AI is shaking up industries, but what does it mean for female founders in today’s challenging funding environment? In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, Susan Sly sits down with five-time entrepreneur Melinda Wittstock—AI innovator, venture partner, and CEO of Podopolo. They break down the impact of AI disruptors like DeepSeek, the funding freeze on U.S. grants, and why women-led startups deliver higher returns yet still struggle for capital. Melinda shares raw insights on hiring, scaling, and staying scrappy in tough times. If you’re a founder navigating today’s startup landscape, this episode is a must-listen.

Melinda Wittstock is a 5-time entrepreneur, AI innovator, and Founder and CEO of Podopolo, the AI and blockchain-powered podcast platform revolutionizing discovery, engagement, and monetization. Honored as 2024’s “AI Pioneer of the Year,” she also invests in women-led startups as a venture partner at Zero Limits Capital. A former award-winning journalist for the BBC, Times of London, and CNBC, she created a BBC TV show reaching 20 million viewers and was praised by Steve Jobs for her interviewing skills. Melinda hosts Wings of Inspired Business, empowering female founders to succeed without tradeoffs.

Website: https://melindawittstock.com/

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

Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.

Website https://susansly.com

Website https://thepause.ai/

LinkedIn @susansly



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Kaylee Lieffers, Co-Founder and CEO of Blanka, shares how she built a top Shopify beauty app that helps entrepreneurs launch private-label brands—without holding inventory.  From bootstrapping and startup struggles to funding, hiring, and overcoming imposter syndrome, Kaylee reveals key lessons in scaling a tech business. A must-listen for founders, startup leaders, and e-commerce entrepreneurs!

About Kaylee Lieffers:

Kaylee's journey is a compelling narrative of transition and entrepreneurship. Formerly immersed in the world of management consulting, she took a bold leap into the startup realm, venturing into the competitive landscape of e-commerce. Her personal experiences navigating the challenges of launching her own business eventually led her to co-found Blanka. In less than two years, Blanka became one of the top performing apps in the Shopify App Store, won BC Tech’s Startup of the Year, and today has helped over 25,000 entrepreneurs start their businesses. Her unwavering commitment to innovation and empowering other entrepreneurs has earned her a number of awards including Top 30 Under 30 and Top Female Founders to Watch in Canada.

Kaylee has generously provided a special discount for our listeners!  Use code RAWANDREAL to get 10% off your first sample order with Blanka!

Connect with Kaylee:

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

Website: https://blankabrand.com/  

Tiktok: @blanka_brand

Instagram: @/blankabrand/

About Susan Sly:

Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.

Connect With Susan:

Website https://susansly.com

Website https://thepause.ai/

LinkedIn @susansly



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In this Raw and Real Entrepreneurship episode, host Susan Sly sits down with Cody Schneider, Co-Founder of Swell AI. Together, they explore the dynamic landscape of startups, highlighting the rising trend of remote work and the power of global talent pools. Cody shares invaluable insights on scaling companies through innovative strategies like podcasting, live courses, and social media, emphasizing the critical role of community building.

Explore the transformative impact of AI on media and marketing, as Susan and Cody discuss practical marketing strategies and the significance of leveraging expert knowledge and brand voice. Cody reveals his tried-and-tested methods for achieving page one of Google overnight and provides a glimpse into the evolving content creation process powered by AI.

Learn from real-world examples, including success stories of tech startups leveraging AI tools and remote teams to drive exponential growth. Cody discusses the success of AI-powered platforms in content marketing and the potential ban of TikTok.

For entrepreneurs seeking to harness the power of AI, create impactful content, and navigate the ever-evolving startup world with confidence and strategic foresight, this episode is an indispensable resource. It offers timely insights and practical strategies that can help entrepreneurs stay ahead in today's dynamic business environment. 

About Cody: Cody Schneider is a serial entrepreneur and innovator in AI-powered content marketing. As Founder of Draft Horse AI and Swell AI, he has helped numerous companies exponentially grow their businesses by leveraging AI to automate content production workflows. Named one of Business.com's Top 25 Marketers to Watch, Cody gained his experience helping scale startups from the ground up through strategic content strategies.

Connect with Cody

Website: swellai.com

LinkedIn: @codyxschneider

About Susan: Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, sought after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Dive deep into the essence of success with Susan Sly, and redefine your entrepreneurial journey.

Connect With Susan

Website: https://susansly.com

Website: https://thepause.ai/

LinkedIn: @susansly

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In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, Susan Sly chats with Jasmine Bhatti, a Registered Nurse and founder of Navi Nurses, about her journey from COVID unit nurse to healthcare innovator. Learn how Jasmine bootstrapped her company, scaled to 200+ nurses, and disrupted the industry with patient-focused care. She shares insights on finding clients, building a team, and managing stress.

Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, Jasmine’s story will inspire you to take the leap and build your dream business.

About Jasmine: Jasmine Bhatti, RN, is the founder and CEO of Navi Nurses, a rapidly growing private-duty nursing company redefining at-home care through client empowerment, engagement, and education. With 12 years of nursing experience at Barrow Neurological Institute and the Mayo Clinic, Jasmine saw critical gaps in care during transitions from hospital to home and launched Navi Nurses in 2021 to bridge those gaps and reduce hospital readmissions.

Currently pursuing a PhD in Nursing and Health Innovation at Arizona State University, Jasmine also holds a master’s in regulatory science and health safety from ASU and a bachelor’s in nursing from Grand Canyon University.

Connect With Jasmine:

Website: https://navinurses.com/

LinkedIn: @jasminecbhatti/

Navi Nurses LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navinurses 

Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.

Connect With Susan:

Website https://susansly.com

Website https://thepause.ai/

LinkedIn @susansly



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In this inspiring episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, host Susan Sly sits down with Gregory Shepard, founder of BOSS Capital Partners, serial entrepreneur, and author of The Startup Life Cycle. Gregory shares insights from his groundbreaking research, including interviews with 1,200 founders, and highlights the phases where startups are most vulnerable—and how founders can navigate these challenges to achieve the ultimate goal: a successful exit.

Susan and Gregory dive into the systemic biases faced by women and marginalized founders, the grit it takes to overcome these obstacles, and how celebrating small wins is crucial for entrepreneurial success. From marathon swimming and shark dives to Gregory’s ticket to space, they also explore what it means to push limits and embrace fearless leadership.

Gregory Shepard has built and sold 12 businesses in BioTech, TransitTech, AdTech and MarTech. He is a Forbes book author and contributor, and has been featured or quoted in publications like Fortune, Entrepreneur, The New York Observer, The DEAL, and Thrive Global. A recipient of four private equity awards for transactions between $250M to $1B, Greg has appeared on TV, radio, and popular podcasts, and been featured as a TEDx and keynote speaker at multiple universities and conferences worldwide.

Connect with Gregory:

Website: www.gregoryshepard.com

LinkedIn: @gregshepard/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Startup-Lifecycle-Definitive-Guide-Building/dp/1637744323

Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.

Connect With Susan:

Website https://susansly.com

Website https://thepause.ai/

LinkedIn @susansly

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In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, Susan Sly sits down with Morgan Kline, Co-Founder of Burn Boot Camp. Morgan shares her inspiring story of transitioning from parking lot boot camps to leading a thriving fitness franchise with over 400 locations and a best-selling book. The conversation touches on:

Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical tips for entrepreneurship, personal growth, and community building.

Morgan Kline, Co-Founder & CEO of the Burn Boot Camp Franchise. Morgan Kline is the Co-Founder and CEO of Burn Boot Camp. Growing up in Battle Creek, MI, she initially pursued a corporate career at Kellogg Company. However, her true passion for helping others achieve their health and fitness goals led her to co-found Burn Boot Camp with Devan in 2012. This venture has enabled Morgan to share her passion for healthy living and realize her potential. As a mother of three, she understands the challenges women face in prioritizing their well-being and is dedicated to empowering them through Burn Boot Camp.

Connect with Morgan

Website https://burnbootcamp.com/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-kline-0ab49758/

Instagram @morgan.a.kline

Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence.

Connect With Susan

Website https://susansly.com

Website https://thepause.ai/

LinkedIn @susansly



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In this Raw and Real Entrepreneurship episode, Susan Sly talks to Karen Gordon, Founder of Simpli5. Karen shares her journey from managing a thriving business with $1 million in monthly revenue to navigating that customer's bankruptcy. Her story highlights the importance of perseverance and strategic pivoting.

Karen shares the practical implications of cognitive diversity. She discusses the importance of understanding one's strengths and actively seeking out and surrounding oneself with diverse individuals who possess complementary skills and perspectives. She explains this is the key to building high-performing teams that foster collaboration and innovation.

Karen and Susan discuss balancing work and family responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries to prevent burnout and the role of flexibility in fostering a supportive work environment. Karen shares her experience managing her company while dealing with her daughter and husband's cancer diagnoses. They also address gender disparities in entrepreneurship, particularly women's challenges in securing funding.

Tune in to be inspired by Karen's resilience and gain actionable insights on leading with passion, embracing flexibility, and harnessing the power of diverse teams to drive high performance.

Karen Gordon, Co-Founder, President, and CEO of Simpli5, is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming workplace cultures through collaboration and team performance. Recognized as a two-time Inc. 500 Honoree and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, Karen's expertise is featured in top publications like The CEO Magazine and Huffington Post. Her TEDx talk on "The Myth of Difficult People" highlights her thought leadership in navigating complex workplace dynamics. Under her guidance, Simpli5 partners with Fortune 500 companies, universities, and healthcare organizations to promote cognitive diversity and productivity.

Connect with Karen

Website https://www.simpli5.com/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-wright-gordon-1937a66

Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Dive deep into the essence of success with Susan Sly and redefine your entrepreneurial journey.

Connect With Susan

Website https://susansly.com

Website https://thepause.ai/

LinkedIn @susansly

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Ever wondered how a kid selling coloring books door-to-door could end up co-founding one of the hottest plant-based protein drink brands? In this Raw and Real Entrepreneurship episode, Susan Sly sits down with Chris Hunter, the unstoppable force behind KOIA. From hustling coloring book pictures in Youngstown, Ohio, to navigating the chaos of Four Loko, to breaking into major retailers like Starbucks with KOIA, Chris's journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

Chris opens up about his early entrepreneurial sparks, the financial hurdles he faced, and the resilience it took to turn his side hustles into full-blown successes. We dive deep into his innovative approach to parenting, raising kids who are already budding entrepreneurs, and the critical role of mentorship and sustainable business practices in his journey.

But it's not all smooth sailing. Chris shares his raw and real experiences of dealing with regulatory crackdowns, managing towering debts, and the therapeutic process of writing his book. This episode is packed with insights on authenticity, perseverance, and learning from every misstep.

Whether you're an established entrepreneur or just dipping your toes into the business world, Chris Hunter's story is a powerful reminder that with grit, hustle, and a bit of chaos management, you can turn your wildest dreams into reality. Tune in for a dose of real-talk entrepreneurship that's as inspiring as it is enlightening.

About Chris: Chris Hunter is a powerhouse in the beverage industry, known for his innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. He's the mastermind behind several hit beverage brands, including Four Loko, Koia, and Not Your Father's Root Beer. As the co-founder of Koia, Chris has driven the company to $100M in annual sales, securing spots in Whole Foods, Sprouts, 7-Eleven, and Starbucks. His memoir, Blackout Punch, reveals the gripping story of his journey and the lessons he's learned along the way.

Connect with Chris:

Website https://drinkkoia.com

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-hunter-890a2315/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/koia/

About Susan: Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, sought after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Dive deep into the essence of success with Susan Sly, and redefine your entrepreneurial journey.

Connect With Susan

X @Susanslylive

LinkedIn @susansly

Website https://susansly.com/

Website https://thepause.ai/

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In this raw and riveting episode of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship Podcast, Susan Sly sits down with Nick Fogle, the resilient founder of Churnkey, to unpack the gritty truth of turning financial chaos into entrepreneurial gold. Their conversation dives deep into the whirlwind journey from crippling student loans to groundbreaking business success, offering a masterclass in transforming burdens into opportunities.

Nick peels back the curtain on how he juggled a staggering $250k in student debt while kickstarting his law firm and, later, diving headlong into the tech world. From mowing lawns to coding innovative software, Nick's path is anything but conventional. He shares how understanding the hard numbers and embracing creative risks propelled him from a broke lawyer to a tech maven at a publicly traded company.

Susan and Nick discuss the relentless challenges of entrepreneurship, from battling high churn rates to mastering work-life balance while raising a family. They reveal personal strategies for coping with stress, emphasizing the game-changing role of therapy and the power of investing in oneself despite financial strain.

Whether you're buried in debt, struggling to scale your business, or need real-world wisdom, this episode is your guide to harnessing adversity. Tune in to hear how Nick's journey of self-discovery and bold moves led him to survive and thrive, selling his company for a mid-seven-figure sum and setting the stage for his next big venture. Discover the unfiltered truths about debt, risk-taking, and the entrepreneurial spirit that refuses to quit.

About Nick Fogle: Nick, the Founder and CEO of Churnkey, has an inspiring journey from a struggling attorney buried in student debt to a successful entrepreneur. Overcoming adversity, he taught himself to code while driving a shuttle bus for minimum wage and eventually rose to lead engineer at a publicly traded software company. Nick's relentless dedication led to the creation of Wavve, a SaaS business, which he later sold for a mid-7 figure sum in 2021. Drawing from his experiences, he launched Churnkey, leveraging his expertise in retention strategies to revolutionize customer retention solutions. Nick's remarkable story exemplifies resilience, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Connect With Nick:

LinkedIn @nickfogle

Website https://churnkey.co/

About Susan Sly: Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, sought after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Dive deep into the essence of success with Susan Sly, and redefine your entrepreneurial journey.

Connect With Susan

X @Susanslylive

LinkedIn @susansly

Website https://susansly.com/

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Join Susan Sly, Raw and Real Entrepreneurship host, as she interviews Kevin Bibelhausen, the mastermind behind Fruition Capital and Heritage Fabrics. This isn't your typical business chat; it's a deep dive into the mechanics of buying and selling businesses, focusing on the crucial role of cash flow and profitability.

Kevin opens up about his unlikely path from opera singing to dominating the business acquisition game. He breaks down the nuts and bolts of navigating business purchases with minimal initial know-how, from deciphering balance sheets to wrangling SBA loans and rallying investors. He shares his strategic maneuvers in investment, targeting growth-stage companies, and how to cultivate investor relationships to boost business growth skillfully.

The conversation also gets honest about the mental grind and emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, giving you a candid look at the personal challenges of raising capital and juggling multiple business ventures. 

This episode is packed with critical insights into the strategies, pitfalls, and triumphs of navigating the business landscape while keeping your personal and professional growth at full throttle. 

About Kevin Bibelhausen

Kevin Bibelhausen is an investor, business owner, and consultant specializing in digital strategy & operations. He's a sought-after conference speaker, podcast guest, and author, passionate about professionalizing SMB acquisitions. Kevin founded Fruition Capital, which invests in SMB acquisition deals. With an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, he brings over a decade of experience in corporate technology and operations leadership. Kevin's journey from a near-fatal health challenge to small business ownership reflects his dedication to entrepreneurship. 

Connect With Kevin

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

X https://twitter.com/bibelhausen

Website https://bibelhausen.com/

Website https://heritagefabrics.com

About Susan Sly

Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, sought after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Dive deep into the essence of success with Susan Sly, and redefine your entrepreneurial journey.

Connect With Susan

X @Susanslylive

LinkedIn @susansly

Website https://susansly.com/

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