C-Suite Secrets

Show Notes: In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, Heather Parsons sits down with Austin Reed, founder of Horizon Developments, to unpack how automation, AI, and smart systems can help small and mid sized businesses scale without burning out their founders. Austin shares his entrepreneurial journey, including the early growing pains of hiring too slowly, learning how to manage people, and building sy...

Show Notes: In this episode, Heather talks with Dan Salganik, Co-Founder of VisualFizz, about the realities of growing an agency, stepping into the full CEO role, and reshaping a business through strategic focus. Dan shares his journey of letting go of day-to-day client work, trusting his team, and protecting his time so he can focus on sales, long-term initiatives, and aggressive revenue goals. H...

Show Notes: In this episode of C Suite Secrets, host Heather Parsons sits down with Elena Czarnowski, founder of Kid Laboratories, former tech executive, educator, and author of Future Proof Kids in Ten Minutes a Week. Elena opens up about her journey from a 15 year career in technology to launching a fast growing education company focused on digital literacy, financial literacy, STEM, and respons...

Show Notes: In this powerful second half of the conversation, Heather and John dive deeper into the realities of raising capital, managing investor expectations, and navigating the long, often unpredictable journey of entrepreneurship. John shares candid stories of funding rounds falling apart, investors over-committing, and how macroeconomic events, even ones unrelated to your business, can compl...

Show Notes:   In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, host Heather Parsons sits down with serial entrepreneur and fractional CTO John Bentley, II, a technologist turned multi-business founder who’s spent decades helping startups build smarter, scale faster, and avoid the costly pitfalls that sink most early-stage products. John shares his journey from programming on a TRS-80 at age 10, to corporate le...

In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, Heather Parsons dives into one of the biggest myths in business — the idea that revenue equals freedom. She explores the common struggles entrepreneurs face when they’re growing but not gaining control, and shares how financial clarity, strategic decision-making, and understanding cash flow can help business owners escape the “revenue trap.” Heather discusses ho...

Show Notes:   In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, host Heather Parsons sits down with Jonathan W. Buckley, a Silicon Valley veteran and fractional CMO who has helped dozens of enterprise tech startups build repeatable, predictable revenue engines. Jonathan shares hard-earned insights from decades of working with early-stage companies, including what separates the startups that go public from those...

Show Notes In this insightful episode of C-Suite Secrets, host Heather Parsons sits down with Sanjai Marimadaiah, founder of Rasa Growth and veteran of tech giants like IBM, HP, Oracle, and Sun Microsystems. Together, they unpack what it really takes to scale a business in today’s fast-moving world — from understanding your customer’s true needs to leading with purpose and heart. Sanjai shares les...

Show Notes:   In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, host Heather Parsons interviews John Humenik, founder of SpiritWorks AI, about entrepreneurship, AI in business, and leadership strategies. John shares his journey from solopreneur to successful CEO, revealing key lessons on scaling a business, understanding customer needs, and leveraging AI for growth. He also discusses the role of social media in...

Show Notes: In this episode, Heather Parsons sits down with Mike Muhlfelder to unpack the art and science of sales leadership. Together, they explore how asking the right questions can transform conversations into conversions, the evolving role of AI in the sales cycle, and why human connection remains irreplaceable. Mike draws insightful parallels between sales and manufacturing, emphasizing the...

Show Notes:   In this episode, host Heather Parsons sits down with entrepreneur Mark Lewis to explore the real drivers behind sustainable business growth. Mark opens up about his entrepreneurial journey and the lessons learned along the way — from building a strong company culture and hiring the right people to leading with empathy and intention. He dives into how businesses can balance innovation...

Show Notes:   In this episode, Heather Parsons and Kayode Aladesuyi dive into the intersection of AI and entrepreneurship, exploring how a human-first approach is critical to leveraging technology effectively. They unpack both the challenges and opportunities AI presents in areas like sales, customer engagement, and business growth, while weaving in their own entrepreneurial journeys. The conversa...

Show Notes:   In this episode, Heather Parsons sits down with Olga Topchaya to unpack the entrepreneurial journey within the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Together, they explore how businesses are shifting from traditional marketing approaches to AI-powered solutions, and what that transition really means for leaders and teams. The conversation dives into the practical side of leveraging AI tools...

Show Notes: In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, host Heather Parsons sits down with Jerry Luftman, retired IBM executive and founder of the Global Institute for IT Management (GIIM). Jerry shares his remarkable journey from leading in the corporate world to launching a global educational institute, highlighting the challenges of moving from academia into entrepreneurship. He discusses the importan...

Show Notes:   In this episode, host Heather Parsons sits down with Gerry Gadoury, an experienced entrepreneur in the technology services sector. Gerry shares candid insights from his journey, covering the challenges of navigating government contracts, strategies for attracting and retaining top talent, and the critical role of building a strong employer brand. He unpacks the importance of clear co...

In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, host Heather Parsons dives into the strategies every entrepreneur and executive needs to thrive during uncertain times. She unpacks how to navigate economic shifts, strengthen banking relationships, and apply smart pricing strategies that protect profitability.   Heather also highlights the importance of tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), making intenti...

Show Notes: In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, entrepreneur Grace Cupat shares her inspiring journey from graphic designer to startup founder. She reveals the real challenges of building a business from the ground up and the key insights that helped her grow as a leader. Grace explores the future of work and hiring, including the role of AI in resumes and recruitment, why tracking career developm...

Show Notes: In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, host Heather Parsons sits down with Madison Feehan, founder of Space Copy, to explore her remarkable journey from working at NASA to launching her own venture in the 3D printing industry. Madison shares powerful lessons from her time in aerospace, the impact of mentorship on her career, and how she translates complex space innovations into practical...

Show Notes:   In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, Heather Parsons sits down with, Chris Allaire.  He shares his journey of building a purpose-driven company and the lessons he’s learned along the way. From prioritizing character over credentials in hiring to navigating the evolving tech talent market, Chris offers candid insights into what truly drives successful recruitment. He explores the growi...

Show Notes:   In this episode, Heather Parsons sits down with Jason Andersen for a powerful conversation on how AI is reshaping the business landscape. Together, they explore the wide-reaching impact of AI—from shifting customer expectations and driving productivity to transforming modern marketing strategies. Jason shares expert insights on how AI tools are enhancing everything from application d...

Show Notes: In this insightful episode, Svitlanka Sergiichuk, co-founder of Neofin, takes us behind the scenes of building a FinTech startup in the fast-moving world of lending automation. She opens up about the real-world challenges of scaling a SaaS company, navigating compliance, and staying adaptable in a rapidly evolving industry. Svitlanka shares the critical metrics she tracks for sustainab...

Show Notes: On this episode of C-Suite Secrets, host Heather Parsons sits down with Kevin Wolf, Co-Founder and CEO of Wind Harvest International, for a compelling conversation on clean tech innovation and entrepreneurial grit. Kevin shares his journey, from navigating rivers as a guide to steering the future of renewable energy with vertical axis wind turbine technology. He opens up about the uphi...

Show Notes: In this episode, Heather Parsons sits down with Lucky Gobindram, President of Kinmeric, for a deep dive into the company’s evolution and how emerging technologies like AI and spatial computing are reshaping business operations. They explore why a solid understanding of XR technologies is becoming critical for organizations, and how to effectively measure ROI in tech-driven initiatives....

Show Notes: In this episode, Mike Contreras shares his entrepreneurial journey and what it takes to succeed in the world of government contracting. He offers practical insights into navigating the complexities of the sector, including overcoming red tape and building strong relationships with government clients. Mike also talks about the importance of resilience, using the right metrics to drive g...

Show Notes: In this episode, James Hotson opens up about his entrepreneurial path, sharing the lessons he’s learned while building companies and embracing the power of AI. He dives into how AI has evolved, with a special focus on agentic AI and how it's transforming both customer support and internal operations. James highlights why speed matters in business, what makes a sales strategy effective,...