Join us for an inspiring episode of Symplicity Conversations as we sit down with Becky Puckett-Wood, Vice President of Business Development at Inforum. Dive into Becky's journey from vendor to mission-driven leader, and discover how Inforum is accelerating leadership for women through strategic connections and community support. We explore the magic of Inforum's networking, where relationships transform careers and businesses. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or just curious about the p...
Jul 08, 2025•47 min•Ep. 28
Join host Catherine Ripley and Director of Marketing Doug Seites as they reflect on the first half of 2025 in this special episode of Symplicity Conversations. Dive into the stories behind their business successes, personal transformations, and the vibrant community connections that have shaped their journey. Discover how embracing change, celebrating achievements, and prioritizing personal well-being have fueled their growth. From industry accolades to heartfelt personal stories, this episode o...
Jul 01, 2025•44 min•Ep. 27
Dive into an inspiring conversation with former Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and Monica Steimle-App, Senior VP at Rockford Construction. In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, host Catherine Ripley explores the dynamic journeys of these remarkable woman leaders as they discuss the power of community-centered leadership, the importance of meaningful connections, and the impact of women supporting women in business. Discover actionable insights on navigating career transitions, the role...
Jun 24, 2025•50 min•Ep. 26
Join us as Catherine Ripley and Alex Mead, Chief Technology Officer for City Innovations, dive into the world of AI, debunking myths and exploring its real-world applications. Discover how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation are transforming industries and creating new opportunities for businesses of all sizes. From practical tips on integrating AI responsibly to insightful discussions on the future of technology in the workplace, this episode is packed with valuable insigh...
Jun 17, 2025•42 min•Ep. 25
Join Catherine Ripley as she sits down with Alicia Carlson and Camille Widme from Blue Team Alpha to explore the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity. Discover how Blue Team Alpha is helping businesses stay ahead of cyber threats with proactive strategies and robust incident response services. From the rise of AI-driven phishing attacks to the importance of fostering a security-conscious culture, this episode unpacks the critical elements every company needs to consider. Tune in to learn how to ...
Jun 10, 2025•46 min•Ep. 24
Join Catherine Ripley on Symplicity Conversations as she sits down with Camron Gnass, founder of Traction Brands, to explore the essence of effective branding. Discover how Traction Brands helps businesses grow with clarity and confidence by challenging conventional thinking and asking the right questions. Camron shares insights on the importance of positioning in the marketplace, the role of curiosity, and the impact of community involvement. Whether you're a business owner or a creative thinke...
Jun 03, 2025•48 min•Ep. 23
In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, Catherine Ripley sits down with Roberta McCarter, the founder of Novus Data Journeys. Together, they take a look at the transformative power of data and the unexpected yet exciting leap into entrepreneurship. Discover how Roberta’s extensive experience with Fortune 100 companies led her to embrace the challenges and rewards of starting her own business. Explore the vital role of data in small and mid-sized businesses and learn how a well-crafted data ...
May 27, 2025•50 min•Ep. 22
In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, host Catherine Ripley dives into the transformative world of AI and automation with Alex Levin, Co-Founder and CEO of RegalAI, and Mandi Jarman, Strategic Director at RegalAI. Discover how RegalAI is revolutionizing customer interactions by harnessing the power of voice AI to create meaningful connections. Explore the journey from skepticism to innovation as Alex and Mandi share insights on building autonomous AI agents that outperform traditional met...
May 20, 2025•43 min•Ep. 21
In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, host Catherine Ripley sits down with Rene' Nutter of ABT Global. The two talk about how innovation, relationships, and community shape today's business landscape. Rene' shares her fascinating journey from culinary arts to government contracting, highlighting the pivotal role of networking and mentorship. They explore the intersection of technology and government, and how automation and AI are transforming industries. This episode offers valuable insig...
May 13, 2025•44 min•Ep. 20
In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, join host Catherine Ripley as she talks about our transformative success story with Sean Shaughnessy and George Foland from RingCentral. Discover how a major West Michigan grocery chain revolutionized its communication infrastructure through a landmark deal in the Unified Communication as a Service (UCaaS) space and how Symplicity landed the record-setting deal delivered big for the client. Explore the challenges and triumphs of deploying at scale, th...
May 06, 2025•57 min•Ep. 19
We explore the dynamic world of leadership with Dr. Dino Signore, a renowned business psychologist. Host Catherine Ripley dives deep into the challenges and mindset shifts required to transition from a startup to a thriving second-stage business. Discover the importance of emotional intelligence, how to build a management team that complements your strengths, and the role of peer support in fostering innovation. Whether you're an entrepreneur or a business leader, this episode is packed with val...
Apr 29, 2025•50 min•Ep. 18
In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, host Catherine Ripley dives into the impact of dreaming big and achieving remarkable milestones in business. Joined by Doug Seites, Director of Marketing at Symplicity, they discuss the significance of being nominated for and winning prestigious awards, such as their recent Intellisys Platinum Partner recognition, and how these achievements reflect the hard work and dedication of the entire team. Catherine shares her personal journey, the importance o...
Apr 22, 2025•38 min•Ep. 17
Join us for an insightful episode of Symplicity Conversations, where host Catherine Ripley sits down with Erin Stewart, Senior Director at Success KPI. Discover how businesses are leveraging data-driven insights to maximize success in an ever-evolving landscape. Erin shares her journey from starting in a mall kiosk to becoming a leader in data analytics, emphasizing the importance of relationships and strategic thinking. Dive deep into the world of performance metrics, client success stories, an...
Apr 15, 2025•50 min•Ep. 16
In this episode of Simplicity Conversations, hosted by Catherine Ripley, we dive into the evolving landscape of IT services with Stephen Hackett, founder of 186Kloud. Explore Stephen's journey from channel management to founding a company focused on providing cutting-edge IT solutions. Discover insights into how businesses can adapt to technological shifts, with a special focus on the role of AI and cybersecurity in today's market. Learn about the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to...
Apr 08, 2025•46 min•Ep. 15
In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, join host Catherine Ripley as she sits down with Nick Stevenson, Technical Account Manager at Symplicity Communications. Dive into an engaging conversation about the evolving landscape of business and technology, the importance of genuine relationships, and how Symplicity Communications is making a difference by prioritizing client needs over sales tactics. Discover insights on navigating the challenges of sales, the role of AI in automation, and the ...
Apr 01, 2025•41 min•Ep. 14
Join us on this episode of Symplicity Conversations as host Catherine Ripley sits down with Brian Cohen to explore innovation and community impact. Discover the inspiration and impact of the Confluence Thought Series, a groundbreaking initiative that brings innovation and community together in West Michigan. Brian shares his journey from launching successful music festivals to creating dynamic platforms like the Confluence events, which highlight the area's rich innovation landscape. Learn about...
Mar 25, 2025•35 min•Ep. 13
In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, host Catherine Ripley sits down with Matthew Burnell, founder and CEO of ClickBid, to explore the transformative power of technology in nonprofit fundraising. Matt shares the journey of ClickBid from its early days of replacing paper auctions with digital solutions to its current role in improving fundraising through innovative auction technology. We talk about the evolution of digital fundraising, the impact of real-time video delivery during the pan...
Mar 18, 2025•49 min•Ep. 12
Welcome to another inspiring episode of Symplicity Conversations! Join host Catherine Ripley as she sits down with Jessica Reilly, Manager of Customer Success at Symplicity, to explore the pivotal role Operations play in driving innovation and success. In this episode, Jessica shares her unique journey from stage management at SeaWorld to leading operations at Symplicity. Discover how her transformative career shift was fueled by a passion for leadership and a desire to make a meaningful impact....
Mar 11, 2025•29 min•Ep. 11
Our host Catherine Ripley sits down with Della Pretzer, Senior Regional Partner Manager at RingCentral to unpack the power of business relationships. Discover how innovation and collaboration fuel success in today's business landscape. Catherine and Della discuss the power of partnerships, the journey to record-breaking achievements, and the evolving role of technology in enhancing customer experience. Learn valuable lessons on perseverance, trust, and navigating the tech industry as a woman. Wh...
Mar 04, 2025•46 min•Ep. 10
Join us for this exciting episode of Symplicity Conversations as host Catherine Ripley chats with Craig Diggs, an IT leader from Fresh Thyme Markets. Discover how Craig is transforming the IT landscape with innovative strategies and a focus on empowering his team. From tackling outdated systems to implementing cutting-edge technologies, Craig shares his journey and the challenges he faces in leading IT transformations. Whether you're an IT professional or simply curious about the role of technol...
Feb 25, 2025•45 min•Ep. 9
In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, we sit down with Margi Shaw, CEO of Nitel, to explore her leadership journey and the remarkable growth Nitel has achieved under her guidance. Margi shares valuable insights into her leadership style, strategies for scaling a business, and the pivotal moments that shaped her career. We dive into the challenges and triumphs of being a female leader in the technology industry, and Margi offers advice for women aspiring to reach executive levels. Addition...
Feb 18, 2025•42 min•Ep. 8
In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, we sit down with Nick Stevenson, a dynamic business development representative at Symplicity, who brings a unique blend of creativity and strategy to our sales team. Discover how Nick's background as a musician influences his approach to sales and contributes to our distinctive strategy. We discuss Nick's journey from a self-taught guitarist to a college-trained musician, and how these experiences shape his role at Symplicity. Join us as we explore th...
Feb 11, 2025•19 min•Ep. 7
In this heartfelt episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Catherine and her family as they navigate the ups and downs of growing and running a business and maintaining strong family bonds. Listen in as Catherine shares the pivotal moments that shaped her and inspired her commitment to creating a supportive work environment. Joined by her daughters, Samantha and Nichole, and her mother, Caron, Catherine reflects on the influence of family support and resilience in overcoming challenges bot...
Feb 04, 2025•44 min•Ep. 6
On this engaging episode of Symplicity Conversations, host Catherine Ripley dives deep into the world of government contracting with the Symplicity Communications team. Hear the inspiring journeys of Victor Zuniga, Ben Murray, and Carla Skuhrovec, who bring unique expertise and passion to Symplicity's Government Contracting Division. Learn how they navigate the complexities of federal and state markets, build trust with decision-makers, and leverage cutting-edge technology to drive success. From...
Jan 28, 2025•42 min•Ep. 5
In this exciting episode of Simplicity Conversations, host Catherine Ripley is joined by Jennifer Wangler, Vice President of Technology at The Right Place, for an inspiring discussion on the transformative power of technology and collaboration in West Michigan. Jennifer shares her journey from running a small business to leading tech innovation and community building efforts. Together, they discuss the rise of Grand Rapids as a burgeoning tech hub, the significant impact of the Technology Counci...
Jan 21, 2025•44 min•Ep. 4
In this episode of Symplicity Conversations, Catherine Ripley sits down with Rachel Gorman, President and CEO of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, for an insightful discussion about the evolving landscape of Muskegon and the importance of following your passions. Rachel shares her perspective on the city’s transformation, the value of building meaningful connections, and the significance of mentorship in shaping one’s path. Together, they explore how a culture of kindness and a strong ...
Jan 14, 2025•47 min•Ep. 3
Welcome to the first-ever episode of Symplicity Conversations, the podcast where we explore the intersection of business, culture, community, and technology to empower you with the insights you need to thrive. Our host, Catherine Ripley, is joined by Symplicity Communications Marketing Manager, Doug Seites, as they talk about his unique journey to his current role, the marketing challenges Symplicity and similar companies face, and ideas for the future. -- Connect with Doug Seites: LinkedIn - ht...
Jan 14, 2025•48 min•Ep. 2
Welcome to Symplicity Conversations, the podcast where business, culture, and community come together to inspire and empower. Together, each episode we’ll explore meaningful conversations about how today’s business landscape is shaped by innovation, relationships, and the people behind the progress. From actionable insights and stories from industry leaders to topics like customer experience, fostering strong business relationships, and the role of automation—we’ve got you covered. Connect with ...
Jan 13, 2025•1 min•Ep. 1
