Real Tech Talk

In this episode of Real Tech Talk, Stephanie Simpson sits down with Jessica Gonzalez, VP of Customer Success and GM of Auto at inform.iQ—a fintech platform operating where the margin for error is basically zero: loan origination, fraud prevention, and consumer trust.Jessica brings a heavyweight background from banking and payments (including Visa and Santander), where she led automation strategy across originations, customer service, and fraud operations. Now, she applies that same operational discipline to the auto finance world—helping lenders and dealer partners reduce friction, accelerate funding, and cut risk using automation that’s auditable, transparent, and built for real-world workflows.This isn’t “AI as a chatbot.” Jessica breaks down how smart automation actually works in the trenches:Instant document feedback (what’s missing, what’s wrong, what will stall the deal)Fraud detection with proof (pixel-level comparisons, redacted evidence, clear next steps)Human-in-the-loop trust building (because if underwriters don’t trust it, they’ll recheck everything and automation dies on impact)They also unpack what’s changing across the industry—from NADA insights to the growing realization that fraud is no longer “a one-off problem,” but a network problem requiring shared intelligence between lenders and dealers. Jessica’s biggest message is simple: AI should remove the busywork and return people to higher-value decisions, stronger dealer relationships, and better customer outcomes—not replace the humans that keep the system honest.Connect:Jessica Gonzalez on LinkedIninform.iQ online

Stephanie Simpson sits down with Seymur Rasulov, CEO and co-founder of Welp.co, a customer support platform helping companies unify conversations across chat, email, messaging, and AI automation.Seymur shares how Welp started from a simple frustration—being stuck on hold with banks—and how a non-technical founder used LinkedIn to find a technical partner, build an MVP, and sell it through pure hustle. His filter for startup ideas is clear: the problem must be personal, recurring, and scalable.They unpack what’s changing fast in customer support: AI is everywhere, but most “AI adoption” is rushed, poorly implemented, and often useless without the right strategy. Seymur explains why the winning model is layered support—bot → AI → live agent—so customers get speed without losing quality (or getting trapped in chatbot hell).Looking ahead, Seymur previews Welp’s next evolution: expanding beyond inbound support into messaging + CRM + payments, with a major push toward WhatsApp-based commerce, plus future bets on voice and AI-driven customer journeys. The core theme: innovate or become obsolete.Connect with Seymur + WelpWebsite: Welp.coEmail: [email protected]: Seymur Rasulov

In this episode of Real Tech Talk, Stephanie Simpson sits down with Larry Feldman to tackle one of the biggest pressure points in the automotive industry today: staffing and workforce strategy.Larry brings a nationwide perspective on how shops, dealerships, and service businesses can stop scrambling for talent and start building structured, scalable hiring systems. This isn’t a “post and pray” recruiting conversation — it’s about understanding the technician shortage, improving retention, strengthening shop culture, and building pipelines that actually support long-term growth.Stephanie and Larry dig into:Why the technician gap isn’t going away anytime soonThe difference between reactive hiring and strategic workforce planningHow shop owners can position themselves as employers of choiceThe role leadership plays in attracting and keeping top talentWhat everyday automotive businesses are getting wrong about recruitingThe big takeaway? You don’t scale an auto business without scaling your people strategy. Talent isn’t an expense — it’s infrastructure. And if you don’t treat it that way, growth will always stall.If you’re in automotive and struggling with hiring, retention, or building a stronger team, this conversation is your reality check — and your roadmap forward.Tune in to Real Tech Talk for more conversations where technology, leadership, and real-world execution collide.

In this episode, Stephanie Simpson sits down with Dustin Jackson, founder of EZN Detail—a business that started as a simple storage lot and evolved into a full-scale automotive + marine operation spanning EZN Detail, EZN Storage, and EZN Outfitters, backed by a growing team and tech-driven systems.Dustin shares his entrepreneur-first origin story (starting businesses young, navigating the 2008 crash, building and selling software) and how he scaled by solving real market gaps—especially in marine detailing. They dig into the industry’s shift from wax to coatings, the early “overpromise → redo era” of ceramics, and why today’s winners focus on education + expectations, not hype.The leadership takeaway is clear: Dustin runs on KPIs, cash-flow forecasting, and process, but he’s also learned the hard way that automation can’t replace connection. His most powerful operational principle: “Know their name, know their pain.” Tech should support the relationship—not erase it.Connect with Dustin + EZNWebsite: EZN Detail / EZN Storage / EZN Outfitters (search any brand name to find the official site)Social: Facebook + Instagram — EZN Detail, EZN Storage, EZN OutfittersPersonal: Dustin Jackson on Facebook

Host Stephanie Simpson interviews Chris Whited, managing partner at Community Auto (Fort Collins, CO). Chris explains the shop’s 30-year community focus and employee‑first culture: four‑day workweeks with shift teams, 100% employer-paid health insurance, clear expectations, and investment in staff training. Community Auto prioritizes transparency (digital vehicle inspections, photo-based estimates), hands‑on community outreach (high‑school programs, free oil‑change initiatives, youth workshops), and steady tech adoption (AI for training/response, VR training pilots). Key lessons: invest in people over short-term profit, be radically transparent with customers, pre‑plan changes before presenting them to staff, and actively partner with schools to build the next generation of technicians. Contact: communityautoinc.com.

Host Stephanie Simpson talks with Brendan Seaman, founder of Detailers of Naples, about turning a teen mobile-detailing hustle into a multi-location, high‑end detailing, PPF and tint business. Brendan covers:Origin story: door‑to‑door beginnings, early hustle, burnout and the switch from mobile to shop-based, high-end services and coatings.Growth playbook: four shops (Naples HQ, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Ann Arbor), dealership partnerships, heavy investment in brand awareness, and retail-by-airport site selection to support rapid travel.Operations & culture: systemization (checklists, QC, Google Docs), dealership-style sales team, data-driven reporting, and “unreasonable hospitality” customer experience.Talent challenge: recruitment, rigorous multi-stage hiring, legal/tuition lessons from bad hires, and the importance of culture + accountability.Tech & AI: current use for lead routing and booking automation, interest in quoting/measurement tools, and view that AI will automate low‑ticket flows while high‑touch PPF/coating sales remain human-led.Advice for entrepreneurs: iterate fast, embrace failure, keep learning, avoid comfort, and build businesses that scale beyond their founders.Connect: detailersofnaples.com | Instagram: @detailersofnaples

Host Stephanie Simpson interviews Sean Weaver, founder of CarFilm, about his decade-plus auto industry journey and how he turned dealership mystery-shop insights into a video-first sales platform. Sean explains why short, personalized videos beat templated emails for speed, trust and conversion; how CarFilm integrates with CRMs, VIN-verified videos, and analytics; and early AI uses for vocabulary/behavior insights while keeping frontline communication human. He outlines future vision — 3D scans, drones, AR/VR shopping, and nationwide shopping experiences — and shares client wins (including video-aided theft recovery). Ideal users: sales pros and dealers looking to modernize customer engagement without losing the personal touch. Connect: getcarfilm.com (855-CAR-FILM).

Host Stephanie Simpson interviews Sarah Morosan, owner of LGE CTS Motorsports, about her lifelong automotive roots, turning a 1970 El Camino restoration into a thriving custom-build and retail business, and the role family, community and off‑road culture play in her work. Sarah discusses hands‑on product knowledge vs. online shopping, staying current with tech and trends (SEMA, volunteering, industry networks), and practical advice for entrepreneurs: stay connected, find mentors, and invest only after thoughtful research. Connect: lge-cts.com (San Dimas, CA).

In this episode of Real Tech Talk, host Stephanie Simpson interviews Matthew Timler, the owner of Plug Lightbulb Electrical. Matthew shares his journey from a young worker with a strong work ethic to becoming a successful business owner. He discusses the challenges and innovations in the electrical services industry, including his unique marketing strategies and community engagement efforts. The conversation highlights the importance of providing value to customers and the lessons learned from navigating growth and setbacks in the business. In this conversation, Matthew Timler and Stephanie Simpson discuss the importance of knowledge in marketing, the significance of trust and investment in business relationships, and the role of technology and AI in enhancing efficiency and growth. They also address the skills gap in the workforce and provide advice for sustainable business growth, emphasizing the need for constant education and adaptability.

Stephanie Simpson sits down with Leo Pacheco, broker-owner of Odyssey Real Estate Services, to unpack how modern brokerages blend old-school relationship-building with AI and smart systems. Leo shares his journey from serial entrepreneur to building a concierge brokerage, how micro-targeting and community-first playbooks beat nationwide “spray and pray” models, and practical ways AI is being used for branding, automation, and client-first workflows—without losing the human touch. Real stories, rebrands, revenue-share design, and the precise marketing moves that actually move the needle for agents and clients alike.