INspired INsider Podcast

Stephanie Kochorek is Co-founder and Creative Director of Daughter Creative, a company helping businesses connect through various mediums by developing and overseeing communication strategies. Stephanie's journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence, drawing from her extensive experience working with Fortune 500 brands across Canada and the US. With a global perspective ingrained in their approach to branding, Stephanie and her team craft transformative narratives that resonate on an international scale. In this episode… A successful organization is shaped by the intricate interplay between branding, leadership, and team dynamics. As these elements intertwine, they form a tapestry of influence that drives businesses forward. How can these foundational pillars align to sculpt the future of industries worldwide? Branding entrepreneur Stephanie Kochorek believes in the transformative power of bold branding. She recounts her experience rebranding a business, which breathed new life into the brand, streamlined the hiring process, and ultimately led to the company's acquisition. Stephanie draws from the insights of Jungian archetypes to craft brand personalities for clients and navigate interpersonal dynamics within her team. By utilizing diverse talents and promoting teamwork, you can create a cohesive and impactful brand narrative that drives connection and engagement. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Stephanie Kochorek, Co-founder and Creative Director of Daughter Creative, to talk about effective branding and leadership. Stephanie discusses helping companies rebrand, what it takes to be a good leader, and how to create effective teams.

Scott Knox is the President and CEO of the Institute of Canadian Agencies, the nonprofit association for Canadian advertising, marketing, media, and public relations agencies. He is also the Founder of PrideAM, the world's first LGBTQ+ advocacy group in advertising and marketing. With nearly 30 years of professional experience, Scott is recognized among the top 25 most powerful LGBTQ+ leaders in British business by The Telegraph. After a significant career in the UK he moved to Canada, bringing his passion for agency transformation and inclusivity to the ICA. Scott works to enhance the collective potential of Canadian agencies, protect the interests of agency members, and champion equitable representation in the industry. In this episode… Have you ever wondered what makes an advertising agency thrive in today's competitive environment? Scott Knox believes it takes more than just creative talent and hard work. But how did he help redirect the focus from time-intensive commoditization to value-based success? LGBTQ+ leader Scott Knox, with his drive for improvement and equity, is reshaping the landscape of the Canadian advertising industry. He discusses the challenges of outdated pricing models, the significance of networking and partnerships within the agency realm, and how the Institute of Canadian Agencies' training and consultancy services help reshape the agencies' strategic horizons. Scott's journey and the initiation of PrideAM highlight his dedication to inclusion and diversity in the workforce. His dynamic leadership ushers in a change where agencies aspire to be valued for the results they drive rather than the hours they log. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Scott Knox, President and CEO of the Institute of Canadian Agencies, about his journey and unwavering advocacy for change and inclusivity. Scott discusses how ICA helps agencies through its collective approach to industry challenges, common misconceptions about client pricing and procurement relationships, how agencies can adopt ROI-based pricing, and the real-life experiences that inspired him to found PrideAM.

Ali Mirza is the Founder and CEO of Rose Garden Consulting, renowned for guiding seven- and eight-figure founders in scaling their sales operations. Having personally closed over $400 million in deals, Ali has a track record of elevating companies onto the Inc. 500 fastest-growing list and seeing them through successful acquisitions. He is the author of Predictable Closing and Radical Leadership, and his influential work has been spotlighted in Forbes and Business Insider. With a focus on systematic approaches to sales, Ali's leadership has transformed founders into leaders who achieve predictable, scalable revenue growth. In this episode… Are you tired of the never-ending chase for the next big client and the sheer unpredictability of revenue growth? What if the way you have been doing sales is not just ineffective, but also destructive to your company's future? Could it be time for a radical change in your approach? Thought leader in sales Ali Mirza offers a compelling look at the often-overlooked aspects of sales teams and leadership that can make or break an agency's success. He reveals that the biggest obstacle to sales growth can be the founders themselves, stuck in ego-driven patterns that stifle progress. Ali dives into the all-too-common problems of inefficient sales leadership, weak positioning, and a lack of accountability — a trifecta that hinders many. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Ali Mirza, Founder and CEO of Rose Garden Consulting, about shifting from founder-led sales to scalable teams. Ali shares a no-nonsense rundown on why strong leadership and results-focused strategies are non-negotiable in the high-stakes world of agency sales, his holistic approach that led to monumental growth during his time as a CRO, and how embracing direct conversations can transform your sales approach.

Dylan Staniul is the Principal and Design Team Leader of Burnkit, a design studio known for its creative and investigative approach to branding. With over two decades of experience, Dylan has judged prestigious design competitions for publications including Communication Arts, Applied Arts, and Strategy and garnered the trust of industry giants. His diverse client experiences have turned Burnkit into a success story, emphasizing the harmony of classic design principles with fresh, innovative ideas. Beyond branding, Dylan draws inspiration from various sources, including history, art, and the varied industries of his clients. In this episode… Have you ever wondered why brands that seem to be doing well still opt for a makeover? Is it possible that a successful track record might hold back an organization's brand identity? How do branding experts breathe new life into already thriving companies? Dylan Staniul, a brand design expert, delves into the fine art of branding and the process behind transforming the identity of successful organizations. Discussing the importance of the initial discovery phase, he emphasizes the importance of involving decision-makers early on and preparing clients for a wide range of creative possibilities. The conversation pivots to dissecting common brands' mistakes and how keeping it simple can often be more effective than trying to "wow" at every opportunity. Dylan also shares his entrepreneurial journey and why being a "design omnivore" has become a distinctive strength for his studio. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Dylan Staniul, Principal and Design Team Leader of Burnkit, about the power of branding and the creative process. Dylan shares how he incorporates his father's sales wisdom into the design and branding world, Burnkit's customer success stories, the creative process from discovery to delivering multiple branding options for client consideration, and how to avoid common branding mistakes.

Jonathan Tilley is the CEO of ZonGuru, a comprehensive software toolset designed to help e-commerce brands and agencies scale their products on Amazon. With a background in digital advertising and firsthand experience as an Amazon seller, Jon spent over 15 years in the industry before stepping into the entrepreneurship world with ZonGuru in 2017. Under his leadership, the company has seen significant growth in product offerings and in serving a global marketplace, including the US, Europe, Australia, and India. In this episode… Have you ever wondered what it takes to make a brand flourish on Amazon? With the e-commerce landscape becoming increasingly competitive, finding the right tools and strategies can mean the difference between obscurity and success. But where does one begin the journey of elevating their Amazon presence? E-commerce expert Jonathan Tilley shares the inside story of overcoming early challenges in the SaaS world to construct a leading toolset for Amazon sellers and agencies. From humble beginnings to strategies for growth, he recounts the milestones ZonGuru achieved, including the critical decision to focus on key features that set the company apart. Jon emphasizes the importance of company culture, stressing ZonGuru's practice of incentivizing team members to become Amazon sellers themselves, ensuring that the products and features they develop resonate with their target audience's needs. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Jonathan Tilley, CEO of ZonGuru, about his journey with ZonGuru and the future of e-commerce SaaS solutions. Jon talks about the tools ZonGuru offers for scaling brands on Amazon, the significance of building the right team and company culture, how to create tech specifically tailored for agencies, and how ZonGuru's growth audit can maximize an Amazon seller's potential revenue.

Justin Cook is the President of Internet Marketing and Development at 9thCO, a Canadian digital agency that specializes in b2b and e-commerce development and marketing. Under his leadership, 9thCO has focused on massive migrations from legacy website technology to what Justin describes as "headless composable architecture," enhancing SEO, PPC, and cybersecurity for their clients. In this episode… In the ever-evolving digital landscape, staying ahead of technological innovations is not just an advantage, but a necessity. How does one transition from traditional web technologies to pioneering in the realm of headless composable architecture? Could this be the future of e-commerce and SEO, offering solutions to longstanding issues of scalability, security, and speed? Justin Cook, President of 9thCO, a Canadian digital agency, shares how his team embraced headless composable architecture. Initially focused on SEO, PPC, and custom web development, 9thCO transformed by adopting this emerging technology. By using cloud-based systems through secured APIs, they achieved better scalability, enhanced security, and improved SEO performance. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz hosts Justin Cook, President of Internet Marketing & Development at 9thCO, to talk about leveraging headless composable architecture for e-commerce and SEO. Justin shares insights into how this technology solves common e-commerce problems, such as server overload during high traffic periods and vulnerability to cyber-attacks, by decentralizing the website's components. Their discussion covers the business aspects of adopting new technologies, including market repositioning challenges, the importance of internal culture during change, and strategic hires that facilitated 9thCO's successful pivot.

Martha van Berkel is the CEO and Co-founder of Schema App, a SaaS company specializing in translating web content for search engines and machines. With a background in mathematics and engineering, Martha possesses a superpower in articulating AI and search complexities to marketing leaders. Having worked with top-tier companies like Gusto and SAP, she brings a wealth of experience to digital marketing. Martha has an impressive history, including a 14-year tenure at Cisco, before venturing into entrepreneurship with Schema App. She leads her team in providing innovative SEO solutions and prides herself on cultivating a culture of transparency, ownership, and hope. In this episode… Have you ever wondered how search engines understand the content of your web pages? With ever-evolving algorithms and increasing complexity, ensuring your digital content is discoverable can be daunting. How can enterprises remain competitive and visible in this rapidly changing digital landscape? High-energy entrepreneur Martha van Berkel dives into the world of Schema Markup and knowledge graphs. She shares how her company helps enterprises translate their web content into the language of search engines, enhancing their discoverability. Martha discusses the journey of Schema App from its early editor version to its current sophisticated offerings that enable complex data structuring at scale. She sheds light on the innovation, agility, and customer-centric focus that has propelled Schema App into long-standing partnerships with renowned companies. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Martha van Berkel, Co-founder and CEO of Schema App, about translating web content into the language of search engines. Martha explains how Schema App's technology enables improved search engine results, the critical role knowledge graphs play in today's AI-driven search economy, the common challenges enterprises face when managing SEO in-house, and her vision for the future of SEO.

Raphael Paulin-Daigle is the CEO of SplitBase, an e-commerce conversion optimization agency for fashion, luxury, and lifestyle brands. SplitBase combines rigorous customer research with A/B and AI testing to enable long-term growth for DTC luxury brands. SplitBase is at the forefront of conversion optimization, generating revenues of over $1 million for famous brands like Kiehl's and its parent company L'Oréal, and increasing conversions by double digits for many DTC brands like DIFF Eyewear and Dr. Squatch. Before founding SplitBase, Raphael led special projects at Blockstream and was a digital marketing consultant. Raphael also hosts the Minds of Ecommerce Podcast, where he interviews founders and executives of highly successful brands on their top growth strategies. In this episode… Are you looking for ways to boost your online store's performance but feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice? What if there was a method that could help you sift through the noise and optimize your sales efficiently? Can understanding the art and the science behind successful e-commerce strategies lead to tangible growth? Raphael Paulin-Daigle, an experienced professional in the e-commerce world, unveils the intricacies of elevating an e-commerce brand to its fullest potential. He addresses common missteps companies make, such as rushing A/B tests and blindly applying industry best practices. Raphael emphasizes the critical importance of customer-centric research and data-driven decision-making to tailor your website for peak conversions. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Raphael Paulin-Daigle, CEO of SplitBase, about maximizing e-commerce growth. Raphael explores the nuances of A/B testing and why quick, superficial results can be deceiving, applying the "Testing Trifecta" method for effective conversion optimization, the common mistakes brands make with A/B testing, and SplitBase customer success stories.

Dustin Titus is the Chief Digital Officer at ZoomerMedia and the Agency President of t1tus/one. As a veteran in the digital marketing field with over 17 years of experience, Dustin has fostered a client-focused approach delivering white-glove experiences and high-impact advertising campaigns. With a background in computer science, he's adept at merging technical strategy with creative marketing and has led t1tus/one to a successful acquisition by ZoomerMedia. Dustin values autonomy, agile marketing methods, and empowering his team to live their best lives, keeping them central to the process throughout his growth journey. In this episode… Have you ever wondered how a digital marketing agency navigates the constant evolution of advertising, publishing, and technology integration to deliver high-impact results? How does an agency not only adapt, but thrive in the complex landscape of digital marketing, where consumer engagement and technical challenges demand innovative solutions? What does it take for such an agency to catch the eyes of larger media companies? Dustin Titus delves into the evolution of t1tus/one from its founding, focusing on high-touch digital marketing methods, to its strategic acquisition by ZoomerMedia. Dustin shares his insights on carving niches, particularly in monetizing publishing networks and fostering strong professional relationships that can lead to transformative opportunities. He offers a candid look at how he navigated the acquisition process, including valuation, deal negotiations, and ensuring his team remained empowered every step of the way. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Dustin Titus, the Chief Digital Officer at ZoomerMedia and the Agency President of t1tus/one, to discuss agency acquisitions. The two explore Dustin's journey, examining the strategies and philosophies that have defined his success. Learn how his choices reflect his values, and uncover the approach and resources that have empowered him to make impactful decisions in steering both his company and his own career.

Manon Rouillier is the Founder of Rouillier, a communications agency specializing in mining and manufacturing industries in Quebec. With a background rooted in a family of entrepreneurs and a passion for strategic marketing, she has grown her agency since 2009 to serve predominantly French-speaking companies. Manon serves as a board member of MBI Global and is active in the Women in Mining chapter in Quebec. She also hosts a French-language mining podcast, Minier, sharing industry insights and fostering a community around mining innovation. In this episode… Have you ever wondered what sets niche marketing agencies apart from the rest? While many agencies struggle with a generalized approach, some have discovered the secrets to excelling in specific industries. But how much value do they bring, and what do they do differently? Manon Rouillier, Founder of Rouillier, a Quebec City-based communication agency focused on the mining and manufacturing industries, explores these questions. With a philosophy rooted in hands-on, strategy-driven services, she shares the trajectory of her agency from its conception during maternity leave to its current position as a niche leader. She discusses the advantages and challenges of ultra-focused specialization, how traditional marketing methods like trade shows remain relevant, and the importance of adopting a platform-specific strategy for LinkedIn. With a laser focus on the mining and manufacturing sectors and a unique client base, Manon shares the secret sauce to her agency's rise and how staying in the niche has paid off. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Manon Rouillier, Founder of Rouillier, about her unique strategy for building a niche marketing agency. Manon talks about the Rouillier communication agency that tailors to the French-speaking mining industry, its service evolution, the challenges and opportunities within the mining industry and b2b marketing, and the public misperceptions about the mining industry.