Many B2B distributors face the challenge of scaling eCommerce while maintaining a strong customer experience. Outdated platforms, poor search tools, and limited content can restrict growth and frustrate buyers. How can companies evolve their digital presence to strengthen customer trust, drive efficiency, and expand market share?

Jeff Hansen, COO of Dultmeier Sales, believes success starts with a customer-first mindset. He shares how this value shaped his career and the company's evolution — from agricultural sales to eCommerce leadership. Jeff discusses the lessons learned from rebuilding their website on nopCommerce, the importance of selecting the right technology partners, and how investments in AI-driven search and content marketing are improving engagement and SEO. He also highlights the role of mentorship, faith, and family in guiding his leadership journey.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan interviews Jeff Hansen about Dultmeier Sales' digital transformation. They talk about overcoming eCommerce limitations, leveraging AI for smarter customer experiences, and how a customer-first culture fuels long-term growth.

Danielle Paige is the Chief Marketing and Growth Officer at Nixon Peabody LLP, an American Lawyer top-100 law firm with 16 offices worldwide. Danielle leads the firm's brand strategy, utilizing marketing automation and data-driven insights to enhance client engagement and drive growth. With over 20 years of executive experience in marketing, she has held leadership roles at major communication agencies, like MSLGroup and FleishmanHillard. An award-winning marketing executive, Danielle is a former member of Fast Company Executive Board and an OnCon Icon Awards 2024 Top 10 Marketer.

Marketing in the legal industry often carries a reputation for being rigid and uninspiring, leaving many marketers questioning how to create meaningful impact in such a highly regulated field. How can marketing leaders in professional services break free from traditional constraints and position their firms for strategic growth while keeping client trust at the forefront?

Seasoned marketing executive Danielle Paige maintains that legal marketing is more dynamic than ever. She emphasizes the importance of aligning marketing efforts with a firm's strategic goals, treating marketing as an investment rather than an expense. She highlights actionable strategies, such as leveraging AI to enhance client engagement, building brand value through thought leadership, and creating tailored client experiences to strengthen relationships — all while maintaining agility and fresh perspectives year-over-year. By breaking industry norms, you can drive growth and innovation in your organization.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan interviews Danielle Paige, Chief Marketing and Growth Officer at Nixon Peabody LLP, about innovative legal marketing strategies. Danielle discusses the shift from traditional marketing to strategic growth initiatives, the power of AI in client engagement, and the importance of aligning marketing spend with business goals. Tune in to learn how legal marketing can drive measurable success and build lasting client relationships.

Bret Blakely is the President and Co-founder of OnCore Golf, a company recognized for its innovative golf ball technology. With a background in marketing and business development, Bret has transformed OnCore from a startup into a leader in golf innovation. Under his guidance, the company has introduced advanced core technologies and embedded sensor capabilities, challenging established industry norms.

Breaking into a market dominated by billion-dollar brands is a daunting challenge, especially when your product challenges the status quo. Many startups struggle to gain credibility, often facing resistance from industry gatekeepers and skepticism from consumers. How can small businesses push through these barriers to build a loyal customer base?

Bret Blakely, an expert in marketing and business development, leveraged innovation, branding, and strategic development to break into a competitive market. Faced with the job market's collapse in 2008, Bret and his business partners pioneered perimeter-weighted golf balls, which offer higher accuracy and performance, attracting both amateur and professional golfers. Bret emphasizes the importance of innovating while staying true to a brand story that resonates with customers. He recommends humanizing your brand through in-person events, leveraging ambassadors, and strategically balancing tech-forward messaging with relatable, engaging content.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan interviews Bret Blakely, President and Co-founder of OnCore Golf, about breaking into the golf industry with innovative technology. Bret discusses strategies for building a brand that challenges industry giants, how to navigate rapid business growth, and the power of mentorship. He also dives into handling customer perceptions, balancing tech and branding, and preparing for large-scale marketing campaigns.

Michelle Barbeau is the Chief Revenue Officer at eHealth, Inc., which simplifies healthcare enrollment by offering online tools and expert support to help Americans compare insurance plans and affordable coverage. Michelle has led business transformations at eHealth, including helping the company win the Modern Healthcare and Ad Age Healthcare Marketing Impact Award for Integrated Campaign. Michelle's prior roles include shaping marketing strategies at AbleTo, leading member engagement at UnitedHealth Group, and building iconic brands like Yoplait and Pillsbury at General Mills.

While technological innovations are revolutionizing patient care and management, they are also reshaping the roles and demands of healthcare marketing. With the healthcare marketer's job no longer limited to traditional sales and marketing strategies, how can these professionals leverage customer centricity to help brands reach the right audience at the right time?

For customer experience expert Michelle Barbeau, the secret lies in establishing a brand identity that differentiates itself from industry norms. Michelle's cutting-edge healthcare campaigns improved transparency and consumer trust and delivered impressive results that included improved brand awareness, boosting website traffic, and minimizing acquisition costs. By prioritizing customers' needs and developing an integrated marketing approach, marketers can address the major challenges of healthcare marketing — confusion, cost, and complexity. Michelle's approach demonstrates how understanding and aligning with consumer needs can boost business growth and industry recognition.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan chats with Michelle Barbeau about strategic innovation and leadership in healthcare marketing. Michelle highlights the importance of consumer empathy in driving business growth, the critical role of mentors in her career journey, and the value of stepping out of your comfort zone. Tune in for insights on brand building, business transformation, and aligning marketing strategies with consumer needs.

Paul Mathews is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Sunnova, a leading provider of renewable energy solutions and technology. Paul previously served as EVP of Service and Supply Chain, driving significant operational efficiencies and cost reductions. With a 19-year career span, including his previous role as President of Engineering at UPS, he has led companies through strategic growth and technical advancements.

Strategic career pivots can lead to groundbreaking leadership roles, improving problem-solving and cross-functional experience. How can you strategically navigate opportunities within a large organization to hone a versatile skill set?

Operations strategist Paul Mathews reveals how he kickstarted his career. Sharing pivotal moments from his 19-year tenure at UPS and his role in enhancing service and operational capabilities at Sunnova, he highlights strategies for adapting and thriving in various corporate environments. With roots in engineering, Paul emphasizes diversifying your skill set and embracing opportunities. Through his leadership, Sunnova has seen a spectacular reduction in service backlog and improvements in project delivery. Moreover, Paul's approach to team empowerment and his ability to leverage AI in business processes illustrates the importance of innovating at every level of your career.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan hosts Paul Mathews, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Sunnova, to discuss the nuances of career development and leading operational transformations. Paul shares how he leveraged industrial engineering to spearhead innovations at Sunnova, how to transform career challenges into opportunities, and the inspiration that comes from an engaged and motivated team in corporate leadership.

George Lambropoulos is the Marketing Coordinator at The Police Credit Union Ltd, a nonprofit banking company in Toronto that provides financial solutions to police officers and their families. He has significantly revamped the marketing program at the credit union, utilizing innovative strategies to increase membership and enhance customer engagement. As an advocate for building a strong brand identity through exclusivity, George focuses on creating meaningful connections within the policing community.

Rebranding and revising marketing strategies can seem daunting, especially when overhauling an established brand. When a solid brand requires a fresh approach, where do you begin, and how do you resonate with a niche audience?

As the sole marketing force behind a credit union for police officers, George leverages the exclusivity that defines his customer base. George's approach to marketing encompasses everything from targeted email campaigns to dominating the digital landscape with robust website aesthetics and content designed to convert. To acquire new memberships, boost customer share, and build a winning brand for a specialized company, he recommends using data to drive marketing decisions and creating a brand that resonates deeply with your audience. His approach underscores the value of adaptability and a ceaseless pursuit of knowledge to stay relevant and impactful in your niche.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan interviews George Lambropoulos, Marketing Coordinator at The Police Credit Union Ltd, about strategic targeting in niche markets. George shares the evolution of the Police Credit Union's marketing, the value of blending traditional and digital marketing tools, and how a closed-bond credit union can flourish through exclusive services and robust community involvement.

David Edelman serves as an Executive Advisor through his company, Edelman Advisory Services, where he helps C-suite executives in large enterprises shape their strategic direction, build their teams, and become digitally agile. A thought leader in marketing and personalization, his career spans over three decades, including serving as CMO at Aetna. Recognized by Forbes as one of the most influential CMOs globally and by Adweek as one of the Top 20 Marketing and Technology Executives, David has gained over 1.1 million followers for his insights on digital marketing and customer strategy. He also co-authored the book Personalized Customer Strategy in the Age of AI, which explores the intersection of AI and customer personalization.

The buzz around AI has marketers and executives searching for insights to enhance customer experiences, optimize operations, and drive substantial growth. What differentiates leaders from laggards in this fast-paced environment, and how can businesses ensure they are on the winning side of the AI revolution?

David Edelman, a renowned marketing expert, merges personalized customer experiences with AI. Drawing on his extensive research, David reveals five key elements companies can harness to deliver authentic customer value. He highlights the importance of leveraging AI to personalize customer experiences, underscoring the financial and strategic benefits of adopting a customer-centric approach. Using AI, organizations can gather transparent customer data to reach them where they are and empower them to take action. They can also leverage case studies of previous customer experiences to enhance personalization and customer decision-making.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan chats with David Edelman, a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School, about harnessing AI for personalized customer strategies. David shares tips for overcoming organizational silos to harness AI's full potential, discusses how to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, and provides insights on achieving sustainable growth and competitive advantage in today's market.

Kevin Hourigan is the President of Spinutech, a full-service website design and digital marketing agency dedicated to developing customized and data-driven digital marketing solutions. Before merging his business with his business partner's, Kevin founded Bayshore Solutions, which he operated for over two decades, delivering websites and custom web applications to thousands of clients in over 54 countries. When Kevin is not leading his digital agency, he spends his time boating, skiing, golfing, and enjoying other outdoor activities.

The modern business landscape is dynamic, with success often depending on visionary leaders who can navigate uncertainties and drive innovation. What can you learn from five leaders' stories of transformation and triumph in business?

By harnessing various perspectives, entrepreneurs can learn to lead through innovation and navigate industry evolution. Sales industry trailblazer Lisa Martin explores risk-taking in career decisions, while Steve Wyatt emphasizes the value of building diverse and inclusive marketing campaigns. These leaders also note the complexities of client engagement, with Melissa Massa demystifying building strong relationships and helping clients solve their problems rather than just selling solutions. From the nuances of sales and creating value with Laura Walmsley to the necessity of anticipating market changes with Dywane Allen and lessons from scaling a startup with Ann Hand, business owners gain strategies to stay ahead of the curve.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan revisits key moments and insights from six compelling episodes about valuable business strategies. The speakers share insights on the shift from traditional sales methods to more collaborative approaches, the importance of risk-taking in career decisions, prioritizing diversity and inclusivity in campaigns, and the need for future-focused strategies in the fast-paced world of technology.

Alane Boyd is the Founder of Workday Ninja, which helps companies implement software to manage their operations effectively. A serial entrepreneur with a knack for operational excellence, Alane grew her social media marketing agency to 600 active clients and sold it in 2018. With expertise in operations, sales, marketing, and tech, she has exited two SaaS companies, designating herself as an impact-driven leader. She is also the CEO of Arvo, an AI-powered sales tool, and the Co-founder and President of BGBO Co, which helps businesses leverage technology to simplify workflows.

The daily grind of managing tasks and operations can be exhausting and unfulfilling. You and your team can't focus on what you love if you're mindlessly completing manual tasks each day. How can you automate your operations to streamline your business processes?

Having scaled an agency to an impressive 600 active clients before exiting successfully, Alane Boyd is passionate about empowering companies to realize their full potential through technological integration. She delves into the secrets of operational efficiency, maintaining that a project management system that aligns with your company's goals can centralize tasks and streamline communications. Alane also recommends establishing automations within existing software, like connecting your CRM to your project management system to save time, reduce human error, and allow your team to focus on strategic tasks.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan chats with Alane Boyd, the Founder of Workplace Ninja, about harnessing the power of technology to streamline your company's operations. Alane uncovers the transformative power of operational efficiency, how to maximize the potential of software tools, and secrets to scaling companies and managing growth.

Lisa Shim is the Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Technology and Innovation at BankUnited, a national bank headquartered in Miami Lakes, Florida. Lisa 's role encompasses technology, treasury solutions, marketing, operations, and corporate strategy. With an impressive career since joining BankUnited in 2009, she has played a crucial role in the bank's digital transformation journey and M&A strategies. Her background includes experience at Merrill Lynch and the retail bank division of Countrywide Bank. Lisa is recognized for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to continuous learning.

The shifting landscape of digital marketing and consumer behavior challenges even the most established industries. What does it take to drive innovation in a traditional industry like banking? Can personalization and technology coexist to create customer-centric services?

With over 15 years leading strategic corporate growth and digital innovation, Lisa Shim has revolutionized customer service to thrive in a fast-paced digital landscape. She emphasizes the value of curiosity, the courage to challenge the status quo, and a collaborative culture that fosters learning and innovation. Lisa also discusses how keeping pace with digital trends like AI assistants involves creating meaningful interactions and seeking diverse perspectives in the workplace to enrich understanding. Engaging with mentors can provide you with these perspectives and enhance opportunities for growth.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan chats with Lisa Shim, the Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Technology and Innovation at BankUnited. Lisa dives deep into innovation and growth-driven leadership in the evolving digital marketing and consumer behavior landscape. She highlights her role in fostering a relationship-driven business model at BankUnited, her strategic approach to digital marketing, and her keen interest in advanced technologies like generative AI.