Beyond The Bottom Line

Let’s be real—sometimes the universe doesn’t whisper, it kicks you straight in the career path.

In this Mailbag episode of Beyond the Bottom Line, we’re answering your real questions about what happens after you've applied to 1,100 jobs and heard back from… basically nobody. Ron and Adrianne dive deep into the unsexy, uncensored truths of launching something on your own—especially when you're over 40, short on time (and cash), and still expected to be the breadwinner, tech expert, and operations guru all at once.

We’re talking:

Why ghosting led to growth (and a business launch)

The lies sold to new entrepreneurs (spoiler: there is no magic marketing bullet)

Fractional support, real infrastructure, and why your HR "heater" isn’t ready for that business addition

The biggest mistake small businesses make when scaling

This isn’t fluff. It’s the advice we wish someone had given us sooner.

Whether you're building, rebuilding, or just realizing the corporate ladder might be missing a few rungs, pull up a chair—we’re breaking it all down.

Website: www.elevatetalentsolutions.com

“It’s a moral imperative.” – Real Genius

Because the questions you sent in? 🔥

It’s not a Q&A.

I’m joined by Adrienne Ruthhart—marketing brain, podcast wrangler, and unofficial voice of reason.

Give the first Mailbag a listen. Then send in your own questions… before your business quietly burns in the background.

#BeyondTheBottomLine #RecruitingRealityCheck #AIBias #TalentAcquisition #BusinessConsulting #LeadershipUnfiltered #GenXBusiness #PodcastClip #BTBL #MailbagMonday #RealTalkRecruiting

New Episode: I’d Like to Thank the Academy… But My Therapist Says No

It’s award season again.

“Top 100 Places to Work (With Unlimited Bagels).”

We’ve all seen it.

But this episode isn’t about the wins.

The life moments you quietly traded away.

As Tyler Durden said in Fight Club:

And yeah—turns out that includes the shiny trophies too.

There are no awards for setting boundaries.

But maybe there should be.

This week on Beyond the Bottom Line, we’re talking about the price of the climb—and what it takes to reclaim your definition of success.

Catch the full episode now. Bring your honesty, and maybe a stiff drink!

#BeyondTheBottomLine #LeadershipWithoutTheLie #BurnoutIsNotABadge #TrophiesDontHugYouBack #EntrepreneurshipUnfiltered

Beyond the Bottom Line is back—with less fluff, more grit.

We’re back. And if you're reading this, you’re probably in the thick of running a business, building a team, or trying to fix what someone else broke. Same.

In this relaunch of Beyond the Bottom Line, I get into what sparked it all—standing in the grocery store meat aisle trying to buy chicken thighs, and realizing: this is exactly how AI is treating candidates. We’ve turned people into products, and recruiting into a pattern-matching game where resumes are filtered like packages of poultry.

This episode is part rant, part reality check, and fully grounded in 30 years of scars, screw-ups, and figuring it out the hard way. I’m not anti-AI. I’m anti-bad process, bad training, and the idea that automation should ever replace actual connection.

So if you’re a recruiter, a leader, a founder, or just someone trying to hire and retain people the right way—pull up a seat.

Let’s talk about hiring with purpose, fixing what’s broken, and why the hell we all need to stop letting tech make decisions we should be owning.

Introducing: THE RON TABLE — Episode 1 is officially live!

Where real people, real entrepreneurs, and real talk crash headfirst into unfiltered, unpolished, and sometimes uncomfortable honesty.

This isn’t just another podcast. It’s a table full of bold takes, hard truths, belly laughs, and brutally honest convos about business, leadership, startups, recruiting, growth—and all the messy sh*t no one warns you about.

Whether you're leading a company, plotting your escape from your 9-to-5, or building something from scratch— pull up a chair, and maybe a strong drink.

The advice is real. The stories are raw.

The takes? Sometimes borderline ridiculous—but always what people need to hear.

This week, Nicole Gray, CTACC and I dive into what it’s REALLY like to become an entrepreneur.

-Not the Insta or FB ad versions.

-Not the “12 steps to freedom” pitch.

-Not the “Buy this course and manifest millions” BS.

Because if starting and scaling a business was that easy… the Kardashians would’ve franchised it by now.

So yeah—follow us, tune in, and welcome to The Ron Table.

We’re not here to sugarcoat it. We’re here to say the stuff everyone else is too scared to post on LinkedIn.

“You want answers?” We think you can handle the truth 😉

Let’s be real—success isn’t handed out. It’s earned. And no one knows that better than Laura Cole, VP of Staffing & Sales at Exegistics.

Laura’s story isn’t just about climbing the ladder—it’s about rewriting the playbook for leadership and building unstoppable teams. From stepping into staffing by sheer instinct (before she even knew what she was signing up for) to becoming a powerhouse leader who has shaped teams, businesses, and careers, her journey is packed with lessons every business owner, leader, and entrepreneur needs to hear.

Key takeaways from this episode:

Laura has built, rebuilt, and transformed businesses, and she drops some serious wisdom on what it takes to not just lead, but to win.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re on the right path, battled imposter syndrome, or struggled to build a high-performing team, this episode is for you.

How Email Marketing Can Take You from Bad… to Nailing the Catalina Wine Mixer

Email marketing—love it or hate it, it’s still one of the most powerful tools for growing a business. But let’s be real: most people are doing it all wrong—spamming inboxes, getting ghosted, and wondering why their messages never land.

In this episode of Beyond the Bottom Line, we’re cutting through the BS and breaking down what actually works in email marketing today. And who better to join the conversation than Laine Belcastro, the powerhouse behind LNB Digi Marketing.

We’re talking:

And because it wouldn’t be Beyond the Bottom Line without some movie references and laughs, we’re throwing in some Ferris Bueller, Tommy Boy, and Catalina Wine Mixer moments to keep it fun.

Listen now and learn how to stop being just another unopened email in someone’s inbox—because it’s time to level up your marketing game.

About Lanie Belcastro:

With nearly two decades of experience in email marketing and digital strategy, Lainey specializes in helping businesses transform their email campaigns into high-converting, automated systems that drive engagement and revenue. From platform audits to full-scale strategy development, she has worked with companies of all sizes to streamline their marketing efforts, optimize deliverability, and create messaging that resonates.

Lainey has spent years navigating the evolving landscape of email marketing—adapting to changing algorithms, privacy regulations, and shifting consumer behaviors. Her expertise lies in not just sending emails, but ensuring they get opened, read, and acted on.

If your email marketing isn’t delivering, LMB can help untangle the knots

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lainemb/

Website: https://www.LMBDigiMarketing.com.

Recruiting in 2024 was a mess. Fake job postings, AI screening AI, recruiters ghosting candidates, and hiring strategies stuck in the Stone Age. 2025 isn’t the time for lazy recruiting.

On this episode of Beyond the Bottom Line, I sit down with Kimberly Arin, CEO of Kim Arin Coaching and Adjunct Professor of Creative Thinking at Montclair State University, to tackle the disconnect between recruiters, candidates, and the hiring process. We dive into:

If your recruiting playbook is outdated, you’re losing top talent, engagement, and long-term success. It’s time to ditch the boring and reimagine hiring.

Tune in now—because the future of recruiting won’t wait.

Kim Arin is the CEO and founder of Kim Arin Coaching, a Coaching and consulting business focused on supporting teams and individuals to develop in the most creative ways. Former Chief Talent Officer of a Charter school network in New York City, and was the Executive Director of Staffing and Recruitment for Newark Public Schools. Kim is an adjunct professor at Montclair State University where she designed and teaches a class called Creative Thinking.  Kim is passionate about looking at new and innovative approaches to solving old problems, and completely rejects the phrase "That's the way it's always been done." Her favorite phrase is "What if?"

instagram: @kimarincoaching

art instagram: @death.by.paper.cuts

In this episode of Beyond the Bottom Line, we sit down with Phil and Sara Frassinelli , the dynamic duo behind one of the most culture-driven staffing businesses in the industry. From being laid off in the midst of an economic downturn to scaling a successful staffing empire, they share their journey of resilience, strategic growth, and the intentional culture that keeps their team engaged and thriving.

We dive into the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of finding the right leadership balance, and how they’ve cultivated a people-first approach that has set them apart in a competitive market. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a staffing leader, or just someone looking for inspiration on building a strong business foundation, this episode is packed with real insights and no-fluff wisdom.

Tune in and learn what it takes to not just grow a business—but build a lasting legacy.

Training is only as good as the results it gets.

The true measure of effective training is not just getting it done. It is in the outcomes—how it improves performance, solves challenges, and drives growth.

I've seen first hand, both being a part of large organizations and then later developing and delivering training for systems and Recruiters.....what good programs look like and how effective training can be done and news flash.... its can't all be Elearning and webinar based! 

When you don't invest in training that is effective for your people.....how do you expect it to work?

This week we are talking in depth about one of the great factors that drives business growth....and that is Training, and I look forward to this conversation and insights with our guest this week.... Beth Messich!

About Beth Messich:

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-messich