INspired INsider Podcast

Aaron Conant is Co-founder and Chief Digital Strategist at BWG Connect, a leading platform for executive strategy and networking sessions. He is an e-commerce expert with over a decade of experience in digital commerce, providing advisory services to brands on Amazon sales strategies, retail media, direct consumer platform selection, and SEO. BWG Connect, in conjunction with BWG Strategy, has built an exclusive network of over 125,000 senior professionals and hosts over 2,000 virtual and in-person networking events annually.

Before starting BWG Connect, Aaron was the Head of eCommerce Sales and Business Development at Perrigo and a research scientist at Pfizer. He is also the host of the Digital Deep Dive Podcast.

Are you struggling to find profitability in today’s saturated e-commerce market? With the constant evolution, rising advertising costs, and the increasing complexity of online retail, businesses are struggling to keep up. But what if there’s a way to harness the collective knowledge of industry leaders and cutting-edge tools to skyrocket your success?

Aaron Conant, an expert in the e-commerce space, offers a deep dive into his experiences and the solutions to many e-commerce roadblocks. He shares how he pivoted from being a chemist to leading one of the most influential e-commerce networks, emphasizing how a love for experiments and a data-driven mindset fuelled his success. Aaron dispenses advice on how brands can increase profitability and seize underutilized opportunities in online spaces by utilizing forward-thinking tools and strategies.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Aaron Conant, Co-founder and Chief Digital Strategist at BWG Connect, about fostering collaborative learning and growing e-commerce entities. Aaron shares the valuable e-commerce networking opportunities at BWG Connect, its business model and approach to event sponsorship, the key concerns and pain points currently facing e-commerce brands, and the missed opportunities and low-hanging fruit for e-commerce growth.

Paul Tedesco is the President of Track, an industry-leading data technology analytics agency focused on data-driven marketing for clients like McDonald's, Kraft, Mercedes-Benz, and Samsung. With over 30 years of experience in marketing, Paul has been instrumental in the company's growth, expanding Track from eight employees to over 90 and securing long-term relationships with high-profile clients. In addition to his work at Track, Paul teaches customer value creation and marketing analytics in the MBA program of the Degroote School of Business at McMaster University.

Ever wondered how a marketing agency can remain relevant and innovative in today’s data-driven world? How do they balance the use of traditional methods like direct mail with cutting-edge digital strategies, and what lessons can be learned from the success stories of industry giants?

Paul Tedesco delves into how the proper use of analytics and personalized messaging can transform a brand's relationship with its customers. He shares his journey from starting out in the sales world selling toilet paper to running marketing campaigns for giants like McDonald's and Samsung. Paul reveals the significance of retention, both of customers and employees, and how it has become the cornerstone of success for Track.

In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Paul Tedesco, President of Track, to discuss leveraging data-driven actions for market impact. The discussion delves into the intricacies of customer value creation, the logistical shifts in marketing analytics, and the potential of tailored experiences that cater to personal habits and needs. Paul's prowess as a seasoned marketer and educator shines through as he offers insightful takeaways that listeners can apply to their own marketing endeavors and personal growth.

Bo Royal is the CEO and Co-founder of Pareto Legal, a growth marketing agency specializing in digital advertising, conversion rate optimization, and analytics for small- and medium-sized law firms. Under Bo's leadership, Pareto Legal has achieved numerous milestones, helping clients add seven figures in cases to their pipeline and managing ad spends as high as $30 million a month during his tenure with Fortune 500 brands like Calvin Klein and eBay. Bo holds degrees in Marketing and International Business Administration from the Fox School of Business at Temple University and has helped scale digital ad efforts for various industries.

Have you ever wondered how a shift from broad spectrum marketing to a niche focus could transform a business? What if you discovered a substantial chunk of your advertising budget was being wasted? Wouldn't you want to know how to reallocate those funds more efficiently in order to grow your business?

Bo shares his journey of transitioning from the fast-paced corporate advertising environment to becoming co-owner of Pareto Legal, a growth marketing agency for law firms. By focusing on digital advertising, conversion rate optimization, and analytics, Bo has been instrumental in scaling numerous injury law firms. He emphasizes the importance of niching down, noting that his early years were marked by taking on any client in any industry, leading to a lack of specialization. It was only after the e-commerce wave during the pandemic and subsequent budget cuts that Bo realized the saturated market needed a different approach, leading him to refocus on legal marketing.

In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Bo Royal, CEO and Co-founder of Pareto Legal, to delve into strategic shifts and operational lessons learned. Bo discusses the importance of specialization in attaining sustainable growth, the structure of incentivizing staff through a revenue-sharing model, and the critical need for qualifying potential clients through initial paid assessments. He also touches on the balance of client servicing and internal efficiency, highlighting the use of tools like Asana and ClickUp for project management and the Freedom app for minimizing distractions.

Katie Schibler Conn is the Founder of KSA Marketing, an integrated advertising agency specializing in workforce development, recruitment, and advertising for talent acquisitions. A classically trained marketer, she unexpectedly transitioned from her corporate role at Sony and PlayStation to international yak farming, eventually leading to her starting her agency. At KSA, Katie leverages her diverse experiences to help clients navigate "oh shit" moments and achieve their "hell yeah" through impactful marketing strategies. An alumna of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, her leadership has been acknowledged by Inc. 5000, Enterprising Women, and Providence Business News.

Have you ever faced an "oh shit" moment in your business or career? Imagine scaling mountains, staying in hostels, and even farming yaks in Mongolia, bringing back stories that redefine the trajectory of your professional life. What could a retired yak farmer possibly teach us about marketing, workforce development, and creating an agency culture that kicks ass?

Marketing expert Katie Schibler Conn dives into how turning high-pressure moments into compelling stories propelled the foundation and growth of her marketing agency. She discusses the importance of aligning a company's culture with its values to aid in talent acquisition and retention effectively. She also reflects on her previous career leaps, from overseeing high-profile accounts like PlayStation to farming yaks, and how these experiences shaped her approach to risk-taking and marketing. Katie reveals the practices that make her agency's culture irresistible to her team and the vital tools and resources that have helped her manage and scale KSA Marketing.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Katie Schibler Conn, Founder of KSA Marketing, about building a successful agency and cultivating a positive workplace culture. Katie discusses how KSA Marketing helps clients overcome their "oh shit" moments and succeed, the importance of workforce development in connecting people with career opportunities, and how culture and shared values impact talent acquisition and retention.

Ian Garlic is the Founder of Video Cast Story, an agency that supports brands in developing strategies and goals for video case stories. He is also the Founder of StoryCrews, a company dedicated to connecting businesses with top-rated videographers to market and expand their brands through powerful video stories. With over 15 years of experience in the digital marketing industry, Ian shares his knowledge and expertise on the Garlic Marketing Show, a podcast that discusses video and marketing trends. Ian believes that customer stories and videos are so essential to scaling, he wrote and published Video Testimonials That Land the Big Fish: The Proven Marketing Strategy to Attract Bigger Clients, Increase Sales, and Achieve Real YouTube Results With Video Case Stories. 

Imagine the potential impact of incorporating your clients' stories into your business approach. What if the key to engaging your audience and clinching deals lies in authentic, relatable narratives rather than forceful sales tactics? Navigating these opportunities may seem complex, but customer stories could come to be your most potent sales asset.

Ian Garlic, an expert in video marketing and storytelling, delves into the transformative potential of using client stories, specifically video case stories, to answer crucial questions in marketing. He outlines the types of videos essential for conversion and describes how his “tackle box” method helps businesses prepare and leverage these stories effectively. Ian emphasizes the difference between testimonials and case stories, advocating for the latter due to their ability to establish credibility and answer prospects' underlying questions seamlessly.

In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Ian Garlic, Founder of Video Cast Story, about building a no-selling sales system through video case stories. Ian discusses how he helps businesses harness the power of video case stories in marketing, the types of videos that every business should utilize for conversion, strategies for creating a successful and logical foot-in-the-door offer, and mistakes to avoid when creating and implementing a foot-in-the-door offer.

Micah Mitchell is Co-founder of Memberium, a software solution that empowers entrepreneurs and leaders to build automated membership sites deeply integrated with their CRMs. With over a decade of experience in membership site strategy, he has worked with high-profile clients helping them strategize and succeed with website models. A pioneer in the membership space, Micah continues to innovate and share his insights on creating engaging and profitable online communities. He is passionate about improving user experience through gamification, community-building, and seamless content protection.

Are you searching for a seamless way to transform your expertise or content into a lucrative online venture? Do you ever wonder how some companies manage to create online communities that not only engage users, but also drive consistent revenue? Could there be well-guarded formulas for constructing a prosperous membership platform that transcends from a modest user base to encompass thousands of members?

Membership sites and marketing automation expert Micah Mitchell explores the transformative journey of offering membership sites, taking Memberium from its inception to a well-known software solution in the industry. He discusses the challenges and successes along the way, including how Memberium approaches product development, customer support, and strategic partnerships. He shares insights into the gamification of online content, the power of community building, and the importance of properly staging business growth when tackling membership models. Moreover, Micah opens up about the unique structure of his partnership with his co-founder, highlighting the benefits and hurdles they've encountered as they scaled Memberium to new heights.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Micah Mitchell, Co-founder of Memberium, about building successful and automated membership sites. Micah talks about Memberium and how it serves various user groups, gamification techniques to maximize user engagement, the four stages of building a successful membership site, and tips for structuring beneficial and impactful partnerships to grow a SaaS business.

Mandi Ellefson is the Founder and CEO of Hands-Off CEO, which helps seven-figure consulting agencies scale. As the creator of the Scale to Freedom Scalable Service Growth framework, she has consulted with hundreds of agency owners and CEOs, helping them free 20-50% of their week to focus on accelerating profits. Mandi is also the author of The Hands-Off CEO and the host of the Hands-Off CEO Podcast.

Many business owners work tirelessly and barely move the needle, while others make strategic moves that lead to exponential growth. Could there be a method to break free from the cycle that entraps so many entrepreneurs, allowing them to scale their businesses without being hands-on all the time?

Mandi Ellefson of Hands-Off CEO tackled these very challenges and emerged victorious. Suffering from burnout after managing her business single-handedly, she applied her firsthand experience and problem-solving skills to develop systems that free CEOs from the daily grind and enable their businesses to scale with increased profitability. With a focus on creating irresistible offers that command premium fees, Mandi's approach revolutionizes the concept of growth in the consulting agency realm.

In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Mandi Ellefson, Founder and CEO of Hands-Off CEO, about revolutionizing consulting agencies. Mandi talks about the Hands-Off CEO and the evolution of its services, the CEO entrapment cycle, the secrets of creating an irresistible offer that multiplies your fees, and the Hands-Off growth roadmap to reinvigorate your stagnating business.

Ed Crain is the President and CEO of Kingstar Direct and Kingstar Media, which is recognized as Canada’s top performance marketing agency. With over 25 years of industry experience, Ed has played a crucial role in the company's growth and success, helping top brands like Trivago, Babbel, and Generac achieve remarkable marketing outcomes. Kingstar Media specializes in ensuring accountability for every media dollar spent, delivering impressive results for clients through precise planning and optimization of offline and online media. Ed's passion for direct response marketing and building strong relationships has driven his success, making him a respected figure in the field.

Ever wondered how some of the most iconic direct response marketing campaigns came to be? What makes a campaign both effective and memorable? What if you could glean insights directly from the mind behind legendary infomercials like the ShamWow and Jack LaLanne's juicers?

Ed Crain of Kingstar Media shares his journey from being a childhood actor to becoming a powerhouse in the direct response industry. He recounts how his early experiences led him to the infomercial sector, where he mastered the art of creating engaging content that drives consumer action. With decades of experience, Ed provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into working with notable personalities like Fran Tarkenton and Jack LaLanne, emphasizing the importance of genuine passion and relationships in crafting compelling marketing messages. 

In today’s episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Ed Crain, President and CEO of Kingstar Media,  about the evolution and efficacy of direct response marketing. He shares valuable lessons on constructing a powerful pitch, the necessity of authentic testimonials, and the importance of continuous testing and optimization. Ed's anecdotes highlight how even in an age of shrinking attention spans, the fundamentals of creating trust and showcasing clear transformations remain key.

Bonnie Hillman is the President and Owner of A&C, a full-service communications and sponsorship agency with roots in arts and culture. With a career spanning decades, she acquired the 40-year-old agency in 2004 and significantly expanded its services to include public relations and digital marketing. Bonnie is a seasoned expert in high-level negotiations for sponsorship deals and naming rights, clinching prominent partnerships with brands like TD Bank and Johnny Walker. Beyond her role at A&C, she's a board member of the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada and has a flair for creative solutions in client acquisition and sponsorship campaigns. 

Have you ever wondered what it takes to negotiate million-dollar deals and make a name for yourself in the competitive world of marketing sponsorships? What about acquiring an established agency and navigating the tricky waters of ownership transfer and business growth? How does one even begin to approach such mammoth tasks?

Public relations and communications expert Bonnie Hillman delves into her remarkable journey of acquiring the agency A&C and the strategic maneuvers she employed to drive the company's success in sponsorship and communications. She shares valuable insights from negotiating the agency purchase to structuring deals to increase brand visibility and create immersive experiences for clients. Bonnie also discusses the evolution of A&C from an arts-focused agency to a wide-ranging powerhouse in the publicity sector, emphasizing the importance of establishing strong and clear values in high-stake negotiations.

In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Bonnie Hillman, President and Owner of A&C, about the intricacies of business acquisitions and sponsorship marketing. Bonnie talks about A&C and what it does, the keys to structuring a successful acquisition and maintaining business operations amidst the transition, recent shifts in the sponsorship landscape, and key negotiation tactics.

Chris Yates is the Founder of Rhodium Network, a community and events platform designed to support digital entrepreneurs through facilitating business deals, partnerships, and connections. Before his current venture, he made waves in the digital marketing agency realm and was instrumental in a series of online businesses, culminating in impressive profits. With roots in an entrepreneurial family, Chris learned the business from his father's publishing enterprise and various subsequent ventures. He later channeled this upbringing, combined with his tech-savvy skills, into cultivating an environment where business deals and partnerships flourish among members. Chris owns and manages a portfolio of income-producing websites and teaches others the best practices for securely purchasing established websites.

Have you ever felt like you're on a hamster wheel, tirelessly grinding but craving a more impactful and efficient way to run your business? The road to entrepreneurial success can be isolating, but what if there was a way to navigate it with a community of like-minded individuals?

Internet entrepreneur Chris Yates delves into how he founded Rhodium Network to address the loneliness and isolation often felt by successful digital entrepreneurs. He shares his challenges, from the emotional decision to sell part of his business portfolio and mastering the art of online business acquisitions to harnessing the power of community for personal and professional growth. Chris also discusses the evolution of Rhodium, from its first meeting to its current offerings, including highly curated events and an engaged online community, revealing the value of blending offline and online interactions.

In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz interviews Chris Yates, Founder of Rhodium Network, about building and nurturing digital entrepreneurship. Chris discusses the organic growth of Rhodium Network and what it does, the transition from an agency-based business to focusing on acquiring digital companies, fundamental lessons learned from acquisition experiences, and the integration of a robust community model to maintain engagement among digital entrepreneurs.