Horizon Search

Dori Yona, co-founder and CEO of SimpleClosure, shares his journey as a three-time founder and dives deep into his expertise in helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex and often emotional process of closing a business. He sheds light on how the startup ecosystem remains resilient despite market cycles and hype trends. Whether you're a founder facing tough decisions or someone curious about the realities of startup life, this episode offers invaluable insights on handling the hardest aspects of entrepreneurship with clarity and confidence. 🔗 Save hours with top business hacks every Friday:thesearchlight.com/subscribe 📌 Connect with Dori Yona:LinkedIn https://simpleclosure.com Chapters: 0:00 – Startup Learning and Pioneering5:07 – Pitfalls to Avoid for Startups8:10 – Fundraising for a Unique Concept11:00 – Deploying Capital for SimpleClosure's Growth13:00 – Growth Strategy and Future Funding Rounds15:00 – Breaking the Stigma Around Startup Failure17:25 – Fundraising in a Tough Environment19:30 – The Future of the Startup Ecosystem21:50 – Opportunities for Innovation in the Entrepreneurial Lifecycle23:50 – Rapid Fire Questions26:10 – Conclusion and Parting Advice28:22 – Opportunities for Innovation in the Entrepreneurial Lifecycle30:13 – Rapid Fire Questions32:09 – Conclusion and Parting Advice 🎧 Listen now and gain expert insights on startup closure and business growth! #HorizonSearchPodcast #Entrepreneurship #StartupClosure #SimpleClosure #FounderJourney #Startups #BusinessGrowth #StartupAdvice #LegalTech #AIInnovation #BusinessDissolution

Graham Bodie explains why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to listening, how our fluid identities shape our communication, and why daily practice of active listening can revolutionize both personal and professional relationships. Discover practical strategies to pause, reflect, and truly hear others, paving the way for deeper connections and transformative leadership. Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader, or simply looking to enhance your communication skills, this conversation will empower you to harness the power of listening and drive meaningful change in your life and organization. 🔗 Save hours with top business hacks every Friday:https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe Connect with Graham:https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-bodie-98b73923/ Chapters:0:00 Introduction & Setting the Stage 5:12 The Role of Identity in Communication 12:45 The Power of Listening & Open-Mindedness 20:30 Personal Experience with Listening & Understanding 32:10 Challenges in Effective Communication 40:55 Shifting from Convincing to Curiosity 51:24 A Personal Challenge & Lesson in Perspective 53:19 The Most Surprising Lesson About Listening 53:36 Habits for Sharpening Listening Skills 54:14 Advice for Entrepreneurs on Listening 54:47 Closing Remarks & Where to Connect #HorizonSearchPodcast #ListeningIntelligence #ActiveListening #CommunicationSkills #LeadershipDevelopment #GrahamBodie #ListenFirst #EffectiveCommunication #BusinessCommunication #PersonalGrowth #TransformLeadership

We sit down with Dare Makun, an Agile productivity coach and consultant, to explore how Agile methodologies can transform the way small teams work. Dare shares how Agile helps small businesses scale efficiently while maintaining flexibility. Drawing from his diverse experience in brand management and software development, he explains why a fresh approach to productivity can make all the difference. We also dive into the power of transparency, collaboration, and customer-centric innovation—key principles that drive long-term success. Connect with Dare Makun: 🎧 Save hours with top business hacks every Friday:https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe 📖 Buy the book + bonus: https://agilemadesimplebook.com/🛒 Buy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/4M31VFB📅 Schedule a free consultation: offer.dapmsolutions.com🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daremakun/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dremak11/ 📌 Chapters: 0:00 Introduction and Guest Background2:15 The Essence of Agile and Its Core Principles5:42 Common Misconceptions About Agile9:10 The Role of Leadership in Agile Implementation12:35 Agile in Different Business Contexts16:05 Overcoming Challenges in Agile Adoption19:40 The Importance of Continuous Improvement23:15 Measuring Success in Agile Transformation26:50 Balancing Speed and Quality in Agile Development30:30 The Future of Agile and Emerging Trends33:58 Optimizing Productivity with AI and Customization36:20 Agile in Non-Tech Industries: A Success Story38:59 Kanban and Scrum: Practical Agile Frameworks43:56 Prioritizing Value for Maximum Impact

Ashish Gupta, founder of ScaleUpExec, shares his journey from managing a $2B/year budget at Apple to turning around distressed businesses and helping them scale efficiently. After co-founding and selling a wireless company to Qualcomm, he discovered the power of fractional COOs in driving growth and revitalizing teams. In this episode, Ashish explains how businesses stuck in stagnation can achieve 30-40% growth by retooling their operations and leveraging experienced leadership on a fractional basis. He also reveals the strategy behind building ScaleUpExec, a firm composed of top COOs who specialize in helping businesses break through their growth barriers. 🎧 Save hours with top business hacks every Friday:https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe 🔗 Connect with Ashish Gupta:LinkedInScaleUpExec 👉 Follow & Subscribe for More:🔔 Don’t miss out on future episodes! Follow the Horizon Search Podcast to stay updated. Episode Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:15 The Rise of Fractional Leadership7:42 Overcoming Mental Barriers to Hiring Fractional Executives13:05 The Benefits of Fractional Work for Both Companies and Leaders 18:30 Shifting from Goal-Driven to Present-Focused Mindset24:50 Scaling Up Exec’s Growth and Impact33:37 Preparing for an Acquisition and Optimizing for the Right Buyer36:05 Rapid-Fire Questions: Books, Mentors, and Business Myths39:28 Where to Connect and Final Thoughts #HorizonSearchPodcast #BusinessGrowth #ScaleUp #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessSuccess #OperationsExcellence #StartupScaling #BusinessStrategy #GrowthMindset

Michael Jacobson is redefining the floral industry while championing innovation and growth! With a background in consulting, real estate, and transportation solutions, Michael has proven himself as a visionary leader across multiple industries. As the CEO of French Florist, he transformed a struggling business into the largest flower shop in Los Angeles, generating $10M in revenue by 2024. He is also pioneering the use of cutting-edge technology to raise industry standards and expand globally. 🔗 Save hours with top business hacks every Friday:https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe Connect with Michael Jacobson:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelrichardjacobson/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frenchfloristInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/frenchflorist/Twitter (X): https://x.com/FrenchFlorist Chapters:0:00 Introduction to YPO and Peer Groups5:14 Growing the Business in Los Angeles9:47 Shifting to an Online Business Model16:33 Handling Pandemic-Era Challenges20:15 International Expansion and New Markets24:08 Building Partnerships with Luxury Brands27:45 The Power of Customer Experience33:14 Challenges and Opportunities in Scaling Internationally37:25 Most Memorable Customer Feedback41:05 Working with Top Brands and Taking Risks44:17 Where to Follow and Contact Information 🎧 Like the episode? Don’t forget to rate, follow, and share it with others!

Gerry Gadoury is revolutionizing how startups and early-stage companies attract and retain top talent. With decades of experience in talent acquisition, leadership development, and business strategy, Gerry helps organizations scale effectively while fostering meaningful employer-employee relationships. As the founder of Redbeard Solutions and the author of Destination Employer, Gerry shares actionable insights on creating scalable team structures and becoming a company where top talent thrives. 🔗 Save time with top business hacks every Friday:https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe Connect with Gerry: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrygadoury/ Book: https://a.co/d/gjt7fWB Company: https://redbeardsol.com/recruitment-as-a-service/ Chapters:0:00 Introduction and Background of the Guest3:15 The Importance of Becoming a Destination Employer9:47 Steps to Attract Top Talent17:32 Creating a Magnetic Work Culture24:05 The Role of Leadership in Employee Retention29:39 Business Fundamentals for Startups and SMBs33:44 Trends in Talent Acquisition and Retention for SMBs40:29 Balancing Personal Growth and Business Demands42:03 Advice for SMB CEOs43:06 Resources and Programs for Becoming a Destination Employer43:50 Sci-Fi Insights and Final Thoughts Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share this episode! #HorizonSearchPodcast #Leadership #Startups #TalentAcquisition #BusinessGrowth #DestinationEmployer #SmallBusiness #HighPerformingTeams #Recruitment #TeamBuilding #StartupSuccess

Karim Chouman, co-founder of Zero&One and founder of Mine, talks about his entrepreneurial journey, strategies for scaling startups, and how AI is reshaping the business landscape in the Middle East. With over 18 years of experience in multinational FMCG companies like Nestlé and Procter & Gamble, he shares his expertise on business development, strategy, and the power of perseverance. 🔗 Save hours with top business hacks every Friday: https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe Connect with Karim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karim-chouman-998aa76/ https://joinmyne.com/ https://zeroandone.me/ Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 3:15 Ecosystem Building and Networking 10:35 Challenges of Raising Pre-Seed Funding 17:53 Support Systems and Perseverance in Entrepreneurship 22:18 The Evolving Middle East Tech and Fintech Landscape 25:45 The Role of AI in Business and Innovation 28:30 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Leaders 29:14 Closing Remarks and Vision for the Future #HorizonSearchPodcast #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney #AIInnovation #FinancialWellBeing #MiddleEastTech #BusinessStrategy #ZeroAndOne #MineApp #TechTrends #Leadership

With over 30 years of experience as a CEO, Mark has built and sold six companies, including Castiron, Bitly, and Outside.in. In this episode, Mark shares his actionable insights on how small business CEOs can drive growth, foster authentic leadership, and prioritize effectively. 🔗 Save hours with top business hacks every Friday:https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe Connect with Mark:https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjosephson Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:12 Key Challenges for SMB CEOs 5:24 Importance of Delegation and Focus 10:15 Building a Resilient Business 16:48 Effective Leadership Traits 21:30 Balancing Work and Personal Life 28:32 The Importance of Downtime and Personal Interests 30:06 Lessons from About.com, Bitly, and Cast Iron 31:37 Action Beats Inaction: Driving Growth Through Small Actions 33:13 Pivotal Career Decisions 34:28 Advice for First-Time CEOs 35:46 Avoiding Common CEO Mistakes 37:26 Final Takeaway for SMB CEOs #LeadershipTips #SmallBusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #MarkJosephson #HorizonSearchPodcast #SMBSuccess #BusinessLeadership #CEOInspiration #StartupGrowth #ceocoach

Borja Cuan, co-founder of Four15Digital, shares his wealth of experience in digital marketing. In this episode, he emphasizes the importance of patience, data-driven decision-making, and personalized strategies. Borja discusses how these principles have shaped his career and contributed to his agency’s success, offering practical insights to help businesses create impactful campaigns. 🔗 Save hours with top business hacks every Friday:thesearchlight.com/subscribe Connect with Borja: https://www.linkedin.com/in/borjacuan https://www.four15digital.com Chapters 0:00 Introduction4:15 The Role of Patience and Perseverance in Success9:32 Challenges and Opportunities in Working with SMBs15:47 The Importance of Tracking and Data Analysis in Campaigns20:12 Leveraging AI Tools Without Overreliance25:30 Emerging Ad Channels and Trends for SMBs33:35 Balancing AI Usage and Building Personal Skills37:34 Most Memorable Campaigns and the SMB Advantage40:21 Advice for Aspiring Performance Marketers43:16 Addressing Common Myths About ROI in Marketing45:28 Case Study: Turning a Small Business into a Revenue Success48:25 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways #HorizonSearchPodcast #HorizonSearch #DigitalMarketing #ROIforSmallBusiness #AdsConversion #SmallBusinessStrategies #LeadGeneration #WebsiteOptimization #CreativeTesting #TargetAudience

Jason Ciment brings over 25 years of expertise to the table. A former CPA and lawyer, Jason is now the CEO of Get Visible Digital Marketing Agency. As an authority in SEO, AI-driven solutions, and business automation, Jason helps businesses grow their online presence and achieve lasting success. 🔗 Save hours with top business hacks every Friday:thesearchlight.com/subscribe Connect with Jason:LinkedInBook: I Need More Clients 📺 Watch more episodes:▶️ Entrepreneurial Challenges & Innovations▶️ Leveraging AI in Business Chapters:0:00 Introduction and Background11:36 Evolution of Digital Marketing and AI’s Role12:21 AI Integration at Get Visible14:31 Insights from I Need More Clients15:58 Navigating Entrepreneurial Shiny Object Syndrome17:20 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs17:59 What’s Next for Get Visible and the Digital Marketing Landscape20:07 Rapid-Fire Questions