Growth Department

Why do so many product launches crash and burn, even when demand is through the roof? In this episode, we’re breaking down the real difference between hype and long-term growth with Michael Dodsworth, founder and CEO of Fanfare. Michael has helped some of the biggest names in ticketing, retail, and e-commerce turn chaotic drops into scalable growth systems. From Taylor Swift ticketing meltdowns to...

What is marketing, really? If your answer is “social media” or “getting more leads,” this conversation will reset your perspective. On this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey sits down with marketing strategist Tamara Ceman to unpack the invisible side of marketing. This is the foundational work that makes campaigns stick and businesses grow. They dive into audience research, positi...

What happens when you buy a mic before you have a plan?  If you're Logan Lewis, taking a risk, willingness to learn on-the-job, and a heavy dose of perseverance means you end up with 7+ years of podcasting experience, 450 episodes, a brand built on storytelling, and a marketing agency to match. In this episode of Growth Department , Chelsey sits down with Logan Lewis — founder of Hammerhead C...

What if AI isn’t just another tech tool, but the next great utility, as foundational as electricity? That’s the bold prediction made by Dr. Andrew Ng, one of the leading voices in artificial intelligence.  And in this episode, Daniel Friker breaks down how companies are already proving him right. Daniel recently hosted a packed AI adoption workshop at Target Field, bringing together leaders from F...

Henry Woodman’s story reads like a screenplay, which makes this episode feel like it comes full circle, because a screenplay is exactly what he’s working on now.  In this episode, Henry takes us on a wild ride through his entrepreneurial journey: from smuggling and reselling switchblades at 13, to launching a virtual tour company, to building and selling his startup to a global tech platform used...

Business funding doesn’t have to feel like a mystery or a trap. In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey Reynolds sits down with Devin Gambino, founder and CEO of Lendefied , to unpack what founders really need to know about business credit, lending strategy, and long-term financial health. Devin shares the mistakes he sees early-stage companies make, how to avoid getting stuck in...

Are your sales incentives actually helping you hit your business goals...or are they quietly working against you? In this episode, I’m joined by RevOps and incentive plan strategist Bryant Krieger, founder of Optimi5e, to break down how to design compensation plans that actually drive scalable revenue growth . We talk about what most companies get wrong about comp plans (hint: it starts at the pla...

Being great at what you do isn’t enough anymore. If you want to stand out, get hired, and grow your business, you have to become known for something. In this episode, digital content futurist and five-time author Lisa Apolinski joins Chelsey to talk about the difference between expertise and true authority — and how to make the leap. They break down: The signs you’re almost an authority (but not q...

Think a CPA is just for taxes? Think again. In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Marcus Rien explains the different ways someone with a certified CPA background can help your business and why every growing company needs a fractional CFO.  From startup to scaling, to looking to sell your business, Marcus shares how financial oversight at each stage in a company's journey impacts g...

Ever crushed a product demo… only to hear crickets afterward? You’re not alone. In this episode, John Kennelly breaks down why founders and sales teams often get ghosted after the demo... and it has nothing to do with your software’s features. John shares why discovery is the unsung hero of every sales cycle, the questions that uncover real buying intent, and how to build trust before you ever sha...

Why do 35% of new products fail, wasting over a trillion dollars every year?   According to Dave Fradin, former Apple and HP product leader, the answer is simple: most companies skip the fundamentals. In this episode, Dave shares the SPICE Framework, a battle-tested blueprint for product success that works for hardware, software, and services alike. You’ll learn: ✅ The five keys to product succes...

Think it’s too late to start over? Think again. Jeanne Omlor was a solo parent in deep debt at 54. Seventeen months later, she hit $1 million, and today, she runs a multi-million-dollar online coaching business helping others do the same. In this episode of The Growth Department , Jeanne shares how she: ✅ Turned three maxed-out credit cards into a thriving business ✅ Built her client base using...

Is your tech stack running your team instead of the other way around? Jalil, founder of Mountainise and Revenue Operations expert, joins Chelsey to break down what’s actually holding back digital transformation in today’s businesses.  Expect to unpack MarTech, RevOps, BizTech, and other buzzbuzzy words into simple, actionable steps your business can take to Do. Tech. Adoption. Right. In this episo...

Can strong relationships really help your business grow? Kelly Gindlesperger says yes. She has built an entire career (and wrote a children’s book) on that belief. In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey sits down with Kelly, a partnerships leader at a fast-growing tech company, author, and all-around super-connector. They talk about how authentic partnerships fuel business growt...

What really happens in the first year of launching a startup?  In this episode of The Growth Department , Chelsey sits down with Marcus Rien, a CFO and CPA turned tech founder and the brains behind Waves CPAs. We'll unpack the messy, high-stakes, and deeply rewarding reality of going from corporate life to taking the entrepreneurial leap. Waves CPAs is a tech-driven platform helping businesse...

If you’re building a business and avoiding sales like it’s the plague… this one’s for you. John Kennelly is the founder of I Hate Sales , and he helps smart, scrappy founders get over their fear of selling without sounding sleazy. In this episode, we dig into why sales feels so cringe, what to do instead of cold spam, and how to reframe your role as a founder (spoiler: you’re the head of sales whe...

Getting laid off can shake your confidence and force hard decisions fast. This episode is for professionals and founders navigating a career reset who want to rebuild momentum without panic. What you’ll learn How to regain clarity after an unexpected career disruption Why starting small creates faster long-term wins Systems that support consistency when motivation dips How to turn uncertainty into...