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PODCAST · business

Get Up and Scale Podcast

by Justin Buzzi and Kai Kaapro

Get Up and Scale is a dynamic podcast for entrepreneurs eager to elevate their small businesses. Hosts Justin Buzz and Kai Kai Kaapro, seasoned veterans in the tour and activity industry, share invaluable insights on growing and scaling operations. From transforming a local venture into a franchise to leveraging technology, this podcast offers a goldmine of strategies and real-life experiences. Tune in for engaging discussions, expert advice, and the inspiration to take your business to the next level. #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #ScalingSuccess

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Jan 26, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Ep. 30 What Do Women Want? Marketing Experiences That Actually Convert (with The Batch App)

    What makes women say yes to one experience and scroll past another? In this episode of Get Up And Scale, we're joined by Madison and Shauna from The Batch App, a leading marketplace for bachelorette parties and group experiences, to unpack how women discover, evaluate, and book experiences—and…

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  2. Ep. 29 TourScale 2x, AI vs. SEO, and GaryVee's Painful Truth for Franchisees

    In this packed reunion episode, the hosts dive deep into what's been going on behind the scenes—including big acquisitions, marketing experiments, and the ever-evolving impact of AI on the tour industry. 💥 Topics Covered: TourScale's acquisition of Cruisin' Tikis and integrating 45+ locations...

  3. Ep. 28 From Missed Calls to Booked Tours: Dustin Miller on Scaling Smart w/ Conversion Assist

    In this insightful episode, hosts Justin Buzzi, Kai Kaapro, and Brett Ridenour sit down with Dustin Miller to explore how his platform Conversion Assist is helping tour operators turn missed opportunities into booked tours using cutting-edge automation and CRM systems. You'll hear how smart...

  4. Ep. 27 Scaling Fun Businesses with Ryan Lloyd

    In this interview, Ryan Lloyd takes us behind the scenes of his success, sharing the story of how the Pedal Tavern concept started, the hurdles of expanding to new cities, and the key factors that have kept the business thriving. Ryan also talks about the future of his business, the impact of...

  5. Ep 26. People Over Profit: Insights from Cameron Clark

    Cameron Clark talks about how his journey in the tourism industry has shaped his approach to scaling businesses with a human-first mindset. Learn the strategies and values behind his growing ventures, from Alaska to San Francisco Bay, and why people matter more than profits. Find Cameron on...

  6. Ep. 25 Ryan O'Grady On Why Giving Away Photos is the Secret to Scaling Your Tourism Business

    Join us as we sit down with Ryan O'Grady, the CEO of Fotaflo, who's spent 17 years working with tour and activity operators to transform how businesses engage their customers. Ryan shares the origin story of Fotaflo, from filming adventure TV shows around the globe to building a company that's...

  7. Ep. 24: CRM Talk, Goals for 2025, and Season 2 Begins!

    In the kick-off episode of Season 2 of the Get Up and Scale podcast, hosts Brett Ridenour, Justin Buzzi, and Kai Kaapro discuss their experiences and growth over the past year. They highlight the challenges and successes they faced, particularly during the busy conference season. The hosts delve...

  8. Ep 23. Pete Kootsikas on Scaling Big with Trial and Growth

    In this episode of Get Up and Scale, we're joined by Pete Kootsikas, an entrepreneur who has built a multi-faceted tour and activity empire. From launching one of the first party bike businesses in Nashville to branching into boats, retail, and even transitional housing, Pete's story is one of...

  9. Ep. 22 DIY OTA? Travis Vaughan on Turning Ideas into Businesses

    In this special live episode from the Arival Conference, we chat with Travis Vaughan, co-founder and CEO of TourBase. Travis shares how his company empowers tour operators and entrepreneurs to build their own online travel agencies (OTAs) with a localized, personal touch. We dive into the journey...

  10. Ep. 21 Mastering Meta Ads: Boost vs. Ads Manager – What Really Works

    In this episode, Justin and Brett dive deep into the world of social media advertising, revealing why boosting posts is only scratching the surface. They discuss the power of the Meta Ads Manager, how to properly target customers, and strategies to boost your return on ad spend. Whether you're…

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  11. Ep. 20 Boost Your Tourism Business with Spencer Finch's Google My Business Hack

    Join us for an engaging episode with Spencer Finch, founder of Mad Moose Rentals & Tours and a partner at RISE Executive Partners. Spencer discusses the challenges and triumphs of scaling an adventure tourism business, transitioning from hands-on operations to strategic growth, and the innovative...

  12. Ep 19. From Overwhelm to Organized: Effective Time Management Tips

    How do you currently manage your time, and are you truly making the most of your day? In this episode of the Get Up and Scale podcast, hosts Kai Kaapro, Justin Buzzi, and Brett Ridenour dive deep into one of the most crucial aspects of running a business: time management. They share their…

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  13. Ep 18. How Business Operators Adapt to Climate Hurdles

    In this episode of Get Up and Scale, hosts Kai Kaapro, Justin Buzzi, and Brett Ridenour dive into two pressing issues facing business operators today: weather-related challenges and the complexities of marketing funds. The team discusses how unpredictable weather, particularly heavy rains in the...

  14. Ep 17. Exploring Private Equity and Franchising in Tourism

    Welcome to the Get Up and Scale Podcast with hosts Kai Kaapro and Justin Buzzi. In this episode, we dive into the latest news in the tourism industry, with a primary focus on private equity's growing interest in franchising. We examine why franchising is less prevalent in tourism, discuss the...

  15. Ep 16. The Six Stages of Franchisee-Franchisor Relationship

    In this episode, we dive into the story of Zoom Room, a dog training franchise that faced significant challenges early on. We explore their initial mistakes, such as picking wrong franchisees and growing without a plan, which led to a two-year moratorium on sales. With a new CEO, strategic...

  16. Ep 15. Damn Good Advice: Franchising Q&A with Jonathan Breines

    In this episode of Get Up and Scale, hosts Kai Kaapro, Justin Buzzi, and Brett Ridenour sit down with Jonathan Breines, the business owner of Damn Good Beer Bus, to delve into the world of franchising. Jonathan, ready to franchise his thriving beer tour business, asks insightful questions about...

  17. Ep 14. Optimizing Tour Design for Memorable Experiences with Kelsey Tonner

    In this episode of the Get Up and Scale podcast, hosts Kai Kaapro, Justin Buzzi, and Brett sit down with Kelsey Tonner from Guest Focus, a tour business coaching practice that has helped over 2,000 tour operators from 75+ countries since 2015. Kelsey shares his journey from being a tour guide in...

  18. Ep 13. Douglas Quinby on Segmenting Customers and Embracing Technology

    In this episode of the Get Up and Scale podcast, hosts Justin Buzzi, Kai Kaapro, and Brett sit down with Douglas Quinby, a key figure in the tourism industry and counterpart to Bruce from Arrival. Douglas brings a wealth of information as they delve deep into the dynamics of the tourism industry,...

  19. Ep 12. Brennen Bliss on Future-Proofing Your Travel Business

    In this episode of the Get Up and Scale Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Brennen Bliss, CEO of Propellic, an SEO agency renowned for its expertise in the travel industry. Brennen has an impressive track record, starting with humble beginnings and growing into a leader in digital marketing. Join...

  20. Ep 11. Crafting a Franchise: Inside City Brew Tours with Chad Brodsky

    In Episode 11 of the Get Up and Scale Podcast, Kai and Justin welcome Chad Brodsky, founder of City Brew Tours and CBT Group. Chad started City Brew Tours back in 2008 and has since grown it into a thriving franchise business. Join us as we delve into Chad's journey, from starting a brewery tour…

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  21. Ep 10. Tourism Trends and Predictions for 2024

    In Episode 10 of the Get Up and Scale Podcast, Kai, Justin, and Brett dive deep into the current market conditions for tourism experience operators in 2024. They discuss their observations from the first half of the year and share actionable strategies to prepare for the future. Key topics…

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  22. Ep 9. Building the Ultimate Party Platform with Mike Petrakis

    Join us on the Get Up And Scale podcast where hosts Kai Kaapro, Justin Buzzi, and Brett Ridenour dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Mike Petrakis, the Founder and CEO of Batch. Mike shares the story behind Batch, a groundbreaking platform that is revolutionizing the way groups plan and book...

  23. Ep 8. Greg Fisher: Digital Disruption in Tourism

    In this electrifying episode of "Get Up and Scale," join us as we catch up with our good friend, Greg Fisher, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Tripshock and WaveRez. From his early days managing a hotel to steering two of the tourism industry's most impactful companies, Greg's journey is…

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  24. Ep 7. The Intersection of Travel & The Internet with Bruce Rosard

    Join us on this episode of "Get Up and Scale" as we sit down with the eminent Bruce Rosard, a titan in the tourism and activity industry with over four decades of transformative contributions. With a career that spans the advent of the internet in travel to mentoring budding entrepreneurs through...

  25. EP 6. Kevin O'Neil Explains How Experience and Partnerships Are Key to Scaling Businesses

    In this episode of "Get Up and Scale," join us as we explore the multifaceted world of Kevin ONeil, a dynamic entrepreneur whose ventures span from the high seas of Florida's water sports scene to the digital domain of boater education. Kevin, the force behind Destiny Water Adventures and...

  26. EP 5. The American Dream: Brian Cain and the Growth of Crawl Entertainment

    In this energizing episode of "Get Up and Scale" hosts Kai Kaapro, Justin Buzzi, and Brett Ridenour had the pleasure of sitting down with the ever-ambitious Brian Cain from Crawl Entertainment Group. Brian, a true entrepreneur at heart, shared his journey from launching his pub crawl in New…

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  27. EP 4. Annual Review Essentials: Metrics, Marketing, and Making Customers Stick

    In this engaging episode of the Get Up and Scale podcast, join hosts Kai Kaapro and Justin Buzzi, along with Brett, as they dive deep into the essentials of conducting effective annual business reviews. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for entrepreneurs and business owners alike,...

  28. EP 3. Augmented Reality Tours, QR Codes, and Creative Marketing

    In this episode, we dive deep into the confluence of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and innovative marketing strategies, unveiling how these technologies are reshaping the landscape of business and leisure. Discussing the expansive potential of VR in enhancing virtual tours and...

  29. EP 1. Justin and Kai's Story of Scaling Up

    How do you transform a local venture into a multi-unit powerhouse? What strategies can elevate your small business to a franchise model? How does consumer behavior, especially of Gen Z, reshape the future of business? Get the answers and more from the first episode of 'Get Up and Scale.' Dive…

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  30. EP 2. Scaling Success: The Franchise Blueprint

    In this episode, we dive into the intricate world of franchising as a powerful tool for business growth. Justin Buzzi, founder of Get Up and Go Kayaking, and Kai Kaapro, founder of Tourscale, share their personal journeys towards choosing franchising as their strategy for expansion. They explore...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Get Up and Scale is a dynamic podcast for entrepreneurs eager to elevate their small businesses. Hosts Justin Buzz and Kai Kai Kaapro, seasoned veterans in the tour and activity industry, share invaluable insights on growing and scaling operations. From transforming a local venture into a franchise to leveraging technology, this podcast offers a goldmine of strategies and real-life experiences. Tune in for engaging discussions, expert advice, and the inspiration to take your business to the next level. #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #ScalingSuccess

HOSTED BY

Justin Buzzi and Kai Kaapro

Produced by Kai Kaapro

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Get Up and Scale Podcast have?

Get Up and Scale Podcast currently has 30 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Get Up and Scale Podcast about?

Get Up and Scale is a dynamic podcast for entrepreneurs eager to elevate their small businesses. Hosts Justin Buzz and Kai Kai Kaapro, seasoned veterans in the tour and activity industry, share invaluable insights on growing and scaling operations. From transforming a local venture into a franchise...

How often does Get Up and Scale Podcast release new episodes?

Get Up and Scale Podcast has 30 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Get Up and Scale Podcast?

You can listen to Get Up and Scale Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Get Up and Scale Podcast?

Get Up and Scale Podcast is created and hosted by Justin Buzzi and Kai Kaapro.
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