RAW Spotlight

Dr. Jeremy Weisz is the Co-founder of Rise25, a company that helps B2B business owners connect with their ideal prospects, referral partners, and strategic partners through a done-for-you podcast service. He has been involved in podcasting for over a decade and was a senior producer for one of the early business podcasts; he assisted in putting all of their systems in place and helped them add volume, feature, and edify various business leaders.

Dr. Weisz has also been running his podcast, Inspired Insider, since 2011. He has featured top entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs of companies such as P90X, Atari, Einstein Bagels, Mattel, the Orlando Magic, and many more. In addition to running Rise25, Dr. Weisz owns a nutritional supplement business and continues running his chiropractic and massage facility, Chiropractical Solutions & Massage.

Without efficient operations, even the most promising companies can struggle to stay organized, and without strategic outreach, opportunities can slip through the cracks. How can leaders streamline their processes while fostering valuable connections at scale?

According to podcasting expert and relationship-building strategist Dr. Jeremy Weisz, the key to sustainable growth combines structured SOPs and a value-driven outreach approach. SOPs create efficiency and consistency, allowing businesses to focus on high-impact activities instead of getting stuck in the weeds. However, systems alone aren't enough. Dr. Weisz also stresses the importance of leveraging content, particularly podcasting, as a tool for deepening relationships with prospects, clients, and partners. By combining operational excellence with a thoughtful relationship-building strategy, companies can create lasting opportunities and scale efficiently and meaningfully.

In this episode of RAW Spotlight, host Steffanie Rodriguez sits down with Dr. Jeremy Weisz, Co-founder of Rise25, to discuss how businesses can scale effectively by optimizing systems and fostering strong connections. Dr. Weisz shares how SOPs create structure and prevent bottlenecks, why outreach should always be value-driven, and how podcasting can be a powerful tool for business growth.

Kelli Farmer is a Sustainable Materials Management Professional at SCS Engineers, a company specializing in environmental consulting and engineering solutions. She focuses on zero waste planning, edible food recovery programs, and compliance with California's Senate Bill 1383, which mandates organic waste recycling. Kelli works closely with cities and businesses to implement sustainable practices that reduce waste and improve community impact. She is also a recipient of the Young Professional of the Year Award for her contributions to the field.

From managing single-use plastics to creating systems for edible food recovery, the road to sustainability requires creativity, leadership, and dedication. How can individuals and businesses take meaningful steps to make an environmental impact?

According to Kelli Farmer, a leading expert in sustainable materials management, it starts with collaboration and education. She highlights the importance of bringing stakeholders together to develop practical solutions for reducing waste, like redistributing surplus food to those in need or adopting compostable alternatives to single-use plastics. Kelli also emphasizes how implementing California's Senate Bill 1383 and building zero-waste programs that prioritize innovation and measurable results prove that even small changes can drive a big impact.

In this episode of RAW Spotlight, host Emily Au sits down with Kelli Farmer, Sustainable Materials Management Professional at SCS Engineers, to discuss zero waste initiatives, edible food recovery programs, and the challenges of tackling single-use plastics. Kelli also shares her leadership approach, advice for breaking into the sustainability field, and her vision for a greener, more resourceful future.

Dylan Feik is the City Manager for the City of Monrovia, a community in Southern California. Appointed in October 2019, Dylan has extensive experience in local government, including budget and finance, labor negotiations, public works operations, and managing capital improvement projects. Prior to his role in Monrovia, Dylan served as City Manager of Calistoga and held leadership roles in cities across California, Iowa, and Kansas.

What makes a thriving community? Is it the infrastructure, the parks, or the people who call it home? In times of crisis, how do cities maintain their sense of identity while adapting to new challenges?

According to Dylan Feik, a seasoned public service leader, a thriving community is built on authenticity, accessibility, and collaboration. He emphasizes that being deeply rooted in the community through active listening and shared experiences enables leaders to make decisions that truly benefit residents. For instance, Dylan discusses the importance of engaging the public in designing Monrovia's new parks and community spaces to foster a sense of ownership and pride among residents. This inclusive approach, combined with adaptability in times of crisis, has strengthened Monrovia's resilience and created a blueprint for a thriving local governance.

In this episode of RAW Spotlight, host Victor Huynh sits down with Dylan Feik, City Manager for the City of Monrovia, to discuss how he has built a culture of connection and navigated critical challenges, including the pandemic and the Bobcat Fire. Dylan shares insights on blending personal values with professional goals, his vision for Monrovia's parks and community spaces, and how his hobbies help him stay grounded as a leader.

Lynette Williams is the Head Instructor for Digital Marketing at Podium Education, a platform that builds the world's leading experiential learning programs to supercharge undergraduate degrees. With over a decade of experience in digital marketing, Lynette specializes in SEO, audience engagement, and brand storytelling. In her role at Podium, she brings her experiences in digital marketing and real-world experiences into the learning environment.

How do marketers create campaigns that truly connect with audiences in a world full of noise? The key lies in understanding your audience, crafting compelling stories, and harnessing data to make informed decisions. But how can you master this balance and drive meaningful results?

According to Lynette Williams, a digital marketing expert and advocate for authentic storytelling, the answer starts with making the audience the hero of your story. She highlights the importance of stepping into their shoes to build campaigns that feel relatable and personal. Lynette explains that data is not just a tool for analysis but a compass that guides creative decisions and ensures campaigns resonate with the right people. By combining these insights with a deep understanding of SEO and the growing power of video marketing, she shows how brands can build trust, engagement, and loyalty in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

In this episode of RAW Spotlight, host Felicity Porter sits down with Lynette Williams, Head Instructor for Digital Marketing at Podium Education, to discuss the art of connecting stories, audiences, and data. They explore how marketers can craft impactful brand stories, leverage data to enhance creativity, and stay ahead of SEO trends like optimizing YouTube for search rankings. Lynette also shares her unconventional advice for young marketers looking to grow in this dynamic field.

Oceanna Lenon is a Communications Coordinator at the ACE Mentor Program of America, a nonprofit organization that mentors high school students pursuing careers in architecture, construction, and engineering. As an ACE alumni, Oceanna has enhanced the organization's outreach by contributing to a project that garnered a $1.2 million economic impact for 700 students. She has experience crafting narratives and optimizing digital experiences.

Nonprofit marketing isn't just about sharing information; it's about creating connections and driving impact. How can you craft compelling stories that resonate with audiences while staying true to an organization's mission? What strategies make nonprofit marketing effective?

According to passionate digital marketer and nonprofit storyteller Oceanna Lenon, the key lies in aligning each narrative with the organization's mission. She highlights the role of authentic stories in showcasing the human side of an organization's work, helping audiences see the tangible impact of their support. By focusing on the people and emotions behind the mission rather than just the numbers, nonprofits can foster deeper engagement and build lasting relationships. Oceanna also stresses the importance of staying curious and constantly refining strategies using data-driven insights to amplify outreach.

In this episode of RAW Spotlight, host Felicity Porter sits down with Oceanna Lenon, Communications Coordinator at the ACE Mentor Program of America, to discuss how nonprofits can harness storytelling and data to create impactful marketing campaigns. Oceanna shares her journey from starting a small business to working in nonprofit communications, her strategies for navigating imposter syndrome, and how young marketers can use tools like networking and storytelling to grow their careers.

Jacky Dilfer is the Executive Director of Business Finance Capital (BFC), a Small Business Administration (SBA) Certified Development Company (CDC) specializing in the SBA 504 loan program. In her role, she oversees the CDC's governance and operations, including re-establishing its position in the marketplace and enhancing its economic development and job creation strategies. With over a decade of experience in the commercial and SBA lending space, Jacky has served as a top-producing commercial lender, business development officer, and advisor to multiple real estate and charitable institutions.

Small- and medium-sized businesses often struggle to obtain adequate funding and loans to launch and grow their operations. They are forced to pay exorbitant rates for their loans or miss opportunities given to larger businesses. How can you qualify for loans that are ideal for your business?

Small business commercial lender Jacky Dilfer is committed to helping small business owners purchase property for their operations. She recommends applying for the Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loan, which only requires a 10% down payment on all purchases. Some banks and institutions like Business Finance Capital (BFC) will finance 40-50% of your project with favorable interest rates and terms. Since these loans require personal and business tax returns for the approval process, Jacky emphasizes maintaining healthy credit scores and hiring a bookkeeper and tax consultant to manage your finances and strategize your tax returns.

In today's episode of RAW Spotlight, Victor Huynh chats with Jacky Dilfer, the Executive Director of Business Finance Capital (BFC), about obtaining loans for small business owners. Jacky shares how SBA 504 loans benefit small- to medium-sized businesses, her approach to business and community engagement, and how to become a commercial lender.

Steffanie Rodriguez is a Project Manager at Ready Artwork, a digital marketing agency dedicated to B2B services. She is a certified project management professional (PMP) who excels at leading teams, overcoming challenges, and executing projects efficiently. Steffanie is passionate about collaboration, building strong relationships, continuously learning to enhance her project management skills, and exceeding expectations to achieve organizational goals.

How do you balance creativity and structure while leading a team? In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, project managers must be adaptable and resourceful. What does it take to keep pushing forward and growing, even when the landscape keeps changing?

According to Steffanie Rodriguez, a certified project management professional, it starts with being honest about your strengths and using available resources to grow. She highlights the importance of embracing both challenges and wins as opportunities to improve. By tapping into her natural curiosity and problem-solving skills, Steffanie has crafted a career driven by adaptability and a constant drive to get better.

In this episode of RAW Spotlight, host Emily Au sits down with Steffanie Rodriguez, Project Manager at Ready Artwork, to talk about the hustle behind her career. Steffanie shares her top three tips for aspiring project management professionals, how she overcame imposter syndrome, and the tools she relies on to streamline her work. Steffanie also talks about finding work-life balance and how her love of music fuels her hustle.

Felicity Porter is a Marketing Analyst at Ready Artwork, a digital marketing agency dedicated to B2B services. Starting as an intern, Felicity has quickly climbed the ranks within the company due to her adaptability and problem-solving prowess. She holds a marketing degree from Cal Poly Pomona, where she participated in extracurricular activities like FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) to hone her skills. Felicity's expertise spans SEO, digital marketing strategies, and leveraging data-driven insights for business growth.

How do you stay ahead in a constantly evolving digital marketing landscape? With new tools and technologies regularly coming into play, marketers must continuously adapt and think strategically. What does it take to keep up and thrive in such a rapidly changing field?

According to Felicity Porter, a digital marketing strategist, success begins with adaptability and long-term thinking. She emphasizes the need to stay informed about industry trends, such as AI and personalization, while always looking for improvement opportunities. Felicity's innovative approach to problem-solving has led her to major wins, including a campaign that saw over 200% year-over-year growth, proving the power of thinking outside the box and staying resourceful.

In this episode of RAW Spotlight, host Emily Au sits down with Felicity Porter, Marketing Analyst at Ready Artwork, to discuss the strategies behind her success in digital marketing. Felicity shares how she stays ahead of industry trends, the importance of balancing strategy with execution, and the tools she relies on to deliver powerful results for clients. Felicity also advises aspiring marketers on how to kickstart their careers.

Jennifer McPherson is the President of Chickenango Marketing Solutions. The company specializes in public outreach and marketing for government agencies, and branding, design, and proposal writing for the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) sector. Jennifer started her company at age 46 after gaining 27 years of experience in the AEC industry, and she is now launching Chickenango University, an educational program aimed at enhancing marketing and business development skills in the AEC space.

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is filled with complexities, from communicating technical concepts to building strong public engagement strategies. What does it take to transform how marketing and education work in this highly specialized field?

According to Jennifer McPherson, a marketing expert with over two decades of experience in the AEC sector, success lies in simplifying the technical and maintaining clarity. She highlights the importance of bridging the gap between engineers, clients, and the public by creating tailored messaging that resonates with all stakeholders. By leveraging her deep industry knowledge, Jennifer has developed innovative strategies to address these challenges and empower these professionals. Her latest initiative focuses on fostering growth and reducing burnout for AEC marketers through practical education and tools that set them up for sustainable success.

In this episode of RAW Spotlight, Emily Au joins Jennifer McPherson, President of Chickenango Marketing Solutions, to discuss her journey of transforming AEC marketing and empowering professionals through education. Jennifer explains how her agency stands out in a niche space, why her educational program is critical for the industry, and the lessons she learned as a late-blooming entrepreneur. She also offers advice for balancing personal and professional priorities while building a thriving business.

Josh McIntire is the President and Co-founder of McIntire Kingstone, the private equity division under McIntire Real Estate Inc. It's a full-service real estate firm based in Arcadia, California, specializing in both commercial and residential real estate, investment management, and quantitative analysis. Under his leadership, the company has managed over $1 billion in assets with a team of 70 employees. Involved in multiple startup ventures, Josh's background also includes experience in client servicing, customer relations, scenario analysis, real estate investments, management, valuation, auditing, and system design, consulting for major clients like CalPERS and the US Armed Forces. Additionally, he serves as CEO of Truth Technologies, a SaaS property management company.

How do you go from struggling through a financial crisis to building a billion-dollar real estate empire? In an ever-evolving industry, finding stability and success is no small feat. What does it take to overcome obstacles and thrive in the world of real estate?

According to Josh McIntire, a seasoned real estate expert, success comes from resilience and a willingness to adapt. He highlights the importance of focusing on recurring revenue streams, which provided much-needed stability as he grew his company during uncertain times. By embracing property management ventures early on, Josh turned small monthly gains into long-term growth, ultimately managing over $1 billion in assets.

In this episode of RAW Spotlight, host Victor Huynh sits down with Josh McIntire, President and Co-founder of McIntire Kingstone, to discuss how he built his real estate empire from the ground up. Josh shares his insights on navigating industry challenges, leveraging technology without losing a personal touch, and maintaining a work-life balance. He also talks about how his early struggles shaped his business philosophy and growth strategies.