The Growth Fire

Jon Morris is the Founder and CEO of Ramsay Innovations, helping businesses quickly scale through financial education and strategic funds allocations. Before joining Ramsay Innovations, Jon founded Rise Interactive, a full-service internet marketing agency — growing it from a $10,000 bootstrap business to one of the largest independent digital agencies. Beyond his leadership responsibilities, Jon is an Advisor for Fiscal Advocate and was an Advisory Board Member at Pixability for nearly five years.

Failure is inevitable when growing a business. What distinguishes successful business owners is their ability to learn from previous mistakes.

Jon Morris, a serial entrepreneur, turned a loss into a learning opportunity when he bootstrapped his second entrepreneurial venture and grew it into one of the most prominent digital marketing agencies. As a marketing principal, it's crucial to understand your niche and keep up with industry trends to pivot when necessary. Have a clear vision, including understanding the types of employees needed to propel your business. To ensure you hire high-performing talent, consider designing a meticulous interview process and an assessment with a desired passing rate. Through reflection, entrepreneurs can identify business strategies in need of improvement.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Jon Morris, Founder and CEO of Ramsay Innovations, joins Kevin Hourigan to share his growth journey as an entrepreneur. Jon discusses using failures as learning lessons, rigorous acquisitions for hiring elite talent, and sales strategies for generating new business.

Cynthia Cleveland is a Partner at CEO Coaching International, the leading coaching firm for growth-focused CEOs and entrepreneurs. Cynthia is a five-time CEO and president who led companies generating over $4 billion in worldwide sales in consumer products, entertainment, and retail industries. In her 30-plus-year career, she has overseen popular brands, including Universal Studios, Teleflora, Mattel Toys, and Carnation Foods. Cynthia has been an active member of YPO for over three decades and is the former Chair of the Women's International Network. In 2015, Real Leaders Magazine named her one of the Top 100 Visionary Leaders.

Workplace culture is the culmination of shared values, beliefs, and behaviors that characterize a company or organization. It's a doctrine influenced by the company's mission, vision, and values, but how can it be adequately assimilated to create a positive work environment?

As an accomplished company head who guided numerous teams for major corporations, including a Fortune 500, Cynthia Cleveland explains viable workplace culture is only possible with the ideal people. When leadership recognizes employees who negatively impact team dynamics, they're responsible for placing them in a different department or part ways. Being a leader sometimes includes making difficult decisions — and in these situations, they must learn to trust their instincts. Leaders also create a culture conducive to employee success by establishing boundaries, setting expectations, respecting employees' opinions, and giving workers autonomy.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Marc Reifenrath welcomes Cynthia Cleveland, a Partner at CEO Coaching International, to discuss how leaders create workplace culture. Cynthia shares her insight on company culture and core values, why leaders need to trust their instincts, and why it's beneficial to respect employees' personal lives.

Jon Tsourakis is the Co-owner, President, and Chief Revenue Officer at Oyova, an agency offering integrated digital solutions such as app development, web design, and marketing to create efficient processes for company growth. Jon is a serial entrepreneur and marketing strategist whose continual study of brand identity, business communications, buyer behavior, sales conversion, and various digital marketing techniques, keeps him astute to industry standards. His resume includes executive positions with digital agencies, including Innersight dZine Studio, REVOLT, and the Digital Mastermind Group, and his sales and leadership expertise led him to roles as Marketing Director and President for Astrum and CentralComp, respectively.

Adversity catalyzes change, forcing people to step outside their comfort zones and try something new, which leads to personal and professional development. Learning new skills lends itself to growth, enriching our life experiences and is attained as a result of learning from our mistakes — and can work in our favor to build successful businesses.

Jon Tsourakis, an agency principal and business owner, is a prime example. He stumbled into the marketing industry after a friend invited him to work for his father's agency. Jon quickly discovered his talents and put his expertise to work by launching his own marketing business. Starting any business is intimidating, but without risks, there are no rewards. Jon's experience with launching his company is a testament to how we can leverage mistakes to build a successful company.

In this episode of The Growth Fire podcast, Kevin Hourigan talks to Jon Tsourakis, Co-owner, President, and Chief Revenue Officer of Oyova, about his career journey in the marketing industry and the lessons it taught him. Jon shares marketing strategies, why he partnered with another agency to create Oyova, and the motivation behind going into business for himself.

Scott Price is the Founder and CEO of A-LIGN, a technology-enabled security and compliance engine that mitigates cybersecurity risks. Scott has over 20 years of leadership experience, having held executive positions at Arthur Andersen and SAS 70 Solutions. His dedication to leadership has earned him industry awards and nominations, such as Accounting Today's 2016 Managing Partner Elite and Ernst & Young 2021 Entrepreneur of the Year Florida Award finalist. Scott also volunteers for nonprofits, including the Junior League and Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

Career-focused people have definitive goals and a planned timeline to reach a specific position within the workplace. But what happens when the company you planned to retire from folds?

Scott Price, a seasoned leader and entrepreneur, dreamed of climbing the corporate ladder at one of the country's premier accounting firms before retiring. When circumstances beyond his control ended that dream, he turned adversity into opportunity and became his own boss. Using the talents and skills he acquired as a CPA, he created a powerhouse business and marketing plan that is the foundation of his company's triumph. Growing the company led to failures that Scott leveraged as lessons in business he now bestows to fellow entrepreneurs.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan interviews Scott Price, Founder and CEO of A-LIGN, about entrepreneurship and unconventional strategies for scaling a company. Scott discusses turning adversity into opportunity, the importance of a marketing plan, learning to delegate, and being open to ideas from his subordinates.

Steve Wyatt is the VP of Marketing and Global Creative Director of Content at Kenneth Cole Productions, an American fashion house founded in 1982. He celebrates 20 years with the company, working across all labels, product categories, communication channels, and global territories. Additionally, he has contributed to the brand's social impact initiatives for organizations such as The Mental Health Coalition, The Foundation for AIDS Research, Help USA, and the Human Rights Campaign. A gifted writer across various mediums, his works have been featured in The American Bystander, Point in Case, Two Fifty One, The Haven, and MuddyUm. Steve's also a humor writer, publishing two books, Do More Don'ts, and Humanity Breeds Profanity: Random Thoughts Against My Better Judgment.

Achieving one's dreams, regardless of the field, is arduous. Advertising, in particular, is an ever-evolving and highly competitive industry, so how can you make it in the industry?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but Steve Wyatt, a seasoned creative content director, offers some sage advice: be prepared to put in the work. The perfect job may not be available right after graduation, so be open to all work opportunities until you land your dream career. A varied resume will help you gain experience and build a strong work ethic. However, with the ever-changing technology and competition, employers will expect you to be multifaceted. In addition to being adaptable and a team player, you should hone your writing and communication skills, stay up-to-date on the latest trends, and learn to pitch creative ideas. Above all else, be relentless in your career pursuits.

Join Kevin Hourigan in today's episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, where he interviews Steve Wyatt, VP of Marketing and Global Creative Director of Content at Kenneth Cole Productions, about his career in advertising and working for Kenneth Cole. Steve discusses past campaigns, how brands contribute to social issues, and his motivation for writing two humor books.

Matthew Connor, Founder and CEO of CyberLynx, began his programming career at 12 while working as a coder for his father's company. His passion led him to develop his own company, which focuses on offering premium IT services — specializing in protecting growing businesses from ransomware.

CyberLynx, previously known as Your IT Department, continues to provide cybersecurity and professional IT and support services for expanding companies. Matthew is on a mission to assist business leaders in increasing their profitability using cutting-edge technology. He served in the US Army for 17 years as a human intelligence officer and received his bachelor's in business administration and management from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Whether you've graduated with a formal education or not, some of the most valuable lessons learned have been from peers. Peers can be a great source of learning, offering knowledge and experience through workshops, forums, and events.

Entrepreneur Matthew Connor shares that he didn't obtain success on his own in his entrepreneurial journey. He found participating in peer groups offers advice, encouragement, and a sense of community — sharing in one another's failures and successes. Business leaders face many challenges when trying to build a successful company. Learning from your peers is a valuable experience, helping you grow and develop. Additionally, peers are essential in providing feedback from a network of like-minded professionals.

Join Kevin Hourigan in today's episode of the Growth Fire Podcast as he chats with Matthew Connor about the positive influence of peer groups. Matthew reflects on his background and military experience and discusses why his podcast is the source of his inspiration.

Bridgette Bello is the CEO and Publisher of Tampa Bay Business & Wealth, a magazine examining the lives of Tampa Bay's most accomplished business leaders. Under her tenure, TBBW has been awarded two Charlie Awards from the Florida Magazine Association. Bridgette is a media professional with over 30 years of experience. Before joining TBBW, she was the President and Publisher of the Tampa Bay Business Journal for 11 years — and the first woman publisher in the newspaper's 40-year history. Bridgette's further accomplishments include her roles as a previous Governor Appointed Vice Chair for the St. Petersburg College board of trustees, a board member for Jameis Winston Dream Forever Foundation, and a former member on the Board of Directors for the Spring of Tampa Bay. In 2011, Bridgette was named St. Petersburg's Chamber "Business Woman of the Year."

Many of us choose a career path once we discover how to monetize our talents. However, often what we want isn't necessarily our purpose. When someone sees greatness in us, it can be scary to trust their judgment.

The essence of leadership is seeing potential in people that don't see it for themselves. For business leader Bridgette Bello, she's had several career leaders as mentors. But she didn't take what her mentors told her at face value. Instead, she leveraged opportunities by learning from some of the best in the business. As a result, she's been able to build a successful career that's allowed her to pay it forward.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan welcomes Bridgette Bello, CEO and Publisher of Tampa Bay Business & Wealth, to discuss her career as a leader in media. Bridgette discusses the magazine's purpose, the defining moment that led her to become a publisher, her commitment to helping her community, and the mentors who paved the way for her success.

Hugh Campbell is the President of AC4S Technologies, a hybrid cloud company providing technology solutions such as IT network management, data migrations, and hardware and software solutions. Hugh has experience in planning, designing, and implementing large-scale telecommunications networks for commercial and government sectors. Prior to starting AC4S, he held executive leadership roles at Intermedia Communications and Accelacom. Hugh is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and spent 10 years on active duty as a Communications Officer in the US Army.

Most of us have heard the term "natural born leader," but leadership is usually a learned skill we adopt from watching others. In addition to parents, elders, teachers, and managers have a profound impact on our lives. For business leader Hugh Campbell, he attributes his successful career path to his parents, a former teacher, and the military.

Not only did the military teach Hugh discipline, but it also taught him the difference between poor and effective leadership. Positive or effective leaders know how to inspire and foster purpose, while weak leadership fails to garner results. Once Hugh understood these different leadership methods, he implemented them to lead his company.

In this episode of the Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan welcomes Hugh Campbell, President of AC4S Technologies, to discuss the impact of effective leadership. Hugh discusses his tenure at West Point, how he transitioned from the military to entrepreneurship, and the leaders who have influenced him throughout his career.

Elizabeth Zucker is the Managing Partner at Interior Investments of St. Louis, a contract office furniture dealership providing solutions for professional organizations, including furniture selection, order fulfillment, delivery, and installation. Under Elizabeth's leadership, the company has successfully scaled to $35 million. Before joining Interior Investments of St. Louis, Elizabeth spent six years climbing the ranks at Herman Miller, a furniture manufacturing company. Beyond her work as a managing partner, Elizabeth contributes her leadership expertise to the YPO St. Louis chapter, holding over seven chapter officer roles. In 2016, she joined the YPO board of directors, and from 2019 - 2020, she served as the organization's chairman.

Being a leader in the workplace is not only lonely, but challenging. Leaders ranging from managers to directors to the C-suite take on demanding responsibilities, including budgets, meeting deadlines, and motivating employees while navigating a healthy work-life balance. Another strife may be that you're the only person in your immediate circle in a high-level position. So where can you find a relatable peer group?

For business leader Elizabeth Zucker, she sought camaraderie in YPO, a leadership community connecting chief executives worldwide. YPO is a selective organization that prides itself on attracting leaders of all ages. Aside from fellowship, YPO provides resources for career advancement, diverse leadership training, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and lifelong friendships.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Marc Reifenrath welcomes Elizabeth Zucker, Managing Partner at Interior Investment of St. Louis and former Chairman of YPO, for a riveting conversation about YPO and how membership has implored her to make courageous business decisions. Elizabeth shares her motivation for joining YPO, her crusade to recruit more female members, and how mistakes can improve leadership skills.

Carrie Charles is the Co-founder and CEO of Broadstaff, a staffing firm providing workforce solutions in the energy, technology, and telecommunications sectors. Under Carrie's tutelage, the firm was recognized in 2022 by Inc. Magazine and Tampa Bay Business Journal as one of the fastest-growing companies. Her additional accolades include the 2021 Tampa Bay CEO of the Year and Tampa Bay Businesswoman of the Year awards. She's a keynote speaker and thought leader in diversity, women in tech, and workforce development. Carrie's also the host of the 5G Talent Talk podcast, where she offers tech leaders strategic hiring methods for attracting, acquiring, and retaining top-tier talent. As a mother of a childhood cancer survivor, Carrie sits on the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation's board of directors.

A staffing agency — also referred to as a recruiting firm — serves as a liaison between companies searching for talent and job seekers. Because staffing firms screen resumes, perform reference checks, and schedule interviews, among other duties, companies can focus on growing the business. Organizations elect to use staffing agencies for numerous reasons, such as their access to talent networks, their ability to increase an organization's ROI, and their industry market knowledge.

Staffing expert Carrie Charles advises companies to educate themselves on industry changes in the post-pandemic market. When creating a welcoming work culture, companies need to consider mental health, generational gaps and expectations, and flexible working arrangements. The quicker executives and leaders can acknowledge the shift taking place within the workforce, the better equipped they will be to hand off responsibilities to the next generation.

In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan welcomes Carrie Charles, Co-founder and CEO of Broadstaff, to discuss the staffing industry in a post-pandemic market. Carrie recollects how her childhood adversity influenced her path to success. She also discusses company recruiting strategies, current trends in the workforce, and her greatest source of inspiration.