Telmo Silva is the Founder and CEO of ClicData, a cloud-based SaaS business intelligence platform that helps companies connect, visualize, and share their data. Bringing over 25 years of technology and business process improvement experience, he has held leadership roles such as General Manager and Executive VP at Skura Europe, as well as CRM Architect at Boehringer Ingelheim. Under his ownership, ClicData has expanded to serve users across 40 countries, managing thousands of daily dashboards and datasets. Telmo holds a bachelor’s degree in applied science in engineering from the University of Toronto.

Many businesses struggle to unify scattered data from multiple sources into a single, reliable system for analysis. Traditional business intelligence tools are often expensive, complex, and slow to deliver meaningful results, leaving small and medium-sized companies, in particular, at a disadvantage. How can organizations of all sizes access the same level of powerful, actionable insights that larger enterprises enjoy without breaking the bank?

Telmo Silva, a technology and business intelligence expert, shares how he approached this challenge by creating an easy-to-use, scalable platform designed to democratize data access. He discusses starting with a niche market, leveraging a freemium model to attract early users, and then evolving features based on customer needs. Telmo emphasizes strategies such as prioritizing simple, effective dashboards, tailoring pricing to customer data usage, and encouraging creative applications across industries to maximize value while controlling costs.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Telmo Silva, CEO of ClicData, about building an accessible and versatile business intelligence platform. Telmo discusses scaling from a niche focus to a global user base, creative and unexpected use cases for the technology, and lessons learned from transitioning away from freemium. He also delves into inbound growth strategies, pricing models, and navigating a successful acquisition.

Patrick Stiles is the CEO of Vidalytics, a video hosting and analytics platform that helps marketers convert cold clicks into paying customers through conversion-optimized tools and world-class analytics. Under his leadership, Vidalytics has powered videos responsible for over $3 billion in sales and is trusted by top direct response marketers and eight-, nine-, and even 10-figure brands, such as Primal Labs, V Shred, iClosed, and Frank Kern. 

Patrick’s entrepreneurial journey is anything but conventional — overcoming expulsion from school, addiction, and time in jail before building multiple eight-figure businesses. With a unique perspective shaped by both adversity and success, he brings a data-driven and innovative approach to video marketing and business growth.

Many businesses struggle to convert cold traffic into paying customers, often losing potential buyers due to poor video engagement, weak calls to action, or a lack of actionable data. Without clear insights into audience behavior, marketers risk wasting ad spend on underperforming creatives. How can companies use video more effectively to drive measurable sales and long-term customer relationships?

Patrick Stiles, an expert in video marketing and direct response strategy, shares how to address these challenges by leveraging detailed viewer data from Vidalytics, optimizing hooks and leads, and strategically placing calls to action. He explains how segmenting data by device, traffic source, and engagement patterns can reveal high-converting behaviors. Patrick also recommends testing multiple video versions, adding interactive elements, and aligning messaging closely with audience pain points to improve conversion rates and customer acquisition efficiency.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Jeremy Weisz interviews Patrick Stiles, Founder and CEO of Vidalytics, about mastering video marketing for conversions. Patrick discusses using Vidalytics to identify drop-off points, designing engaging video openings, and tailoring calls to action for different audiences. He also shares insights on overcoming early business struggles, creating interactive features, and building resilience through personal challenges.

Krishna Surendra is the CEO of HR Cloud, a human resources software company that offers tools for recruiting, onboarding, employee engagement, performance management, HRIS, and internal communications — all designed to automate HR processes and enhance workplace culture. He joined HR Cloud in 2016 as Director of Engineering, advanced to Chief Technology Officer in 2018, and took on the role of CEO in 2021. With a background in computer science, he brings deep technical expertise and leadership to his role. Under Krishna’s direction, HR Cloud continues to scale its offerings in employee engagement, onboarding automation, and HRIS solutions to drive productivity and retention in organizations.

Many organizations struggle to deliver a seamless and engaging employee experience from hiring to offboarding. Generic HR tools often fail to adapt to unique workflows, resulting in inefficient processes, poor communication, and disengaged staff. How can companies modernize their HR systems to be both efficient and deeply human-centered?

Krishna Surendra, an expert in HR technology, shares strategies for building customizable, automated HR workflows that span the entire employee lifecycle. Krishna emphasizes the importance of gathering ongoing customer feedback, prioritizing modules based on real demand, and integrating with existing systems rather than reinventing every feature. He also outlines practical ways to increase engagement — such as two-way communication channels, spot recognition with rewards, and adapting solutions for unique use cases like deskless workers or younger staff who prefer SMS notifications — while avoiding common onboarding mistakes like failing to document processes or track task completion.

In this episode of Inspired Insider, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Krishna Surendra, CEO of HR Cloud, about transforming the employee journey through adaptable HR software. Krishna discusses using customer-driven product development, enhancing engagement through recognition and feedback tools, and integrating with payroll systems. He also shares insights on prioritizing new features, addressing unique client needs, and lessons learned from build vs. buy decisions.

Brandon Kordower is the Founder and CEO of Aura CFO, a firm that helps marketing agencies scale profitably through fractional CFO services and strategic financial guidance. With over 15 years of experience, Brandon empowers agency owners to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Under his leadership, Aura CFO has supported businesses from $500K startups to nine-figure companies and helped clients achieve eight-figure exits by focusing on financial clarity and growth.

Daniel Simon, Executive Vice President at Aura CFO, brings 30 years of C-suite experience and a wide-ranging background across investment banking, music, fine arts, marketing, e-commerce, education, and restaurant ownership. His versatile experience adds depth to the firm’s insights and services. Together, Brandon and Daniel lead a team dedicated to helping agencies avoid common financial missteps, increase profitability, and prepare for sustainable growth or acquisition.

Many agency owners struggle with financial clarity — confused cash flow, underutilized teams, and misleading revenue growth often stand in the way of maximum profitability. So how do top-performing agencies turn these challenges into sustainable, scalable success?

Brandon Kordower shares how shifting from basic bookkeeping to fractional CFO services can unlock powerful insights for growing agencies. Along with Daniel Simon, he breaks down why people costs are often the biggest lever — and the biggest risk — in agency finances. From tracking staff utilization to setting service-line margins, they emphasize the importance of moving to accrual accounting, avoiding the trap of revenue obsession, and following key benchmarks like 60% gross margin and keeping people costs below 55%.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Brandon Kordower, Founder and CEO of Aura CFO, a firm that helps marketing agencies scale profitably through fractional CFO services and strategic financial guidance, and Daniel Simon, Executive Vice President, to discuss how agency leaders can take control of their finances, scale smarter, and prepare for eight-figure exits. They share real-world stories, actionable metrics, and insights into the financial visibility every creative business needs to thrive.

Josh Payne is the Founder and CEO of Coframe, an AI‑powered platform that optimizes website copy, UI, and conversion performance through machine learning. A serial entrepreneur, he previously co‑founded Autograph, a fan‑experience unicorn backed by a16z and Kleiner Perkins, and AccessBell, a video‑conferencing startup acquired by Tata Group. A Stanford graduate with BS, MS, and MBA degrees, Josh has authored over 20 papers and patents in AI and frequently guest lectures on generative AI. He is passionate about advancing AI‑driven tools that help businesses scale through personalization and intelligent automation.

Many companies struggle to turn website visitors into paying customers. Conversion rate optimization often feels slow, costly, and dependent on endless iterations, leaving teams unsure how to test the right elements efficiently. How can businesses rapidly identify what truly drives user engagement and lift conversions without exhausting their resources?

Josh Payne, an AI innovator and serial entrepreneur with experience building self-improving digital systems, shares how his AI-powered approach solves this challenge by automating and accelerating conversion rate optimization. Drawing on lessons from CRO expert Justin Christianson, Josh explains the importance of systematically testing site elements, understanding visitor intent, and leveraging data-driven iteration. He also details how companies can scale experiments, reduce engineering and design burden, and uncover winning website variations faster to drive significant revenue growth.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Josh Payne, Founder and CEO of Coframe, about using AI to transform website conversion optimization. Josh discusses the power of iterative testing, lessons from raising capital for multiple startups, and the role of hackathons in building high-performing teams. He also shares insights on partnering with major brands, scaling experiments efficiently, and leveraging AI for competitive advantage.

Brett Browman is the Growth Operating Partner at Khosla Ventures, where he helps scale transformative tech companies through hands-on growth strategy and marketing. As the first growth hire at both Square and Opendoor and a former operating partner at Andreessen Horowitz, Brett brings deep experience driving customer acquisition and business growth. He’s worked closely with top startups like OpenAI, Stripe, DoorDash, and Ramp, and is known for his tactical, team-focused approach. Beyond tech, he has snowboarded on all seven continents and brings a global, adventurous mindset to company building and culture.

Today’s fastest-growing startups thrive by cutting through noise and building real trust across teams. But what makes a venture partner more than just an advisor — and truly hands-on in the trenches? And in an AI-driven world, do old-school tactics like direct mail still have a place?

Brett Browman has helped scale some of the world’s fastest-growing startups, from Square to Opendoor, by going beyond boardroom advice and working directly with teams. He partners with companies at every stage — building marketing teams, refining strategies, and driving execution. Known for his hands-on, no-ego approach, Brett empowers teams, builds trust, and focuses on fundamentals like ideal customer profiles, key metrics, and product differentiation. His work, including unconventional tactics like direct mail, shows how grounded strategies and strong teams fuel lasting growth — even in a tech world racing toward AI.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Brett Browman, Growth Operating Partner at Khosla Ventures, to talk about scaling startups, hands-on leadership, and what it really takes to drive sustainable growth. They discuss Brett’s “ER-style” triage approach to diagnosing bottlenecks, the role of trust and autonomy in building high-performing teams, and why direct mail still has a surprising impact in today’s digital world. Brett also shares insights on the rise of Generative Engine Optimization, and why mastering the fundamentals beats chasing growth hacks every time.

Scott McKibben is the CEO and Co-founder of Matterhorn Venture Partners, a Chicago-based firm that specializes in acquiring, developing, and managing value-added industrial real estate across the US. With a career spanning over 30 years, Scott has overseen more than $10.6 billion in transactions and has developed and acquired more than 80 million square feet of industrial and office properties — making a significant impact on the commercial real estate industry. A former NCAA Division I tennis player at DePaul University and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Scott brings a competitive and disciplined approach to deal-making and team building.

Many real estate professionals face the challenge of scaling profitably while adapting to unpredictable market cycles. With rising interest rates, fierce competition, and shifting project economics, building a resilient investment firm requires more than capital — it demands vision, adaptability, and the ability to attract top-tier talent. How can today’s dealmakers structure firms that weather downturns and still deliver strong returns?

Scott McKibben, a seasoned commercial real estate executive, shares how he launched his firm with a lean, MVP-style approach — assembling a team of trusted colleagues and offering shared ownership to create true alignment. With over $10 billion in transactions and 80 million square feet of industrial and office projects under his belt, Scott reflects on lessons from both legacy deals and new ventures. He explains why backing local partners as 50-50 co-owners leads to entrepreneurial agility, how persistence and adaptability helped him navigate projects like the Citadel Center pivot, and why securing equity before chasing deals is a discipline he swears by.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Scott McKibben, Co-founder and CEO of Matterhorn Venture Partners, about building high-impact real estate ventures. Scott shares his journey from leadership at Brennan Investment Group to launching MVP, strategies for recruiting top talent, and the importance of transparency and trust with investors. He also dives into the mindset that fuels long-term success, the role of relationships in sourcing deals, and how sports taught him the grit and discipline needed to thrive in real estate.

Adrian Ferrero is the CEO and Co-founder of Biome Makers, a leading agtech firm that merges soil microbiome science with AI to redefine soil health management in agriculture worldwide. Under Adrian's leadership, Biome Makers grew from a bold vision into a global powerhouse, building the world’s largest soil microbiome database. His work has forged partnerships with Fortune 500 companies and earned recognition from the Spanish Government, Illumina Accelerator, and MIT Technology Review. A chance tweet led him from economics in Spain to Silicon Valley, where he set out to transform soil and crop science. Today, his pioneering efforts connect soil health to better food, higher yields, and a healthier planet — putting him at the forefront of biotechnology, AI, and agriculture.

In a world where the health of our food, planet, and bodies matters more than ever, few pause to consider the hidden life beneath our feet. What if the key to better farming, sustainability, and nutrition lies in understanding the tiny microbes in the soil?

Adrian Ferrero started with vineyards and built the world’s largest soil microbiome database. His team’s technology goes beyond identifying microbes — it reveals how they influence plant health and crop resilience. By partnering with farmers, manufacturers, and brands, Biome Makers improves yields, quality, and sustainability worldwide. Their evolution from basic reports to detailed, map-based recommendations shows how innovation and collaboration are transforming agriculture.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Adrian Ferrero, Co-founder and CEO of Biome Makers, a leading agtech firm, to discuss the company’s journey, breakthrough soil technology, and its impact on crops from vineyards to potatoes. They explore how soil biology affects carbon emissions and food quality, and how microbiome data empowers the entire agricultural supply chain.

Eva Yazhari is the Managing Partner of Beyond Capital Ventures, an early-stage impact venture capital firm investing in conscious leaders building businesses to solve critical challenges in emerging markets like India and East Africa. Under her leadership, the firm backs purpose-driven companies in healthcare, climate resilience, and financial inclusion in underserved markets. A former Wall Street executive, Eva leverages her institutional investment expertise to promote equitable ownership and long-term value across her portfolio. She is also the author of The Good Your Money Can Do and co-hosts The Beyond Capital Podcast, where she features mission-aligned global leaders.

In a world where capital often flows toward the most visible or hyped innovations, essential needs in emerging markets remain underfunded and overlooked. Entrepreneurs with purpose-driven missions in healthcare, fintech, and mobility often face structural barriers to scale — especially in regions like East Africa and India. How can investors and founders work together to create sustainable, impactful businesses in these challenging yet opportunity-rich environments?

Eva Yazhari, an experienced venture investor and advocate for conscious capitalism, shares how aligning investment strategy with social impact can unlock untapped market potential. Eva emphasizes the importance of backing founders who are in love with the problem — not just their own solution — so they can adapt and thrive in volatile markets. She outlines how early-stage businesses should demonstrate product-market fit, scalable unit economics, and a path to profitability in order to attract aligned capital. Her philosophy of “no investment is neutral” encourages both investors and consumers to intentionally direct resources toward businesses that reflect their values.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Eva Yazhari, Managing Partner at Beyond Capital Ventures, about purpose-driven investing in emerging markets. Eva discusses how to evaluate undervalued opportunities, why relational leadership matters in early-stage ventures, and what it means to build a business with stakeholder alignment. She also explores her investment thesis, personal values, and the power of aligned mentorship.

Joshua B. Lee is the Founder and CEO of StandOut Authority, a company dedicated to humanizing marketing by helping entrepreneurs and executives grow their brands through the power of LinkedIn. Known as “The Dopamine Dealer of LinkedIn,” Joshua has managed nearly $1 billion in ad spend and driven over 35 trillion online impressions, building influence for high-powered professionals in a noisy digital world. With over 20 years of experience, he has founded 16 companies, worked with platforms such as MySpace and Google, and continues to transform how professionals create genuine human connections online.

In an era where automation and spam dominate digital platforms, professionals struggle to build meaningful relationships online. How do you create real impact, stand out from the noise, and build trust in a world that’s more disconnected than ever?

Joshua B. Lee, known as the "Dopamine Dealer of LinkedIn," shares how to shift from selling to connecting by humanizing your brand. With two decades of digital marketing experience and a deep understanding of the LinkedIn algorithm, Joshua emphasizes authentic connection over automation. He outlines practical tactics such as using engagement triggers, optimizing LinkedIn profiles for emotional resonance, and leveraging LinkedIn Events for lead generation. All of these strategies are centered around building advocates instead of cold leads. 

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Joshua B. Lee, Founder and CEO of StandOut Authority. They discuss crafting a powerful LinkedIn presence, fixing common mistakes, and building trust in a skeptical world. Joshua explains how to grow authority, attract opportunities without hard selling, and use LinkedIn to create meaningful, lasting connections.