The Growth Fire

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 current business partner, Kevin founded Bayshore Solutions, which he operated for over two decades. When Kevin is not leading his digital agency, he spends his time boating, skiing, golfing, and enjoying other outdoor activities.

In previous years, new digital trends gained traction with certainty. But as we head into 2023, many companies are taking precautionary measures. Why are companies hesitant to embrace new digital trends?

Digital agency leader Kevin Hourigan suggests doubts concerning digital trends stem from a non-trending digital marketplace. Many companies lack the confidence they once had due to an uncertain economy. But it's not only the economy that has business leaders pumping the brakes on newer trends. Want to find out more?

Tune into this episode with Rise25 host Chad Franzen as he flips the script and interviews the President of Spinutech, Kevin Hourigan. Along with discussing 2023 digital trends, Kevin shares what types of data customers expect from digital agencies, the data points he's excited about, and the most common questions customers ask.

Dwayne Allen is the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Unisys, a global technology solutions company devoted to helping its customers reach innovative breakthroughs via intellectual property, patents, and strategic planning. Dwayne has exercised his expertise in digital transformation in various fields including healthcare, financial services, government, manufacturing, and hospitality. Additionally, he is an active member of the George Washington University Leadership Advisory Council, and sits on the Cross Country Healthcare board of directors. Dwayne formerly served on the board of directors for KPIT, an India-based technology and engineering company.

Enrolling in a graduate program is the next step for many students after completing their bachelor's degree. Some students pursue their master's degree to stay connected with peers while others continue their education because they're not ready to enter the workforce. Although many agree it's the traditional path to take, is pursuing a master's degree right for you?

If you're someone contemplating the next step in your life — whether reentering the classroom or switching careers — business leader Dwayne Allen recommends giving your decision deep thought. If you're not passionate about your plan it's probably not the right course of action. The key is to be intentional and understand how to apply those plans to your life's purpose.

In this episode of the Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan welcomes Dwayne Allen, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Unisys, to discuss living life with purpose. Dwayne shares how an MBA program changed his life, the challenges of continuing his education while working full-time, the values he's adopted from previous employers, and the mentors who have impacted his life.

Jamie Harden is the CEO and President of Creative Sign Designs, a company specializing in the production of architectural design solutions by providing consultation, design, project management, fabrication, and installation services. Before his CEO tenure, Jamie held executive leadership roles, including Senior Vice President of Bank of America and Vice President of Nations Bank/NCNB, where he achieved a Six Sigma Green Belt. Jamie is also actively involved in the community through YPO, the CEO Council of Tampa Bay, and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

If you've contemplated pivoting to entrepreneurship, acquiring an existing company is one venture to consider. An acquisition involves purchasing and molding a business to suit your business model and values. It's an innovative, efficient, and cost-effective transaction because it doesn't involve building from the ground up. Financing is easier, too, when a company has a proven track record, existing customers, and immediate cash flow.

Acquisitions have many benefits, but it's not exempt from challenges. Jamie Harden,banker-turned-entrepreneur, quickly learned this after acquiring an architectural design firm. The company lacked service and product options and had limited customer reach, among other challenges. Instead of dwelling on the negative and panicking when profits were low, Jamie learned the art of leverage.

Join Kevin Hourigan for this episode of the Growth Fire Podcast, where he welcomes Jamie Harden, President and CEO of Creative Sign Designs, to discuss his business acquisition experience. Jamie shares criteria to consider before purchasing a business, the risks associated with buying a company, and the challenges to expect as a new business owner.

Boating enthusiast Billy Pavlock is the Founder and CEO of Nautical Network, a contemporary global creative and media outlet helping maritime companies create brand awareness to increase business growth. Billy was introduced to the boating industry after opening a car and detailing business upon graduating college. Passionate about the maritime industry and marketing, Billy's niche business has reached over 2M followers on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Have you ever envisioned a concept, but the people in your inner circle doubted you? Did the experience prevent you from following your dreams, or did it encourage your motivation? As entrepreneurs, your confidence must overshadow others' doubts and fears.

This was the case for Billy Pavlock, a pioneer in the marine agency niche. Before social media was widely viewed as a source of income, Billy was charting the way for the influencers following in his wake. His understanding of the maritime industry and marketing allowed him to establish a social footprint on Instagram that grew his influence and business opportunities. The impact of social media in the marketplace has increased in recent years. Billy's experience encourages other entrepreneurs to think outside the box for their next innovative idea.

In today's episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan welcomes Billy Pavlock, Founder and CEO of Nautical Network, to discuss the unconventional rise of his digital agency. Billy shares how he conceived the idea for Nautical Network, the impact social media had on his career, and inspirational case studies on how the agency forged profitable relationships.

Marc Reifenrath is the Co-founder and CEO of Spinutech, a full-service website design and digital marketing agency dedicated to developing customized and data-driven digital marketing solutions. Marc is passionate about culture and understands firsthand how critical a company's culture is to achieving and maintaining success. When he has time away from growing his team and working with clients, Marc enjoys family time, golfing, and traveling.

Are you struggling to complete the tasks needed to achieve your business goals? What strategies can you introduce that will support the goals you've set out to achieve?

Running a successful business is the culmination of a multitude of moving parts and you may not have the expertise to effectively and efficiently execute them all. Spinutech is an agency that will come alongside your business to understand your goals, as well as your pain points, and tailor their solutions to support your bottom line.

In this episode of the Growth Fire podcast, Chad Franzen of Rise25 sits down with Marc Reifenrath, the Co-founder and CEO of Spinutech, to discuss how they help solve website design and digital marketing problems for their clients. Marc explains how the diverse team of experts from Spinutech solves its clients' hurdles, how it builds trust with clients, how having a great culture helps in building long-term relationships, and how communication impacts the success of a business.

George Spowart is the Chief Marketing Officer at Red Rover, a moving and storage solutions company more affordable and convenient than traditional options. He directs all marketing and sales activities, including brand strategy, creative development, media planning/buying, website, call center, and public relations. George's skill for developing strong working relationships has contributed to his experience growing brands through strategy, implementing innovative tactics, and building high-performing marketing teams. Prior to Red Rover, he was the CMO at The Perfect Workout and PODS (Portable on Demand Storage).

Do you feel like you have a good product or service but still struggle to make the desired sales? It's probably because of how you are marketing and branding yourself.

According to George Spowart, good branding and marketing strategies are fundamental for the success of any company. His experience in the marketing field has given him the knowledge to grow brands, implement strategies, and build teams. The marketing tips he shares are beneficial for brands wanting to grow and scale their business.

In this episode of the Growth Fire Podcast, host Kevin Hourigan sits down with George Spowart, Chief Marketing Officer at Red Rover, to discuss marketing tips that will help your business thrive. George shares his career background in marketing, the genesis of Red Rover, marketing strategies for winning new customers, and the key KPIs Red Rover uses to measure the time and money they allocate to brand exposure.

Kara Goldin is the Founder of Hint Inc., a beverage company most known for Hint Water, an award-winning unsweetened water with hints of fruit. Kara has been named one of InStyle's Badass 50, Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business, Fortune's Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs, Fortune's Most Innovative Women in Food & Drink, and EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Northern California. She is an active speaker, writer, and host of her podcast, The Kara Goldin Show, where she interviews founders, entrepreneurs, and other disruptors across various industries. Kara is the author of the best-selling book, Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts and Doubters.

Do you have a fire burning in your belly? You've always desired to be successful and live out your dreams unapologetically. But, unfortunately, life isn't a smooth road. You will often encounter speed bumps in your journey, some of which are negative individuals telling you no or filling your head with doubts. So, how do you move forward when that happens?

Business leader and self-made entrepreneur Kara Goldin embraced persistence and courage to overcome obstacles. At the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey, corporate decision-makers who could help Kara realize her dreams became her biggest naysayers. As a result, she had to pivot and became undaunted!

In today's episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, host Marc Reifenrath welcomes the Founder of Hint Water, Kara Goldin, to discuss conquering your fears and convincing skeptics. Kara shares her journey into entrepreneurship, what fuels her success, what it means to be undaunted, and thoughts on her first best-selling book.

Marc Reifenrath is the Co-founder and CEO of Spinutech, a full-service website design and digital marketing agency dedicated to developing customized and data-driven digital marketing solutions. Marc watched Spinutech grow from a college startup to one of the premier digital marketing agencies in the country, and he understands how culture plays a critical role in a company's success. Outside of his role as CEO, Marc hosts the Culture Starts With U podcast and is an active member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO).

Company culture could make or break your business. How do you develop an outstanding culture and use it to drive your company forward?

When Marc Reifenrath and his friends started Spinutech in college, they created the company as a resume-builder. However, their passion for the industry grew substantially each year, and now Spinutech is one of the premier full-service digital marketing agencies in the country. The secret behind all of this growth? Strong company culture and core values. You can't fake culture and shouldn't change your values for anyone else. To become an industry leader, you must know who you are and use it to drive every action and decision.

In this episode, Chad Franzen of Rise25 interviews Marc Reifenrath, Co-founder and CEO of Spinutech, to talk about everything from culture to core values. Marc shares how Spinutech developed over time, the mistakes many companies make when it comes to culture, and why culture is an all-encompassing competitive advantage.

Shelia Reed is the Business Engagement and Strategy Lead at Ameritas, a mutual-based organization offering insurance, financial services, and employee benefits. As an experienced sales and marketing leader in both the financial and healthcare industry, Shelia helps companies identify brand strategies that leverage the most growth. She was chosen as a finalist for the Chief Marketer of the Year award due to the impact she's had on the marketing industry.

Both private and public growth companies are diligent and responsible with corporate funding. The real challenge for private equity partners is the expectation for them to grow and provide results.

The good news is that there are tools available to help track performance. When evaluating and implementing strategy, measuring your progress is paramount. Shelia Reed has adopted resources designed to track growth, retention, and engagement using dialed-in marketing strategies to scale businesses.

In this episode of the Growth Fire Podcast, host Kevin Hourigan sits with Business Engagement and Strategy Lead at Ameritas, Shelia Reed to discuss levels of business strategy. Shelia talks about the differences between working for public and private companies, tools to track performance, and various opportunities for marketers in today's market.

Steve Weintraub is the Founder and CEO of Gold & Diamond Source, a family-owned fine gold and diamond jewelry store. Steve was introduced to the jewelry business by a friend from high school and began making gold-plated seashells. In 1983, they built a 10,000-square-foot building and Steve began producing fine jewelry. After joining forces with his wife Julie, Steve's business grew from a small jewelry store to one of the most successful standalone family operations in the US.

Julie Weintraub is the Vice President of Gold & Diamond Source. She is also the President and Founder of Julie Weintraub's Hands Across the Bay, a nonprofit organization with a mission to positively impact the lives of Tampa Bay residents and organizations by advocating for change and providing resources for those in need. Recognizing needs within their community, but not having money to donate, she and her husband Steve started the organization to be able to give away jewelry and help victims of domestic violence.

Did you know that diamonds are available in all colors of the rainbow and that 24-carat gold is soft enough to move with your hands? If you are a lover of jewelry, you know that there's a piece for all occasions, it can complete any outfit, and it's customizable. But more than anything, jewelry is personal and has its own story.

Veteran jewelry store owner Steve Weintraub understood all of this more than three decades ago when he first entered the jewelry business. The industry was also a source of success and devastation for him. But when his lovely wife, Julie Weintraub, entered his life, they combined their talents to create a fine jewelry wonderland. So what's the secret behind the store's success?

Join host Kevin Hourigan of the Growth Fire Podcast as he chats with husband and wife business duo Steve and Julie Weintraub. Steve is the CEO and Founder of the Gold and Diamond Source, and Julie is the Vice President of the Gold and Diamond Source and the President and Founder of Hands Across the Bay. Together, the two discuss the golden nuggets of their store's success, advertising and branding strategies, why jewelry stores still thrive as brick and mortar, and why they're passionate about giving back.