Biz Builder Spotlight

Biz Builder Spotlight

By Jonathan ShermanBusinessMarketing
Download on the App Store

Biz Builder Spotlight episodes

  • Nate Burke on Building a Cybersecurity Brand Around Agentic AI

    Nate Burke, Chief Marketing Officer of startup 7AI, shares how his small team is pioneering the first Agentic AI Security Platform in cybersecurity.


    In this episode we go over:


    ✅ Why startups must focus on their positioning before scaling demand gen

    ✅ How AI agents can handle sensitive tasks without the "black box" risk

    ✅ The power of emotional storytelling in branding, from Olympians to viral campaigns


    Whether you’re leading a startup or want to know about the next big thing in cybersecurity, this episode offers nuggets on building trust, cutting through noise, and getting scrappy with strategy.

    38 min
  • How Emod Vafa Built a Scalable In-House Marketing Team for a Venture Capital Firm's Portfolio Companies

    Emod Vafa, Marketing Director at Intercap, a Canadian venture capital firm, reveals how he built an in-house marketing team from scratch to support a selection of Intercap’s portfolio companies.


    He shares:


    ✅ How he uses lean teams with deep specialization for scaling omnichannel campaigns

    ✅ How he uses UTMs and platforms like Microsoft Clarity and Mixpanel to track the customer journey

    ✅ Ways to future-proof your marketing operations

    ✅ The importance of staying in-tune with AI trends


    From campaign strategy to building internal systems, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone managing marketing across multiple brands or ventures.

    38 min
  • Paulette Rigo Uncovers How Her Successful Divorce Consulting Business Works

    Today we sit down with Paulette Rigo, founder of Better Divorce Academy, bestselling author, and host of The Better Divorce Podcast. Paulette shares how her grueling 8.5 year legal battle became the catalyst for a high-impact business that’s helping people navigate divorce better.


    In this episode, we look at how she created her success:


    ✅ How publicity from her own divorce created early demand

    ✅ The intelligent branding of “Better Divorce Academy”

    ✅ What content she creates to attract and educate clients

    ✅ How she balances coaching, mediation, and product development

    ✅ Why much of her new business comes from referrals

    ✅ Her future plans for online courses, licensing, and possible franchising


    If you’re interested in how expert positioning, personal branding, and scalable service models come together to build a thriving consulting business—this episode is a masterclass.

    29 min
  • Growing Brands with Smart Marketing Through an Approach Called Stratecution with Michael Baer

    In this episode we sit down with Michael Baer, a seasoned fractional CMO who’s worked with both Fortune 500 companies and early-stage enterprises.


    Michael shares how his unique concept of "stratecution" — a holistic approach to marketing that aligns big brand strategy with effective, powerful activation and execution to stimulate growth.


    You'll hear how he helped drive growth early on for My Diabetes Tutor, why customer-centricity forms the core of all his marketing, and how website design and messaging can make a small company look enterprise-ready.


    Whether you're scaling a startup or refining your marketing engine, Michael’s insights will help you rethink how to go to market with clarity, credibility, and confidence.

    30 min
  • Marketing Agency Owner Melih Oztalay on Staying Adaptable to Succeed in B2B Marketing

    Melih Oztalay, founder and CEO of Smart Finds Marketing, talks about navigating disruption in marketing technology and tactics for success in B2B marketing. With nearly four decades of experience, Melih shares battle-tested strategies — from guiding companies through Google algorithm shocks to deploying AI-powered orchestrated funnels.


    He unpacks powerful case studies, including how his team drove 600k new site visitors in 3 months using geo-distributed freelancers and organic social content. Plus, discover how SEO is being affected by Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and why younger generations are reshaping the B2B buyer’s journey.


    Whether you're a CMO, business owner, or consultant, this episode is packed with fresh marketing insights on adapting, evolving, and staying relevant in the fast-paced world of today.

    46 min
  • Strategic Transformation and AI Implementation at Mid-Market Companies with Marketing Executive Chris McNulty

    Seasoned marketing executive Chris McNulty, formerly of Microsoft and Dell, walks us through how his new consulting venture, Synozur Alliance, leads strategic transformation at companies doing $50 to $500 million in revenue, especially those at zero growth or those going through massive growth. Gain fascinating insights on how leadership, structure, and culture must evolve to effect change.


    Then get a current viewpoint on AI implementation, including the 3 trends in AI impacting implementation in 2025, namely: organizations paying more attention to data security, Omni AI, and managing variability in people's interaction with AI.


    Plus, Chris talks about his upcoming conference keynotes, including a workshop on information architecture for AI and another on using AI and using intelligent document processing.


    This episode is packed with real-world examples and sharp takeaways—don’t miss it!

    27 min
  • Exploring Meaningful Marketing, AI Innovation, and the Power of Global Diplomacy with Sam Pepin

    Join us as we dive into a fascinating conversation with Sam Pepin, CEO and co-founder of CoreCentrica, a marketing agency, as he shares his thoughts on marketing, diplomacy, commodities trading and AI innovation. Sam discusses his "Meaningful Marketing" framework, a methodology blending neuroscience with data analytics to better understand consumer motivations. Discover how he's facilitating ingestion of big data through AI innovation, with application in industries like fintech and beyond.


    Outside of business, Sam's passion extends into global diplomacy, connecting organizations worldwide to foster peace and understanding amidst societal division. He shares personal insights on peak performance, balancing multiple businesses, and the vital role happiness plays in achieving success.


    This episode is packed with wisdom for entrepreneurs, marketers, tech enthusiasts, and anyone inspired by bold ideas and meaningful change.

    22 min
  • Driving B2B Growth Through Direct Mail, Account-Based Marketing and Measurable Goals with Fractional CMO Melanie Labue

    In today's episode we talk with Melanie Lobue, fractional Chief Marketing Officer and founder of Voyager Communications, about the tactical use of direct mail, using AI effectively in marketing, and the secrets behind impactful B2B campaigns.


    Melanie shares how she transitioned from high school English teacher to top-performing marketing executive, leveraging storytelling, clear KPIs, and strategic execution to deliver measurable results for high-growth tech and financial companies.


    Listen in to discover Melanie’s proven approach for creating targeted account-based marketing (ABM) campaigns, tips for refining brand messaging, and actionable advice on setting your business up for sustainable growth.


    Perfect for entrepreneurs, marketing leaders, and anyone looking to elevate their business through smart, scalable marketing.

    18 min
  • Insights and Trends in AI and Technology with Ron Gerber, CEO of Angelbeat

    Today we sit down with Ron Gerber, founder and CEO of Angelbeat, a well-known organizer of technology-focused hybrid live events with keynotes by such companies as AWS, Microsoft, and Google. Ron shares his expert insights on the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, covering issues such as vendor lock-in risks, ROI after investing in AI, and the societal implications of deep fakes and misinformation.


    Tune in as Ron discusses the practical challenges businesses face adopting AI, how companies are successfully integrating AI, and actionable strategies for thriving amid technological disruption. Ideal for tech leaders, business strategists, and anyone seeking clarity on managing AI in their business.

    36 min
  • Director of Marketing Oliver JP Osborne at Fallsview Group on How to Stand Out in the Hospitality Industry

    In this episode of Biz Builder Spotlight, we sit down with Oliver JP Osborne, Director of Marketing at Fallsview Group, the premier hospitality and tourism brand in the Niagara Falls area. Oliver shares valuable insights into his strategic approach to managing a diverse portfolio of luxury hotels, renowned restaurants, and event spaces.


    Tune in as Oliver explains why businesses often misinterpret ROI and reveals smart ways of measuring marketing success. Discover his fresh perspective on brand positioning, leveraging market intelligence, and creating irresistible customer experiences without diluting value through discounts. He also highlights the unique challenges and opportunities in attracting international guests to a globally recognized destination like Niagara Falls.


    Whether you're interested in hospitality marketing, customer experience innovation, or strategic growth, this conversation offers practical wisdom and actionable advice from a seasoned industry leader.


    Connect with Oliver JP Osborne on LinkedIn to continue the conversation and explore career opportunities with Fallsview Group.


    Don't miss this insightful and motivating discussion!

    32 min

About Biz Builder Spotlight

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Biz Builder Spotlight! If you want real stories from founders, CMOs and leaders on the front lines of business, this podcast is for you. Each episode dives into the journeys, challenges,…