INspired INsider Podcast

Salman Sajun, Founder of SSS, shares secrets of excelling in the creative industry. He discusses transitioning from corporate to creative hub, company culture, and the intricate process behind design-driven animation. The podcast explores the importance of partnerships, collaborations, and motivating teams for success, highlighting projects during COVID-19 like handcrafted puppets for a government agency.

Serial entrepreneur Susan Groeneveld shares insights on marketing in agriculture and animal health, transitioning from agency to tech startup. She discusses team building, partnerships, and purpose-driven business. The podcast explores WS's evolution, agile hiring, core team structure, milestones with Bayer Animal Health, and innovative agricultural event marketing strategies.

Guest Chris Vendilli, an ex-Air Force member turned successful digital marketer, shares his journey from law enforcement to agency ownership, including strategic growth through acquisitions. He humorously recalls responding to a noise complaint and discusses transforming a client's digital presence with impressive results.

Paul Jarrett is the Co-founder and CEO of Bulu, a company in the business of creating private-label subscription box businesses for some of the world’s biggest brands such as Disney, Clorox, GNC, and Discovery Channel. Paul and his Co-founder and wife, Stephanie, launched Bulu Box, Bulu’s flagship program in 2012 as the sixth subscription box to the market. Bulu pioneered taking subscription boxes from concept to creation and now they ship millions of boxes to happy subscribers nationwide. They specialize in working with multibillion-dollar retail brands by offering innovative solutions to go to consumers and they also offer e-commerce brands turnkey services such as customer service and fulfillment. Paul quickly gained recognition as a trailblazer and has been featured in the Entrepreneur Magazine, Forbes, PBS, Inc., CBS News, and many other major media outlets. In this episode… Have you ever wondered what it takes to navigate the complexities of e-commerce and logistics to turn a simple idea into a booming business? How does one go from packing boxes in a studio apartment to managing a 100,000-square foot warehouse while helping brands adapt and grow? Paul Jarrett's journey from running a subscription box service to leading a logistics powerhouse offers invaluable lessons in business transformation. His diverse background, spanning collegiate football, MMA, and roles at industry giants like Disney and GNC, adds a unique dimension to his story. The evolution of his company from a modest startup to a logistics leader exemplifies persistence, innovation, and strategic growth. Through Bulu Group, Paul and his team have mastered the art of providing customizable logistics solutions, enabling brands of all sizes to deliver their products to customers efficiently and affordably. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz hosts Paul Jarrett, Co-founder and CEO of Bulu, to discuss the importance of relationships, both in terms of networking and in running a business with his wife, Stephanie Jarrett. He emphasizes the value of grit, adaptability, and the willingness to challenge industry norms to create win-win solutions for clients. This conversation is packed with insights on leveraging technology and strategic thinking to overcome logistical hurdles, streamline operations, and dramatically increase a brand's reach and efficiency.

Steve Whittington is the President of Roadmap Agency, a firm dedicated to driving business results for small to medium enterprises. With a deep background as a “recovering executive” and private consultant, he focuses on helping companies achieve at least 2x growth. Steve is the agency's driving force, specializing in a comprehensive approach that includes strategy, brand development, demand generation, sales, and customer retention. He is also the CEO of BoomBright Media, a startup that is bringing leading-edge digital display signage to the marketplace combined with creative services to develop unique immersive brand experiences. Steve is the author of Thriving In The Customer Age. In this episode… Are you struggling to scale your business effectively? What if there was a method to streamline your brand, sales, and marketing strategies simultaneously? Are you wondering how to align your organization for long-term success? Growth expert Steve Whittington delves into the transformative world of strategic business growth. He shares invaluable insights from his dual roles as President of Roadmap Agency and CEO of BoomBright Media, detailing how they meticulously navigated the merger of two agencies to create a unified, results-driven organization. He also underscores the necessity of emotional intelligence in leadership, the art of strategic patience, and the immense potential of integrating AI into sales processes. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Steve Whittington, President of Roadmap Agency, about scaling business initiatives and refining the sales process. Steve explains how he runs the Roadmap, the fusion of two smaller agencies to meet the vision of providing a full suite of tools for the market, Roadmap's approach to identifying a client's real needs beyond their initial request, and BoomBright Media's journey from trial to successful launch.

Mikey Richardson is Co-founder of Jacknife, a Toronto-based creative powerhouse focused on helping organizations build value through brand and design. He is a seasoned entrepreneur with an educational background in art and a passion for creativity and graphic design. Mikey's entrepreneurial journey began by co-founding a company in 1996 that eventually merged to form Jacknife. Under his leadership, the agency has worked with notable clients like Nike and has undertaken various projects from branding to workspace design. In this episode… In the competitive world of branding and design, finding your niche and standing out can seem daunting. But what if the secret to success is found not in what you present outwardly, but in the roots and core of your brand? Could an honest reflection on your company's identity yield the transformation you've been seeking? Certified graphic designer Mikey Richardson talks about harnessing the true potential of brands through creative design. He shares the intriguing journey from starting a company fresh from art school to merging his passions into the renowned agency, Jacknife. Mikey delves into the pivotal moments that define Jacknife, including crucial client acquisitions and critical business decisions while maintaining a creative spirit at its core. His approach to branding is not about flashy presentations, but grounded in genuinely understanding and representing a brand's story and values. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Mikey Richardson, Co-founder of Jacknife, about the transformative power of brand creativity. Mikey talks about his transition from an art school graduate to a brand agency owner, the evolution of services offered by Jacknife, and insights into the thinking behind Jacknife's strategic, design, and content creation process.

Jason Friedman is the Founder of CXFormula. Through CXFormula he helps fast-growing, entrepreneurial companies gain an unfair advantage over their competition. His clients range from solopreneurs to companies like Foot Locker, Adidas, Nike, W Hotels, Universal Studios, Disney, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Fidelity, Stanford University, and Harvard University. In 2008, Jason sold his first company Creative Realities in the high 8-figures. He has started and successfully exited four other businesses. In this episode… Have you ever wondered how some companies create unforgettable experiences that keep customers coming back for more? Is there a secret recipe for designing a customer journey that leaves a lasting impression? How does one tap into the innovative world of customer experience design and transform it into measurable success? Customer experience expert Jason Friedman reveals how to overcome the inertia that hinders customers and employees from engaging fully with your business. He shares CXFormula's approach to crafting journeys that resonate with audiences and drive remarkable results. Jason introduces the Kinetic Customer Formula, a system combining theater techniques and business strategy to create powerful customer experiences. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Jason Friedman, Founder of CXFormula, about customer experience design. Jason talks about the unique approach of CX Formula to enhance customer journeys for businesses, how to overcome the common friction points in business, and the structure and offerings of the Kinetic Customer Formula program.

Ben Dankiw is the Founder of NAV43, a digital marketing agency specializing in full-funnel digital marketing through paid media and SEO. With over 12 years of experience in the industry, he has worked with many prestigious clients, including Canadian Tire, Porsche, Ceridian, and TouchBistro. Ben began his career in paid media before developing a passion for SEO around 2015. He has successfully grown NAV43 by focusing on small- to medium-sized businesses, fostering strong relationships, and keeping abreast of digital trends and changes. In this episode… Just how complex has the world of digital marketing become? With data privacy making headlines and algorithms constantly changing, businesses find it overwhelming to keep up. How can you navigate these challenges and still find success? Results-driven digital advertiser Ben Dankiw shares how his agency has adapted to significant changes in the digital marketing landscape. He unpacks the evolution of his agency and its niche, moving from a restaurant-focused strategy to becoming a specialist in performance marketing. He details how content updates from Google have changed the game for content marketers, emphasizing the power of community and relationships in building a successful agency. The discussion also touches on the importance of a morning routine and creating a community-driven platform for sharing morning habits. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Ben Dankiw, Founder of NAV43, about navigating digital marketing changes. Ben explores how NAV43 has thrived amidst the evolving digital world, the challenges and opportunities within the digital space, the impact of AI on content strategy, and the agency’s experience with notable clients like Quark and Transformer Table.

Payam Zamani is the Founder and CEO of One Planet Group, a hybrid tech firm that embodies his principles of combining business with a life of service. He is an Iranian-born entrepreneur, investor, and author who fled his homeland as a teen due to religious persecution. Payam co-founded AutoWeb, one of the first online car marketplaces, which went public in 1999. He is also the author of Crossing The Desert, an autobiography reflecting on his experiences of perseverance and embracing life's demanding journeys. Payam is a mission-driven individual who has invested in numerous companies while committed to improving the world. In this episode… Imagine fleeing your country at the age of 16, escaping religious persecution, and embarking on a perilous journey. Now, fast-forward a decade to find yourself at the helm of a publicly traded company worth millions. Serial entrepreneur Payam Zamani explores his powerful story, from leaving Iran to his tremendous success and challenges in the business world. He shares the emotional backstory of his early days in Iran, his culture shock upon arriving in the US, and his potent entrepreneurial spirit, which led to the creation of AutoWeb and his tech firm One Planet Group. Payam’s testament to surviving and thriving shows a relentless pursuit of a business that benefits humanity. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Payam Zamani, Founder and CEO of One Planet Group, about his journey from a refugee to a tech magnate and philanthropist. Payam opens up about the moments that shaped him, the core philosophies that drive his investments and business decisions, and how he's leveraging his vast experience to create a better world through One Planet Group.

Greg Hickman is the Founder of AltAgency, where he has trained and consulted over 700 agency owners, freelancers, and service providers. Greg specializes in helping businesses productize their services, monetize their expertise, and implement systems to improve client success and free up their time. With a wealth of experience from being a project manager at a large agency to founding his own successful agency, Greg has a deep understanding of the digital and creative agency space. He has a knack for creating systematic sales experiences and building team processes that scale. In this episode… In an ever-evolving digital landscape, how can agency owners, freelancers, and service providers navigate the challenges of scaling, systematizing, and productizing their services? Can the journey from hands-on service provider to a more leveraged business model really be achieved without losing the essence of what made the business successful in the first place? Greg Hickman, a growth marketing expert, melds productizing services, implementing systematic sales and fulfillment processes, and building the right team and systems to free up the owner's time. Through his work, Greg has demonstrated that it's possible to scale an agency or service-based business without being bogged down by custom, labor-intensive work. He emphasizes the importance of moving away from traditional time-for-money service models towards offering productized services or consulting packages that deliver value while optimizing operational efficiency. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Greg Hickman, the Founder of AltAgency, to discuss the opportunities and challenges of restructuring services within agencies. Greg takes listeners through his journey of creating a productized service that leveraged his niche expertise, sharing transformative insights on transitioning from big agency structures to smaller, nimble businesses and navigating the hard decisions in pivoting an agency towards productized services.