands out in a crowded tech space: it’s built by people who’ve actually lived the contact center life. From telecom...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, Andrew sits down with Elizabeth Ji, CEO and Managing Attorney at The Ji Law Firm, to unpack what makes a truly client-centered approach to immigration law. From work visas to employer-sponsored green cards, Elizabeth brings a personal touch, deep expertise, and refreshingly candid communication to a space often clouded by bureaucracy and burnout. Whether she’s g...

In this episode of Business Ninjas , Andrew Lippman chats with John Polk, President of John Polk & Associates, about how smart businesses turn data into influence—not just reports. With a background in strategy, analytics, and leadership at Capital One, John now helps companies refine their presentation and storytelling skills to better connect with audiences, drive decision-making, and sharpe...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, Andrew Lippman sits down with Jay Jung, founder and principal of Embarc Advisors, a boutique investment banking and M&A advisory firm serving the middle market. With a background at Goldman Sachs and McKinsey, Jay has worked on major deals like Yahoo’s sale to Verizon and MuleSoft’s acquisition by Salesforce. Now, he’s bringing that elite-level execution and...

Radon, founder and CEO of Recovered and Free, and TEDx Southlake speaker. Don shares his raw, personal journey from addiction to long-term recovery, and how it inspired him to build a radically different kind of recovery program. Unlike traditional treatment centers driven by insurance payouts and clinical detachment, Recovered and Free is a peer-led, private-pay men’s program that prioritizes rea...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, Andrew Lippman sits down with Russell Baris, Founder and President of eLumindata, to explore how businesses can uncover powerful insights hiding in plain sight—within their own data. From AI-powered data automation to next-gen healthcare solutions, Russell explains how eLumindata helps organizations cut through the chaos and bring clarity to decision-making. Wit...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, Andrew speaks with Isaac Salem, Vice President at Teknos Associates, about the art—and science—behind accurate startup valuations. With a sharp focus on tech and biotech sectors, Isaac explains how Teknos bridges deep industry expertise with data-driven analysis to deliver valuation services that go far beyond spreadsheets. Whether it’s a Series A startup gearin...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, Andrew Lippman chats with John Anastasi, founding partner at Lando & Anastasi (L&A), a boutique intellectual property firm based in Boston. John shares his unique journey from engineer to IP attorney, and how that dual perspective empowers his team to protect cutting-edge innovations—from software and AI to consumer products and life sciences. Tune in fo...

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman chats with Jeff Gilbert, CEO and Founding Partner of Balboa Wealth Partners. With over 35 years in the financial services industry, Jeff opens up about his journey from Wall Street firms to launching his own independent SEC-registered advisory firm. Tune in to hear how Balboa Wealth Partners delivers a “white glove” experience to high-net-wor...

🎙️ Making Deals That Matter – Grant McGaugh of Cornhusker Capital on Tech, Trust, and Timing In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman talks with Grant McGaugh, Senior Managing Director at Cornhusker Capital, about what it really takes to get deals done in today’s volatile markets. Grant shares his journey from tech and healthcare IT into the world of investment banking—and how Cornh...