In this episode of The Spark, Mark Scrivner sits down with Trevor Emerson, Founder & CEO of LSM, to unpack what it really takes to build and scale an agency over two decades. From launching at a kitchen table with no experience to leading a nationally recognized franchise marketing firm, Trevor shares the hard lessons, pivotal relationships, and strategic pivots that shaped his journey.

They dive into niching down into franchising, surviving multimillion-dollar client losses, navigating acquisitions, and why return on investment—not vanity metrics—must anchor every agency relationship. Trevor also breaks down how AI, GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), and operational tech are reshaping both marketing and the franchise model itself.

If you're an agency owner, creative entrepreneur, or growth-focused leader, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, evolution, and disciplined scaling.

Key Moments: 00:10 – From education degree to selling Google Ads in 2006 06:28 – The pivot into franchise marketing and scalable growth 11:10 – Why employees aren't your best friends—and what leadership really means 27:06 – Losing multimillion-dollar clients overnight and navigating agency volatility 29:17 – Making ROI the center of every franchise pitch 32:50 – SEO vs. GEO: How AI is reshaping content and search strategy 40:49 – Moving beyond leads: Helping franchisees optimize operations with AI

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Trevor Emerson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevoremerson/ | https://www.lsm.works/ Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode of The Spark, actor, writer, producer, director, and voiceover artist D.B. Sweeney joins host Mark Scrivner for a wide-ranging conversation about building a lasting creative career with intention, humility, and grit. From his unlikely start at NYU to starring in landmark films like The Cutting Edge, Eight Men Out, and Lonesome Dove, Sweeney reflects on the moments that shaped both his craft and his character.

The conversation also dives into Sweeney's newest film, Protector, an action thriller hitting theaters soon, and what it's like to prepare for roles today with less runway but deeper instinct. Along the way, he shares powerful lessons from working with legends like James Earl Jones, discusses why he continues to make independent films, and explains how creative work can be a form of service—especially to veterans and underserved communities.

Episode Highlights

• 02:57 – Choosing acting "because it seemed easy" and getting into NYU

• 05:39 – Francis Ford Coppola, Gardens of Stone, and the break that changed everything

• 09:04 – Inside Protector: story, cast, and why the film feels different

• 14:12 – How role preparation has changed over a 40-year career

• 18:16 – James Earl Jones and the power of simply showing up

• 21:00 – Making films for people Hollywood often overlooks

• 45:55 – Advice for young creatives: stop waiting, start making

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With D.B. Sweeney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-b-sweeney-b436b513/ | https://www.dbsweeney.com/ Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode of The Spark, host Mark Scrivner sits down with Sam Davidson, CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, to explore what truly makes an entrepreneurial ecosystem thrive. From launching multiple ventures to leading one of the city's most impactful founder communities, Sam shares hard-earned lessons on resilience, generosity, and building businesses that matter.

Sam reflects on his journey as a four-time entrepreneur, including founding and scaling Batch, navigating pivots and acquisitions, and ultimately stepping into a role that allows him to support thousands of founders across Nashville. Along the way, he breaks down what separates ideas from action, why community is a competitive advantage, and how entrepreneurs can increase their odds of success.

Episode Highlights

• 00:00 – Why Nashville's songwriting culture shaped its collaborative business mindset

• 01:32 – Sam's entrepreneurial journey and early career lessons

• 08:11 – Pivoting from ideas to real businesses and following customer demand

• 18:51 – Scaling Batch, surviving COVID, and leading through uncertainty

• 25:46 – Rethinking who entrepreneurship support is really for

• 34:26 – The two traits that determine whether founders have a real shot

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Sam Davidson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samdavidson/ | https://www.ec.co Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode of The Spark, host Mark Scrivner sits down with Mariko Hickerson, CEO of Huckleberry Branding, to explore her journey from journalism to entrepreneurship and how storytelling became the foundation of her agency's approach to branding and search marketing. Mariko shares how her early newsroom experience shaped her perspective on clarity, fairness, and extracting meaningful narratives—skills that now drive her SEO and brand strategy work.

The conversation dives into the realities of running a modern agency: narrowing service offerings, building trust with referral partners, navigating SEO myths, and adapting to emerging technologies like AI and large language models without losing sight of fundamentals. Mariko also offers practical advice for small businesses with limited budgets and reflects on the mindset shifts required to lead a sustainable, people-centered company.

Episode Highlights

• 01:27 – Mariko's path from journalism to marketing and entrepreneurship

• 10:54 – Why storytelling is a competitive advantage in SEO

• 18:24 – How AI and LLMs are influencing modern search strategies

• 21:18 – The Tennessee Whiskey Trail project and earning "street cred"

• 28:17 – What to prioritize when you have little to no marketing budget

• 31:00 – Trust as the foundation of great referral partnerships

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Mariko Hickerson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marikohickerson/ | https://www.huckleberrybranding.com/ Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode of The Spark, Mark Scrivner sits down with Vincent Phamvan, Founder of Vyten and a three-time CMO, to unpack how mobile apps and AI are reshaping what's possible for small and mid-sized businesses. Vincent shares his journey from enterprise tech and healthcare into building tools that level the playing field for founders, agencies, and service-based businesses.

Together, they explore why mobile-first experiences matter more than ever, how AI-driven automation can dramatically improve client onboarding and support, and what businesses need to rethink about owning their audience, data, and customer experience in an AI-powered world.

Episode Highlights:

• 01:17 – Vincent's background in enterprise tech and early AI adoption

• 03:23 – Why large companies gain unfair advantages—and how tech can close the gap

• 09:01 – Why mobile apps and push notifications outperform email

• 12:47 – How Vyten builds and launches mobile apps in one week

• 17:01 – Using AI to automate workflows without sacrificing quality

• 26:28 – The mobile app features that actually move business KPIs

• 35:11 – Why first-party data is the foundation of AI strategy

Learn More & Connect

Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/

Connect With Vincent Phamvan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentpv | https://vyten.com

Vyten One: https://www.vyten.ai/

Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com

Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode, JJ Rosen shares the unexpected journey that led him from a psychology major to founding Atiba, one of Nashville's most enduring technology companies. His story highlights the power of curiosity, adaptability, and empathy—qualities that shaped both the company's culture and its long-term success.

JJ explains how Atiba grew from a one-person operation to a 100-person organization, why "half geek, half human" became a defining philosophy, and how AI is reshaping the future of software development. Through practical insights and memorable stories, he reveals what it truly takes to build a business that lasts.

Key Moments

• 00:00 — How AI is reducing project costs and increasing scalability.
• 01:17 — Creative Assembly's mission and the spark behind the show's purpose.
• 03:00 — JJ's early beginnings and the accidental path into software and IT consulting.
• 13:31 — The origin of Atiba's "half geek, half human" philosophy and why it matters.
• 24:00 — JJ's transition from hands-on coding to leadership and strategy.
• 33:50 — How AI is reshaping development roles, business value, and team structure.
• 46:28 — JJ's reflection on burnout, fulfillment, and blending work with life.

Learn More & Connect

Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With JJ Rosen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atibasoftware/ | https://www.atiba.com Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode of The Spark, Eric Jackson—founder and CEO of Element 47—shares the journey that shaped his philosophy on leadership, culture, and service. From early lessons in print and web development to building a modern branding and marketing agency, Eric breaks down why self-awareness, communication, and clarity remain the core of every strong creative partnership.

Across the conversation, he and host Mark Scrivner dig into Nashville's evolving creative landscape, the rise of AI as a strategic partner, and the importance of collaboration across agencies rather than competition. Eric also explores his personal mission, "to connect and grow people," and how this purpose continues to guide his work, mentorship, and contributions to Nashville's entrepreneurial community.

• 00:00 – The question that reshaped Eric's purpose and leadership framework

• 01:03 – Eric joins The Spark and reflects on his podcasting experience

• 07:02 – Leaving film production behind and transitioning into web development

• 10:16 – Early days of website development and the "Wild West" internet era

• 15:04 – Discovering purpose, building culture, and creating Next Mile Network

• 27:00 – How AI shapes creative work and why human discernment still matters

• 44:16 – The biggest misconception about the agency business

Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Eric Jackson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericpauljackson/ | https://element47.co Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode of The Spark, Mark Scrivner sits down with Brandon Edwards—CEO of Unlock Health and former head of Revive Health—to explore what it takes to build and sustain excellence in healthcare marketing. Brandon shares how early lessons in leadership, the challenges of selling a successful agency, and the pursuit of authenticity continue to shape his vision for Unlock Health.

Listeners will gain insights into how leaders can evolve through change, create cultures that last, and use emerging tools like AI with integrity and purpose. Brandon's practical reflections offer a masterclass in clarity, self-awareness, and long-term thinking for anyone building teams or businesses in fast-changing industries.

Episode Highlights: 00:01 – From politics to healthcare: Brandon's early journey 06:45 – Building Revive Health and knowing when to sell 19:12 – Learning leadership from the hard places 25:10 – Founding Unlock Health and spotting market gaps 33:30 – Authentic healthcare marketing in the post-truth era 35:15 – Redefining workflows through AI integration 46:10 – Assembling smarter teams and leading with humility 52:20 – Advice for founders: surround yourself with the right people

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Brandon Edwards: https://www.linkedin.com/in/be615/ | https://unlockhealth.com Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode of The Spark, Mark Scrivner sits down with Dale Addy—veteran designer, agency founder, and Belmont University professor—to talk about creativity, collaboration, and the bridge between professional design practice and education. Dale shares insights from three decades of creative leadership, reflecting on lessons learned at global agencies, the founding of DNA Creative with his wife April, and his transition into teaching.

Listeners will discover how Dale helps young designers balance craft and concept, navigate client relationships, and approach creative work with humility and purpose. From original thinking and black-and-white presentations to teaching design students the value of research and empathy, this conversation highlights what it truly means to design for others—and not just yourself.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:02 — How Dale found his path from art to design and business

• 05:33 — Starting DNA Creative and lessons in small-agency collaboration

• 10:11 — Why originality matters: using your brain before Google

• 11:33 — Teaching design clients with black-and-white first principles

• 21:19 — How Dale found purpose in teaching the next generation

• 26:37 — Designing for your client's client: empathy and research

• 34:14 — The real feedback students need from creative mentors

• 39:09 — Why creative leaders must give back to the next generation

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/ Connect With Dale Addy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-addy-a8652a5/ | https://belmont.edu Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com

In this episode of The Spark, hosts welcome Nashville power duo Liza and Jay Graves, the husband-and-wife team behind StyleBlueprint and Blueprint Inc.. From a small blog launched during the 2009 recession to a thriving digital media company with millions of readers, Liza shares how a simple mission to "keep Nashville, Nashville" turned into a platform that celebrates local businesses and regional storytelling.

Together, Liza and Jay explore how to scale with purpose, balance marriage and leadership, and uphold editorial integrity in the AI era. They discuss their evolution from StyleBlueprint to Blueprint Inc., the power of community-driven marketing, and why staying rooted in local values can build national impact.

Episode Highlights:

• 02:03 – How StyleBlueprint started with zero subscribers and a mission to support local businesses.

• 07:42 – Jay's journey from data management in sports to joining Liza at StyleBlueprint.

• 13:34 – How curated "Top Lists" became a breakthrough for small-business clients.

• 17:31 – Navigating business and marriage: boundaries, trust, and shared decision-making.

• 25:43 – From StyleBlueprint to Blueprint Inc.—clarifying brand structure and growth strategy.

• 34:04 – Upholding human creativity and editorial integrity in the age of AI.

• 54:02 – Liza's vision for 100 women-led markets under the StyleBlueprint brand.

Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/

Connect With Liza Graves: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizagraves | https://styleblueprint.com

Connect with Jay Graves: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gravesjay/ | https://blueprint.inc

Connect With Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com

Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com