The Life-Long Customer

In this episode of the LifeLong Customer podcast, our host Brad Hammond engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Kristian Marquez, the President & CEO at FinStrat Management, Inc. Kristian shares his remarkable journey from a career in the military to becoming a successful CEO and founder in the world of FinTech.

With a strong background in finance and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder, Kristian started his career in accounting and finance. He then ventured into healthcare IT, seizing a market opportunity and helping grow a business from zero to $80 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR). Afterward, he co-founded a telemedicine startup, raising $2.5 million in pre-revenue funding, and learned valuable lessons from its challenges.

Eventually, Kristian founded FinStrat Management, a distributed team of accounting and finance professionals that primarily serves early-stage venture-backed companies in the B2B SaaS space. He discusses the importance of adding value to customers, understanding market dynamics, and maintaining healthy margins in business.

The conversation delves into marketing and positioning strategies, emphasizing the value of solving real problems for customers. Kristian also shares insights on founder-led sales and the stages of hiring sales professionals.

As the episode concludes, Kristian offers a powerful message of optimism, encouraging listeners to maintain a positive outlook, create a better future, and keep pushing forward.

Tune in to gain valuable insights from Kristian Marquez's journey, and learn how to navigate the world of FinTech and entrepreneurship while focusing on delivering real value to customers.

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In this captivating episode of the LifeLong Customer podcast, our host Brad Hammond sits down with Simon Wilby, the visionary CEO of The Smart Inventor. Simon takes us on a journey through his lifelong passion for invention and innovation, culminating in his groundbreaking project, 1Voice.AI.

1Voice.AI is set to transform the way we communicate globally by obliterating language barriers. Simon explains how this telecommunication system offers real-time language translation, allowing you to speak in your preferred language while your conversation partner hears it in theirs. It's like having a universal translator at your fingertips, accessible through a simple browser.

Simon shares his insights on entrepreneurship and startup strategy, emphasizing the importance of finding a marketing company that truly believes in your vision. He emphasizes the value of perseverance and not giving up on your dreams, no matter the obstacles you encounter.

Discover the fascinating world of innovation, communication, and the power of unwavering determination in this episode with Simon Wilby. Don't miss out on the next big thing in global communication. Tune in now!

In this episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Janneh Wright, Founder & CEO of PRIMUS Business Management. With over two decades of experience, Janneh takes us on a captivating ride from his early startup days to PRIMUS' current standing as a thriving enterprise.

Discover the strategies and pivotal moments that have propelled PRIMUS to success, providing indispensable support to small businesses and nonprofits. Janneh's commitment to community-centric organizations shines through as he discusses how PRIMUS helps these entities streamline their operations, allowing them to focus on their core missions.

Join us as Janneh shares the entrepreneurial wisdom he's gained over the years, including his insights into the critical role of systems, delegation, and personal growth. Whether you're a seasoned business leader or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable takeaways and inspiration for your own journey. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a true business visionary.

In this episode of the Lifelong Customer podcast, host Brad Hammond sits down with Mikhail Myzgin, VP of Marketing at Slice, Inc. They delve into Slice's innovative LinkedIn strategy that has generated remarkable results. Mikhail shares how they use thought-provoking content to engage their target audience of safety managers in the industrial sector. Learn how Slice combines captivating discussions with transparent product promotion to create brand affinity and drive lead generation. Discover the key lessons learned from their successful LinkedIn campaign and how they transformed their approach to content and marketing.

Tune in to gain insights into building brand trust, developing a loyal audience, and optimizing your LinkedIn strategy for real impact. Don't miss this episode if you're looking to elevate your marketing game and foster meaningful connections with your audience on LinkedIn.

Join us in this enlightening episode of the Lifelong Customer podcast as we sit down with John Renken, CEO of Sales Platoon.

John's journey from military service to becoming a CEO is nothing short of inspiring. He shares his insights into the world of sales, especially focusing on transitioning military personnel into lucrative sales careers.

Discover how Sales Platoon equips veterans with the skills they need to excel in sales and connects them with companies offering great opportunities. John also delves into his unique approach to growing the company, combining old-school dialing techniques with modern LinkedIn strategies.

Learn from John's experiences as he discusses the challenges of managing multiple companies, the importance of delegation and automation, and the valuable lesson he's learned about pursuing opportunities over security. Whether you're a business leader or someone navigating career transitions, this episode offers wisdom and inspiration to help you succeed. Tune in now!

In this episode of the Lifelong Customer podcast, we're joined by Mike Powers, President and CEO of Garden Savings Federal Credit Union.

Mike shares his incredible journey from starting as a teller to becoming a CEO in the financial industry. Discover how Garden Savings FCU is adapting to the evolving financial landscape, where the focus has shifted from lending to deposit strategies. Learn about the challenges and opportunities in this changing environment and gain insights into marketing strategies, digital transformation, and the importance of adaptability in leadership. Mike's valuable lessons and experiences offer a unique perspective on the ever-changing world of finance.

Join us for this insightful conversation with a seasoned industry professional, and uncover valuable strategies to navigate the shifting tides of financial services successfully.

In this episode of the Lifelong Customer Podcast, we dive deep into the world of decision-making and leadership with Doug Lennick, CEO & Co-Founder of think2perform.

Doug shares his journey from growing up in North Dakota to becoming a successful entrepreneur and business leader. He sheds light on the founding principles of think2perform, a company dedicated to enhancing the world through improving the decision-making and performance of individuals and organizations.

Doug reveals the essential factors for entrepreneurial success, emphasizing the importance of a strong value proposition, effective decision-making, and aligning actions with one's ideal self. He introduces a powerful decision-making prism that every entrepreneur should consider, helping prioritize ideas based on their impact, cost, and degree of difficulty.

Moreover, Doug explains the role of books in think2perform's mission to make a positive difference every day. He highlights how their books serve as tools for personal and professional growth, empowering readers to align with their values and enhance their decision-making skills.

As the episode unfolds, Doug provides valuable insights into embracing emotions as information and the significance of empathy and compassion. His wisdom and profound simplicity resonate throughout the conversation, leaving listeners inspired to take control of their decision-making and strive for their ideal selves.

Tune in to this episode for a masterclass in decision-making and leadership from Doug Lennick, a true expert in the field.

In this episode of the Lifelong Customer Podcast, join your host Brad Hammond in an insightful conversation with Scott McAuley, the CEO of Texas Management Group. Scott shares his journey from being a tech enthusiast to running a successful managed services company in the ever-evolving technology industry.

Scott delves into the importance of building strong relationships, both with clients and partners, highlighting that trust is the key to long-term success. He discusses the challenges of running a tech company, including the ever-changing landscape, remote work, and dealing with difficult clients.

Discover how Scott and his team have strategically grown their business by aligning with the right vendors and embracing new technologies, such as managed Wi-Fi and ISP services. Learn about the significance of branding and how a professional image can make all the difference in winning and retaining clients.

Join us for a conversation filled with valuable insights, lessons learned, and advice for fellow business owners and tech enthusiasts. Whether you're an entrepreneur, IT professional, or simply curious about the tech world, this episode offers valuable takeaways that can help you navigate the ever-evolving technology landscape.

In this episode of the Lifelong Customer podcast, we sit down with Gregory Breads, CEO at DIRAK, Inc. Gregory shares his incredible journey from discovering a job posting on Craigslist to leading an innovative company in the critical infrastructure enclosure industry. Learn how DIRAK helps secure essential infrastructure enclosures, from traffic signal control boxes to data center racks, and how they've adapted to meet the evolving needs of their customers.

Gregory discusses the importance of company culture, emphasizing that culture isn't just about posters on the wall but how a company reacts in challenging situations. He shares valuable insights into building strong relationships with employees, fostering a culture based on core values, and empowering employees to make decisions aligned with those values.

The conversation also touches on the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and how DIRAK pivoted its sales strategy to adapt to remote interactions, all while maintaining its commitment to delivering high-quality products.

Discover the importance of networking, embracing progress over perfection, and learning faster than your competition in this engaging episode with a CEO who truly values growth, both personally and professionally.

Tune in now for a dose of leadership wisdom and inspiring stories!

Join us for this episode of the Lifelong Customer podcast, as we sit down with Dan Gaertner, the CEO of DocuPhase, a leading player in financial automation. In this conversation, we explore the journey of Dan and DocuPhase, as they've been at the forefront of transforming financial departments across mid- to large-sized organizations.

Dan takes us through his background, starting from a computer science degree to his experience in consumer-facing businesses. We delve into how he transitioned to focus on SaaS for financial payments, serving a wide array of organizations, including associations and nonprofits.

Interestingly, Dan assumed the role of CEO just as the COVID-19 pandemic began, leading to a rapid shift in the way businesses operated. He shares the challenges and opportunities this presented and how DocuPhase adapted to these changing circumstances, capitalizing on the need for automation in a remote work environment.

Throughout the episode, Dan emphasizes the importance of diversifying marketing strategies, particularly in a world where in-person events like trade shows became obsolete. He discusses the role of content and thought leadership in standing out in a crowded market, using platforms like LinkedIn to disseminate valuable industry insights and trends.

Dan's journey as CEO highlights the significance of investing in talent and technology, rather than solely focusing on cost-cutting. He stresses the value of experience in certain roles and how this investment can drive long-term growth.

Additionally, Dan touches on the challenges and learnings of scaling a business rapidly and the critical role of transparent communication in maintaining a healthy organizational culture.

Join us for an engaging conversation filled with lessons learned, practical strategies for growth, and the significance of culture in achieving sustainable success. Whether you're an aspiring CEO or a business leader seeking inspiration, this episode offers valuable insights into navigating the world of financial automation and leadership.