Get Vertical! With Mike McCalley

Casey Brown didn’t grow up thinking she would become an entrepreneur. She grew up in a blue-collar family where money was always tight — close enough to the edge that the fear of poverty shaped many of her early decisions. That fear led her into engineering, into corporate America, and eventually into a moment where she had to decide: Stay safe… or take the risk. In this episode of Get Vertical!,...

Leadership right now feels heavier than it did just a few years ago. Teams are stretched, expectations are high, and many employees are quietly disengaged. In fact, Gallup’s 2025 U.S. data shows that only about 31% of employees are actively engaged at work, leaving the majority feeling disconnected or indifferent. For CEOs and senior leaders, that’s not just a cultural issue—it’s a performance ris...

Virtual care is no longer an experiment—it’s a structural shift in healthcare. Telehealth usage remains significantly higher than pre-2020 levels, and providers across disciplines are rethinking how to deliver higher-quality outcomes without the overhead and insurance constraints of traditional clinics. Meanwhile, recreational and endurance sports participation continues to rise, with millions of...

Buying behavior has shifted dramatically. Today’s B2B customers do most of their research before ever speaking with a salesperson. In fact, 61% of B2B buyers say they prefer a rep-free buying experience, according to a 2025 Gartner survey . At the same time, U.S. retail e-commerce sales exceeded $1.192 trillion in 2024 . Growth still depends on sales—but growing with sales in today’s market requir...

Independent retail is operating in one of the most competitive environments in decades. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 20% of new businesses fail within their first year, and a whopping 50% don’t make it to year five. At the same time, consumers are increasingly choosing brands that offer community, authenticity, and experience—not just products. In this landscape, build...

Wally Steidley is the founder of Indigo Compliance and Co-Founder of The Safety Sherpa, bringing over 25 years of expertise in workplace safety. His consulting firm provides high-touch, hands-on safety solutions that protect workers and reduce workplace incidents. Meanwhile, The Safety Sherpa provides the world's first fully mobile-friendly safety training platform to bring safety training to the...

Wally Steidley is the founder of Indigo Compliance and Co-Founder of The Safety Sherpa, bringing over 25 years of expertise in workplace safety. His consulting firm provides high-touch, hands-on safety solutions that protect workers and reduce workplace incidents. Meanwhile, The Safety Sherpa provides the world's first fully mobile-friendly safety training platform to bring safety training to the...

Trisha Hendrickson is the founder and CEO of Moxie360 Marketing, a full-service marketing agency that has grown from a solo venture to a 14-person team. With 35 years of experience, Trisha specializes in digital marketing, brand strategy, and AI-driven innovation to help businesses grow and adapt in a changing landscape. In this episode of Get Vertical!, Trisha Hendrickson shares her journey from...

MarketScale’s innovative and resilient approach to B2B marketing has disrupted traditional models, empowering companies to engage their communities through organic and scalable content creation. By adapting to challenges like the pandemic and fostering client independence in content production, MarketScale demonstrates how innovation and values-driven leadership can redefine industry standard...

Amid the rapid pace of technological advancements, sales processes are undergoing significant changes. Companies are increasingly pressured to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. According to Forrester’s 2023 report, a staggering 90% of global business buyers experienced stalled purchasing processes due to economic headwinds, emphasizing the importance of price transparency an...

Amid the rapid pace of technological advancements, sales processes are undergoing significant changes. Companies are increasingly pressured to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. According to Forrester’s 2023 report, a staggering 90% of global business buyers experienced stalled purchasing processes due to economic headwinds, emphasizing the importance of price transparency an...

In the rapidly globalizing world of business, human resources (HR) play a pivotal role not just in managing personnel but in shaping corporate strategy and culture across international borders. Chuck Heaton, the Vice President of Human Resources at PERMA-PIPE, brings to light the complexities and nuances of managing HR on a global scale, drawing from his recent experiences in the Middle East and h...

In an era where digital marketing is pivotal for business success, entrepreneurs face the daunting task of not just navigating this complex industry, but also building and sustaining a dynamic team. Matthew Cretzman, at the helm of Stormbreaker Digital, shares his five-year journey marked by trials, learning, and unexpected hurdles—a journey resonating with many in the industry today. What does it...

Identifying and capitalizing on emerging market opportunities is crucial for entrepreneurs and investors in today's fast-paced global economy. With entrepreneurship in Latin America echoing the boom of Silicon Valley during the dot-com era, today's episode dives into the dynamic growth and untapped opportunities in this vibrant region. Amidst this backdrop, what drives successful navigation and in...

Identifying and capitalizing on emerging market opportunities is crucial for entrepreneurs and investors in today's fast-paced global economy. With entrepreneurship in Latin America echoing the boom of Silicon Valley during the dot-com era, today's episode dives into the dynamic growth and untapped opportunities in this vibrant region. Amidst this backdrop, what drives successful navigation and in...

In the latest episode of Get Vertical!, host Mike McCalley sits down with David Loomis, the Founder and President of Loomis Marketing and author of “Marketing is Everything We Do!”. This candid conversation dives into shaping marketing strategy through the voice of the customer, Loomis’s journey in innovation, the challenges he faced within his own company, and the importance of aligning with one’...

In the latest episode of Get Vertical!, host Mike McCalley sits down with David Loomis, the Founder and President of Loomis Marketing and author of “Marketing is Everything We Do!”. This candid conversation dives into shaping marketing strategy through the voice of the customer, Loomis’s journey in innovation, the challenges he faced within his own company, and the importance of aligning with one’...

Here’s a hard truth: only 18% of entrepreneurs successfully launch their start-ups. Most of these lucky few individuals would probably tell you that the road to success isn’t rosy. An entrepreneur's ability to connect, build, and maintain high-quality relationships with their team and investors is key to making it past the first few years of owning a business. But what does it really take to go fr...

Here’s a hard truth: only 18% of entrepreneurs successfully launch their start-ups. Most of these lucky few individuals would probably tell you that the road to success isn’t rosy. An entrepreneur's ability to connect, build, and maintain high-quality relationships with their team and investors is key to making it past the first few years of owning a business. But what does it really take to go fr...

In the second part of a two-part Get Vertical! Episode with guest Sabrina Wilson, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at dormakaba Americas, host Mike McCalley continues his look into the importance of perseverance in the workforce. McCalley and Wilson focus on energy, where success is likely, and the application of Moore’s law in change management. Wilson shares her experiences of overcoming...

In the first part of a two-part Get Vertical! episode, host Mike McCalley welcomes Sabrina Wilson, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at dormakaba Americas. Wilson shares her unique journey and career, from her upbringing as the daughter of teenage pregnancy to becoming a first-generation college student. Wilson discusses the influence of her father’s resilience, the power of perseverance, a...

In the second part of a two-part Get Vertical! Episode with guest Sabrina Wilson, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at dormakaba Americas, host Mike McCalley continues his look into the importance of perseverance in the workforce. McCalley and Wilson focus on energy, where success is likely, and the application of Moore’s law in change management. Wilson shares her experiences of overcoming...

In the first part of a two-part Get Vertical! episode, host Mike McCalley welcomes Sabrina Wilson, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at dormakaba Americas. Wilson shares her unique journey and career, from her upbringing as the daughter of teenage pregnancy to becoming a first-generation college student. Wilson discusses the influence of her father’s resilience, the power of perseverance, a...

All businesses rely on innovative marketing solutions for growth, but when the global economy grows increasingly volatile, the need to adapt is more critical than ever. The rapid evolution of digital technologies and consumer behaviors necessitates an agile and innovative approach. But how does one adapt and thrive in the face of adversity? How can businesses leverage the power of marketing to dri...

All businesses rely on innovative marketing solutions for growth, but when the global economy grows increasingly volatile, the need to adapt is more critical than ever. The rapid evolution of digital technologies and consumer behaviors necessitates an agile and innovative approach. But how does one adapt and thrive in the face of adversity? How can businesses leverage the power of marketing to dri...