Make sure to subscribe to our new channel at @bizdevpod for more deep dives into innovation, growth, and startup strategy. David Hirshfield — 35-year tech veteran, founder of Tekyz Corp, and host of the Scaling Smarter podcast — joins us to share what it really takes to build, scale, and sustain a successful startup in today’s AI-driven world. In this deep-dive conversation, David unpacks his Launch First approach, which flips the traditional startup model by focusing on validation and sales bef...
May 12, 2025•57 min•Ep. 167
Ernesto Mandowsky is helping entrepreneurs turn chaos into clarity by systemizing their businesses for sustainable growth. With a background spanning hospitality, tech, and consulting—including a chief of staff role at a fast-scaling POS startup and experience at Deloitte—Ernesto blends operational excellence with creativity. As the founder of the Million Dollar Machine framework and author of Momentum Multipliers, he teaches solopreneurs how to scale without burning out by treating business lik...
Apr 04, 2025•31 min•Ep. 166
Sctacy Bishop is helping FinTech founders close more deals by turning technical brilliance into sales clarity. With over two decades of experience at Jack Henry and a deep understanding of the banking world, Stacey now leads Selling FinTech, where she empowers startups to position their products effectively, build strategic partnerships, and master the art of selling to financial institutions. In this episode, we discuss why sales success starts with empathy, clarity, and structured conversation...
Mar 31, 2025•47 min•Ep. 168
Jennifer Fondrevay is helping leaders navigate the emotional side of mergers and acquisitions with deep expertise drawn from years in executive roles and consulting. As the founder of Day One Ready and author of Now What? A Survivor’s Guide for Thriving Through Mergers and Acquisitions , she supports organizations in building people-first strategies that drive successful integrations. In this episode, we discussed why the emotional toll of M&A is often underestimated—and how grief, identity ...
Mar 21, 2025•43 min•Ep. 164
Can trust be measured, coached, and improved using AI? In this episode, we sit down with Rowland Hirst, President of Relate Research and Technology Co , to explore how AI-driven technology is revolutionizing the way businesses build trust with clients and partners. 🔹 Why trustworthiness can be objectively measured and how AI acts like a coach for professionals. 🔹 The problem with traditional trust metrics like CSAT and NPS – and why they don’t capture the full picture. 🔹 How AI-driven trust m...
Mar 17, 2025•40 min•Ep. 163
What makes Disney one of the most successful brands in the world? The answer lies in systems, marketing, and customer experience. In this episode, we sit down with Vance Morris, a former Disney leader and expert in customer service, business systems, and direct response marketing, to break down the billion-dollar playbook that can transform any business. 🎯 In this episode, we cover: ✅ How Disney’s systems create freedom and help businesses scale effortlessly. ✅ Why direct response marketing and...
Mar 12, 2025•44 min•Ep. 162
In this episode of the Horizon Search Podcast, we dive deep into the reality of building a business with Erik Caputo, co-founder of Evenda, an AI-driven sponsorship marketplace that’s revolutionizing how events and brands connect. With years of experience consulting Fortune 500 companies at Deloitte, Erik shares the unfiltered truth about entrepreneurship and what it really takes to succeed. Why branding beats cold sales—How to establish credibility and trust in your market. How AI is reshaping ...
Mar 10, 2025•43 min•Ep. 161
AI and technology are transforming the legal industry, making justice more accessible, faster, and fairer than ever before. In this episode, we sit down with Rich Lee, Co-Founder & CEO of New Era ADR, to discuss how his platform is reshaping dispute resolution with a 100-day arbitration model and flat-fee pricing—cutting down years of legal battles into months. In this episode, we cover: Why the traditional legal system is broken—delays, high costs, and legal loopholes. How New Era ADR is re...
Mar 07, 2025•42 min•Ep. 160
What if everything you thought you knew about AI, automation, and business success was a lie? Daniel Theobald, founder of Vecna Robotics and a pioneer in robotics and AI, reveals the truth that the rich don’t want you to know—from why most venture-backed startups fail to how AI is overhyped, and the mental toll of entrepreneurship no one talks about. In this episode, we cover: Why AI and humanoid robots aren’t the game-changers they claim to be How 19 out of 20 VC-backed startups fail—and how to...
Mar 05, 2025•51 min•Ep. 159
Nuo Jiang has built a career at the intersection of corporate leadership, AI innovation, and entrepreneurship . With experience at major global companies like Vodafone and Huawei , he made the bold decision to leave the corporate world and launch Ground AI . Now, he helps businesses scale through audience-led growth and automation , leveraging AI-driven strategies to drive success. How innovation and competition shape global markets The transition from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship Th...
Mar 03, 2025•46 min•Ep. 158
After building two billion-dollar business units, Steve Walsh walked away from the corporate world in 2018. Burned out but driven by a new mission, he turned his focus to helping early-stage founders raise capital, scale revenue, and accelerate growth. Now, as a Contrarian Investor and Techstars mentor, he's invested in 66 startups, with 35 reaching Series A, and his portfolio raising over $1.2 billion collectively. But what’s his secret? In this episode, we discuss: Why founders—not products—de...
Feb 28, 2025•40 min•Ep. 157
Howard Rosen, a leading innovator in healthcare technology, shares insights on how AI is reshaping patient care, streamlining medical workflows, and enabling precision medicine. With a background in film production and health tech, he has developed cutting-edge AI-driven solutions while keeping human connection at the core of healthcare. Having worked with organizations like the U.S. Armed Forces and the VA , Howard has led programs that have saved lives, uncovered critical patient insights, and...
Feb 26, 2025•49 min•Ep. 156
Robert Wolcott is an innovation expert and early-stage venture investor with a robust background in economics and emerging technologies, as he reveals how digital transformation is reshaping business models. He explains how digital innovations compress capabilities to drive value creation precisely when and where it matters. He also emphasizes the power of embracing small-scale experiments and managing the cost of learning as key drivers for sustainable growth. Discover how he has been at the fo...
Feb 25, 2025•48 min•Ep. 155
Neil Twa returns for another deep dive into the strategies that turn e-commerce brands into seven-figure businesses. Neil has spent over 20 years helping brands scale to seven and eight figures on Amazon and beyond. His expertise in AI-driven automation, multi-channel expansion, and data-backed decision-making has helped countless entrepreneurs optimize their operations and increase profitability. 🔗 Save hours with top business hacks every Friday: https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe 🔹 LinkedI...
Feb 21, 2025•40 min•Ep. 154
Chris Tatge went from framing houses to building Wisconsin’s largest framing contractor and one of the fastest-growing building materials suppliers . In this episode, he shares: ✅ His transition from hands-on labor to leadership ✅ How to scale a construction business efficiently ✅ The role of risk management and cash flow in rapid growth 🎧 Save hours with top business hacks every Friday: 👉 Subscribe Here 🔗 Connect with Chris: LinkedIn DC Materials 📌 Chapters: 0:00 Intro 3:26 Industry Leaders...
Feb 19, 2025•23 min•Ep. 153
Jamie Crosbie, sales expert and founder of ProActivate , reveals how to break through limiting beliefs, build high-performing sales teams, and scale businesses effectively . Mindset is the number one factor in sales success. Jamie explains why top sales professionals and leaders succeed not just because of skill but because of the way they think. She also shares her proven three-step process for hiring and retaining elite sales talent . Whether you are a startup or scaling to a powerhouse busine...
Feb 17, 2025•45 min•Ep. 152
Shaun Arora is transforming how businesses approach neurodiversity in the workplace. As a COO, coach, and advisor , he has helped organizations create inclusive workflows that turn neurodivergence into a competitive advantage . In this episode, we discuss why psychological safety is crucial , how flexibility in work structures can boost productivity , and why shifting from labels to strengths is the key to building high-performing teams. If you're ready to transform your workplace and unlock the...
Feb 15, 2025•30 min•Ep. 151
Madeleine Raiford-Holland went from working as a COO in a family business to building a multi-seven-figure short-term rental empire. Through years of experience, she has mastered the art of creating automated, guest-focused rental businesses that generate both time and financial freedom. In this episode, she shares how consistency in content and branding played a major role in her success, why guest experience and automation are non-negotiables for serious hosts, and what it truly takes to break...
Feb 12, 2025•37 min•Ep. 150
Michael McLean is empowering entrepreneurs to scale their businesses by mastering the art of sales, cultivating the right mindset, and creating a long-term vision. He highlights why taking full responsibility for your success is the ultimate game-changer and how it can accelerate your growth. 🔗 Save hours with top business hacks every Friday: thesearchlight.com/subscribe 🎙 Connect with Michael: YouTube YouTube Facebook ⏳ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 03:15 Lessons on Respon...
Feb 10, 2025•48 min•Ep. 149
Blaine Bartlett, a renowned leadership expert and founder of Avatar Resources, shares his expertise on leadership, communication, and personal growth. With over 40 years of experience, Blaine highlights the importance of adapting your communication style when working with different cultures and explains how mastering the art of language interpretation can help you convey true meaning. 🔗 Save hours with top business hacks every Friday: https://thesearchlight.com/subscribe Connect with Blaine Bar...
Feb 07, 2025•51 min
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 ...
Feb 05, 2025•33 min
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 empo...
Feb 03, 2025•56 min
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 pr...
Jan 31, 2025•44 min
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 b...
Jan 29, 2025•41 min•Ep. 144
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. �...
Jan 27, 2025•45 min•Ep. 143
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....
Jan 24, 2025•45 min
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 K...
Jan 22, 2025•29 min•Ep. 141
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 Impo...
Jan 20, 2025•38 min•Ep. 140
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://ww...
Jan 17, 2025•49 min•Ep. 139
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: LinkedIn Book: I Need More Clients 📺 Watch more episodes: ▶️ Entrepreneurial Challenges & Innovat...
Jan 16, 2025•21 min•Ep. 138
