The Business Spotlight Series

Bill Zhu, founder of Pokee AI, joins host Kay Cote on the Business Spotlight Podcast to break down how AI agents and reinforcement learning are transforming long, manual enterprise workflows—cutting projects that once took weeks or months down to 30 minutes while reducing costs by up to 97%. Bill shares his journey from leading applied reinforcement learning at Meta (driving $500M+ in annual reven...

In this episode of the Business Spotlight Podcast, host Kay Cote sits down with Sandy Moll, President and Founder of Advanced Business Solutions (ABS), to share an inspiring, faith-driven journey from corporate job loss to building a multi-million-dollar, fully remote business operating in 29 states. Sandy breaks down how losing a six-figure W-2 career became the catalyst for entrepreneurship, why...

In this episode of the Business Spotlight Podcast, host Kay Cote sits down with Jen Birn, founder and owner of Birn Communications, to explore her 13+ year journey from longtime journalist to successful boutique PR and marketing consultant. Jen shares how she built a referral-only business without traditional scaling, why relationships and reputation matter more than algorithms, and how she naviga...

In this episode, our host sits down with Carola, the owner of the Wellness Institute, to explore her inspiring journey as an entrepreneur. They discuss her passion for health and wellness, her company’s mission to provide safer, natural products, and the importance of holistic living. Carola also shares her incredible personal story of resilience after surviving a life-altering tragedy and how it...

In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Lynch, founder of The Only Timeline (TOTL), a global production company specializing in video, photography, and graphic design. Tyler shares his journey from studying mass communications to building a successful creative business, starting with viral Vine videos and landing major brand collaborations. He reflects on the challenges of entrepreneurship, the im...

In this episode, we sit down with Jay Young, a fourth-generation oil and gas entrepreneur and the founder of King Operating Corporation. Jay shares insights into his company’s mission—raising capital to invest in oil and gas projects, including drilling and frack sand ventures. He discusses his journey in the industry, the challenges of fundraising, and the lessons learned from past financial stru...

In this episode, we sit down with the founder of 8T8 Partners, an investment firm focused on acquiring and optimizing trucking companies. He shares his bold strategy for transforming an industry plagued by inefficiencies, his past experience in cybersecurity roll-ups, and the hard lessons he learned from betrayal in business. From losing a company to building a new empire in trucking, he reveals i...

Join Simon Marshall as he interviews Ed Robbins, CEO of Fresh Start in Education, a company dedicated to re-engaging students who have been excluded from school or are out of education. Ed shares the tailored approach Fresh Start takes to inspire hope and reintegrate students into education or employment through personalised activities and relationship-building. They discuss Ed's journey from admi...

In this episode of Business Spotlight, we feature Cormac Carville, a Chartered Civil Engineer and the co-founder and Managing Director of YardBox. Born out of frustration during the pandemic, YardBox began as a solution to the lack of dedicated home working spaces, with Cormac designing the concept and his family helping bring it to life. The business quickly pivoted post-COVID, evolving into home...

Join Simon Marshall as he interviews Rachel Watkyn, founder and chair of the Tiny Box Company, a pioneer in ethical and recycled luxury packaging. Rachel shares her entrepreneurial journey, from launching Tiny Box Company as a market disruptor to her experience on Dragon’s Den, securing investment and overcoming self-doubt to create a business now employing over 100 people. They discuss the challe...

Join Simon Marshall as he interviews Will Sanderson, Managing Director of Shell-Clad Ltd, a UK-based company specialising in sustainable modular exhibition stand solutions. Will shares how Shell-Clad's patented reusable clip system reduces waste while catering to exhibitors, agencies, and event organisers.  The conversation delves into Will’s journey as a Managing Director, overcoming self-doubt a...

In this episode of Business Spotlight, we chat with Laura Middleton, the driving force behind Farm Adventure—home to the UK’s wackiest outdoor activities for grown-ups. With locations in Yorkshire and Shropshire, Farm Adventure proves that fun isn’t just for kids! Laura shares her inspiring journey, which began 14 years ago when she answered an ad for a voluntary role to help farmer Rob start the...

Turning your passion into a business. In this episode, Don Martin, the founder of Winnie's Original, shares his journey. He transformed his love for a jam his mum created in 2013 into a successful side business. He discusses the leap of faith required to dive into the business world. Don also talks about the challenges of managing a business while maintaining a full-time job. Additionally, he cove...

In today's Business Spotlight Series, we speak with Ryan Schachtner.  Ryan is the Co-Founder of Success Beyond Game Day, an organization that works with athletes to extend their skills and impact beyond the game.  They help connect the dots between sports and life through customized tools and programs that focus on comprehension, application and implementation.  Similar to ActionCOACH of Lake Norm...

Join Simon Marshall as he interviews Alex Hill, Managing Director of Whitecode Consulting, a leading building services consultancy specialising in mechanical and electrical design for large residential and mixed-use developments in Greater London. Alex shares his journey from the company's first employee to Managing Director and ultimately a management buyout.  He discusses key strategies for busi...

Hear Rene Soliz describe his first propensity for business ownership... In third grade.  He started and lost his first business by middle school. An Indeed post changed everything for Rene Soliz.  Rene has a heart for veterans, business owners and executives.  He wants to show them their own yellow brick road to financial success.  He has great advise about when business owners need to take a leap...

In this episode we're diving deep into mindset transformation with Haydn Griffiths, a passionate mindset coach who helps people break through their limitations and step into their true potential. Hayden shares powerful insights on overcoming self-doubt, the mindset shifts that drive business success, and how resilience is built through life’s toughest challenges. From navigating the highs and lows...

Learn about Brad's insights on being an entrepreneur in the health care industry focused on supporting start ups and more-established organizations that are breaking into new markets. The importance of continual learning and what it is like to go to grad school in your 40's and having a different perspective. The value of having mentors and thought partners in your life, and the freedom to be able...

In this episode of Business Spotlight, we feature Michael Hannaway, a Chartered Surveyor and founder of Landsurvey Group, a company renowned for its accuracy, professionalism and efficiency in delivering mapping, measuring and modelling services. With over 42 years of experience in land surveying, Michael has witnessed remarkable technological advancements that have transformed the industry, keepi...

In this Business Spotlight interview, we hear from Garrett Greenlee of Day Arc Environmental Systems. While Garrett has an engineering background, his passion is in the Cannabis industry on the production side. In this interview, he shares how he uses his experience to deliver a market- disrupting, next-level product! All while navigating a marketplace that is constantly changing. Some great advic...

In this episode of the Business Spotlight Series, host Kay Cote sits down with Greg Freeman, CEO of Data Literacy Academy, to explore the fascinating intersection of business, data, and people. Greg shares his journey of launching a thriving business in 2022, scaling to 80 team members, and partnering with top enterprises like ASOS and BAE Systems. Learn how Data Literacy Academy empowers companie...

From Marine pilot to passionate entrepreneur, meet Andy Shetterly, owner of Peak Performance Sports Therapy.  They specialize in therapies for pain relief and enabling peak performance for a wide range of patients including elite & professional athletes.   He shares his long-standing passion in helping people via massage and physical therapy methods while also sharing how he transitioned from...

Manoj Mistry, IBOS Association Ltd. Some insights from this episode: Don't be afraid to take risk. Test the water and do research. You can get in touch with Manoj here on LinkedIn:   / manoj-mistry  🔔 Want your business to be featured as our next Business Spotlight? Book in your FREE podcast slot today via our website: https://www.businessspotlightseries.com #business #advice #podcast #businessow...

In this podcast, we're talking to Josh Lenthal, the CEO of Active Oxfordshire. He explains how his charity promotes physical activity across Oxfordshire. Josh emphasizes the importance of having a clear, positive vision and principles. These guide the team members in making decisions about which projects to undertake and who is best suited to execute these initiatives. He specifically discusses th...

Join host Kay Cote as she dives deep into the inspiring journey of Aamar Khwaja, CEO of MoD Garden. Discover how Aamar transitioned from 15 years on Wall Street to becoming a passionate entrepreneur revolutionizing urban farming. Aamar shares his personal story of overcoming health challenges, the alarming truths about industrial farming, and how MoD Garden is bringing fresh, nutrient-rich food cl...