Episode Summary:

In this episode of BizBlend, Reema hosts Amanda Ma, the founder and CEO of Innovate Marketing Group, a leader in experiential marketing and event innovation. Together, they explore the evolving role of influencers in event marketing, highlighting how they amplify reach, engagement, and brand loyalty. Drawing from Amanda’s experience with brands like TikTok, Google, and East West Bank, the conversation covers the essentials of selecting the right influencers, measuring impact, ensuring diversity, and creating memorable campaigns.

Amanda also shares strategies for overcoming challenges, the benefits of long-term influencer relationships, and how influencer marketing delivers high ROI. The episode concludes with Amanda sharing a personal story that illustrates the profound impact of well-executed event marketing.

About the Guest:

Amanda Ma: Founder and CEO of Innovate Marketing Group, Amanda is an expert in experiential marketing, with a proven track record of designing impactful events for major brands. Her firm specializes in blending creativity with data-driven strategies to deliver exceptional brand experiences. Amanda is also the host of a podcast where she shares insights on marketing trends, making her a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the industry. Listeners can visit innovatemkg.com and also connect with Amanda on LinkedIn.

Key Takeaways:

This episode is a must-listen for marketing professionals, event planners, and business owners looking to harness the power of influencer marketing for memorable, high-impact campaigns!

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of BizBlend, Reema hosts industry trailblazers Steven Jack Butala and Jill DeWit, known professionally as “Jack & Jill ", co-founders of Land Academy and the BuWit family of companies. With over two decades of experience and 16,000 land transactions, Jack and Jill have revolutionized rural land investing. They share their proven business model for turning unwanted land into profit, discuss how the pandemic has shifted investment trends, and emphasize the critical role of human interaction in real estate deals. They also discuss the importance of cash flow, finding a compatible business partner, and the growth journey of Land Academy. From the value of persistence in entrepreneurship to the rising prominence of women in real estate, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiring stories.

Listeners can also access an exclusive $500 discount for Land Academy services using the promo code bizblend500 on landacademy.com or houseacademy.com

About the Guests:

Steven Jack Butala and Jill DeWit, known professionally as “Jack & Jill", Founders of Land Academy, Jack and Jill are pioneers in the rural land investment space. With over 20 years of experience, they have facilitated more than 16,000 transactions. They mentor aspiring land investors, offering tools, strategies, and community support to help others achieve financial success through land investments.

Key Takeaways:

This episode is an essential listen for aspiring land investors, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to learn from seasoned industry leaders!

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of BizBlend, host Reema chats with Jon Ostenson, a top national franchise broker, investor, and best-selling author, to explore the financial aspects and opportunities within non-food franchising. They delve into why non-food franchises are gaining traction, their financial feasibility, and how to identify the right franchise opportunity for personal and professional goals. Jon shares his expertise on the benefits of non-food franchising, its adaptability for semi-passive investments, and how it compares to traditional real estate investments. Packed with practical advice, this episode offers valuable insights for aspiring franchisees looking to diversify their investments and achieve business success.

About the Guest:

Jon Ostenson is a franchise broker, investor, best-selling author, and expert in non-food franchising. With years of experience as a franchisor and multi-brand franchisee, Jon specializes in helping clients identify top franchise opportunities across various industries, including health and wellness, home and property services, and automotive. He is the founder of FranBridge Consulting and the author of Non-Food Franchising, where he shares his knowledge of this lucrative and growing sector. Jon is passionate about helping individuals navigate the world of franchising to achieve financial independence and business success. Jon offers a free digital copy of his book, Non-Food Franchising, via his website FranBridgeconsulting.com. Grab a free copy of Jon’s book through the show notes. Explore non-food franchise opportunities with a free consultation from FranBridge Consulting.

Key Takeaways:

Episode Summary:

In this episode of BizBlend, host Reema sits down with Joanna Kleinman—psychotherapist, leadership coach, and best-selling author—to explore the often turbulent journey of entrepreneurship. From embracing failures to cultivating emotional balance, Joanna shares actionable insights on navigating challenges with authenticity and self-reflection. The discussion highlights the role of mindset shifts, the power of fear as a tool for growth, and the importance of dethroning the inner critic to unlock one's full potential. Joanna also introduces her free Inner Critic Assessment, helping listeners take the first step in unhooking from automatic thoughts and reclaiming their confidence.

About the Guest:

Joanna Kleinman is a licensed psychotherapist, leadership coach, and the best-selling author of Dethroning Your Inner Critic. With over 25 years of experience, Joanna is passionate about guiding individuals to break free from their automatic, self-limiting thoughts and beliefs. She hosts the Dethroning Your Inner Critic Podcast and offers transformative tools like the Inner Critic Assessment to help people build self-awareness, embrace fear, and create a fulfilling life. Joanna’s work empowers entrepreneurs, leaders, and individuals to align with their authentic selves and thrive beyond perceived limitations. Listeners can visit masteringyourmind.com and listen to Joanna’s Podcast: Dethroning Your Inner Critic and also check out her book Dethroning Your Inner Critic . Listeners can connect with Joanna on social media @joanna klienman. Listeners are encouraged to take the Free Inner Critic Assessment at innercriticassessment.com

Episode Summary:

In this episode of BizBlend, host Reema interviews Walker Ferguson and Hampton Tanner, co-founders of Ascend, an AI-powered meditation and wellness app. As student athletes from Wake Forest University and Georgetown University, Walker and Hampton share their unique journey of balancing the demands of college football with entrepreneurship. They discuss how lessons from the field—discipline, resilience, and servant leadership—shaped their vision for Ascend, a platform designed to promote mental wellness through personalized meditation and wellness tools. The episode delves into their insights on integrating AI into mental health solutions, addressing technology’s role in mindfulness, and their plans to expand Ascend's impact through partnerships with universities.

About the Guests:

Walker Ferguson and Hampton Tanner are co-founders of Ascend, a cutting-edge meditation and wellness app that leverages AI to provide personalized mental health solutions. Both are student athletes and entrepreneurs, with Walker playing football for Wake Forest University and Hampton transferring to Georgetown University. Their combined experiences in sports and business have inspired their mission to make mental wellness accessible for athletes and beyond, helping users reduce stress and achieve their goals. Listeners can download the app from Appstore, check out their Instagram, LinkedIn pages and can also Walker and Hampton via emails - [email protected] and [email protected]

Key Takeaways:

This episode is an inspiring exploration of how young entrepreneurs are harnessing the power of technology, sports discipline, and innovation to create a meaningful impact on mental health.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Reema sits down with Om Asnani, founder of Growth School, to discuss the intersection of education, community building, and upskilling in today’s fast-evolving professional landscape. Together, they explore the challenges of traditional education systems, the transformative potential of cohort-based learning, and how Growth School is shaping the future by equipping learners with practical, industry-relevant skills. The conversation touches on the role of AI in content creation, strategies for managing large communities, and exciting collaboration possibilities. Packed with insights on professional growth, this episode offers a roadmap for anyone looking to thrive in their career.

About the Guest:

Om is the visionary founder of Growth School, an innovative education platform backed by Sequoia Capital and Owl Ventures. Based in Bangalore, Om has made it his mission to bridge the gap between outdated academic curriculums and the ever-changing demands of the workforce. With a focus on cohort-based programs, Growth School empowers learners with practical skills taught by industry leaders. Om’s background as an athlete has shaped his leadership style, emphasizing resilience, discipline, and the importance of mentorship. Under his guidance, Growth School has grown exponentially, boasting a community of over 5 million learners and being recognized as one of LinkedIn’s top startups in 2022 and 2023. Listeners can connect with Om on LinkedIn and check out Growth School.

Key Takeaways:

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about learning, career growth, or building meaningful communities.

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of BizBlend, host Sana chats with Meridee Hlokoff, founder of Laser Quit, about the innovative use of cold laser therapy to treat addiction. They explore how this groundbreaking technique combines ancient acupuncture principles with modern red-light therapy to achieve remarkable success rates. Meridee sheds light on the impact of addiction on workplaces, the connection between undiagnosed ADHD and addiction, and how businesses can benefit from cost-effective treatment programs. The conversation also delves into strategies for fostering accountability and commitment among teams while emphasizing honesty and moral alignment in business partnerships.

Listeners are encouraged to explore the transformative possibilities of Laser Quit therapy for personal growth and professional success.

About the Guest:

Meridee Hlokoff is the founder of Laser Quit, a business revolutionizing addiction recovery with cold laser therapy. Her innovative approach, blending ancient acupuncture practices with cutting-edge technology, boasts success rates of 95–98%. Meridee's mission extends beyond individual recovery, targeting workplace productivity and stress management. She partners with like-minded entrepreneurs to expand Laser Quit’s reach and create a global impact on addiction treatment. Listeners can visit the website - ⁠laserquittherapy.ca⁠/ laserquit.net . Listeners interested in learning more about LaserQuit or exploring licensing opportunities can reach out to Meridee directly via email. Stay tuned for updates and collaborations that could bring LaserQuit to a region near you!

Key Takeaways:

Episode Summary:

In this inspiring episode of BizBlend, host Sana sits down with Jayna Swan, a speaker, coach, and founder of HER Embodiment, to explore the transformative power of emotional regulation and holistic strategies in business. Jayna shares her personal journey of overcoming health challenges and how it led her to create a business centered on authenticity, vulnerability, and connection. The conversation highlights the effectiveness of emotional regulation in marketing, the power of magnetic messaging, and the value of prioritizing relationships over transactions. Listeners will also learn practical techniques to manage frustration and integrate mindfulness into their daily routines, fostering both personal and professional growth.

About the Guest:

Jayna Swan is a dynamic speaker, coach, and the founder of Her Embodiment. She specializes in guiding women entrepreneurs toward holistic business strategies that emphasize emotional regulation, authentic marketing, and the mind-body connection. Having overcome significant health challenges, including multiple surgeries, Jayna is passionate about helping others navigate life’s struggles while building meaningful connections in business. Her approach focuses on feminine energy, vulnerability, and cultivating authentic relationships that drive sustainable success. Listeners can connect with Jayna on ⁠Instagram⁠, listen to her ⁠podcast⁠ and are encouraged to download her app - ⁠H.E.R.

Key Takeaways:

This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs seeking to transform their business through emotional regulation and authentic strategies. Tune in to discover how Jayna’s insights can help you build a business that resonates deeply with your audience.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the BizBlend podcast, host Sana engages in a heartfelt conversation with Mo Issa, an entrepreneur, writer, and speaker, about the transformative power of mindfulness and vulnerability in leadership. Mo shares his personal journey, from navigating panic attacks triggered by life’s challenges to becoming a more mindful and authentic leader. Together, they explore how leaders can foster trust, authenticity, and resilience within their teams by embracing openness and self-awareness. This episode offers actionable insights for entrepreneurs and leaders seeking to balance emotional intelligence and effective decision-making.

About the Guest:

Mo Issa is a seasoned entrepreneur, writer, and speaker dedicated to helping others transform their leadership approach by integrating mindfulness, vulnerability, and authenticity. Following a series of personal and professional challenges, Mo embarked on a journey of self-discovery that redefined his leadership style. He now focuses on creating safe and collaborative team environments, inspiring others to embrace openness and growth. Mo is an advocate for mindful decision-making and emotional intelligence, sharing his knowledge through writing, speaking engagements, and workshops. Listeners can connect with Mo at mo-issa.com and also follow on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Key Takeaways:

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to redefine their leadership style by integrating mindfulness and vulnerability, fostering authentic connections, and inspiring team trust.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Bizblend Podcast, host Reema chats with Bert Bert terHart, an adventurer, entrepreneur, and innovator whose incredible achievements include sailing solo nonstop around the world and paddling across Canada. Bert shares profound insights into the transformative power of embracing adversity, drawing parallels between entrepreneurship and exploration. Through captivating stories of his adventures and entrepreneurial ventures, Bert underscores the importance of persistence, adaptability, and learning from failure. Together, Reema and Bert explore how the lessons from adventuring can translate into business success and personal growth.

About the Guest:

Bert terHart is a self-proclaimed soldier, sailor, scientist, adventurer, and serial entrepreneur. He has accomplished remarkable feats, such as solo circumnavigation of the globe and paddling across Canada, and has made a significant impact in healthcare through innovative software solutions. As an Explorer in Residence for the BC Historical Society, Bert combines his passion for the oceans with a drive to inspire others to face challenges and create meaningful change. He is also the author of "265, and counting: A voyage around the world." Listeners are encouraged to explore Bert’s work on his website, ⁠bertterhart.com⁠ and consider his book "265, and counting: A voyage around the world." Bert is also available via email.

Key Takeaways: