The SpotOn Spotlight

AI is changing the way businesses show up, sound, and compete. As more companies lean on the same tools, templates, prompts, and shortcuts, brands risk becoming easier to produce but harder to tell apart. Tammy Vilaboy of TAT2 Marketing joins Ian Murray on the SpotOn Spotlight to talk about how businesses can use AI without losing what makes them distinct. We’ll explore why memorability matters mo...

Why do so many strong companies still undercharge instead of getting paid what they’re worth? In this episode of The SpotOn Spotlight, Ian sits down with Casey Brown, founder of Boost Pricing, to talk about why pricing is often a leadership issue, not just a sales issue. Casey breaks down why businesses discount out of fear, how underpricing quietly drains profit, and where leaders can uncover hid...

The construction industry has no shortage of opportunity, but making the right connections between students and employers is where the real challenge begins. In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight, Ian sits down with Stanley Warrenhuffman of the TOOLS Foundation, part of Associated Builders and Contractors Ohio Valley, to talk about the future of workforce development in the trades. Stanley shares ho...

What if the problem with your marketing is not your message, but who you are trying to reach? In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight, Ian sits down with Adam Sonnett of Sonnett and Company to talk about why personas are one of the most overlooked growth tools for small and medium-sized businesses. Adam will share why businesses cannot afford to treat every buyer the same, how identifying your “dream...

What does a financially healthy business actually look like? In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight, Ian sits down with Adam Reynolds of Thrive CFO to unpack the three financial foundations that every business needs to grow and scale with confidence. Adam explains why so many businesses struggle with poor cash flow, bad data, and a lack of visibility, and why having a bookkeeper alone often is not en...

In this episode of The SpotOn Spotlight, Ian Murray sits down with Tim White, Principal & Strategic Advisor and Practice Leader for Sales & Operations at ANAVO Growth Partners, to explore what it truly means to earn the right to sell in today’s business environment. With a rare background that bridges sales, marketing, and operations, Tim explains why the traditional, transactional sales a...

In this episode of the SpotOn Spotlight, author and executive coach Cory Carlson unpacks why so many high-capacity men feel isolated, overwhelmed, and unsure where to turn, and how intentional community can transform every area of their lives. Drawing from his work with the Rise Community and years of coaching leaders at home and at work, Cory explains why accountability, outside perspective, and...

In this episode of the SpotOn Spotlight, we explore a bold idea that’s reshaping how cities compete for talent: outdoor recreation as a strategic advantage. Our guest is Brian Bozeman, Vice President of Business Development at Skanska, Founder and Ambassador of Cincitucky Trails, and Board Member at CORA (Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance). Brian is leading a regional movement to position Greater Cinci...

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the business landscape, but most organizations still aren’t ready. In fact, while 97% of leaders believe AI will “radically transform business within five years,” studies show that 95% of AI pilots fail to deliver real value. Companies jump in because “everyone else is doing it,” yet lack the strategy, data foundation, or leadership alignment needed for success...

Steve Browne, Chief People Officer at LaRosa’s, Inc., and author of three HR books - HR on Purpose !!, HR Rising !! and HR Unleashed !!, joins The SpotOn Spotlight to share how his philosophy has redefined what great workplace culture looks like. With more than 35 years of HR experience, Steve has helped transform LaRosa’s into a people-first organization where relationships, listening, and empath...

In an industry where change is constant and technology evolves overnight, staying adaptable isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s survival. In this episode of The SpotOn Spotlight, Brian McHale, CEO of Brandience, joins Ian to share how he’s led his agency through more than two decades of transformation while keeping creativity and culture at the forefront. Brian unpacks his “five rules to stay nimble”...

In this episode of the SpotOn Spotlight, we explore the transformative power of storytelling in marketing and business with Doug Smith, COO at America’s Best Restaurants. Doug and his team travel the country helping independent restaurants share their stories—filming over 750 episodes a year to spotlight the heart and hustle behind small businesses. Doug shares how authentic, people-driven content...

The way we work and lead is undergoing a revolution. Across industries, executives are leaving corporate burnout behind and redefining success on their own terms. The result? A new model of leadership built on flexibility, trust, and purpose: fractional leadership. In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight, host Ian Murray sits down with Ford Knowlton, founder of Work With Meaning and author of the Frac...

In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight, host Ian Murray sits down with Todd Wilkowski, attorney, fractional general counsel, and trusted advisor at Frost Brown Todd. Todd is more than a legal strategist; he’s a servant leader and a gifted connector who believes that generosity and relationship-building are the true engines of sustainable business growth. Together, they explore the difference between...

In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight, Ian sits down with Scott Sutter, entrepreneur and digital marketing strategist, to tackle a big question: Is SEO really dead—or just evolving? Scott shares candid insights on how search is changing in the age of AI, introducing concepts like answer engine optimization and generative experience optimization. He explains why SEO still matters for local, service-b...

On this episode of the SpotOn Spotlight, we sit down with Jonathan Theders, Principal & Market Leader – Ohio South at OneDigital, to discuss how business leaders can shift their mindset from simply buying insurance to proactively managing risk. Jonathan brings decades of experience helping companies uncover hidden vulnerabilities, reduce exposure, and protect their people, assets, and future....

What does it take to make marketing matter in industries that have long ignored it? In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight , Ian Murray sits down with Paul Moran, Chief Marketing Officer at DBL Law and Excel Title Services, for a candid conversation about what it means to lead with marketing—especially when you’re the first one through the wall. With more than 30 years of experience, Paul has built a...

In this episode of the SpotOn Spotlight , we dive into the growing world of fractional leadership with Toby Brauer, Founder, Principal, and CMO at SolvStat. With a dynamic background in branding, go-to-market strategy, and startup growth, Toby has helped numerous small to mid-sized businesses sharpen their marketing focus, accelerate results, and scale with confidence—all without the overhead of a...

In this episode of The SpotOn Spotlight, Ian Murray sits down with business leader and owner/coach at Legacy Build, Dakota Beerman, to explore the transformative role of core values in building high-performing teams. From his roots in the family business to his current role as a coach, Dakota shares how clearly defined values serve as a north star for recruiting, onboarding, and developing talent....

In this episode of the SpotOn Spotlight, we dive into the world of modern sales prospecting with Jessica Stokes, Master Sales Trainer at Sales Gravy. With over a decade of experience in sales, training, and leadership, Jessica has coached thousands of sales professionals to master Fanatical Prospecting, a methodology pioneered by Sales Gravy founder Jeb Blount. Known for her ability to transform s...

In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight, we sit down with Billy Southerland, CEO of IronRoad, to explore the impact of servant leadership in business. With decades of leadership experience, Billy has built a thriving company by prioritizing people—both employees and clients—before profits. Join us as we discuss the core principles of servant leadership, the challenges of implementing it in today’s bus...

In this episode of the SpotOn Spotlight, we dive into the world of marketing metrics and strategy alignment with Amy Connor, CEO of CMO-OnLoan. With a rich background that spans over two decades in marketing leadership, Amy has honed her expertise at top companies like Procter & Gamble and Luxottica before founding CMO-OnLoan in 2016. Her passion lies in helping businesses think and act with a...

In this episode of the SpotOn Spotlight podcast, we dive deep into the evolving world of sales and leadership with guest Pam Beigh, CEO of SalesCORE. Discover how the sales landscape has changed, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and what it takes for small to mid-sized businesses to stay competitive. Pam shares about the critical role of leadership in driving a customer-centric a...

In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight, we dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence and its transformative potential for small and medium-sized businesses. Guest Kendra Rameriz, CEO of KR Digital Agency, shares how AI is not just a futuristic concept but a practical tool to increase efficiency, save time, and drive growth. Kendra shares valuable insights on getting started with AI, even on...

On this episode of The SpotOn Spotlight, "Navigating Tough Talks: Mastering the Art of Difficult Conversations," we welcome Kevin Rains, a distinguished business coach and founder of Legacy Coaching as well as a Professional EOS Implementer. Kevin brings his extensive expertise to help us uncover the secrets to mastering difficult conversations. In this insightful episode, we explore strategies fo...