The Entrepreneur's Logbook: Lessons from Growing Businesses

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook, Zachary speaks with Ryan Polselli, founder and CEO of Mammolink.  Dr. Polselli, a fellowship-trained breast radiologist from Emory University and former Navy nuclear officer, shares how he left the traditional hospital system to reinvent breast cancer screening with a fully patient-centric, mobile platform. Over just three years, he bootstrapped Mammolink into a team of 90, performed more than 55,000 tests across five mobile units, and earned a perfect 5.0-star rating across nearly 2,000 reviews.  From partnering with Fortune-level employers like Walmart, Amazon, Costco and Royal Caribbean to pioneering RAIN, Mammolink’s AI-driven same-day ultrasound for women with dense breast tissue, Ryan walks us through the strategies that fueled this rapid growth.  Ryan and Zach dive into the hard lessons of building a winning team, “hire fast, fire faster”, and why investing in top talent is non-negotiable for any founder. They explore how true patient centricity means obsessing over every touchpoint, from the bus driver greeting patients on-site to delivering results by day’s end. By removing barriers like scheduling headaches, surprise bills and long waits, Mammolink has doubled screening compliance rates and, in some workplaces, boosted them from 30% to 60%.  Finally, Ryan offers a glimpse into Mammolink’s unique data advantage, observing patients in their “natural environment,” applying AI to biology, behavior, access and outcomes, and how those insights could reshape the future of early detection. Timestamps Emphasizing Team Building & “Fire Fast” Hiring Strategy – 04:20 Mammolink’s Patient-Centric Mobile Breast Screening Model – 09:15 Tackling Access vs. Utilization in Breast Cancer Screening – 14:30 Impact of Same-Day Results on Patient Anxiety & Compliance – 21:10 Leveraging Proprietary Data & AI for Deeper Screening Insights – 29:45 Connect with Ryan http://ryanpolselli.com/, https://www.mammolink.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanpolselli Sponsored by We Feature You PR - Helping entrepreneurs build thought leadership through strategic podcast placements and launching their own shows. Ready to amplify your voice? Get in touch today. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook, Zachary speaks with Trevor Dudeck, founder of Lemonade, a full-service advertising agency built on the bold philosophy that “advertising should feel more like entertainment.”  Trevor and Zach dive into the biggest stumbles and hard-won lessons of scaling an agency, from the pitfalls of chasing unicorn hires who promise to solve every problem but often leave gaps in sales and finance, to the power of bringing on an operations consultant who evolved into a game-changing COO.  Along the way, Trevor shares how he and his team learned to balance custom and productized services, build repeatable offerings, and create decision frameworks that turn one-off hires into strategic, sustainable growth drivers.  The conversation then shifts to Lemonade’s signature entertainment-first approach: the Story 360 model. Trevor breaks down how brands can think of themselves as media companies, borrow storytelling tactics from film and gaming, and craft programs that feel more like binge-worthy series than forgettable ads.  He offers three concrete takeaways for entrepreneurs ready to experiment with entertainment-driven marketing: flip your campaign planning with “entertainment thinking,” treat every channel as programming that competes for viewers’ attention, and start small.  By the end of the episode, you’ll have a clear roadmap for transforming product pitches into immersive experiences that captivate and convert over the long term. Timestamps Lessons on Hiring “Unicorn” Employees – 00:02:00 2. Bringing in an Operations Consultant and Building Processes – 00:06:00 3. Moving from All-Custom Work to Productized, Repeatable Services – 00:07:00 4. Shifting from Traditional Ads to Entertainment-Driven Marketing – 00:08:50 5. Introducing the Story360 Framework for Multi-Channel Campaigns – 00:15:00 Connect with Trevor https://www.lemonadetheagency.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevordudeck/ Sponsored by We Feature You PR - Helping entrepreneurs build thought leadership through strategic podcast placements and launching their own shows. Ready to amplify your voice? Get in touch today. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Chapters (00:00:00) - The Entrepreneur's Lockbook Podcast(00:01:22) - What Would I Do Different If I Had To Start My Company Again(00:08:51) - Lemonade: The Shift From Advertising to Entertainment-(00:17:58) - The Story360: Exploring the Entertainment Dimension(00:25:23) - How To Win in an Entertainment World(00:29:24) - PODCAST: Trevor Dudak

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook, Zachary speaks with Gregory Kovsky, President and CEO of International Business Associates (IBA). Drawing on more than three decades in the brokerage world, and having personally facilitated over 300 transactions worth $1–30 million each, Gregory walks us through the art and science of selling a company.  He explains how he grew IBA into the Pacific Northwest’s largest business brokerage firm, with ten offices in Washington and Oregon and a 50-year track record of 4,400 completed deals. Zach and Gregory dig into the mindset shift needed to view a business sale as an investment rather than a single payday.  They discuss the three pillars that enhance enterprise value: working on, not in, your company, maintaining crystal-clear financials, and positioning for future growth or expansion. Along the way, Gregory shares cautionary tales of owners who fell into common traps such as overlooking process documentation, underestimating buyer financing requirements or failing to articulate a compelling growth story.  Finally, they unpack IBA’s step-by-step approach, from realistic valuation and buyer screening to deal structuring and closing.  Gregory offers practical takeaways for entrepreneurs planning their exit today: build a standout management team, detail your operations and digital presence, and always frame your business in terms of its long-term potential.  Timestamps Screening and Hiring Quality Talent to Scale Your Business – 02:50 2. Viewing Your Business Sale as an Investment & Conducting a Valuation – 07:05 3. Three Key Drivers to Enhance Exit Value (Work On the Business, Financial Clarity, Growth Potential) – 15:16 4. Balancing Historical Performance with Future Potential (Tesla Analogy) – 16:37 5. Pre-Exit Checklist: Clean Financials, SOPs, and Strong First Impressions – 26:36 Connect with Gregory https://ibainc.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-kovsky-460aab7/ Sponsored by We Feature You PR - Helping entrepreneurs build thought leadership through strategic podcast placements and launching their own shows. Ready to amplify your voice? Get in touch today. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Chapters (00:00:00) - The Entrepreneur's Lockbook Podcast(00:01:04) - Meet Gregory Kofsky, President and CEO of International Business Associates(00:01:56) - How to Sell Your Business.(00:06:30) - Why I Didn't Sell My Business(00:06:56) - The Process of Selling a Business(00:13:23) - When to Sell Your Company?(00:14:53) - 3 Mistakes Business Owners Make When Trying to Sell Their Company(00:20:37) - Should You Buy a Retirement Business?(00:26:00) - Selling Your Business: 3 Tips For Success(00:29:06) - How to Sell Your Business

In this episode of The Entrepreneur's Logbook, Zachary speaks with Dr. Ashok Gupta, founder of TheraNow — a virtual therapy platform delivering physical, occupational, and speech therapy across the US through a network of 400+ clinicians. Ashok opens with a counterintuitive lesson from his own journey: if he were to rebuild TheraNow today, he'd focus far less on innovation and far more on integration. Drawing on his background as a practicing physical therapist — including time working with veterans at VA hospitals — he explains why building a great product means nothing if it isn't embedded in the workflows where care actually happens. He breaks down why healthcare doesn't lack innovation, it lacks implementation, and walks through the classic mistake founders make: building the house before running the utilities. Whether it's EMR/EHR integration, clinical workflow compatibility, or understanding when and why patients use a product, Ashok makes the case that distribution strategy has to come before the product itself. Zachary and Ashok also dig into what real ROI looks like inside health systems — not from adding features, but from reducing friction. They cover the three areas where returns actually show up (revenue capture, operational efficiency, and access expansion), why credentialing timelines make traditional scaling nearly impossible, and how bias in baseline data can quietly undermine the best-intentioned digital health tools. By the end of the episode, you'll walk away with a framework for thinking about product adoption that applies well beyond healthcare — and a clear understanding of why implementation, not innovation, is the hardest problem to solve. Whether you're a founder building in a highly regulated industry or an operator trying to modernize without turning your organization upside down, Ashok's insights on integration-first thinking will leave you rethinking how you approach growth. Timestamps:- Integration Over Innovation: Rebuilding TheraNow From Scratch – 00:00:00- Why Virtual Physical Therapy Actually Works (and Where It Falls Short) – 00:08:30- EMR Integration, Epic, and the Trap of Standalone Products – 00:12:00- How Health Systems Should Think About ROI From Digital Tools – 00:22:00- Implementation Is Everything: Advice for Health System Leaders – 00:27:25 Connect with Ashok:https://www.theranow.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ashok-gupta-dpt-2b5a7023/ Sponsored by We Feature You PR - Helping entrepreneurs build thought leadership through strategic podcast placements and launching their own shows. Ready to amplify your voice? Get in touch today. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook, Zachary speaks with Dwan Bent-Twyford about the trials, triumphs and hard-won lessons that shaped her real estate empire.  Dwan opens up about starting in the 1990s as a broke, single mom who mistakenly equated “fixing up” a house with decorating. She shares how her first deal: sealed with little more than a handshake, led to a foreclosure, a repossessed car and a crash course in hands-on rehab work.  From salvaging those early mistakes she discovered wholesaling, pioneered her trademarked “short sales” strategy and developed a Triple Profit Center model that’s now helped her close thousands of transactions.  Throughout the conversation, Dwan and Zachary dive into her mission of empowering new investors. She walks listeners through the step-by-step process at her Investors Edge University: evaluating personal goals, matching them to the right real estate niche, and building the practical skills to execute profitable deals.  Dwan breaks down how a true short sale works, why it can be a win-win for homeowners, banks and investors, and how careful deal structuring lays the foundation for long-term success. By the end of the episode, you’ll understand why Dwan’s top priority is teaching, mentoring and making sure no one has to learn the hard way, just as she once did.  Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned pro looking to sharpen your strategy, her insights on negotiation, risk management and brand building will leave you ready to take action.  Timestamps Dwan’s Naive First Deal & Rehab Misconceptions – 00:02:15  Practical Advice for Beginner Investors (Wholesaling & Skill Assessment) – 00:09:50 Teaching & Program Structure at Investors Edge University – 00:15:20  Coining “Short Sales” & Trademarking the Strategy – 00:26:45  Triple-Profit-Center System for Structuring Win-Win Deals – 00:36:05 Connect with Dwan https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwanbenttwyford/ https://www.instagram.com/dwanderful/ https://www.youtube.com/c/dwanderfulrealestateinvestingchannel https://investorsedgeuniversity.com/ Sponsored by We Feature You PR - Helping entrepreneurs build thought leadership through strategic podcast placements and launching their own shows. Ready to amplify your voice? Get in touch today. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Chapters (00:00:00) - How To Fix Up A Home In foreclosure(00:00:32) - The Lockbook: Real Estate Experts(00:01:46) - The One Thing I Wish I Knew Before Starting a Business(00:06:13) - Mentoring New Investors in Real Estate(00:12:15) - "A Mission Driven"(00:13:13) - You're known as the Queen of Short Sales(00:16:11) - How To Save a Home From Foreclosure(00:21:26) - Dwan Is Dwinderful

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook, Zachary speaks with Stephen Morel, founder and CEO of JurisDeed. Stephen walks us through his journey from technical specialist to storyteller‐in‐chief, explaining why “loving the problem, not your solution” is the single most important mindset shift for entrepreneurs.  Together, they explore how Stephen’s two decades in real estate law led him to found JurisDeed, an AI-powered platform that automates tax lien and distressed property investing across all 50 states, and why focusing on customer pain points and clear communication helped him secure early revenue, avoid funding pitfalls, and build trust with investors.  The episode digs into the nuts and bolts of tax lien investing: what traditional investors face when navigating state-by-state laws, how JurisDeed normalizes those legal hurdles in one unified system, and why staying ahead of Supreme Court rulings and legislative changes can make or break your returns.  Stephen shares actionable tips for mitigating regulatory shifts: outsourcing operational tasks, reducing costs, speeding up liquidity and using data-driven intelligence to target delinquent properties, all so that listeners can protect and optimize their portfolios in today’s volatile environment.  Whether you’re launching your first startup or scaling your fifth, this conversation highlights the power of customer discovery, lean storytelling, and technology‐driven solutions.  Timestamps Leaning into the Customer Problem and Mastering Storytelling – 03:10  Introduction to JurisDeed: AI-Powered Tax-Lien Investment Platform – 06:20  Simplifying the End-to-End Tax-Lien Acquisition-to-Liquidation Workflow – 12:30 Navigating Evolving Legal & State-By-State Compliance Challenges – 17:45  Actionable Strategies to Mitigate Return-Compression and Optimize Costs – 21:15 About JurisDeed JurisDeed is a dynamic legal and property intelligence platform empowering real estate professionals, investors, government, and other stakeholders with the critical data needed to clear title to distressed real estate with clicks instead of copies, saving substantial time and money over typical paper and manual-based research methods, and unlocking incalculable trapped wealth and opportunity for individuals and communities. Connect with Stephen https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmorel-jd https://jurisdeed.com/ Sponsored by We Feature You PR - Helping entrepreneurs build thought leadership through strategic podcast placements and launching their own shows. Ready to amplify your voice? Get in touch today. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Chapters (00:00:00) - The Entrepreneurs Logbook Podcast(00:00:51) - Steve Morrell(00:01:34) - What's The One Thing That You'd Do Differently If You(00:04:02) - How Did We Know What Our Customers Want?(00:05:53) - Part 6: The Startup Experience(00:07:32) - Tax Liens: The Journey Through the Platform(00:11:29) - Small Business Partners: State-by-State Compliance(00:12:35) - Can Our Platform Help You Manage Your Legal Process?(00:14:16) - Legal Changes to Property Tax Sales(00:17:35) - ETF Talk: Mitigating the Impact of the Law(00:19:39) - How to Get Your Money Back by Paying Off Debtors

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook, Zachary speaks with David Arato, founder of Lexicon Legal Content. They kick things off by exploring the foundational habits that set successful companies apart: starting with the art of documenting processes from day one.   David shares how building a library of clear, repeatable SOPs not only accelerates team onboarding but also lays the groundwork for adding new service lines. They also dive into the realities of remote entrepreneurship, emphasizing the power of community and networking to solve recurring operational challenges rather than reinventing the wheel in isolation.  As the conversation turns to legal marketing, David unpacks the specialized, multi-step process his agency uses to help law firms dominate SEO while staying compliant with bar rules. From navigating Google’s AI-driven “overviews” and zero-click searches to mastering YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) and EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust) standards, they discuss why raw AI output isn’t enough.  Instead, David argues, top-performing content blends human storytelling, attorney-reviewed accuracy, and strategic link building to truly stand out in a crowded field.  Listeners will come away with fresh insights into balancing cutting-edge technology with the irreplaceable value of human expertise and how to future-proof their content strategy for the years ahead. Timestamps Documenting Business Processes with SOPs – 05:10  Building Community and Networking as a Remote Entrepreneur – 10:30  Onboarding Law Firms: SEO-Optimized & BAR-Compliant Content Workflow – 15:00 Attribution Challenges in SEO & the Rise of Zero-Click AI Overviews – 19:45  Leveraging AI While Upholding EEAT to Differentiate Legal Content – 24:10 About Lexicon Legal Content Lexicon Legal Content is a legal content development company staffed by JDs and licensed attorneys who specialize in writing jurisdiction and practice area-specific content for lawyers and law firm marketers throughout North America. Connect with David https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidarato/ https://www.lexiconlegalcontent.com/ Sponsored by We Feature You PR - Helping entrepreneurs build thought leadership through strategic podcast placements and launching their own shows. Ready to amplify your voice? Get in touch today. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Chapters (00:00:00) - The Lockbook Podcast(00:01:31) - The One Thing All Entrepreneurs Need to Have in Place(00:03:34) - Build in isolation or community(00:04:58) - How To Attribute Legal Content in Marketing(00:08:57) - The Four Pillars of a Trustworthy Website(00:13:16) - Law Firm Content: Quality Legal Content(00:18:36) - Marketing Agency Executives: Don't Use AI to Create

Anastasia Rossinsky is the founder of A Market Social, a Miami-based marketing and branding boutique specializing in digital marketing, brand development, and social media management. With over 10 years of experience in digital marketing and branding, she's built a reputation for creating engaging content and growing social media presence for companies across various industries. Annie has recently launched Women Who Miami, a community and resource platform dedicated to helping women turn their side hustles into profitable full-time businesses through podcasts, events, and business education. What You'll Learn - The two critical mistakes that can kill your startup before it begins (fear and lack of boundaries) - Why you can literally start a business with nothing - and should - How to avoid analysis paralysis and stop overthinking your launch - Why branding must come before any marketing efforts - The danger of losing your authentic voice to AI-generated content - How to successfully rebrand without alienating your existing customers - The importance of building authentic personal brands in today's accessible business world Key Takeaways - The Nothing-to-Something Reality: You don't need perfect logos, websites, or investors to start. If you're solving a real problem, business will come - Annie built her first clients through proposals before even having a website. - Boundaries Equal Value: Working 24/7 and responding to 3 AM emails doesn't show dedication - it shows desperation. Setting boundaries makes you look professional and prevents burnout while maintaining creative energy. - Branding Before Marketing: Marketing without a solid brand foundation is like using a megaphone with no message. Consistent branding builds trust and recognition - people need to know what to expect from you. - AI Enhancement vs. Replacement: Use AI for productivity, operations, and background tasks, but never replace the human connection that makes brands authentic and relatable. About A Market Social & Women Who Miami A Market Social provides comprehensive marketing and branding services for businesses looking to bridge the gap between their brand and consumers. Women Who Miami is Annie's community platform offering podcasts, events, and resources specifically designed to help women entrepreneurs scale their side hustles into profitable businesses. Connect with Anastasia Website: womenwhomiami.com Sponsored by We Feature You PR - Helping entrepreneurs build thought leadership through strategic podcast placements and launching their own shows. Ready to amplify your voice? Get in touch today. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Chapters (00:00:00) - Annie Rosinsky on How to Start a Business With Nothing(00:01:21) - What Would You Do If You Started a Business Again?(00:04:39) - How to start and grow a business on your own(00:07:31) - MIAMI Business Community(00:10:53) - Brand Management Prioritizes Marketing(00:16:07) - How to Tell a Woman's Brand Story(00:17:55) - How to Build a Personal Brand with Women(00:19:00) - The Authenticity of AI(00:22:08) - How To Do A Brand Rebrand?

Philip Hill is the founder and CEO of Purebred Marketing, a top DTC agency focused on igniting growth for brands through affiliate programs and high-performing websites fueled by SEO and CRO. He's been a serial entrepreneur in the e-commerce space for 15 years, having worked with over 100 brands like Solo Stove, Pet Supermarket, and Snap Supplements, driving over $200 million in client revenue. Remarkably, he dropped out of college just 18 hours before graduation to launch his first business. What You'll Learn: - How to properly diagnose what's actually wrong when customer acquisition costs are rising - Why looking at surface-level data can lead to devastating business decisions - The power of integrated marketing ecosystems vs. isolated channel approaches - How to build and manage commission-only affiliate sales teams for DTC brands - Strategic approaches to choosing the right sales channels for your product type - Why AI amplification beats AI replacement in modern business operations - Data-driven strategies for improving conversion rates across all marketing channels Key Takeaways: - The Ecosystem Effect: Don't pause one marketing channel when performance drops - SEO, Facebook ads, and other channels work synergistically. Stopping one can hurt the performance of others, creating a downward spiral that looks like everything is failing when it's actually a strategic error. - Commission-Only Sales Revolution: Purebred Marketing's unique approach of building commission-only affiliate sales teams for DTC brands creates scalable growth without upfront marketing costs. The key is matching the right affiliate strategy to your product price point and target audience. - Data Depth Over Surface Metrics: When diagnosing declining performance, dig deeper than surface-level metrics. What appears to be channel failure is often a conversion rate, product, or integrated strategy issue that can be solved without abandoning working channels. - AI as Amplifier: Embrace AI tools to increase capacity and efficiency rather than replace human workers. Companies using AI for automation and research are gaining significant competitive advantages in speed and service delivery. About Purebred Marketing: Purebred Marketing specializes in igniting growth for DTC brands through strategic affiliate programs, SEO, and conversion rate optimization. Their unique commission-only affiliate model helps brands scale without upfront marketing costs while their integrated approach ensures all marketing channels work together synergistically. Connect with Philip : Website: https://purebredmarketing.com/ Sponsored by We Feature You PR - Helping entrepreneurs build thought leadership through strategic podcast placements and launching their own shows. Ready to amplify your voice? Get in touch today. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Chapters (00:00:00) - Will AI Disrupt Your Business?(00:00:29) - The Entrepreneur's Logbook Podcast(00:01:30) - Reinventing Your Company With AI(00:08:20) - The science of legal issues(00:09:00) - How to Diagnose a Business' Problems? (E-Commerce(00:15:05) - TikTok Shop vs. TikTok Amazon: How Do Brands(00:18:02) - How We Build a Sales Team for Brand Affiliates(00:22:45) - 3 Tips for Companies to Improve Their Sales & Marketing

Jordan is a recognized leader in media strategy with over 20 years in the industry. He's architected and executed strategies that have generated billions of dollars in measurable client revenue. Jordan specializes in connected TV, video, and retail media, combining advanced targeting techniques with data-driven insights to help brands reach incremental audiences at scale. What You'll Learn - The #1 internal mistake entrepreneurs make when scaling (and how to avoid it) - Why doing "everything" in the early days is actually crucial for long-term success - Advanced media planning strategies beyond basic demographic targeting - How to transition from hands-on operations to strategic leadership - The people-centered approach that's revolutionizing media buying - Connected TV and video strategies that drive measurable ROI Key Takeaways Internal focus: Embrace wearing multiple hats in the beginning - even as Chief Media Officer, Jordan handles sales and operations The Multi-Hat Reality: Why successful entrepreneurs must be willing to do everything in the early stages, and how this foundation creates better leaders and stronger companies. About Alpha Position Media Alpha Position Media specializes in media planning, buying, and analytics with a people-centered approach that goes beyond traditional demographic targeting. They focus on connected TV, video, and retail media strategies that deliver measurable results for their clients. Connect with Jordan Greene https://www.linkedin.com/in/greenejordan/ https://www.alphaprecisionmedia.com/ Sponsored by We Feature You PR - Helping entrepreneurs build thought leadership through strategic podcast placements and launching their own shows. Ready to amplify your voice? Get in touch today. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Chapters (00:00:00) - The Entrepreneur's Logbook Podcast(00:00:43) - Jordan Green(00:01:25) - 7 Rules for Starting a Business on Day 1(00:03:23) - WSJD Live: How Do We Identify the Right Audience(00:08:13) - Top Executives: Advertising on a Small TV(00:11:47) - How Functional AI Is Integrating into the Agency's Strategy(00:17:01) - Amazon Advertising: The Omnichannel Phenomenon(00:19:33) - Netflix vs. Warner Bros. Sports: Which Way Should Fans Watch(00:24:16) - WSJD Live: Where Do You See the Advertising Space Going?(00:27:34) - CTV Weekly Insights

In this episode of The Entrepreneur's Logbook Podcast, host Zachary Bernard sits down with Aleric Heck, founder and CEO of Ad Outreach, a YouTube advertising and consulting company that has helped clients generate over $300 million in revenue. Starting his entrepreneurial journey at just 12 years old with YouTube app reviews, Aleric built the largest app review channel with 600K+ subscribers and now runs an 8-figure company that's appeared on the Inc 5000 three years running, hitting #60 in 2022. Key Takeaways Document your journey: Implement a video-first strategy from day one to showcase expertise and build authentic founder stories that resonate with audiences Focus on intent-driven traffic: YouTube users are actively learning versus mindlessly scrolling, creating higher-quality leads for service-based businesses Hook, educate, call to action: Structure YouTube ads with compelling hooks, genuine educational value, and clear calls to action—avoid the mistake of skipping education Target with precision: Use Google's custom audience builder for search terms, URL affinity targeting for competitor sites, and household income filters for B2B offerings Quality over quantity leads: Expect slightly higher upfront costs per lead but significantly better conversion rates and ROI on the backend Leverage the content flywheel: Combine organic content with paid ads to create a self-reinforcing system where ads drive content consumption and content drives ad retargeting Test hooks, not full creatives: Unlike Meta's constant creative refresh needs, YouTube ads have longer lifecycles—focus on testing different opening hooks while maintaining core educational content Don't sleep on retargeting: Target website visitors, YouTube channel viewers, and video engagers with lower-budget campaigns for maximum efficiency Aleric Heck - Ad Outreach Website: https://aleric.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alericheck/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alericheck/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlericHeckYT Free Gift Mentioned: https://adoutreach.com/gift (YouTube Ad Strategy PDF) Book: Video Authority book at https://adoutreach.com/video-authority-booklist/ AI Targeting Tool: https://keywordsearch.com (5-day free trial) Zachary Bernard – We Feature You PR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/ Website: https://www.wefeatureyou.com/ Personal site: https://zacharybernard.com/ Podcast: The Entrepreneur's Logbook Want press/podcast/TV features? Visit wefeatureyou.com Chapters (00:00:00) - The Entrepreneur's Doc Book Podcast(00:00:39) - How to Reach the Right People on YouTube(00:01:58) - Starting Over: The Journey on Video(00:03:24) - How to grow your business with YouTube Ad(00:03:54) - How to Build a Lead on YouTube vs. Meta(00:09:37) - Facebook vs. YouTube: Cost per Lead and(00:10:35) - How to Integrate Facebook and YouTube Ad(00:14:05) - Why YouTube Ad Costs More Than Facebook Ad Costs(00:15:55) - How to Target People on YouTube Ads(00:22:52) - How to Run a YouTube Ad(00:25:10) - YouTube Ad Strategy

In this episode of The Entrepreneur's Logbook Podcast, host Zachary Bernard sits down with Amber Goetz, founder of Active Media, a high-performance web and SEO agency that's been turning websites into lead generation machines since 2005. With over 500 websites under her belt and clients pulling in over $10 million through organic search, Amber has spent two decades learning what actually works in SEO.    Key Takeaways   Start with market research: Validate search demand, competition levels, and real market need before building your business Fix messaging first: Address root causes (messaging and site health) before driving traffic—visitors leave for competitors if your foundation is broken Demand transparency: Quality SEO agencies provide visual dashboards, share keyword rankings, and educate clients rather than hiding behind "secret sauce" AI content is dead: Mass AI-generated blog posts no longer work; Google rewards human-reviewed, human-edited content that provides genuine value Optimize for AI now: Implement schema markup and voice search optimization immediately—DIY website builders are falling behind Focus local SEO efforts: Update Google Business Profile constantly (offers, photos, reviews every ~10 days) for local businesses Red flags in SEO agencies: Avoid anyone promising overnight rankings or not requesting Google Analytics/Search Console access Trust your instincts: Combine gut feelings with solid data when making business and technical decisions     Amber Goetz - The Active Media Website: https://www.theactivemedia.com/ and https://goetzgo.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ambergoetz9/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seowithamber/   Zachary Bernard – We Feature You PR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/ Website: https://www.wefeatureyou.com/ Personal site: https://zacharybernard.com/   Want press/podcast/TV features? Visit wefeatureyou.com Chapters (00:00:00) - The End of Human-edited Content(00:00:37) - Amino Podcast(00:01:39) - The One Startup Tip You'd Get Wrong(00:03:09) - How To Turn A Completive Audit Into a Proposal(00:07:12) - How To Lead an SEO Team With Transparency(00:09:33) - Top SEO Executives: The Shift in Search(00:11:47) - How to Optimize Your Site for AI Search(00:13:18) - How to Optimize Your Website for AI & Small Business SEO(00:19:08) - Several Red Flags For Hiring An SEO Agency(00:21:07) - Go With Your Gut

In this episode of The Entrepreneur's Logbook, host Zachary Bernard sits down with Aya Kikimova, founder of LeapEngine, a digital marketing agency that brings Fortune 500-level strategies to startups and small businesses at a fraction of the cost. Aya shares her remarkable journey from immigrating to the US from Kazakhstan at 16, not knowing how to type on a computer, to managing over $50 million annually in ad spend at Microsoft and earning the prestigious Platinum Club Award given to just 0.01% of the company.   Key Topics & Timestamps AI in Marketing [00:00-04:00] The GPS Framework [06:00-08:00] Marketing Myths [16:00-19:00] ROI Measurement Mistakes [28:00-32:00] AI Implementation Strategy [22:00-26:00] Key Takeaways Ensure business readiness before marketing investment Test attribution by pausing different channels  Setting expectations - Focus on lifetime value, not short-term returns Choose AI tools with human guidance and verification   Aya Kikimova – LeapEngine Website: leapengine.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akikimova   Zachary Bernard – We Feature You PR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/ Website: https://www.wefeatureyou.com/ Personal site: https://zacharybernard.com/   Want press/podcast/TV features? Visit wefeatureyou.com Chapters (00:00:00) - The Lockbook(00:00:49) - Starting a Business With 0.01% of the Company(00:02:28) - How Is AI Affecting Your Company's Business?(00:05:06) - How to Get Your Business Profile on Google Maps in 2 Minutes(00:15:01) - MR: Marketing Myths that Small Businesses Fall for(00:20:56) - How to Integrate AI into your Business?(00:25:47) - How To Train an AI Tool for Google Ads(00:27:48) - MT: Small Business Marketing ROI

In this episode of The Entrepreneur's Logbook Podcast, host Zachary Bernard sits down with Jamie Uppenberg, co-founder of Runway Group, a specialized firm helping FinTech startups navigate complex regulatory landscapes while building scalable compliance programs. As a former chief compliance officer at five different FinTech companies, Jamie brings rare operational expertise to an industry often dominated by theoretical approaches. Jamie shares her hard-won insights on the two critical mistakes that sink most FinTech startups: either over-investing in product perfection while neglecting marketing, or the inverse—building impressive marketing campaigns without a solid product foundation. She emphasizes the importance of finding the MVP sweet spot and maintaining disciplined spending, especially as investment dollars have tightened in recent years. The conversation dives deep into Runway's unique methodology for building compliance programs from the ground up. Unlike traditional consultants who come from legal or regulatory backgrounds, Jamie's team has actually lived inside FinTech operations, understanding how these fast-moving companies actually function. Rather than overwhelming clients with every compliance gap at once, they create prioritized roadmaps that tackle the highest-risk areas first—typically starting with anti-money laundering and financial crimes prevention—while ensuring companies can maintain revenue and growth momentum. Jamie explains how her approach differs from document-heavy compliance programs, focusing instead on operational excellence: "Can you do what this document says?" This practical methodology helps FinTech companies build programs that actually work when regulators and banking partners come asking for proof of compliance activities, not just policies on paper. The discussion also explores Runway's integrated model, where compliance consulting works hand-in-hand with specialized FinTech legal counsel and strategic advisory services. This collaborative approach eliminates the common problem of conflicting advice from different vendors, allowing the team to synthesize legal requirements, operational realities, and strategic positioning into cohesive recommendations. For founders considering building compliance programs in-house, Jamie offers crucial hiring advice: look for professionals who can build systems "with a Google Suite and a dream"—not just those accustomed to enterprise-level resources. She stresses the importance of objective reporting and clear communication about program progress, warning against purely anecdotal updates that leave leadership in the dark about their actual compliance status. Whether you're launching a payments platform, building lending infrastructure, or creating the next generation of financial services, this episode provides actionable insights for navigating the regulatory challenges that can make or break FinTech ventures in today's environment. Contact Information Jamie Uppenberg – Runway Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-uppenberg Website: https://rnwy.group/ Zachary Bernard – We Feature You PR Chapters (00:00:00) - The Entrepreneurs Logbook Podcast(00:00:51) - Fintech Compliance Expert Jamie Uppenberg(00:01:45) - What's the One Thing All Startups Get Wrong?(00:03:57) - How to Find The Right Balance For Your Company(00:04:47) - Have You Got the Money to Grow?(00:06:05) - How To Get Fintech Companies To Be Compliant With the(00:11:26) - WSJD Live: The Fintech Compliance Program(00:16:38) - What to Know Before Hiring a Compliance Program Designer?(00:19:21) - Expertise in Fintech at Runway Consulting(00:24:58) - How to Reach Jamie Uppenberg on Podcast

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook: Lessons from Growing Businesses, Zachary Bernard speaks with Axel Meierhoefer, founder of Ideal Wealth Grower. Axel, a former Air Force officer turned real estate investor, walks us through the “Ideal Wealth System” he developed after navigating a complex 1031 exchange during the Great Recession. Together, they tackle the common missteps new investors make, namely, focusing on individual properties rather than building a robust network of inspectors, lenders, property managers, and turnkey providers. Axel explains why performance, cash flow and returns, should trump the age-old mantra of “location, location, location,” and how securing one-year warranties and vetted partnerships can shield investors from unexpected repair bills, especially when they’re managing assets from thousands of miles away.   Zachary and Axel then dive into the mindset shift required to become the “king or queen of your own empire.” By treating each investment portfolio as a business, clients learn to assemble a team of “employees”, from appraisers to contractors, who work on their behalf, freeing them to focus on strategic growth. Axel breaks down the concept of the Time Freedom Point, guiding listeners through a simple exercise to calculate their monthly expenses, project cash-flow goals, and determine how many properties they’ll need to achieve true financial independence. He also shares how steady rent increases and paid-off mortgages compound over time, turning a modest real estate portfolio into a multi-million-dollar empire that funds your lifestyle on your own terms. Whether you’re just curious about real estate or ready to build passive income, this episode offers actionable insights for professionals seeking to escape the time-for-money trap.   Contact Information   Axel Meierhoefer – Ideal Wealth Grower Website: https://idealwealthgrower.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameierhoefer/   Zachary Bernard – We Feature You PR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/ Websites: https://www.wefeatureyou.com/ https://zacharybernard.com/   Want press/podcast/TV features? Visit wefeatureyou.com Chapters (00:00:00) - The Entrepreneur's Lockbook: Where to Start Your Business(00:01:11) - Axel Mayhofer(00:02:10) - What Would You Do Different in the Franchise Industry?(00:03:37) - Real Estate Network(00:12:05) - Real Estate Wealth Group(00:17:40) - Financial Freedom and Investing(00:25:48) - How to retire on a $10,000 a month income(00:27:35) - "When Will I Reach My Time Freedom Point?"(00:33:58) - How To Get In Touch With The Wealth Grower

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook: Lessons from Growing Businesses, Zachary Bernard speaks with Patrick Burns, founder of Patrick Burns Co., a B2B brand-building and revenue-generating agency that helps companies accelerate their go-to-market efforts with strategic digital marketing. After cutting his teeth at two tech startups and earning a degree from Indiana University in 2014, Patrick launched his own firm in 2016. Since then, he’s amassed over 100,000 followers, generated millions of content views, and closed six-figure deals with industry giants like PwC, CVS, Honeywell, and State Street.   Patrick lays out his playbook for rapid, intent-driven growth. He walks through how his team uses a sophisticated technology stack—powered by tools like Clay for outbound campaigns and AI-driven workflows in ChatGPT—to identify prospects showing real purchase signals before engaging them. By splitting roles among dedicated specialists (an account manager, a marketing copywriter/tech operator and an SDR), Patrick ensures every campaign is executed with precision, high deliverability and messaging honed for conversion. On the content side, he shares why a blend of authentic thought leadership and emotionally driven, algorithm-friendly posts builds brand awareness without unrealistic lead-generation expectations, and how a consistent two-week publishing sprint can quickly book qualified inbound meetings.   Contact Information Patrick Burns – Patrick Burns Co. Website: https://www.patrickburns.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickburnsco1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickburnsco/ Twitter: https://x.com/patrickburnsco   Zachary Bernard – We Feature You PR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/ Websites: https://www.wefeatureyou.com/ | https://zacharybernard.com/ Want press / podcast / TV features? Visit wefeatureyou.com Chapters (00:00:00) - What would you do to grow your business faster?(00:00:35) - The Entrepreneurs Logbook Podcast(00:01:43) - What Would You Do To Build Your Startup From scratch?(00:03:17) - How To Get a Lead Out of Your Campaigns(00:05:23) - Cold Outbound vs. Outbound(00:06:38) - How to Create Content That Drives Results(00:10:21) - How To Structure Your Outbound Campaigns(00:12:03) - How to hire the right talent with AI(00:14:47) - How To Market Yourself to the Technology Industry(00:16:37) - Lead Generation: The Outbound Side

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook: Lessons from Growing Businesses, Zachary Bernard speaks with James Onyks, CEO of Ohana Avertising. James walks us through his journey from launching Ohana in 2021 to building a full-service digital agency that blends creative storytelling with strategic growth. Early on, he learned the hard way that every founder needs a dedicated project manager from day one, a role he skipped and paid for by getting bogged down in fulfillment rather than sales and expansion. Drawing on ten years in marketing and a unique New York-to-Portugal perspective, James shares how he pivoted from straight ad management to offering fractional CMO services, helping enterprise clients craft holistic growth roadmaps without the overhead of an in-house hire.   Throughout the conversation, James breaks down real-world wins, like repositioning a product so it could sell in metropolitan bathtubs and driving a 30% sales uplift, and explains why creative strategy is just as vital as ad spend. He reveals his hiring philosophy of bringing on mid- to senior-level experts who need little hand-holding and deliver immediate impact, and how Ohana’s month-to-month, no-contract model builds trust and long-term partnerships. James even unveils the sentimental story behind the “Ohana” name, reminding him that business exists to support family, not the other way around. Tune in for actionable tips on scaling your agency, honing your offer, and becoming the proactive growth partner every business owner needs.   Contact Information James Onyks – Ohana Advertising Website: https://ohanameansbusiness.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/digital-advertiser/   Zachary Bernard – We Feature You PR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/ Websites: https://www.wefeatureyou.com/ + https://zacharybernard.com/ Want press, podcast or TV features? Visit wefeatureyou.com Chapters (00:00:00) - The Entrepreneur's Lockbook Podcast(00:00:49) - Interview(00:01:58) - What is the one thing that you would implement from day one of(00:03:48) - Fractional CMO Services(00:06:11) - How To Build a Growth Partner's Business(00:10:32) - How to Build a Creative Strategy(00:11:35) - How To Hire the Right Marketing Team(00:15:18) - How To Differentiate Yourself From The Competition(00:18:30) - The Ohana Logo

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook, Zachary Bernard speaks with Tiffany Coletti Kaiser, CEO of Apiary Digital, about rethinking the traditional agency model and building something that scales on its own terms. Drawing on more than two decades of leadership in tech, CPG, and beyond, Tiffany explains why productizing your core service, finding that lowest common denominator clients really need, and packaging it as a turnkey solution is the fastest path to sustained growth. She and Zach discuss how a transparent, honest approach with clients (even being the first to say “we might not be the right fit for you”) not only builds trust but drives an industry-leading 98% client return rate and generates referrals that keep the pipeline full.Tiffany then takes us inside Apiary Digital’s unique “apiary” collective: a senior-only bench of specialists who flex in and out of projects based on client needs, living their own lives while delivering half a billion leads each year. She shares concrete examples, from codifying executive LinkedIn thought-leadership offerings to diagnosing hidden funnel issues behind underperforming campaigns, and why measuring outcomes (leads, revenue impact) rather than vanity metrics (total ad spend) makes all the difference. Whether you’re launching a boutique consultancy or retooling an established shop, her hive-inspired model highlights the power of putting humanity and clear deliverables at the center of your growth strategy.Listeners will walk away with actionable insights on how to: 1) carve out a repeatable, productized service that clients instantly understand; 2) assemble a network of experienced consultants who thrive under a flexible, transparent partnership; and 3) shift conversations from “how much can you spend?” to “what outcome do you really need?” Tune in for a fresh take on sustainable scaling, plain spoken, deeply human, and built to free you from the endless hunt for new business. Contact InformationTiffany Coletti Kaiser – Apiary Digital Website: https://apiarydigital.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanycolettikaiser Zachary Bernard – We Feature You PR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/ Websites: https://www.wefeatureyou.com/ | https://zacharybernard.com/ Want press, podcast, or TV features? Visit wefeatureyou.com Chapters (00:00:00) - How to Scale With a Small Company(00:00:42) - The Entrepreneur's Lockbook Podcast(00:01:51) - What's the One Thing You'd Do to Reboot Your Company(00:03:35) - Possible Productization in the B2B(00:11:53) - Pushing the Minimum Experience Level at Apiary(00:18:28) - McKinsey: It's not about the Money we manage,(00:23:14) - What Makes Apiary Different?(00:29:20) - PODCAST: The Power of Podcasts

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook Podcast, Zachary Bernard speaks with Ashley Brown and Brianna Watson, co-founders of Impressions Visionary Solutions. From the outset, Ashley and Brianna emphasize the importance of “building the system, not the service.” Rather than diving headfirst into client work, they recommend first mapping a clear, intentional client journey, from inquiry and onboarding through delivery, using simple tools and workflows. As entrepreneurs test their offerings with early clients, patterns emerge. Those insights then inform the refinement of processes, creating space for creativity and minimizing the chaos of firefighting.   The conversation turns next to how AI and automation can amplify rather than erase the human element. Ashley and Brianna make a passionate case for preserving empathy at every step: pinpointing where clients need to feel seen and heard, then designing automations that support those moments without sacrificing genuine connection. They walk us through their approach, istening for each customer’s friction points, mapping the story of a purchase path, and automating repetitive tasks so teams can focus on high-value, human-driven work.   Finally, Ashley and Brianna tackle one of the biggest pitfalls in scaling service-based businesses: platform overload. They caution against chasing every shiny new tool and urge leaders to audit needs by department, choosing fewer, well-integrated solutions rather than a thousand half-used apps. Above all, Impressions Visionary Solutions stands out by leading with depth and authenticity, blending strategy with soul to help small and mid-sized businesses scale intelligently, efficiently, and empathetically.   Contact Information Ashley Brown and Brianna Watson • Impressions Visionary Solutions Website: https://www.impressionsvs.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianna-l-watson/ + https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleybrowncreative/   Zachary Bernard • We Feature You PR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/ Websites: https://www.wefeatureyou.com/ https://zacharybernard.com/ Want press, podcast or TV features? Visit wefeatureyou.com! Chapters (00:00:00) - The Entrepreneur's Lockbook Podcast(00:00:55) - How to Build a Beautiful Business With AI & Intelligent Automation(00:01:50) - What Would You Do To Build a Startup From Day 1?(00:04:53) - Ashley and Brian on Their Split(00:05:40) - How To Automate Processes With Human Touch(00:10:01) - Will AI Amplify Human Touch in Design?(00:15:12) - Tech Stack Confusion(00:20:43) - How To Market Your AI-based Sales & Marketing

In this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Logbook Podcast, host Zachary Bernard speaks with Rachel Phillips, founder and CEO of Fully Accountable. Rachel shares her journey from intern to CEO of one of Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing finance firms, serving over 600 clients and managing more than $7 billion in revenue. Together, they dive into why digital-first businesses—from e-commerce shops to SaaS providers—benefit from a fractional CFO model that combines hands-on bookkeeping with proactive financial strategy. Rachel explains how having an outsider’s perspective helps benchmark performance, optimize cash flow, and turn data into growth opportunities.   Throughout the conversation, Rachel underscores the power of granular analysis. She recounts a case where a client ran 25 ad campaigns but was only profitable on seven—redistributing budgets increased their margin from 10% to 38%. They also discuss the idea of a “living” operational budget that pivots with daily ad costs and seasonality, and pinpoint the revenue thresholds (around $3.5 – $5 million) when bringing on a CFO really pays off. Rachel’s parting advice: ditch the Excel-only approach in favor of a proper general ledger system and invest in the right financial talent before accounting tasks eat up more of your time than growing the business.   ❇️ Key Topics with Timestamps 1. Rachel’s Career Path & Fully Accountable Overview – 00:02:00 2. Benefits of Fractional CFO Services – 00:03:00 3. Granular, Data-Driven Marketing Profitability (Case Study) – 00:06:00 4. When to Bring on a Fractional CFO – 00:13:00 5. Financial Management Tips for Business Owners – 00:19:00   Contact Information Rachel Phillips - Fully Accountable Website: https://fullyaccountable.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-phillips-ohio CFO Toolkit: https://fullyaccountable.com/cfo-toolkit/   Zachary Bernard - We Feature You PR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/ Websites: https://www.wefeatureyou.com/ + https://zacharybernard.com/ Want press/podcast/TV features? Visit wefeatureyou.com Chapters (00:00:00) - Getting a granular view of a company's revenue(00:00:40) - Rachel Phillips on The Entrepreneurs Logbook(00:02:32) - Does a Fractional CFO Matter?(00:04:37) - How To Make Money on a Digital Business(00:07:19) - What's The Unique Challenges That E-Commerce and Digital Businesses(00:15:02) - How to Get a CFO on Your Team(00:17:46) - Taking Control of Your Business's Financials(00:19:51) - CFO on CFO Network