Tales From The PROS

In this episode of Tales from the PROS, I chat with Fritz Lehman, who is a business leader and currently the Chief Operating Officer at Zencos. Fritz brings 34 years of experience in all aspects of solutions sales, delivery and customer support from his time at SAS culminating with the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. We talk about Fritz's journey to becoming a leader in customer experience and support, his insight on what it takes to create long-term trust and customer retention for enterprise-level clients, the future of big data, and more.   Questions: Fritz, give us a little background on your story and how you got to where you are today as a business leader. Tell us what you currently do at Zencos and what Zencos does, and why you chose to be a part of the Zencos team instead of retiring. Where do you feel big data is headed in the US and even the global market?  With your experience in building and working with customer support teams, and fostering trust with large enterprise-level clients, what is your best advice on ensuring the customer is happy? What do you recommend to other managers, leaders, and anyone working with customers directly to build trust the right way? What is your definition of building a great customer experience? What do you feel people do wrong when they deal with customers? What was it like working as an executive at SAS Institute for so many years, was there a specific memory or story that you would like to share? You being a strong business leader, do you have any advice or tips for future or current leaders on what they need to do to ensure and maintain success? Three How's: How do you define failure? How do you define business? How do you define success? Follow Fritz Lehman: Website - https://www.zencos.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fritzlehman/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/lehmanfritz Follow Me: iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192  Podcast Website - https://www.talesfromthepros.com  Company Website - https://www.imaginovation.net   Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/talesfromthepros LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgeorgiou22/  

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, I sit down with my co-host and our Director of Growth, Eric Lawrence, to talk about something that hits home for many founders: what happens after you get funding.You’d think raising capital is the hard part, but what often follows can be even tougher. So many startups make one critical mistake right after receiving funds: choosing the wrong development partner. We’ve seen this happen countless times. Founders get the runway, rush into development, skip validation, and end up burning through their budget with little to show for it.In this conversation, we dig into the emotional and financial cost of poor partnerships, why idea validation before development is essential, and how having funding can create a false sense of security. I share real experiences from our journey at Imaginovation, where a lack of planning and unrealistic expectations led to unnecessary setbacks.We also talk about how to approach these situations differently: plan early, document thoroughly, build trust with your team, and stay intentional at every stage. Because in the startup world, success doesn’t come from getting funded. It comes from what you do next.🎯 Highlights You Won’t Want to MissThe emotional and financial impact of poor development choices – 08:58Why validation before development can make or break your startup – 06:32How proper planning and documentation prevent costly rework – 23:04Building a lean MVP that encourages user-driven iteration – 20:13🎧 Listen and SubscribeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6QkUtrcNllUkqtq1fjlwnZApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Imaginovation/podcastsSoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/talesfromthepros🗂 Topics We CoverNavigating post-funding decisions with confidenceThe pitfalls of choosing the wrong development partnerWhy validation should come before developmentSetting realistic expectations with vendorsThe emotional toll of poor partnershipsHow documentation and planning set the foundation for successBuilding a lean MVP and learning from user feedbackTakeawaysStartups often choose the wrong development partner after funding.Having funding can create a false sense of security.The emotional toll of poor partnerships can be significant.Validation of ideas is crucial before development begins.Setting realistic expectations with development partners is key.The cost of rework can be devastating for startups.Building a lean MVP allows for user feedback and iteration.Documentation and planning are essential before starting development.Trust between startups and vendors is critical for success.Being strategic and intentional can save a startup's future.Chapters00:00 The Startup Funding Dilemma03:41 The Importance of Choosing the Right Development Partner06:32 Balancing Validation and Development08:58 The Emotional Toll of Wrong Partnerships11:49 Realistic Expectations in Development14:35 The Cost of Rework and Time Loss17:24 Learning from Past Mistakes20:13 Building a Lean MVP23:04 Planning and Documentation Before Development26:01 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, Eric and I dive into something every entrepreneur struggles with at some point: how to choose the right app development partner.If you’ve ever sat through vendor pitches, you know how overwhelming (and sometimes confusing) the process can be. We talk about spotting the red and green flags when evaluating teams, and why things like transparency, clear communication, and a solid discovery phase make all the difference in building a successful partnership.We also share a few hard-learned lessons from our years at Imaginovation—like the risks that come with chasing the cheapest option, and why protecting your intellectual property is non-negotiable.Throughout the episode, we highlight practical ways to cut through the noise: setting clear expectations, keeping communication open, and working with a partner who not only gets your vision but isn’t afraid to challenge your assumptions and give you honest feedback.Listeners will walk away with insights into what really matters when choosing a development team, including how social proof and credibility can help guide your decision. We encourage entrepreneurs to ask tough questions, trust their instincts, and think beyond the initial build—because real success comes from long-term support and innovation after launch.Highlights You Won't Want to Miss:The pivotal role of transparency and communication in vendor relationships - 10:15Key red flags to watch for when selecting a development partner - 22:30How a thorough discovery phase can set your project up for success - 35:45Listen and Subscribe on iTunes:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6QkUtrcNllUkqtq1fjlwnZApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Imaginovation/podcastsSoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/talesfromtheprosTopics We Cover:Navigating the vendor selection maze with confidenceThe power of clear communication and transparencyProtecting your intellectual property rightsThe pivotal role of the discovery phase in app developmentThe importance of social proof and credibility in choosing a partner

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, Michael Georgiou and Eric Lawrence break down what software automation really means for growing businesses and how to know when an organization is actually ready for it. Moving beyond buzzwords, they share real-world examples of companies that automated successfully and others that wasted time and budget by doing it too early or without a plan. Drawing from years of hands-on experience, they discuss the warning signs that manual processes are slowing teams down, why disconnected systems create operational chaos, and how automation should support people rather than replace them. The episode also introduces a practical automation readiness playbook to help leaders audit operations, define ROI, and start small with high-impact pilots. If you are scaling a business or struggling with inefficiencies, this conversation will help you determine where automation fits, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to approach it strategically with clarity and confidence. 🎯 Highlights You Won’t Want to MissHow to tell if your business is truly ready for automationThe difference between automation and AI and why it mattersCommon operational red flags that signal inefficiencyWhy disconnected tools slow growth and increase costsHow to audit workflows and identify high-impact automation opportunitiesThe importance of starting small with pilot automation projectsHow automation improves compliance, scalability, and competitivenessWhy automation should empower teams, not replace them 🎧 Listen and SubscribeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6QkUtrcNllUkqtq1fjlwnZApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Imaginovation/podcastsSoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/talesfromthepros🗂 Topics We CoverWhat smart, practical automation looks like in real businessesSigns manual processes are costing time and moneyHow operational growth can outpace systems and teamsWhy auditing workflows is the first step to automation readinessHow to define ROI before investing in automationCommon automation roadblocks and how to overcome themThe role of leadership and team input in automation decisionsWhy automation is essential to remain competitive 💡 Key TakeawaysManual, repetitive work is a strong signal that automation may be neededAutomation must align with business goals, not trends or hypeDisconnected systems create inefficiency, errors, and frustrationStarting small with high-impact pilots reduces risk and improves ROIAutomation frees teams from low-value busyworkAI and automation are related but not the sameA clear audit and roadmap prevent wasted investmentStrategic automation strengthens long-term scalability and resilience ⏱️ Chapters00:00 Introduction to Practical Automation02:22 Signs Your Business Is Ready for Automation05:22 When Growth Outpaces Operations07:53 Disconnected Systems and Tool Overload10:36 Losing Competitive Advantage12:30 The Automation Readiness Playbook15:41 Involving Teams in Automation Decisions18:12 Starting Small With High-Impact Pilots20:35 Real-World Automation Case Studies23:06 Common Automation Roadblocks26:48 Automation vs AI Explained30:25 Final Takeaways and Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, Michael Georgiou and Eric Lawrence open up about the hidden challenges that quietly derail SaaS startups. These issues often go unnoticed until it is too late, and they rarely have anything to do with funding or technology. Instead, the real problems show up in planning, leadership, market understanding, and the founder’s mindset.Drawing from real stories and years of working closely with founders, they talk about why a strong business model matters, how emotional resilience shapes decision making, and why continuous innovation is a non-negotiable part of building a lasting SaaS product.If you are building or growing a SaaS startup, this conversation will help you recognize the early signs, avoid common traps, and build with more clarity and confidence.🎯 Highlights You Won’t Want to MissThe real reasons SaaS startups fail behind the scenesWhy planning and direction matter more than a “unique idea”Market validation that actually reflects user demandHow mindset and emotional resilience shape every decisionWhy branding and differentiation influence tractionThe role of leadership in keeping teams aligned and motivatedHow continuous innovation keeps your product alive🎧 Listen and SubscribeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6QkUtrcNllUkqtq1fjlwnZApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Imaginovation/podcastsSoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/talesfromthepros🗂 Topics We CoverWhy planning and clarity decide how fast startups growWhat real market validation looks like and why feedback mattersThe emotional side of being a founder and staying resilientHow branding shapes trust and early adoptionWhat a sustainable SaaS business model includesHow leadership influences team culture and progressWhy innovation can never stop after launch💡 TakeawaysPoor planning and unclear direction quietly kill SaaS startups.Founders need a strong, realistic mindset to get through challenges.Market validation must come before building, not after.Emotional resilience helps founders make better long-term decisions.Good branding and differentiation help a product stand out.A sustainable business model is essential for long-term success.Leadership shapes team motivation, culture, and productivity.Continuous innovation keeps your product relevant and competitive.⏱️ Chapters00:00 Introduction to Silent Killers of SaaS Startups02:56 The Importance of Planning and Mindset05:57 Understanding Market Validation and User Feedback08:56 Navigating Challenges and Emotional Resilience11:55 The Role of Branding and Differentiation14:48 Building a Sustainable Business Model17:38 Leadership and Team Dynamics20:37 Continuous Innovation and Adaptation23:55 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, Michael Georgiou and Eric Lawrence dive into a topic every growing business eventually faces — when to stop patching old systems and start rebuilding from the ground up.Many organizations cling to outdated software because rebuilding feels risky — too costly, too disruptive, or simply too big to take on. But as Eric and Michael explain, the real cost often lies in holding on. Slow performance, fragile integrations, and technical debt can quietly drain resources and block growth.Drawing from real client stories and years of experience helping businesses modernize their technology, they unpack how to recognize the warning signs, what an audit should uncover, and how to make the decision to rebuild with clarity and confidence.If your systems are slowing you down, this conversation will help you see rebuilding not as failure — but as a chance to evolve, scale, and future-proof your business.🎯 Highlights You Won’t Want to MissWhy holding on to outdated systems costs more than rebuilding – 02:10The fear of letting go: why companies resist modernization – 03:30The three main paths after a system audit (stay, white-label, rebuild) – 07:30Real-world examples of outdated tech still running critical operations – 10:45The mindset shift every organization needs before a rebuild – 13:58How rebuilds boost scalability, team morale, and long-term ROI – 18:12🎧 Listen and SubscribeSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6QkUtrcNllUkqtq1fjlwnZ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Imaginovation/podcasts SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/talesfromthepros🗂 Topics We CoverHow to tell when your tech is holding your business backWhat a proper system or code audit should includeThe hidden risks of technical debt and patchwork fixesSigns your platform is past its prime — and what to do about itHow to evaluate rebuild vs. rework decisionsWhy mindset and internal alignment are critical before rebuildingThe long-term benefits of modernization — from scalability to team morale💡 TakeawaysOutdated software quietly drains growth and efficiency.A rebuild is often the smarter long-term investment.Conducting an audit helps you choose the right path — stay, migrate, or rebuild.Modern platforms improve not just performance but internal collaboration.Rebuilding isn’t about failure; it’s about creating a stronger foundation.Mindset alignment across teams is crucial for a smooth rebuild.Innovation requires letting go of what no longer serves your business.⏱️ Chapters00:00 Welcome and Episode Overview01:38 Why Businesses Hold On to Outdated Software04:57 The Fear of Rebuilding and What’s Behind It07:34 The Three Paths After an Audit10:16 Real Examples of Legacy Systems Holding Back Growth13:58 The Mindset Shift for Modernization15:59 Choosing the Right Partner and Internal Stakeholder18:12 The Long-Term Benefits of a Rebuild20:44 Closing Thoughts and Key Takeaways

In today’s episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Marwan Forzley, who is CEO of Veem.com, a next-generation global B2B payment network that enables a quick and secure way of sending and receiving money. Since its founding in 2014, Veem is backed by Goldman Sachs, Google Ventures, Silicon Valley Bank, and many many others. In addition, Marwan is an innovator, visionary and enjoys launching new products in domestic as well as international markets through disruptive tech and global strategies. He is the author of “Small Business in a Big World: A Comprehensive Guide to Doing International Business”. In this episode, we talk about Marwan’s journey to entrepreneurship and his experience of building a global payment network such as Veem. We talk about how Marwan spotted the gap between SMB and their payment problems, and how Veem disrupted the global payment space.   Don’t Miss: 1. How did Marwan came up with the idea of ‘Veem’ - 4:15 2. What sets a business on the path of success - 17:00 3. What it takes to be a strong business leader - 28:15 Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics We Discuss: 1. Marwan’s inspiring story of how he got to where he is today 2. Marwan talks about how to establish a market fit for a product or service 3. The key factors that set a business for success, from startup to an operating and scaling company 4. Some struggles and obstacles that Veem faced and how you overcame them 5. The future of payment systems and technology 6. Thoughts and advice on how to be a strong business leader 7. Marwan defines his story in ”one-word”   Follow Marwan Forzley Website: https://www.veem.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marwanforzley Twitter: https://twitter.com/forzley/ Follow Me and Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Dan McGaw, who is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker and CEO of McGaw.io, an analytics and marketing technology consultancy, and also the founder of a SaaS platform called UTM.io. In addition, he also finds time to be a 500 Startups Mentor, and has previously started the first business accelerator in Orlando. He was previously selected to be a United States Ambassador of Entrepreneurship by the United States Department of State In this episode, we talk about Dan’s journey to entrepreneurship and his experience of building and growing a tech consultancy. We talk about mistakes businesses make in sales and marketing, and the future of marketing and data. Don't Miss: 1. What it takes to be an industry leader in marketing space - 7:17 2. Biggest challenges companies face in current times - 13:06 3. KPIs should look for to grow business revenue - 22:10   Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics We Discuss: 1. Dan’s inspiring story of how he got to where he is today 2. What it takes to be an industry leader like McGaw and UTO.io 3. The biggest challenges/problems that companies have and how to overcome them 4. Dan talks about some of the most important data metrics to look for in order to grow in revenue 5. The future of marketing and data 6. Thoughts and advice on what it takes to succeed today 7. Dan defines his story in one-word   Follow Dan McGaw Website: https://mcgaw.io/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielmcgaw/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Danielmcgaw   Follow Me and Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Anthony Blatner, who is the founder of Speedwork Social, a top LinkedIn Advertising agency. He is known as one of the top LinkedIn ads experts in the industry, having managed millions in ad spend and generating over 100,000 new sales opportunities. As a previous tech founder and ex-IBMer, he has seen a lot of companies have explosive growth with good technology and good marketing, while others (even though they had a great product or service) fail without effective marketing. In 2016, this successful entrepreneur started Speedwork to help those companies unlock their B2B marketing potential. By blending his experience in marketing and software, he is able to help businesses reach high-level decision-makers at scale using LinkedIn Ads and technology. In this episode, we talk about Anthony’s journey to entrepreneurship and his experience of building and growing a B2B LinkedIn advertising agency. We talk about mistakes businesses make in sales and marketing, and the future of LinkedIn.   Don't Miss: 1. Why Anthony chose LinkedIn as a platform for his business - 7:50 2. Mistakes businesses make in their sales and marketing efforts - 20:50 3. Growing an advertising agency with the LinkedIn platform - 35:15   Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics We Discuss: 1. Anthony’s inspiring story of how he got to where he is today 2. Why Anthony started a B2B LinkedIn advertising agency 3. What it takes to really succeed in generating leads from LinkedIn 4. Anthony explains what he is learning while growing and scaling an agency 5. The biggest problems and issues that people make with their sales and marketing efforts 6. The future of LinkedIn and where lead generation is headed in today’s market 7. Some of Anthony’s toughest obstacles and how he overcame them 8. Anthony defines his story in one word   Follow Anthony Blatner Website: https://speedworksocial.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyblatner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyblatner/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/anthonyblatner   Follow Me and Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Rob Charles, who is the Founder and CEO of Goldfingr, a vetted and exclusive social network of business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and influential thought leaders working together and supporting one another for the common good and with intention. His expertise is exhibited in a long track record of always executing, being an entrepreneur for over 30 years, and investing for over 18 years. Goldfingr is a modern paradigm of social clubs - a think tank, incubator, and socially conscious business accelerator. They have integrated raising capital, investing, business, the arts, entertainment, and social, adding unbelievable value to their members, with a complete VIP experience  In this episode, we talk about Rob’s journey to entrepreneurship, his experience of building and growing a members-only social club, the startup game in today’s digital age, and what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur.   Don't Miss: 1. The story of Goldfingr and how it is different from other social platforms - 7:51 2. How pandemic has affected the various forms of communication - 15:33 3. Sectors and companies investors are looking to invest in - 24:55 Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics We Discuss: 1. Rob’s 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐰 he 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐡e𝐫𝐞 he 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 2. What is Goldfingr? How did the idea for Goldfingr begin? 3. Shifting the paradigm of members-only social clubs 4. Rob’s thoughts and advice on the investment and startup game in today’s digital age 5. What it takes to succeed as a startup and entrepreneur   Follow Rob Charles Website: https://www.goldfingr.net/rob-charles Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-charles/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldfingr_official/   Follow Me and Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Mike Welsh, who is a veteran leader in sales and revenue growth and has been named CEO of Uptime.com, a leader in website monitoring software He brings more than two decades of sales and revenue leadership experience to Uptime.com, driving growth for numerous public and private software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies, such as Chargify, Rackspace Cloud, and Inspired eLearning.  In this episode, we talk about Mike’s journey to entrepreneurship, his experience of building and growing a SaaS business, overcoming the challenges of running a SaaS company, the future of websites, and how to be a strong leader.   Don't Miss: 1. Mike’s advice to handling the role of CEO the right way - 06:30 2. What are the challenges that SaaS companies encounter - 25:13 3. How to execute your website’s performance check the right way - 36:41   Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics We Discuss: 1. Mike’s inspiring story of how he got to where he is today 2. What it takes to be a CEO of a growing and thriving company 3. What it takes for a company to be an industry SaaS leader like Uptime 4. The biggest hurdles/problems that SaaS companies have and how to overcome them 5. Mike talks about some of the major problems that website's face today and how to overcome them 6. The future of website monitoring and performance 7. Thoughts and advice on how to be a strong business leader 8. Mike defines his story in "one-word"   Follow Mike Welsh Website: https://uptime.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miwelsh/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/UptimeDotCom   Follow Me and Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Michelle Seiler Tucker, who is the Founder and CEO of Seiler Tucker Incorporated.  She owns many other businesses in several different industries. As a 20-year veteran in the Mergers & Acquisitions industry, she is regarded as the leading authority on buying, selling, fixing, and growing businesses. She and her firm have sold over a thousand businesses in almost every vertical and have a remarkable track record of success. In addition to being featured in INC, Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and USA Magazine, she is an international keynote speaker and makes regular radio and TV appearances on Fox Business News and CNBC.  She has spoken alongside many prominent speakers: Eric Trump, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kathy Ireland, Randi Zuckerberg, Steve Wozniak, and more. She is the Best-Selling Author of the book “Sell Your Business for more than It’s Worth” and has a new book coming out called “Exit Rich®.” In this episode, we talk about Anastasia’s journey to entrepreneurship, her experience of building and growing a merger & acquisition business, how to really succeed as a leader, and how to overcome challenges.   Don't Miss: 1. Michelle’s inspiration to becoming an entrepreneur - 09:18 2. How to know if a company is ready for a merger? - 17:14 3. Mistakes business owners make while scaling a company - 24:27   Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics We Discuss: 1. Michelle’s inspiring story of how she got to where she is today 2. What it takes to build and scale a successful business 3. How to know when a business is ready for a merger or acquisition 4. The mistakes businesses make to make them go out of business 5. She describes her thoughts and advice on how to truly succeed as a leader 6. Michelle explains some of her toughest challenges in his career and how he overcame them 7. Michelle defines her story in "one-word"   Follow Michelle Seiler Tucker Website: https://seilertucker.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleseiler/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSeilerTucker   Follow Me and Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Anastasia Leng, who is the Founder and CEO of CreativeX, a technology company that aims to advance creative expression through the clarity of data.  CreativeX technology is used globally by Fortune 500 brands like Unilever, Mondelez, Heineken, ABI, and more to measure creative efficiency, consistency, and impact across all creatives worldwide.  In this episode, we talk about Anastasia’s journey to entrepreneurship, her experience of building and growing a tech company, how to raise venture funding, and how to really succeed as an entrepreneur.   Don't Miss: 1. Anastasia’s inspiration to build a creative tech company - 07:56 2. What is a “good” media content or creative - 19:08 3. Importance of creative quality in marketing performance - 37:21   Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics We Discuss: 1. Anastasia’s inspiring story of how she got to where she is today 2. Problems and missing pieces discovered in the creative world 3. What it means to scale your creative images and video at scale using data 4. What it’s like to raise venture funding and capital to scale a business 5. She explains some of CreativeX’s actionable insights and findings from the creative data collected 6. She describes her thoughts and advice on how to truly succeed as an entrepreneur 7. Anastasia talks about some of her toughest challenges in her career and how she overcame them 8. Anastasia defines her story in “one-word”   Follow Anastasia Leng Website: https://www.creativex.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleng/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ponystasia   Follow Me and Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Mark Samuel, who is the Founder and CEO of IWON Organics, a thriving health, and wellness company that makes bold, flavor-infused snacks made from plant-based proteins.  IWON's snacks can be found in over 5,000 stores nationwide, including Kroger's, Sprouts, Whole Foods, Amazon, and many more.  Mark is a foodie and a popular serial entrepreneur in the fitness and nutrition space. His goal is to provide inspirational and insightful value through his personal branding and company. In this episode, Mark talks about his entrepreneurial journey, shares his experience of building and growing a nutrition company, how he grew the IWON brand, and how to really succeed as an entrepreneur.   Don't Miss: 1. Mark’s inspiration to build a nutrition brand - 01:43 2. How to keep your brand authentic - 12:25 3. Advice to succeeding as an entrepreneur - 25:51   Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics We Discuss: 1. Mark’s inspiring story of how he got to where he is today 2. How Mark started and scaled IWON into what it is today 3. Mark talks about the power and importance of having a balanced nutrition 4. Insights and strategies on how Mark is growing the IWON brand 5. The process of finding the right manufacturers and distributors 6. He describes his thoughts and advice on how to truly succeed as an entrepreneur 7. Mark explains some of the toughest challenges in his career and how he overcame them 8. Mark defines his story in “one-word”   Follow Mark Samuel Website: https://iwonorganics.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markalansamuel/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkAlanSamuel   Follow Me and Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Tim Salau, who is the CEO and Co-founder of Guide. Coming from humble beginnings, he is a business leader on the Future of Work, leadership, and innovation. Tim is also an accomplished international keynote speaker, and world-renowned global tech leader recognized by global brands such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. He is internationally recognized as Mr. Future of Work. In this episode, Tim talks about his entrepreneurial journey, shares his experience of building and growing a company, how companies can position their workforce to thrive, and the future of employee training and development.   Don't Miss: 1. Tim’s inspiration to becoming an entrepreneur - 02:51 2. Importance of being adaptive to market changes while running a business - 08:42 3. The future of employee training and development - 14:49   Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics We Discuss: 1. Tim’s inspiring story of how he got to where he is today 2. The inspiration and purpose behind Guide. 3. Tim talks about how companies can position their people to thrive in the workforce 4. The future of learning and development 5. Leveraging and utilizing storytelling within learning and leadership 6. Tim defines his story in one word   Follow Tim Salau Company Website: https://www.guidegroupe.com/ Website: https://www.timsalau.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/timsalau Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timsalau/   Follow Me and Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Beerud Sheth, who is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and Founder and CEO of Gupshup, the world's leading messaging and bot platform. It is used by over 30K+ developers that handle nearly 4 billion messages per month.  Gupshup also developed Teamchat, a smart messaging app that introduced structured templates to messaging. Beerud also founded and led Elance, the pioneer of online freelancing and which is now known as UpWork and is a publicly-traded company. In this episode, Beerud talks about his entrepreneurial journey, shares his experiences and challenges of building and scaling a SaaS company, how to acquire VC funding and what he is up to these days.   Don't Miss: 1. Beerud’s inspiration behind growing a startup to a publicly-traded company - 05:13 2. How to scale a SaaS company - 19:15  3. Overcoming the struggles of running a SaaS company - 29:25   Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics We Discuss: 1. Beerud's inspiring story of how he got to where he is today 2. How Beerud grew eLance (UpWork) and why he started Gupshup 3. Beerud talks about what it’s like growing a SaaS company with some of the challenges and successes he’s had in scaling 4. What it’s like to acquire VC funding with its pros and cons 5. He describes his thoughts and advice on how to truly succeed as an entrepreneur 6. The common difficulties that entrepreneurs and business owners are going through and how to overcome them 7. Beerud defines his story in “one-word.”   Follow Beerud Sheth Website: https://www.gupshup.io/developer/about Twitter: https://twitter.com/beerud Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beerud/ Follow Me and Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Erik Huberman, who is the Founder & CEO of Hawke Media, the company that has over 150 employees and has serviced over 2000 brands of all sizes.  Erik was named The International Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year in the field of Advertising, Marketing, & Public Relations. He is also the recipient of numerous honors and awards including Forbes “30 Under 30,” CSQ "40 Under40", Inc. Magazine’s “Top 25 Marketing Influencers, amongst many others.  As a serial entrepreneur and marketing expert, Erik is a sought-after thought leader in the world of digital marketing, entrepreneurship, sales, and business. In this episode, Erik talks about his entrepreneurial journey, shares his experiences and challenges of building and scaling a digital marketing company and what he is up to these days. Don't Miss: 1. How to run a marketing agency the right way - 03:45 2. Overcoming the struggles of running a marketing agency - 14:35 3. The future of the music industry and growing a media company - 24:17   Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192 Topics We Discuss: 1. Erik's inspiring story of how he got to where he is today 2. The inspiration and purpose behind Hawke Media 3. Erik talks about his experiences in building and scaling a digital marketing company to its current size and key moments during the journey 4. What it’s like growing a marketing agency with its challenges 5. The future of digital marketing 6. Erik talks about the future of Hawke Media 7. Erik defines his story in one word Follow Erik Huberman Website: https://hawkemedia.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErikHuberman Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikhuberman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikhuberman/   Follow Me and Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Jon Niermann, who is the CEO & Co-Founder of Loop Media with over 30 years of media and technology industry experience with teams at both the corporate and startup level. Jon co-founded Loop Media in 2016. The company acquired Screenplay Entertainment in 2018 and is expanding at an enormous rate. Loop TV is the first media company focused on fully integrated 360-degree engagement of music video and other premium short-form content by consumers and businesses. In this episode, Jon talks about his entrepreneurial journey, shares strategies about growing a media technology business in B2B and B2C verticals, and the future of the music industry. Don't Miss: 1. What inspired Jon to build a media company - 02:14 2. Loop Media’s growth strategies during difficult situations - 10:48 3. The future of the music industry and growing a media company - 26:12     Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics We Discuss: 1. Jon’s inspiring story of how he got to where he is today 2. The inspiration and purpose behind Loop Media. 3. Jon talks about his experience in the music streaming industry before and after the COVID pandemic. 4. What it’s like growing a media technology company with its challenges and successes. 5. The future of music streaming and the music industry. 6. Jon talks about the future of Loop Media. 7. Jon defines his story in "one-word"   Follow Jon Niermann Website: https://loop.tv/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonniermann/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/looptvofficial   Follow Me and Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Brandon Bornancin, who is the best-selling author, a serial salesperson, entrepreneur, inventor of Seamless.AI, and motivational speaker who is obsessed with helping you maximize your success. Through Seamless.AI, he helps over 35,000+ companies find prospects, close deals, and generate millions in sales with notable names like Google, Amazon, Facebook, Slack, Dell, Oracle, and many others who are CRUSHING their sales quota daily on the Seamless platform.  Brandon is an expert sales speaker, notable sales trainer, a podcaster for "Sales Secrets From The Top 1%". In this episode, we talk about Brandon's entrepreneurial journey, the purpose behind Seamless.AI, and strategies to attract and engage the right leads.   Don't Miss: 1. Brandon's journey to sales and entrepreneurship - 03:50 2. Connecting with people who can positively influence and change your life - 12:52 3. Growing a SaaS company from zero to millions of dollars in sales - 24:15     Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics We Discuss: 1. Brandon’s inspiring story of how he got to where he is today 2. The inspiration and purpose behind Seamless.AI. 3. Brandon gives his best advice on how to attract the right leads the right way, nurturing, and closing them. 4. Comparing the effectiveness of inbound selling vs. outbound selling. 5. Experiencing and overcoming the struggles of growing and scaling a SaaS company. 6. The future of sales. 7. Brandon defines his story in "one-word"   Follow Brandon Bornancin Website: https://www.brandonbornancin.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonbornancin Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbornancin?lang=en Seamless.AI: https://www.seamless.ai/   You can check out Brandon's best-selling books on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Brandon-Bornancin/e/B07QQCZSS1%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share   Follow Me and Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In this episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Tammuz Dubnov, who is an entrepreneur, international speaker, and the CEO and Founder of Zuzor.  Tammuz has been pioneering innovative experiential-media software for the built environment to create-edge experiences with movement-driven interactivity. He is considered to be one of the youngest thought leaders in the experiential field, with multiple patents pending.  He was named one of the five entrepreneurs revolutionizing nightlife by RedBull Magazine and recognized as a certified thought leader by MarketScale Magazine. In this episode, Tammuz talks about his entrepreneurial journey, shares tips about growing business to different verticals, and increasing your thought leadership and branding. Don't Miss: 1. Tammuz inspiring story to entrepreneurship - 02:05 2. Scaling your business to different verticals - 13:02 3. How to increase your thought leadership and personal branding - 25:58   Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics We Discuss: 1. Tammuz's inspiring story of how he got to where he is today 2. The inspiration and purpose behind Zuzor 3. Experiencing and overcoming the struggles of growing and scaling a startup 4. How Tammuz is becoming a thought leader in the audiovisual technology space 5. The future of experiential design and Zuzor 6. Tammuz defines his story in "one-word."   Follow Tammuz Dubnov: Website: https://www.zuzor.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammuzdubnov Twitter: https://twitter.com/t_zuzor   Follow Me and Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22