The Business Spotlight Series

THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE OVERCOME & THE VISION FOR THE FUTURE | With Meghan Sumser and Craig Wipperman | The Business Spotlight

Shelf Love, a "natural food merchandiser", celebrated their first year in business in July. Meghan Sumser, founder of Shelf Love, share's her journey to entrepreneurship in this episode of the Business Spotlight. You'll sense her passion as she shares her company's role in helping natural food brands take their product to market in a very focused niche. She'll share the challenges she's overcome in year 1 and the vision she has for the future of Shelf Love. You can get in touch with Meghan here ...

FOCUSING ON CREATING A SOCIAL CHANGE | With Karin Kirchmeier and Kory Dogs | The Business Spotlight

Karin Kirchmeier, CEO of Partners for Community Development Karin Kirchmeier joined the team at Partners for Community Development, Inc. in 2020, where she succeeded Lucio Fuentez as the Executive Director. Karin is eager to continue the mission and vision of the organization, and strengthen the communities that Partners serves. Karin holds dual degrees in Administrative Leadership and Communications and has worked in the nonprofit sector for over two decades, focusing on creating social change ...

IT'S IMPORTANT TO ENJOY THE JOURNEY | With Edgel Groves Jr and Craig Wipperman | The Business Spotlight

"Keep every business in business." Now that's a vision. In this episode watch Edgel Groves Co-Founder of PassPass that just launched in February. PassPass is an innovative service that leverages the coupon model in an electronic form providing benefits to both the end user and the business offering the coupon. Hear Edge share about his 10 years in a band that laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial journey. Great conversation you wont want to miss. You can get in touch with Edgel here on Lin...

LEARN TO UNDERSTAND PEOPLE ON ALL LEVELS AS A BUSINESS LEADER | With Dan Broomham and David Rivers | Business Spotlight

We are thrilled to welcome Dan Broomham, the Chief Revenue Officer at OneBeyond, to our newest episode. OneBeyond is at the forefront of software solutions, partnering with forward-thinking clients eager to leverage cutting-edge technology for business growth. In this episode, Dan dives deep into his passion for maximizing technology's potential. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, he discusses how innovative tech can not only enhance business operations but also significantly improve liv...

THERE'S A LOT BENEATH THE SURFACE OF A SUCCESS STORY | With Tyler Bliha | The Business Spotlight

In this episode of Business Spotlight Series, host Kay Cote sits down with Tyler Bliha, CEO and founder of Abode, a groundbreaking financial management platform for homeowners. Tyler shares his entrepreneurial journey, from Wall Street to launching Abode, and how his personal experiences in homeownership inspired him to create a service that helps homeowners save on recurring costs like property taxes, insurance, and energy bills. Discover the challenges and successes behind growing a startup, a...

BE A LIFELONG LEARNER AND LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN | With Kevin Royce and Todd Rodden | The Business Spotlight

Kevin Royce is Co-owner & Regional Director for Xcel Physical Therapy based in the Dayton Ohio area. He also holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Dayton. As a therapist owned firm, Xcel provides a wide range of physical therapy services focusing on the patient experience while passionately impacting lives. Knowing the market has been a key to their growth and he shares how they have grown in new locations by deep involvement in the local community. Staffing is essential ...

VALUE OTHERS EVEN MORE THAN YOURSELF IN BUSINESS | With Mike Bell and Todd Rodden | The Business Spotlight

Mike Bell is Co-Founder and CTO of Scheduler AI, a software as a service business started in 2021. Scheduler AI leverages their patented technology for businesses to grow sales by rapidly converting conversations into meaningful meetings with prospects. Mike shares how the technology concept was born from their own challenges in scheduling meetings and also how they made multiple pivots to move the business from B2C to a B2B model. He emphasizes to "fall in love with the problem more than the so...

INTENTIONALLY BECOMING THE PERSON YOU WANT TO BE | With Craig Ballin and Craig Wipperman | The Business Spotlight

The Adspire Creative Group offers a full suite of marketing and video services designed to set your brand apart. In today's episode Co-Founder Craig Ballin shares his passion for documenting his clients' stories, his belief that trust in business partners and employees is critical, and his journey to find himself. We talk about his book "Travel Now" due out in November which chronicles a gap year he spent traversing Europe that Craig used to find his identity. Great conversation you wont want to...

YOU SHOULD BE ALL ABOUT PROBLEM-SOLVING | With Steve Laureys and Mike Ronchetti | The Business Spotlight

NAVIGATING THE WORLD OF BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS | With Tarun Abraham and Kay Cote | The Business Spotlight

Welcome to Business Spotlight Series, hosted by Kay Cote! In this episode, we dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey of Tarun Abraham, Managing Director of Jones Skips. Tarun shares his fascinating path from finance and management consulting at Bain to acquiring and leading Jones Skips, a well-established waste management company in the UK. Discover the challenges of business acquisitions, the keys to success in the B2B space, and the growth of Jones Skips from humble beginnings to a multi-m...

STAYING MOTIVATED & FINDING PURPOSE IN HELPING OTHERS | With Eric A Hemati and Kay Cote | The Business Spotlight

In this episode of the Business Spotlight Series, host Kay Cote sits down with Eric Hemati, CEO and founder of Hemati Insurance Agency, to discuss his journey into the insurance industry. With over two decades of experience, Eric shares how a personal experience with a neighbor battling cancer ignited his passion for offering life and health insurance solutions. Eric dives into the challenges he faced starting out, from selling insurance door-to-door to growing his business into a nationwide age...

INTEGRATING AI TO IMPROVE PRODUCT QUALITY | With Dr. Vera Petrova Dickinson and Kay Cote | The Business Spotlight

Welcome to the Business Spotlight Series hosted by Kay Cote! In this episode, Kay interviews Dr. Vera Dickinson, Founder and CEO of Innova-Q, a leading tech startup based in Austin, Texas. Dr. Vera shares how Innova-Q is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry by integrating AI and innovative technologies to improve product quality. Learn about their latest launch, the InQ Knowledge Center, and Dr. Vera’s journey as a tech entrepreneur, managing a growing team, and driving innovation in the f...

PERSISTENCE IS KEY | With Stephen Hopper and Kay Cote | The Business Spotlight

In this episode of the Business Spotlight Series, host Kay Cote interviews Stephen Hopper, CEO and Managing Director of Plan Burrito, a rapidly growing UK-based franchise. Stephen shares the inspiring journey of building his business from the ground up since 2015, expanding to 12 locations across the UK. Discover his unique approach to franchising, the challenges of scaling during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what sets Plan Burrito apart in the competitive food industry. Tune in for insights on le...

HARD WORK ALWAYS PAYS OFF | With Zerani Scears and Sonali Nigam | The Business Spotlight

In this episode of Business Spotlight with Sonali Nigam, we feature Zerani Scears, Managing Director at AZ Scears Management Service Ltd. Zerani shares her perspective on the challenges of team dynamics and highlights that hard work always pays off. She encourages everyone to take that first step and to be open to the opportunities life presents. Join us for inspiring insights and valuable lessons from her journey! You can get in touch with Zerani here on LinkedIn: / zerani-scears-a9b4051a 🔔 Wa...

MY LEARNINGS FROM 5 DIFFERENT STARTUPS | With Serhii Dubinevych and David Dowdy | The Business Spotlight

In this Business Spotlight, we hear from Serhii Dubinevych. Serhii is found and CEO of FUELWELL, an innovative company in Charlotte with roots back to Ukraine. He shares his learning from 5 start-ups and the need for commitment and focus through the development phase. Though many have negative opinions of the ideas and goals of entrepreneurs, there's benefit in having the support of equally committed and loyal team members. To learn more about Serhii and his journey, check out https://fuel-well....

SUCCESSFUL MARKETING TECHNIQUES FOR YOUR BUSINESS | With Garrett Salpeter and Heather Frierson | The Business Spotlight

Join Garrett Salpeter, founder of NeuFit, in this captivating episode as he explores his inspiring journey from a physics major to a pioneer in functional neurology and direct current therapy. Garrett shares how a sports injury led him to develop the NEUBIE device, which uses direct current for therapy, a method he believes surpasses traditional alternating current treatments. He discusses the unique effects of this treatment on the nervous system and tissue healing, emphasizing its natural heal...

BE DRIVEN TOWARDS YOUR GOAL AND DON'T GIVE UP | With Vijay Mistry and Kay Cote | The Business Spotlight

In this episode of the Business Spotlight Series, host Kay Cote interviews Vijay Mistry, the visionary CEO and founder of 2 Funky Arts, a social enterprise based in Leicester, UK. With over 28 years of experience, Vijay discusses how he built 2 Funky Arts, a community-focused organization promoting black music genres like hip-hop, reggae, and R&B. Learn about his journey from running a vinyl record store to managing multiple music venues and a radio station. Vijay shares valuable insights on...

MAKE FINANCIAL PLANNING A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS | With Dave Southby and David Rivers | The Business Spotlight

In this episode of the Spotlight Business Podcast, we’re joined by Dave Southby, a financial planning expert dedicated to helping individuals, families, and local businesses achieve their financial goals. Dave’s client-first approach focuses on building long-term relationships to ensure financial plans are stress-free and aligned with each client’s unique aspirations. Tune in as we explore his philosophy on making financial planning a collaborative, ongoing process and learn how Dave helps his c...

FOCUS ON ANNUAL PLANNING AND GOAL SETTING | With Christian Mossberg and David Dowdy | The Business Spotlight

In this Business Spotlight, we hear from Christian Mossberg, CEO of EFCO USA. Originally from Sweden, Christian has grown himself through numerous roles and CEO positons, now running the sales and service organization for the Americas from Charlotte for this global, family-owned company. He shares his emphasis on annual planning and goal setting with a specific focus on reflection upon the recent past. Further, there's tremendous value in simply working hard and being committed on the journey to...

THE JOURNEY BEHIND MY COMPANY'S SUCCESS | With Mark Toovey and David Rivers | The Business Spotlight

In this episode of the Spotlight Business Podcast, we’re joined by Mark Toovey, Owner and Founder of Alfresco Exterior Cleaning. With over 28 years of experience, Mark founded Alfresco in 1996, and it has since become Oxfordshire’s most highly rated exterior cleaning company. Mark shares insights into the journey behind his company’s success, the exceptional services they provide to both residential and commercial clients, and the secrets to maintaining such high standards in the industry. Don’t...

FIND, RECRUIT, AND RETAIN AMAZING PEOPLE IN BUSINESS | With Tony Reeves and Sonali Nigam | The Business Spotlight

In this episode of Business Spotlight, host Sonali Nigam sits down with Tony Reeves to discuss the art of finding, recruiting, and retaining top talent. Tony shares his insights on building effective teams, adapting to a hybrid work model, and offers practical advice for anyone looking to take the leap and just get started. Whether you’re a leader, founder, or aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation is filled with actionable tips on building a successful workforce in today’s evolving business l...

UNDERSTAND THE CLIENT'S NEEDS AND KEEP A PERSONAL TOUCH | With Dan Cronin and Kay Cote | The Business Spotlight

Welcome to the Business Spotlight Series with host Kay Cote! In this episode, we sit down with Dan Cronin, Founder and Managing Director of Phygital Media, a UK-based marketing agency specializing in bridging the gap between physical and digital media. Dan shares his journey in helping startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the West Midlands grow through personalized marketing strategies, SEO, content creation, and website development. Tune in to discover how Phygital Media empowers ...

0:02 / 20:29 FINDING THE RIGHT TEAM IS IMPORTANT FOR US | With Kaye Merriman and David Rivers | The Business Spotlight

In this episode of the Spotlight Business Podcast, we’re joined by Kaye Merriman, Director of Little Angels Childcare Group. From starting in an administrative role to becoming Nursery Manager and now a Director, Kaye has grown alongside the business, helping to shape it into a nurturing environment for children and families. Her real passion, however, lies in the personal growth and development of her team. Tune in as we discuss how Kaye’s commitment to supporting her team members’ personal and...

FOCUS ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT | With Simon Evans and Tom O'Kelly | The Business Spotlight

In this episode ActionCOACH Tom O'Kelly chats with Simon Evans from LittleBig Bikes https://www.littlebigbikes.com/ - Simon tells us of his travels around the world, coming up with the idea and growth path he has trodden to success - a great watch! Connect with Simon on LinkedIn: / simonevansengineer 🔔 Want your business to be featured as our next Business Spotlight? Book in your FREE podcast slot today via dropping a message below! #business #entrepreneur #advice #podcast #podcasts #businessow...

UNDERSTANDING HOW THE MIND WORKS IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS | With Peter Jones and Kay Cote | The Business Spotlight

Welcome to the Business Spotlight Series podcast, hosted by Kay Cote! In this episode, we sit down with Peter Jones, Founder and Managing Director of Kangaroo UK, a full-service marketing agency based in the East Midlands. Peter shares his inspiring journey from being a vehicle mechanic to becoming a successful business owner, leading a team that specializes in Duda website solutions and Amazon marketing. We dive deep into his entrepreneurial path, the challenges he faced, and the best practices...

MY APPROACH TO RELATIONSHIP-BASED SALES | With Reuben Swartz and Kay Cote | The Business Spotlight

In this episode of the Business Spotlight Series, host Kay Cote sits down with Reuben Swartz, Founder and CEO of Mimiran CRM, to explore his journey from working with enterprise-level clients to creating a CRM that serves solo consultants and small business owners. Reuben shares how his innovative approach to relationship-based sales helps service providers focus on authentic connections rather than pushy sales tactics. He delves into how Mimiran CRM simplifies client relationship management, nu...

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADAPTABILITY AND FLEXIBILITY IN LEADERSHIP | With Joshua Hook and Heather Frierson | The Business Spotlight

Welcome to another episode of our Business Spotlight series! In this interview, we sit down with Josh Hook, Owner and President of Vesta Commercial Services, to explore the dynamic world of commercial construction. Josh shares insights into his company, which specializes in large-scale concrete work, demolition, and earthwork services. Discover the unique challenges they face, such as the need for a skilled workforce with diverse abilities, and learn about their recent high-profile projects, inc...

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CUSTOMER'S NEEDS IS IMPORTANT | With Laurel Roach and Heather Frierson | The Business Spotlight

Join us as we dive into the inspiring story of Laurel Roach who is the owner of a multi-unit studio with two brands, Trifit Wellness and Alloy Personal Training. Laurel's entrepreneurial spirit was ignited early on which helped her transform a struggling fitness studio, Trifit, into a thriving business. Through dedication and strategic thinking, she doubled the studio's revenue within her first year. Laurel recently expanded her ventures by acquiring a franchise of Alloy Personal Training, with ...

KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION | With Ciaran Connolly and Scott Millar | The Business Spotlight

In this episode of Business Spotlight, we welcome Ciaran Connolly, a dynamic entrepreneur originally from New Zealand who moved to Ireland in 1998. Ciaran runs a diverse group of businesses from the Irish Entertainment Group (IEG), partner in MAC Hair Salon, running a touring show in France and managing Airbnbs. Ciaran brings entertainment from start to finish to a wide range of events including weddings, corporate functions and award shows. Ciaran's focus is on creating a strong team culture, b...

THE JOURNEY OF RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS | With Karl Robertson and Simon Marshall | The Business Spotlight

In this insightful Business Spotlight interview, Simon Marshall sits down with Karl Robertson, Managing Director of HF Pest & Bird Control, to discuss the journey of running a successful family-owned business. Karl shares his transition from hands-on work to management, highlighting the challenges of scaling operations, recruiting talent, and aligning marketing and sales strategies. With a focus on adaptability, clear planning, and understanding business numbers, Karl’s insights offer valuab...