The Business RoundUp with Melissa Bill

Artificial intelligence is much bigger than ChatGPT and chances are it’s already shaping your daily life in ways you don’t even realize. In this episode, we sit down with  Jeremy Samuelson , Executive Vice President of AI and Innovation at  Integrated Quantum Technologies,  to explore the “invisible AI” economy powered by machine learning, the technology quietly driving everything from financial s...

In this episode, we're joined by Todd Smith , President and CEO of AMFT , to explore his unique leadership journey from Chief Financial Officer to the corner office. Todd shares how his background in finance continues to shape his approach to leading a growing manufacturing organization, the pivotal moments that inspired him to pursue the CEO role, and how his perspective has evolved as he's taken...

What does it take to launch an airline in one of the world's most competitive industries? In this episode of The Business RoundUp, Melissa Bill sits down with Andrew Schmertz , co-founder and CEO of Hopscotch Air , to discuss his remarkable journey from broadcasting and law to building a regional air taxi company that's changing the way people travel. Andrew shares what inspired him to leave a tra...

What happens when a life-changing diagnosis becomes the catalyst for building a global business? In this episode of The Business RoundUp, host Melissa Bill sits down with entrepreneur, patient advocate, and Amazon bestselling author Brenda Snow to discuss her remarkable journey after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the early 1990s. Rather than allowing MS to define her future, Brenda tr...

In this episode of The Business RoundUp, Melissa Bill sits down with Joseph Lombardi, Founder and Managing Partner of Iron Hawk Financial and one of the nation's Top 40 Financial Advisors Under 40. Joseph shares valuable insights into the financial strategies often used by ultra-high-net-worth individuals to build, preserve, and transfer wealth. He explains how successful investors create strong f...

The U.S. healthcare system is facing a growing shortage of allied health professionals, and the consequences are being felt across hospitals, clinics, and patient care settings nationwide. In this episode of The Business RoundUp, host Melissa Bill sits down with Jennifer Kolb, Vice President of Partnerships and Workforce Development at MedCerts, to discuss the findings from the MedCerts Allied Hea...

In this episode of The Business RoundUp, host Melissa Bill sits down with Bhumi Bhutani, Co-Founder of Way.com , one of the fastest-growing automotive services platforms helping consumers simplify everything from parking and car washes to insurance and vehicle-related services. Bhumi shares the inspiration behind launching Way.com and the challenges she faced while building a startup in the highly...

For more than five decades, Richard Balkcom , Founder and CEO of BAI Financial, has helped working families navigate the complexities of money, retirement, and long-term financial security. While much of the financial industry focuses on high-net-worth individuals, Richard has dedicated his career to serving middle-income and blue-collar households, people who often need sound financial guidance t...

In this episode, we sit down with Constantino Papadakis , Owner and Operator of Hello Halloumi Bakery , to discuss his unconventional journey from Wall Street to entrepreneurship and the challenges of building a successful food business in today's rapidly evolving marketplace. Constantino shares what inspired him to leave the corporate finance world behind to launch a bakery and café centered arou...

In this episode,  Ross Palfrey,  CEO and Owner of  Harry’s Home Comfort,  shares the story behind launching and growing a business dedicated to helping homeowners stay comfortable year-round. Ross discusses the early challenges of building the company, the pivotal moments that signaled real growth, and how the HVAC industry has evolved in recent years. From rising demand for energy-efficient syste...

In this episode, Melissa Bill sits down with Jared Knapp, Founder of Jareds Leads , to discuss how lead generation has evolved from simple contact lists into sophisticated, AI-powered growth systems. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience, Jared shares the market shifts that transformed his company into a full-service growth platform designed to help businesses build predictable and scalable...

How is cryptocurrency transforming the way people move money around the world? In this episode, Melissa Bill sits down with Nickolay Denisenko from Brighty App to explore the rapidly evolving world of crypto finance and cross-border payments. Nickolay shares insights into the growing adoption of crypto remittances, the rise of digital nomads and globally distributed workforces, and why cryptocurre...

What does it take to bring a life-changing medical breakthrough from concept to patient care? In this episode, Melissa Bill sits down with Ian Keldoulis, co-author of Unblinded: The Start-Up That Launched a Revolution in Saving Sight, to explore the remarkable story behind one of ophthalmology's most significant advancements. Ian shares how his journey as a writer evolved from covering FinTech and...

In this episode, Melissa Bill sits down with Dr. Brian Allen , Dean of the School of Business at Excelsior University , to discuss leadership, innovation, and the evolving future of business education. Drawing from a career that spans multiple industries including service in the U.S. Air Force, The Future of Business Education and Entrepreneurial Leadership. Dr. Allen shares how his diverse experi...

In this episode, author Sheri Jacobs discusses why boundaries may be one of the most misunderstood drivers of innovation and creativity in business today. Drawing from insights in her book, The Unexpected Power of Boundaries: Rethinking the Rules, Risks and Real Drivers of Innovation , Sheri explains how the right constraints can actually unlock better ideas, smarter risk-taking, and stronger orga...

What separates businesses that grow from those that stall out? In this episode, Melissa Bill sits down with Kevin “Bam” Smith , CEO of KBS Solutions , to discuss the realities of leadership, business growth, and why strategy alone is not enough to build a successful company. Drawing from his own entrepreneurial journey, Bam shares how he transitioned from running businesses to coaching executives...

In this episode, we sit down with William Flaiz , founder of Clean Smart Labs , to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the world of marketing technology. William shares insights into building smarter data cleaning tools, why clean data is essential for AI success, and how businesses can better leverage automation to improve marketing performance. He also discusses the importance of ma...

In this episode, we sit down with Roger Vance , CEO of Safe Ship Moving Services, to unpack how the moving industry really works and why it’s ripe for disruption. As the leader of a fast-growing moving brokerage, Roger shares how Safe Ship connects customers with a nationwide network of licensed and insured carriers, making long-distance moves more efficient, flexible, and accessible. We dive into...

In this insightful episode, Paul Ryazanov , CEO of MageCloud , shares his journey from database engineer to tech entrepreneur , and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He breaks down how AI is reshaping modern business, what it really takes to scale effectively, and why data management and cybersecurity are more critical than ever in today’s digital landscape. Whether you’re a founder, tech le...

Why does the sales process often feel uncomfortable? In this episode, we sit down with Ray Higdon , founder of Higdon Group , to unpack a more authentic, ethical approach to selling that actually works. Ray shares his journey into entrepreneurship and the moment he realized that traditional “hard sell” tactics didn’t align with his values or deliver sustainable results. From there, he built a busi...

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, trust has become the most valuable currency in healthcare. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Danielle Kelvas , MD of DKMD Consulting , to unpack how healthcare marketing is being reshaped by AI, misinformation, and increased regulatory scrutiny. We explore the major marketing shifts from 2025 to 2026, including how artificial intelligence is transforming...

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Anderson , General Counsel and HR Lead at Rayburn Electric Cooperative , to explore the company’s remarkable growth and the culture that drives it. Chris shares his journey to leadership, the role Rayburn plays in North Texas, and the factors behind its rapid expansion from 20 to over 100 employees. Talking Points: Chris’s career path and what led him to Ray...

In this engaging episode, Siham Lahmine shares her inspiring journey from educator to founder of Morocco’s first woman-owned luxury culinary & heritage tours. Driven by a passion for authentic experiences, she has created travel opportunities that go far beyond traditional sightseeing, connecting visitors with local communities, artisans, and the rich flavors of Moroccan cuisine. Siham discuss...

Karen Leos , VP of Global Sales at Tellabs , joins the conversation to discuss why enterprise connectivity has become essential to business growth, innovation, and operational efficiency. In this interview, Karen explains why connectivity should be viewed as the digital nervous system of modern organizations, supporting everything from day-to-day operations to smart buildings, cybersecurity, and A...

What does it take to lead and grow a global aviation company in one of the world’s most demanding industries? In this episode, we sit down with Zilvinas Lapinskas, CEO of FL Technics Group , to explore his unconventional path from facility management to the forefront of the aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry. Zilvinas shares how a fresh perspective, strategic thinking, and a...