HabitStack Podcast

In this episode of the HabitStack Podcast, host Scott Ward sits down with Josh Leyenhorst, fractional CFO and founder of BasePoint, to break down the financial frameworks that help founders run smarter businesses.Josh breaks down the difference between bookkeeping, controller work, and CFO-level thinking, framing them as hindsight, insight, and foresight, and explains why even founders who think their books are clean often have messy data driving bad decisions. He introduces a reverse-engineering framework that starts with a founder's personal life goals across five areas (faith, family, fitness, fun, and finance), converts them into a monthly cash requirement, and works backward to determine exactly what the business must generate in revenue and which specific levers to pull to get there.Josh also unpacks a vested profit sharing model as an alternative to equity, explaining how it creates long-term employee alignment without giving away ownership or control, and explains why overpaying good people is often cheaper than losing them. He addresses financial shame directly, noting that many outwardly successful companies are quietly struggling, and why naming that reality is often the first step to fixing it.Tools from Josh Leyenhorsthttps://www.basepoint.ca/toolshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9kOU_dHoUU

In this episode of the HabitStack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Laura Pitsch, a fractional COO who works with founder-led businesses navigating the messy middle between startup chaos and scalable operations. Laura explains why the $3 to $4M revenue range is where businesses most commonly stall and why founders who avoid investing in operational leadership rarely make it to the next level. She breaks down the real difference between an executive assistant, a chief of staff, and a COO, and why misunderstanding these roles leads to expensive mismatches. Laura shares her framework for helping founders get out of the day-to-day: identifying key functional leaders, assigning two to three accountability metrics per area, and running leadership meetings where real conversations actually happen. They also dig into feedback culture, why founders avoid it, why that avoidance compounds over time, and a simple daily habit that starts shifting the dynamic immediately. Laura also makes a case for doing fewer things better, and why throwing headcount at a messy operation just makes the mess more expensive.

In this episode of the HabitStack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Keegan Sard, a fractional chief of staff based in Monaco who has been doing fractional work for 10 years. The conversation explores the critical difference between a chief of staff and a COO, and why chiefs of staff focus on the founder's priorities without P&L responsibility. They discuss why founders should hire fast and fire faster instead of endless interview rounds, and the distinction between executive assistants who manage calendars and chiefs of staff who make strategic decisions on the founder's behalf. Keegan explains decision playbooks for empowering teams without bottlenecking the founder, quick wins like eliminating payroll from the founder's plate and conducting calendar audits, and implementing the Ritz Carlton's $2,000 rule where every employee can spend money to fix problems without approval. They dive into why founders should include bad news in investor updates to get help before it's too late, the importance of listening tours in the first 90 days, and why anonymous feedback reveals customer insights that never make it up the chain.

In this episode of the HabitStack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Alisa Manjarrez, managing director of Stories Bureau, a creative agency focused on B2B marketing and internal corporate storytelling through presentations, videos, and podcasts. Alisa shares what she's learning from Multipliers by Liz Wiseman about scaling herself as a leader. The conversation explores how Stories Bureau evolved from presentation design for market research professionals at companies like Mars Wrigley into narrative podcasts and video production. They discuss why small companies should ignore advice to be on every social platform and instead master one channel at a time, while leveraging the research behind Fortune 500 messaging strategies for their own audiences. Alisa explains why podcasting isn't going out of style despite the average podcast getting only 30 listens, how 1,000 listens puts you in the top 10%, and why podcasts are the new book as proof of expertise. Alisa shares how she's repositioning Stories Bureau to lead with relationship-driven partnership rather than just showcasing work like competitors.

Scott Ward interviews Belinda DiGiambattista, CEO of Good2bSocial and founder of Choose Your Metric. Belinda shares her entrepreneurial journey from Fortune 500 financial services to building Butter Beans, a school lunch company she grew from zero to 5,000 lunches a day before selling in 2017, and how those lessons shaped her consulting work and eventual acquisition of Good2bSocial, a digital marketing agency serving the legal industry. The conversation explores Belinda's philosophy that every business needs one primary North Star metric that drives decisions and eliminates distraction. Belinda explains how her non-digital marketing background gives her a beginner's mind advantage, helping her team focus on actionable insights rather than raw data. They dive into leadership development through training, delegating with trust, and using mission, vision, and core values as a decision-making framework that scales culture without requiring the founder to be involved in everything.

In this episode of the HabitStack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Rami Kalla, president and founder of Point In Time Studios, an VR/AR production company. Rami shares how Point In Time creates VR training experiences for first responders and TSA agents in life-or-death situations where officers can practice handling bomb threats and other dangerous scenarios. They discuss Rami's transition from artist to business leader after meeting Tony Robbins, realizing he was the constraint as the company tried to scale, and implementing a hybrid of EOS and Scaling Up frameworks with daily huddles, weekly L10 meetings, and annual summits. Rami explains why he added the Four Disciplines of Execution's concept of Wildly Important Goals to rally his team around single objectives like increasing gross profit or landing a Super Bowl commercial, and how this laser focus helped them achieve national spots on MSNBC and CNN.

In this episode of the HabitStack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Brent Peterson, CEO of Content Cucumber, president of Content Basis, and host of the Talk Commerce podcast. Brent shares his contrarian bet that human writing will make a comeback after AI decimated the content industry, explaining how he bought Content Cucumber because professionals increasingly value human-created content over AI-generated material. They discuss the advantages of productized services with flat monthly pricing that makes it easy for clients to start without scoping complexity. Brent reveals his new tool that helps writers match client brand voice by analyzing content and scoring how well it aligns. On the leadership side, they discuss business operating systems, quarterly goal setting, and strategy execution rhythms.

In this episode of the HabitStack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Wendy Covey, CEO and co-founder of TREW Marketing, author of Content Marketing Engineered, and podcast host. Wendy shares how TREW Marketing pivoted during the 2008 financial crisis from serving diverse clients to specializing exclusively in marketing to engineers, leveraging her 15 years at National Instruments to create an advantage in a crowded market. The conversation explores how AI is transforming their technical content development through research augmentation and persona testing rather than replacing writers. They discuss Wendy's philosophy of controlled growth at 15-30% annually to maintain work-life balance and team retention, her mistake of creating a separate brand for educational content that caused confusion and inefficiency, and the lessons from over-hiring based on optimistic revenue projections. Wendy explains how their annual State of Marketing to Engineers research report became a credibility-building engine that informs strategy and generates endless repurposed content. They dive into implementing EOS-light with L10 meetings and rocks, the importance of assigning accountability to avoid unforced errors.

In this episode of the HabitStack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Bernadette Burke, President of Brella Productions, an event optimization agency that helps organizations maximize return on event (ROE) through strategic audience experiences. Bernadette shares what she's learning from rereading Brain Rules by John Medina about neuroscience and communication, and why the research on learning styles isn't holding up the way people think. The conversation explores Brella's transformation three years ago from a generalist communication company doing video, graphics, and app development to specializing exclusively in live event experiences. They discuss why most organizations fail to think through return on event beyond just wanting people to have a good time, how Bernadette asks strategic questions about downstream effects that often catch clients off guard, and the importance of finding quantifiable indicators even for squishy goals. Bernadette explains her philosophy on event design covering every stage from pre-event gamification to post-event memory triggers that keep energy going for months. They dive into Brella's efforts to bring focus after decades of entrepreneurial chaos, how they navigated inflection points at 10, 25, 50, and nearly 100 employees, and the importance of responding to team discomfort with curiosity instead of defensiveness.

In this episode of the HabitStack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Andrew Morgans, CEO of Marknology and founder of EcomPulse.Ai, who also hosts the Business Therapy podcast. Andrew opens up about navigating a difficult 2025 for his 11-year-old agency, dealing with rising costs, client churn, and macro challenges like tariffs and inflation. The conversation explores why Andrew brought in a fractional CFO and the difference between that role vs. a bookkeeper vs. an accountant. Andrew shares his journey from growing up in Africa to accidentally becoming an entrepreneur, how his sisters joined him in year three and remain with the 28-person team today, and why the transition to 10 employees was monumental because it required developing communication skills that didn't come naturally. They dive into Andrew's philosophy of running on habit, and setting attainable goals that build momentum. The episode covers the challenge of attribution in modern e-commerce where customers see ads on TikTok but buy on Amazon, why blended returns across channels matter more than isolated metrics, and how Andrew lost the Startup Hustle podcast when his mentor's company sold but is now launching the Business Therapy podcast on his own terms.

In this episode of the HabitStack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Chris Purcell, founder of Nexus Brand Group, who brings experience as a business analyst at Target, vendor manager at Amazon, and global director of e-commerce at Renfro before starting his own full-service e-commerce agency 10 years ago. Chris shares insider perspectives on how Amazon actually works. The conversation explores how third-party data companies estimate Amazon's revenue using public signals like bestseller rankings, why Black Friday saw revenue up 9% but units down 1%, and what that reveals about consumer confidence and pricing pressures. Chris explains Nexus Brand Group's approach to providing full-service support across marketplaces, retail dot coms, and pure play online retailers, including the uncommon step of offering inventory forecasting models to help clients avoid stockouts or excess inventory. They discuss the challenges of scaling from solo founder to a 27-person team managing $750 million in ordered revenue, the difficult transition from operator to manager to leader, and why Chris had to learn patience and allow team members to fail so they could develop.

In this episode of the HabitStack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Bobbie Carlton, founder of Innovation Women, Innovation Nights, and Carlton PR & Marketing. Bobbie runs a unique business structure where her entire team works for Carlton PR & Marketing and treats her other ventures as clients, with Innovation Women being her largest and "dream job" client. The conversation explores how Bobbie built Innovation Women, a speaker platform connecting underrepresented voices with conference organizers. They discuss the challenge of building a double-sided marketplace, how Bobbie solved the chicken-and-egg problem by collecting calls for speakers to attract more speakers who then referred event organizers back to the platform, and why she crowdfunded 200 speaker profiles before the platform even existed. Bobbie shares her vision of reaching 10,000 speakers explains the five Cs of public speaking: competence, confidence, connections, credibility, and compensation. They dive into why live events and in-person connections will become more crucial as AI makes it harder to distinguish what's real online, the underutilized power of events as a marketing channel, and how Innovation Nights became the primary source of client referrals for her PR agency. Bobbie reflects on the importance of standard operating procedures when transitioning from managing individual contributors to leading leaders, and hiring people better than yourself.

In this episode of the HabitStack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Brad Solomon, co-founder of SC Digital. Brad shares what he's learning from rereading Perry Marshall's "80/20 Sales and Marketing" and "Cashvertising," plus his unexpected fascination with Howard Stern's interview techniques, specifically how preparation, storytelling, and compliments help break down barriers in conversations. The discussion explores Brad's evolution from believing he was the only one who could deliver quality work to building a team of leaders at SC Digital who not only match his abilities but exceed them. After a recent accident gave him fresh perspective, Brad has doubled down on what matters most: empowering his team, focusing on gratitude, and delivering speed with exceptional client care. They dive into Brad's transition from managing individual contributors to leading leaders, why he's shifting from one-on-one meetings to open office hours where the entire team can learn together, and his philosophy that the best part of leadership is taking ownership because when everything is your fault, you have the power to fix it. Brad explains why he hires people better than himself, gives them autonomy to make decisions, and creates an environment so good they don't want to leave.

Scott Ward, host of the HabitStack Podcast, interviews Bill Stathopoulos, author of Cold Email Secrets and CEO of SalesCaptain. Bill shares what he's learning from Measure What Matters about implementing OKRs to align his growing team, and The Greatest Salesman in the World, which teaches him about confidence and approaching business with a sense of faith that all will be well. The conversation explores Bill's journey from studying computer science to working at a growth marketing agency, eventually interviewing marketing legends like Scott Galloway and Arianna Huffington for massive conferences. Bill explains what growth marketing actually was and why it emerged from Silicon Valley startups needing scrappy experimentation in the early 2010s. They dive into why most founders fail at cold email, the three key components of outbound success (targeting, messaging, and deliverability), and why the offer is usually the problem. Bill explains why commoditized services struggle unless they get ultra-specific about industries and problems, the importance of answering "why me" and "why now," and how cold email's bidirectional feedback helps founders iterate to message-market fit faster than any other channel.

Scott Ward, host of the HabitStack Podcast, interviews Brian Swan, co-founder with his wife Rhonda of the Unstoppable Branding Agency. Brian shares his unconventional journey from robotics engineer selling actuators to SpaceX to becoming a branding and PR expert. After his wife Rhonda left pharmaceutical sales to pursue affiliate marketing and generate significant income, Brian left his engineering career in 2004. When they lost everything in the 2008 financial crisis, they pivoted to branding themselves as "the Unstoppable Family" while traveling the world. The conversation explores how Brian and Rhonda now help seven-figure to nine-figure founders get media exposure and credibility through PR on platforms like Forbes, USA Today, and the New York Stock Exchange. They dive into Brian's immersion in the tokenization and DeFi space, how fractional ownership through blockchain is reshaping asset ownership, and why Brian emphasizes that everyone has a story worth telling. The episode covers their company evolution from 50 employees during COVID to a lean team of 10, the importance of culture and values, and how they hire from trusted communities. Brian shares his morning routine, his participation in the Wake Up Warrior men's group, and how his father's death from AIDS at his coming-of-age shaped his philosophy of living fully now rather than deferring life until retirement.

Scott Ward, host of the HabitStack Podcast, interviews Brett Farmiloe, founder of Featured.com, a platform connecting journalists with vetted experts. Brett also recently acquired and revived HARO, an email newsletter serving the same purpose. They discuss the best practices for expert contributions: be helpful, authentic, relevant, and on time. Timing often matters more than perfect credentials when journalists face tight deadlines. The conversation explores Brett's journey through multiple startups, imposter syndrome that persists after success, and how talking to customers is the antidote to discouragement. They dive into Featured's exciting inflection point: having achieved product-market fit for earned media, Brett is now exploring how to leverage the expert network for new opportunities like disrupting survey incentives and providing fresh human knowledge for training AI models. Brett shares his approach to the Eisenhower Matrix for balancing urgent versus important work, his strategy of taking 15-minute walks to recalibrate every four hours, and the "baby fainting goat" mentality of moving fast despite potential pitfalls.

Scott Ward, host of the HabitStack Podcast, interviews Randy Herbertson, president of The Visual Brand (TVB), a branding studio based in Westport, Connecticut. Randy shares his journey from building his first agency to 40 people in New York City, selling it to a media company (which he warns against), and leaving after six miserable months when the promised synergies turned into constant trouble. He explains the key lessons from starting his second studio: ditching the three-hour NYC commute, avoiding web development he couldn't manage, and staying intentionally smaller at 20 people to remain hands-on with creative work. The conversation explores Randy's decision to turn down multiple acquisition offers despite tempting numbers, the critical importance of having a supportive life partner during pivots, and why he believes twists and turns lead to good places if you maintain a positive attitude. They discuss right-sizing teams to balance capacity without burnout, the challenge of letting go of toxic employees too late, and why daily standups transformed team organization. Randy reveals TVB's two specialties that set them apart: motion communications (2D/3D animation that's still a human practice despite AI) and packaging design (a surprisingly specialized field where most agencies fail at execution). He also shares why Studio feels more creative than Agency, and how maintaining work-life boundaries like clearing emails before leaving keeps Monday mornings exciting rather than dreaded. 

Scott Ward, host of the HabitStack Podcast, interviews Chris Rodriguez, CEO of iExcel, a digital marketing agency based in the greater DC/Virginia area. Chris shares his unconventional journey from earning a music degree at the University of Virginia and spending 10 years in the music industry to becoming a "30-year-old rookie in tech." They discuss why Chris intentionally avoids niching down despite conventional wisdom about riches in niches, finding passion in solving diverse marketing puzzles across verticals rather than specializing. The conversation explores the unique psychology of B2B SaaS marketing. Chris explains how iExcel has grown entirely through founder-led sales and referrals, the challenge of maintaining intimacy while scaling, and his approach to hiring people. They also discuss the tension between hustle culture and modern work expectations, why perfection is the enemy of good enough, the baseball batting average approach to hiring, and how hyper-detailed SOPs and call recording with AI summaries have transformed iExcel's operations.

Scott Ward, host of the HabitStack Podcast, interviews Dr. Sheila Brooks, founder, president, and CEO of SRB Communications, celebrating 35 years in business. Dr. Brooks shares her journey from being the first in her family to attend college to becoming a television journalist and eventually building a full-service marketing and PR firm two blocks from the White House. They discuss the critical pivot that saved her business during the 2008 recession when she transformed from a production-only company to a diversified agency. Dr. Brooks explains why she went back to school for her PhD while running the business. The conversation explores the crucial decision every founder faces between working in versus on the business, why she's still the one closing deals after hiring multiple business development managers, and her current pivot toward global opportunities as federal contracts shift. They also discuss leading through personal tragedy, the power of faith and resilience, building high-performing hybrid teams, and why it's not just who you know but who knows you.

Scott Ward, host of the HabitStack Podcast, interviews Dr. Renee Fraser, CEO of Fraser Communications and host of the Dr. Renee Fraser Show. With a PhD in social psychology and over 25 years running a full-service advertising agency, Renee shares how understanding human behavior creates more potent marketing communications. They discuss the Toyota hybrid campaign that reframed product features through the powerful message "we're all hybrids," and why connecting to deeper emotional needs drives better results than rational selling. The conversation explores the evolution from command-and-control leadership to strategic vulnerability, how to decide when and what to share as a leader, and the challenges of building culture with remote teams. Renee discusses diversifying beyond business through nonprofit board work and passion projects, the art of knowing when to persist versus pivot, and how Fraser Communications is exploring AI-powered consumer personas to potentially transform market research. They also tackle the delicate balance between staying informed as a leader while maintaining optimism during uncertain times.

Scott Ward, host of the HabitStack Podcast, interviews Karley Cunningham, founder of Big Bold Brand and creator of the Surefire Method. They explore how Karley's approach goes far beyond traditional branding to create business-wide alignment that drives accelerated growth. Karley shares how clients using the Surefire Method have doubled revenue year over year and achieved five-year goals in half the time by codifying their core beliefs, values, and unique brilliance. The conversation tackles the dangerous gap between stated values and actual behavior, using a powerful example of how finance departments can destroy client relationships built over years. They discuss why taking a strong market position requires courage, the tension between data-driven decisions and authentic company identity, and how first-time founders often let insecurity drive scattered strategy. Karley explains why every department must embody company values and how clarity, codification, and confidence form the foundation for sustainable business growth.

Scott Ward, host of the HabitStack Podcast, interviews Himanshi Raj, founder of Growth Gurus, an e-commerce agency specializing in Amazon, Walmart, and TikTok Shop. They discuss the realities of selling on Amazon versus common misconceptions, why manufacturing will likely stay overseas, and the hidden costs that shock new sellers. Himanshi shares her philosophy of prioritizing client retention over aggressive growth, explaining how her team stays hands-on with every account and why she turned off unnecessary reporting processes after realizing clients valued direct communication more. The conversation explores strategic decisions about expanding to multiple platforms, the importance of product selection and market timing, and building sustainable agency operations through intentional pacing and robust internal processes.

Scott Ward, host of the HabitStack Podcast, interviews Jason Hunt, co-founder of Merged Media, a digital marketing agency combining SEO and social media expertise. They discuss how Gary Keller's "The One Thing" shaped Jason's approach to prioritization, the 80/20 principle of noise versus signal in daily tasks, and the discipline required to build sustainable routines. Jason shares his journey from walking into businesses with a camera to landing his first client at $199/month, the strategic decision to merge with an SEO company to balance creative and technical strengths, and how AI has empowered rather than replaced his team. The conversation explores customer journey mapping, the shift from retainer-only clients to strategic equity partnerships, the challenges of scaling from seven to eight figures, and building a personal brand.

Scott Ward, founder of Habit Stack, interviews Corey Morris, CEO of VOLTAGE and creator of the Digital Marketing Success Plan. They discuss Corey's approach to strategic planning, the importance of clear messaging, and the need for objective accountability in digital marketing. Corey emphasizes the value of understanding and optimizing ROI, the challenges of working with various client sizes, and balancing immediate and long-term business goals. The conversation also touches on efficient goal-setting frameworks and the significance of iterative planning and career development in fostering a high-performing team.

In this podcast episode,  host Scott Ward, converses with Kevin Koskella, founder of Work Hero, to discuss the ongoing journey of building and scaling a business. Kevin highlights a book he has been reading on leadership, 'Accelerated Accelerating Leadership' by Brett Thomas, which supports his self-managed leadership style. He explains Work Hero's focus on WordPress development for marketing agencies and reflects on past strategic decisions that shaped their service offerings. The discussion covers marketing strategies, including the initial struggles with Facebook ads and eventually finding success through data-driven approaches. Kevin shares candid insights on goal-setting, preferring flexibility and intrinsic motivation over rigid targets.

In this episode of the Habit Stack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Christopher Tompkins, CEO of The Go! Agency and host of the Bulletproof Marketer Podcast. They explore Chris's passion for art as a grounding practice, his approach to mindful marketing, and how he's cultivated a creative outlet beyond the digital realm. The conversation delves into effective goal setting, deep listening, and teaching accountability within a business structure. They also discuss balancing business responsibilities with creative passions, the importance of consistent routines, and strategies for leadership and team development.

In this episode of the Habit Stack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Frank Olivo, CEO of Saga Pixel, a digital marketing agency specializing in healthcare. They discuss the importance of real-time lessons from business growth, the less disruptive nature of social media by AI, and the challenges in AI-based SEO for healthcare. Frank shares insights on optimal marketing strategies, his experience with AI unpredictability, and the critical role of personal connections in marketing. The episode also explores Saga Pixel's focus on integrating SEO and social media to maximize client results. Frank emphasizes the strategic advantages of specialization in healthcare marketing and discusses his team's approach to accountability and goal-setting.

Welcome to the HabitStack Podcast! In this episode, host Scott Ward interviews Jesse Galati, CEO and Co-founder of Page Pros, a rapidly scaling SEO agency serving over 4,000 clients across Canada. The conversation explores Jesse's strategic approach to business efficiency through AI implementation, including automated email responses and lead generation that save hours of manual work daily. They discuss the challenge of slowing down as an entrepreneur, the power of productized services for small businesses, and Page Pros' ambitious expansion into the US market.

Welcome to the HabitStack Podcast in this episode, host Scott Ward interviews Chris Raulf, the founder of Boulder SEO Marketing and a global expert in SEO and AI. The conversation dives into the impact of AI on digital marketing, the development of Chris’ trademarked AI-assisted SEO methodology called 'Micro SEO,' and the importance of structure and accountability in achieving business goals. Tune in to gain valuable insights on leveraging AI for effective SEO strategies and learn how disciplined goal-setting can drive success in any business.

Join Scott Ward, founder of HabitStack, on the HabitStack Podcast as he chats with Christina Pilarski, CEO of CIPR Communications and founder of Two Babies and a Business. They delve into the significance of authenticity in business, the impact of COVID-19 on corporate culture, the evolving role of AI in marketing, and the essentials of PR for small to medium-sized businesses. Christina also shares her insights on goal setting, the importance of owned media, and the dynamics of business growth. This episode is packed with valuable advice for entrepreneurs and business leaders navigating the modern business landscape.

In this episode of the Habit Stack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Dan Salganik, CEO and Founder of VisualFizz. The conversation explores the journey of VisualFizz, focusing on the agency's strategic positioning as a specialist in established B2B markets. Dan shares his views on effective leadership and the balance between internal and client projects. Touching on the importance of historical context in branding and rebranding, the discussion also highlights the challenges and strategies of scaling a business while maintaining high standards of service.

In this episode of the Habit Stack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Jonathan Lupo, co-founder of NXT Humans, an AI native advisory and agency. Jonathan discusses the complexities and rapid evolution of the AI field, sharing insights into his hands-on approach to understanding AI technologies. The conversation touches on the importance of context in AI applications, the benefits of automation in client research, and the future of AI in various sectors. Jonathan also reflects on his journey from a UX designer to co-founding an AI-focused consulting firm, emphasizing the significance of maintaining a nimble, collaborative team structure. The episode highlights the challenges and opportunities in AI adoption, both for large corporations and smaller organizations.

In this episode of the Habit Stack Podcast, host Scott Ward discusses with Santiago Luna, Founder and CEO of Charly Agency, about leadership, growth, and balancing daily operations with long-term strategic initiatives. Santiago shares insights on effective delegation, learning from mistakes, and maintaining quality through strong team relationships. They also explore Santiago's current inspirations, the services offered by Charly Agency, including website and app design, and the potential future of integrating AI in project management.

In this episode of the Habit Stack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Carolina Salinas Garcia, CEO and co-founder of CleverClick 360. The conversation delves into various topics including Carolina's recent studies in psychology and coaching to enhance her leadership skills, her firm's approach to performance marketing, and the unique challenges of acquiring clients and maintaining quality. Carolina shares her commitment to creating a healthier work culture at CleverClick 360, which operates fully remotely and focuses on providing a balanced life for its employees. They discuss strategies for scalability, effective goal management, and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation.

In this episode of the Habit Stack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Jim Matuga, founder of InnerAction Media and author of 'Humble Influence: The Strength of True Followership. They discuss the importance of followership in business and leadership, Matuga's personal journey and experiences in media, and his perspective on how businesses can create meaningful connections with their customers. Jim emphasizes the value of serving others, understanding mission alignment, and the significance of humility and curiosity in fostering a productive and engaged workforce. He also shares insights on starting his own SaaS application, Story Maker, leveraging traditional and earned media, and the importance of incorporating team input in shaping company culture

In this episode of the Habit Stack Podcast, host Scott Ward converses with Jared Hummel, founder and co-CEO of PARQA, a Salesforce consulting firm focused on the staffing and recruiting industry. Jared discusses his journey from finance to tech, his learning experience in AI, and making his home a smart home to practically understand AI applications. He elaborates on PARQA's market strategies, their focus on staffing technology, particularly using Salesforce, and the challenge of integrating AI. Jared also shares insights on managing company growth, the importance of culture, and utilizing the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) to balance immediate operations with strategic planning. The conversation highlights PARQA's rapid expansion and their strategies for maintaining quality and efficiency.

In this episode of the Habit Stack Podcast, host Scott Ward talks with Dave Schneider, CEO of Shortlist.io, about the ongoing challenges and strategies in SEO and digital marketing. They discuss how Shortlist.io provides white-label marketing solutions for agencies and brands, balancing between direct brand work and agency partnerships. The conversation also delves into managing business operations, maintaining client relationships, and the adaptations necessary to keep up with changes in digital marketing, including the rise of LLMs and the impact of Google's search features on traditional SEO practices. Dave shares insights on leadership, the importance of focusing on high-impact work, and the delicate balance between strategic initiatives and daily operations.

In this episode of the HabitStack podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Chris Vendilli, founder of Vendilli Digital Group. Chris shares his journey of starting and growing his creative marketing agency, highlighting their broad range of services, including website design, development, SEO, digital advertising, and their expertise in the HubSpot ecosystem. The discussion delves into the strategic decision to offer diverse services versus specialization and the challenges of managing multiple marketing facets for clients. Chris emphasizes the importance of AI in modern marketing, sharing insights on how AI tools and custom voice agents can enhance efficiency and client interactions. The conversation also touches on the transition from service-based agency work to developing new products, balancing client work with innovation, and the evolving landscape of app development.

In this episode of the Habit Stack Podcast, host Scott Ward speaks with Cruikshank, founder of CTRS Market Intelligence. Aaron provides an in-depth explanation of market intelligence, emphasizing its importance in understanding external factors that impact businesses. He differentiates between market intelligence and market research and details how CTRS helps businesses, from startups to enterprises, make informed strategic decisions. Aaron shares the challenges of scaling a service business, the importance of SOPs, and lessons learned from his company's growth fluctuations. The conversation also touches on the nuances of market entry, regulatory considerations, pivot strategies, and the value of having a learning mindset. Aaron underscores the significance of external validation for financial and strategic planning.

In this episode of the Habit Stack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Jason Vigo, CEO, and Co-founder of Bevz, a software platform that helps streamline delivery operations for liquor stores and convenience stores. Jason shares his experience about the challenges of decision-making, customer retention, and managing a growing team. Jason highlights the relevance of books like 'Thinking In Bets' by Annie Duke, which have impacted his approach to making strategic decisions. He emphasizes the importance of not being overly attached to outcomes and acknowledges the complexities of customer relationships and product evolution. Throughout the conversation, Jason provides insights into the startup life, the value of iterative problem-solving, and the balance required in leadership.

In this episode of the HabitStack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Matthew Himmelstein, co-founder and Chief Product and Technology Officer of Mogl. They discuss the evolving role of AI in software development, particularly in the context of Mogl's influencer marketing platform. The conversation covers the impact of name, image, and likeness (NIL) on college sports, including the financial and structural changes it entails. Matthew also explains how Mogl's AI technology facilitates matchmaking between brands and college athletes for influencer marketing campaigns. Additionally, the discussion touches on the blurring lines between product management, revenue operations, and go-to-market strategies in modern business environments.

In this episode of the HabitStack Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Dan Keldsen, Chief Innovation Officer at Infocap and co-founder of PlexiCam. Dan discusses his role in bridging complex automation solutions with AI to streamline processes. Conversation covers leveraging AI for internal processes, and the need for experimentation and innovation in business practices. Additionally, Dan emphasizes the potential of AI to scale professional services and the importance of empowering employees through regular coaching and feedback.

In this episode, host Scott Ward, founder of HabitStack, interviews Tanuj Sharma, co-founder and CEO of Kana Health. They discuss the origins, development, and vision of Kana Health, an AI-driven platform aimed at enhancing mental healthcare. Tanuj shares the personal experiences that motivated the startup, the pivotal moments that shaped their product development, and how they navigated challenges. The conversation highlights the importance of augmenting therapists' capabilities rather than replacing them, by providing tools that streamline administrative tasks and deliver personalized insights. They also delve into the business side, discussing market strategies, customer outreach, and the forthcoming general availability of their platform. The episode emphasizes the value of staying user-focused and prioritizing features based on customer feedback.

In this episode, host Scott Ward, founder of HabitStack, interviews Heigo Paartalu, co-founder and CEO of YachtWay, about his journey from corporate housing in Silicon Valley to revolutionizing yacht sales. The discussion delves into the features and unique value propositions of YachtWay, an end-to-end platform that modernizes the yacht buying and selling process. Heigo shares the challenges he faced, including transitioning industry professionals to the new platform, creating high-quality content for listings, and the complexities of integrating a comprehensive agreement system. They also discuss future plans, including adding financing options. The conversation highlights the importance of persistence, innovation, and trust in building a successful startup.

In this episode of the SaaS Execution Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Travis Bogard, founder of Carbon Voice, on the SaaS Execution Podcast. They discuss Carbon Voice's mission to enhance communication efficiency by reducing time spent in meetings through asynchronous voice communication. Travis explains how the app works, its target users, and the impact of AI-driven transcription and summarization. They touch on the initial challenges and user feedback, particularly from varying groups such as outside sales teams and Slack users. Travis also shares insights on leadership, goal-setting, and scaling a startup team, emphasizing the importance of direct communication within organizations and aligning team priorities with overarching company goals.

In this episode of the SaaS Execution Podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Zhou Yu, founder of Arklex AI and a professor at Columbia University. Zhou explains how Arklex AI is revolutionizing the development of AI agents that learn over time, reducing maintenance work for software products. The discussion dives into the various applications of these AI agents, such as customer service and sales automation, and the importance of using a modular and agnostic approach to different language models and cloud services. The conversation also touches on the evolution of natural language processing, the challenges of scaling a startup team, and effective strategies for product and sales growth. Zhou shares practical advice on integrating AI into existing SaaS products and emphasizes the need for constant adaptation and innovation in the field.

In this episode of the SaaS Execution podcast, host Scott Ward interviews Tom Blair, founder and CEO of iClerk. They discuss how iClerk's AI agents are revolutionizing professional tasks by automating repetitive and complex workflows. Tom shares his extensive background in AI, his journey from working at Eastman Kodak to founding AI startups, and the challenges and breakthroughs in building iClerk since 2019. They delve into the evolution of AI agents and their practical applications across various sectors, the shift in market understanding, and Tom's approach to running a lean, globally-distributed team. This conversation offers insights into the future of AI in automating labor-intensive tasks and the importance of timing in technological innovation.

In this episode of the SaaS Execution podcast, I talk with Teasha Cable, co-founder and CEO of Cmodel.io, a decision intelligence platform. Teasha explains how Cmodel helps businesses transform fragmented decision-making processes into structured, learnable systems. We delve into Teasha's diverse career background. We discuss the challenge of knowledge silos, data fragmentation, and the over-abundance of metrics. Teasha emphasizes the importance of human input alongside AI insights and discusses the role of their tool in ensuring strategic alignment within teams. We talk about the practical applications of Cmodel, its impact on onboarding processes, and exciting developments.

On the latest episode of the SaaS Execution Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Eric Gordon, founder of Parakeet, to dive into the world of outbound email solutions. We explored how Parakeet tackles critical challenges like deliverability, timing, and relevance to reduce spam and maximize impact.Eric shared the complexities of cold emailing in today’s landscape, where filters from services like Google and Outlook can make it incredibly tough to break through. Parakeet’s secret? An obsession with details—things like domain reputation, messaging accuracy, and ensuring every email counts.We also talked about Parakeet’s fascinating journey from an agency to a product-focused company, as well as their emphasis on strategic planning, goal setting, and execution within their team. Beyond email, we touched on the role of multi-channel outreach, including LinkedIn, and the importance of making quick, often tough decisions to stay focused and achieve goals.

In this episode of the SaaS Execution Podcast, the spotlight is on Ben Borton, co-founder of Podplay. The discussion navigates through the genesis and growth of Podplay, a company providing tech-driven management platforms for sports venues. Ben shares the journey from establishing tech-enabled physical racket sports venues to launching a scalable SaaS platform. Key topics include the strategic transition from saying 'yes' to 'no' to manage priorities, the importance of high trust in small teams, and methods for seamlessly integrating hardware and software to enhance the user experience. The episode wraps up with advice on managing senior-level teams and the importance of simplifying user experiences to reduce friction.