The TAGLine Podcast

The IPO Tragedy is Over: Wefunder President Jonny Price on Unlocking Wealth & Why Your Community is Your Best CapitalYou don't have to be a millionaire to invest in the next SpaceX or OpenAI. Wefunder President Jonny Price joins Justin Starbird for a deep, candid look at how investment crowdfunding is finally giving the 90% a chance to share in pre-IPO wealth creation.Jonny breaks down:The Myth-Buster: Why top-tier VCs like Sequoia and Andreessen Horowitz no longer fear community rounds, thanks to the SPV solution that simplifies the cap table.The $5 Million Rule: The three essential Reg CF changes from 2021 that made crowdfunding viable for high-growth companies (including raising the annual cap to $5 million).Founder Success Framework: Jonny's 3-part framework that separates campaigns that raise millions from those that struggle—focusing on product, audience, and relentless execution.Platform Power: New Wefunder tools like "Warm Up" and social investing features that accelerate fundraising velocity. You can even follow TAG CEO, Justin Starbird's page on Wefunder.This is a crucial conversation for any founder ready to leverage their community into their most resilient and passionate sales force.

Get the insider scoop on the future of electrification! We chat with Shamara Ray, Group Event Director for The Battery Show South, about the massive growth in the "Battery Belt" and why Charlotte, NC (April 22-23) is the place to be. Shamara shares:Why the show had to move from Atlanta (spoiler: FIFA!)The unexpected power of co-locating with MD&M SouthAnd the key trends in AI, sustainable manufacturing, and energy storage that innovators need to watch right now! This is your essential pre-show guide to finding the next big thing, meeting industry giants and pioneering startups, and getting ahead of the curve! Tune in now!

Forget everything you think you know about crowdfunding. Devin Thorpe, founder of Superpowers for Good and former Forbes contributor, is one of the biggest champions of purpose-driven finance and he sees a future where all deals are done this way.In this candid conversation, TAGLine sits down with Devin to break down:The biggest misunderstanding holding people back from smart investment in the crowdfunding space.His personal two-screen process for evaluating impact deals (it's not just about the mission).The one essential trait he sees in successful founders after interviewing over 1,000 of them (hint: it's not optimism).The exciting future of the Purpose Built 100 ranking and why celebrating profitable, high-impact solutions is crucial to growing the market.Whether you're a founder considering a Reg CF raise, an investor looking for meaningful returns, or just curious about democratizing capital, this episode is a must-listen. Press play now to hear Devin's unfiltered take on how you can align your values and your wallet.

Tired of the "buy-and-hold and hope" investing strategy? In this episode of TAGLine, we sit down with Dr. Adam Link, founder of Fireweed Capital, for a candid talk about how he’s flipping passive investing on its head.Dr. Link shares his unique journey from decades in cybersecurity and data science to becoming an SEC-registered financial advisor. Discover the active risk management philosophy that helps his clients avoid catastrophic market drawdowns. Think of it as taking the exit ramp before the freeway accident.He breaks down Fireweed Capital's "retail hedge fund" model, what it takes to be a financial pro (hint: it involves passion and a dispassionate view of your money), and his unexpectedly bullish view on how AI and crowdfunding are about to change the game for small businesses and everyday investors. This is a must-listen for anyone who worries when their portfolio drops.

Join Justin Starbird as he sits down with finance veteran and founder of Planet Positive Investing, Mark Perlmutter, for an in-depth look at how the crowdfunding landscape is evolving to deliver real impact and smarter deals.Mark, whose career spans from licensed stockbroker to pioneering online IPOs in the '90s, cuts through the noise of the startup world to share invaluable insights for any business leader focused on growth and social responsibility.In this episode, you’ll discover:The Power of the Community Round: Learn how seasoned VCs are strategically carving out space for retail investors, leading to better-negotiated deal terms and more favorable exits for founders and the crowd alike.The Valuation Reality Check: Mark discusses the critical questions founders and investors must ask about exit multiples and market cap. A must-listen for anyone setting or evaluating an early-stage company's valuation.Beyond Veganism: The Business of Purpose: Hear the story behind Mark's company, formerly the Vegan Investing Club, and its deliberate, strategic rebrand to Planet Positive Investing (now encompassing health tech, climate solutions, and energy), and the crucial marketing advice Justin shares to cement the new vision.The Crowdfunding 'Stair Step' Future: Mark’s authoritative forecast on the next five years of equity crowdfunding, predicting the rise of specialized portals and platforms that offer a full lifecycle of services, from early Reg CF raises to public exit.This is a candid conversation about leveraging community for market proof, accelerating purposeful ventures, and the long-term playbook for building a successful, impactful business. Tune in to hear the actionable advice that only decades in the game can provide.

Kicking off season two of The TAGLine Podcast, we sit down with finance veteran and editor of The Shack; Media Hub and The Heritage Project, CJ Connell, for a candid and authoritative look at modern capital formation. Connell, who famously walked away from Morgan Stanley in 2007 and hasn't looked back, argues that the core of American entrepreneurship has been strangled by Depression-era regulations that created a stark divide between the "accredited investor" and everyone else.This is a must-listen for any business leader or founder exploring alternative growth financing. Connell breaks down:The Regulatory Shift: How the $1 million limit for Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) made it a non-starter, and why the increase to $5 million in 2021 is finally delivering on the promise of the JOBS Act.Beyond Equity: Why issuing bonds through crowdfunding is often a superior and more flexible solution than selling equity, particularly for community-focused businesses.Vulture Capital vs. The Masses: Connell’s passionate argument for how decentralized capital is a genuine "return to free market capitalism" and a defense against private investors who attach strings that "transfer the value of what you're creating from you and your family."The Next Frontier: An early look at how non-security, utility tokens are starting to build community and finance arts projects, a trend that's picking up where initial crowdfunding enthusiasm has stalled.Join us as CJ delivers a powerful, unfiltered take on democratizing investment, scaling small businesses, and what it truly means to build wealth outside the traditional finance machine.

In this candid and insightful episode, we sit down with Josh Resnikof, CEO and Founder of TMA Precision Health (soon to be Sunstone Health), a company leveraging employer claims data to dramatically reduce costs and power effective care for high-cost, complex patients.Josh's journey from biomedical engineer to founder is an entrepreneurial masterclass, fueled by a deeply personal mission in the rare disease space. He breaks down the challenges of scaling a health-tech company and reveals his unconventional, high-traction strategy: choosing a community-driven crowdfunding campaign over traditional institutional VC.For Business Leaders and Investors: Learn how Josh successfully tapped into his network and community, raising nearly $1.5 million while maintaining the same investment terms as professional VCs. Get his no-nonsense advice on:Market Alignment: Being humble enough to pivot your product based on honest customer feedback.Team Building: The non-negotiable skill of knowing your limits and asking for help.Strategic Growth: Why telling a compelling, authentic story—not just citing a market opportunity—is the most crucial factor for a successful funding campaign.Tune in to hear how TMA Precision Health is building the next generation of healthcare infrastructure and discover the power of mission-driven capital that puts your community in a seat at the table.

What happens when a company dares to rethink how innovation gets funded!? In this episode of the TAGLine Podcast, Justin Starbird sits down with CEO of Rise Robotics, Hiten Sonpal, to talk about a crowdfunding campaign that didn’t just take off, it shattered records.From redefining outdated industrial technology to earning the support of thousands of everyday investors, Rise has proven that momentum isn’t an accident, it’s strategy, execution, and relentless transparency. Hiten shares the real story behind raising over $4M from the crowd, building trust with a passionate community, and fueling commercialization while scaling a team that moves at warp speed.Business leaders will love this conversation for one reason: it’s not just theory. Hiten breaks down the actionable playbook behind attracting investment, leveraging social proof, and turning product milestones into business growth. He also gets candid about the challenges; the exhaustion, the shifting priorities, and the delicate balancing act between selling the vision and delivering the product.If you’re scaling a company, considering alternative funding, or simply want an inside look at a startup transforming industries, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!Real strategy. Real partnership. Real results.Hit play and discover how the right momentum can change everything.

In this episode of The TAGLine Podcast, host Justin Starbird sits down with Kerim Kfuri, CEO and President of The Atlas Network and author of Supply Chain – Ups and Downs.Justin and Kerim cut through the noise, revealing how meticulous attention to detail, proactive risk mitigation, and a nimble approach can transform operational challenges into significant competitive advantages.Kerim, with decades of experience spanning technology, retail, entertainment, and more, offers actionable advice for leaders at every stage, from startups to multinational corporations. Learn how to:Build Resilient Supply Chains: Understand the three pillars of success, strategic supplier selection, on-the-ground oversight, and independent attestation, to safeguard your operations against disruption.Turn Disruption into Opportunity: Gain insights into how to adapt and innovate during times of instability, leveraging chaos to uncover new pathways and efficiencies.Drive Profitability Through Process: Shift your perspective from viewing supply chain as a cost center to a powerful engine for growth and profitability.Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on operational discipline, strategic planning, and the future of global commerce.

In this episode of the TAGLine podcast, host Justin Starbird welcomes Matthew Lane, VP of Sales at Straight North, to discuss the evolving landscape of digital marketing partnerships. Matthew shares Straight North's focus on search marketing (SEO and paid advertising) for B2B lead generation and how they stay ahead of rapid changes in the industry, particularly with the rise of AI.Key discussion points include:The Power of Specialization: The importance of leveraging specialized expertise from partners rather than relying on generalist approaches in digital marketing.Measuring Success Beyond Traffic: How to measure success in the age of AI and zero-click search results, emphasizing visibility and valuable content.Meeting Prospects Earlier: The shift towards engaging prospects higher up in the sales funnel, even before they are ready to make a purchasing decision.The Genesis of Partnership Programs: The unique origin story of Straight North's partnership program, highlighting how collaboration, even with perceived competitors, can lead to mutual growth and expanded client value.Modernizing Paid Advertising: The benefits of leveraging Google's Performance Max campaigns and integrating customer data for improved targeting and ROI.The Enduring Value of Organic Content: The continued importance of high-quality, educational content for maximizing visibility in an AI-driven search landscape.Tune in to hear how these industry leaders are navigating the complexities of modern digital marketing and leveraging strategic partnerships for growth.

What does innovation look like after a career at one of the world’s most iconic industrial companies? In this episode, we sit down with Ken Gray, retired Caterpillar executive turned startup advisor, to explore how storytelling, mentorship, and curiosity are shaping the future of legacy industries like construction and mining.Ken reflects on his journey from corporate giant to entrepreneurial guide, shares lessons learned from mentoring B2B founders, and makes a strong case for why storytelling isn’t just helpful, it’s essential in emerging tech!Whether you're in industrials, startups, or somewhere in between, this conversation will shift how you think about growth, innovation, and the stories we tell to bring new ideas to life.

Key Takeaways:The Universal Challenge: Learn why many B2B companies, regardless of size, struggle to align their high-level strategy with day-to-day operations and achieve desired outcomes.Hoshin Kanri Explained: Discover Toyota's powerful, yet often unknown, management system for defining, aligning, executing, and continuously improving strategic objectives.Beyond Accountability: Understand how Hoshin Kanri cultivates a true sense of responsibility across all levels of the organization, breaking down silos and fostering shared ownership.The Power of Introspection: Explore why leaders must embrace self-reflection and a "situational approach" to effectively implement strategic change and drive sustained improvement.Actionable Steps: Get practical insights into how to use methodologies and tools, including the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle and A3 thinking, to bridge your own strategy-execution gap.🤔 Are your B2B strategies collecting dust instead of driving results? Join Justin Starbird of Aebli Group as he sits down with Mark Reich from the Lean Enterprise Institute, a former Toyota executive and author of "Managing on Purpose," to tackle one of the most persistent challenges for business leaders: bridging the gap between strategic vision and operational reality.In this insightful episode, Mark draws on over two decades of experience at Toyota to reveal the transformative power of Hoshin Kanri. Often overlooked in Western business, this proven management system is Toyota's secret to:Defining clear mid-term and long-term objectives and targets.Building vertical and horizontal alignment throughout the entire organization, ensuring everyone is pulling in the same strategic direction.Rigorously managing annual execution to achieve those defined goals.Developing the capability of people at all levels, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and shared responsibility rather than mere accountability.Mark shares candid observations from his work with diverse industries, from healthcare and construction to manufacturing and software, highlighting how the struggle with strategy execution is universal. He emphasizes the critical need for a situational approach to implementation, understanding your organization's unique current state before charting its future.This discussion is a must-listen for any business leader seeking practical, actionable advice to:Overcome organizational silos.Foster true responsibility within their teams.Embrace introspection and structured self-reflection to improve organizational functioning.Sustain improvements and ensure strategic initiatives translate into tangible success.Mark also guides listeners on how his workbook, "Managing on Purpose," serves as a practical guide for implementing Hoshin Kanri, utilizing a compelling case study and actionable templates. Learn how to access free resources on lean thinking and practice through the Lean Enterprise Institute's website, lean.org.

Unlocking sustainable business growth is a challenge every B2B leader faces, but in this episode of The TAGLine Podcast, you’ll find a clear, actionable roadmap forward!Join host Justin Starbird as he sits down with Nic Conley, the creator of "The Follow-Up", one of the most valuable newsletters in the B2B sales and marketing space. Nic pulls back the curtain on the strategies that helped him build a trusted brand and a growing audience, all while delivering measurable results for B2B organizations.🎯 What You’ll Learn:How to Stay Top-of-Mind – Keep your audience consistently engaged and your brand relevant in a noisy digital world.How to Build Unshakeable Trust – Use authentic communication to develop relationships that lead to real opportunities.How to Drive Measurable Growth – Move beyond “content for content’s sake” and create interactions that fuel revenue and retention.Nic also shares his perspective on why consistency is the secret weapon of high-performing brands and how the simple act of the follow-up can be your most powerful growth tool!💡 If you're a B2B leader looking to elevate your outreach, deepen client relationships, and build a marketing engine that delivers, this episode is packed with real-world tactics you can use immediately!📢 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t miss what’s next!🎙️ Subscribe to The TAGLine Podcast for more powerful conversations with business leaders, strategists, and innovators.📬 Sign up for Nic’s newsletter, The Follow-Up, and start transforming your sales strategy one email at a time: https://www.jointhefollowup.com/🚀 Discover how The Aebli Group helps B2B brands build momentum and grow smarter: https: //www.aebligroup.com/#B2BSales #B2BMarketing #TAGLinePodcast #TheFollowUp #NicConley #TheAebliGroup #BusinessGrowth #ClientEngagement #ContentStrategy #SalesLeadership #business

In this episode of The TAGLine Podcast, host Justin Starbird sits down with Neel Bhargava, founder of NB Group, to unpack a bold and refreshing take on private equity—one rooted in real partnership, operational excellence, and transformative growth.🎯 If you're a B2B business leader looking to scale, navigate founder transitions, or simply better understand the evolving landscape of investment and value creation, this episode delivers actionable insight.Here’s what you’ll take away:💼 A New PE Model – Learn how NB Group scales businesses 3–4x by going beyond capital to deliver deep operational support.🏥 Strategic Sector Focus – Discover why multi-location businesses and healthcare are ripe for growth—and what that means for other B2B industries.🔄 Founder Transitions – Get practical advice on handling leadership handovers while preserving culture and accelerating momentum.🔑 Leadership-Driven Results – Explore why empowering the CEO and executive team is central to value creation.🧩 Investment Playbook Revealed – From building high-performing teams to upgrading financial systems and driving M&A strategy, Neel shares the tools that unlock scale.📚 Real-World Wins & Lessons – Hear the behind-the-scenes stories of a growing gym chain, a medical business, and the hard-won lessons from rapid expansion and complex franchise models.📈 The Future of Private Equity – Gain perspective on the rise of agile PE firms, capital trends, and why nimble, hands-on investors are changing the game.Whether you’re an operator, founder, or executive leader, this episode is packed with strategic frameworks and leadership insights to help you grow smarter and scale faster.🎧 Watch now and reshape how you think about private equity and business growth.👉 Want more episodes like this? Subscribe to The TAGLine Podcast for more conversations at the intersection of innovation, leadership, and growth.🌐 Curious about NB Group’s investment model? Visit https://www.nbgroup.us/ to learn more about their unique approach to partnership-driven private equity.👋 Want to connect with the team behind this conversation!?At The Aebli Group, we help B2B brands clarify their message, amplify their voice, and accelerate growth. Reach out today to see how we can help you turn insight into impact.🌐 Learn more at https://www.aebligroup.com/#PrivateEquity #B2BLeadership #BusinessGrowth #NBGroup #TAGLinePodcast #ScalingUp #FounderTransition #LeadershipMatters #ValueCreation

In this episode of The TAGLine Podcast, host Justin Starbird sits down with Sabir Semerkant, the visionary founder of Growth by Sabir. With over two decades of experience and a track record of driving over a billion dollars in incremental revenue for e-commerce brands, Sabir shares his unique 8-dimensional framework for accelerating growth and building powerhouse brands in today's competitive digital landscape.Sabir dives deep into the critical importance of a holistic approach to e-commerce, emphasizing that sustained growth is never about just one thing. He challenges common misconceptions, such as over-reliance on paid media and outdated KPIs like conversion rates, and instead, advocates for a data-driven strategy centered around the most overlooked metric: consumer attention span. Learn why optimizing your site for a 1.7-second attention span is paramount, especially when 80% of e-commerce traffic is mobile, and most sites take 28+ seconds to load.Key Discussion Points:The 8D Method: Sabir introduces his proprietary framework for comprehensive e-commerce optimization, which has consistently delivered over 100% growth in just six weeks for his clients.The 1.7-Second Rule: Discover why understanding and optimizing for the modern consumer's attention span is the root of most e-commerce problems and how to use tools like GT Metrics and Lucky Orange to identify and fix performance bottlenecks.Data Over Opinion: Sabir stresses the necessity of relying on cold, hard data instead of ego or outdated assumptions when making business decisions.Beyond One-Hit Wonders: Learn about effective customer segmentation and lifecycle marketing (RFMP) to turn "one-hit wonder" buyers into loyal, repeat customers.Smarter Paid Media: Uncover how to properly "feed the beast" of AI-powered ad platforms like Advantage Plus and Performance Max to achieve an average 4-6x ROAS, and why a "spray and pray" approach is burning 80% of your ad budget.Real-World Success Stories: Hear compelling case studies, including Aurum Brothers (a men's jewelry brand that went from stuck at $1.5M to $3M and debt-free in less than a year) and Pipe and Drape (a B2B exhibition supplies company that turned negative growth into an 89.2% increase year-to-date).AI's Impact on E-commerce: Sabir shares his excitement about the accelerating power of AI in streamlining processes and amplifying growth, offering insights into strategic AI implementation.The Power of Zero CAC: Understand the importance of investing in "zero cost of acquisition" strategies like brand positioning, storytelling, and content development to build organic traffic and sustainable profitability.Whether you're a B2C or B2B e-commerce founder looking to sharpen your marketing strategy, optimize growth, or better understand the evolving digital landscape, Sabir brings a wealth of knowledge and hard-earned insights that you won't want to miss. Don’t miss this episode of The TAGLine Podcast, powered by The Aebli Group.

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 1 of The TAGLine Podcast, powered by The Aebli Group!📍 Recorded live at MD&M East 2025 in New York City.We're kicking things off at MD&M East 2025 with a conversation that dives deep into the intersection of optics, innovation, and MedTech commercialization. Watch this entertaining behind-the-scenes conversation with Host Justin Starbird, who is joined by Clay Schwabe, Vice President of Business Development at Precision Optics Corporation (POCI) — a company pushing the limits of what’s possible in micro-optics and single-use imaging technology.🔍 In this episode:-What makes Precision Optics a true partner from concept to commercialization-How the new Unity platform is de-risking product development in MedTech-Why smaller, smarter, and single-use is the future of surgical imaging-The real value of trade shows like MD&M East for building a pipeline and partnerships-How internal team dynamics play a key role in accelerating innovation👥 Whether you're a MedTech founder, product leader, or innovation strategist, this episode delivers insights you can act on.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more episodes of The TAGLine Podcast, where we bring you real conversations on B2B growth, MedTech innovation, and what it really takes to stand out in a competitive marketplace.#TAGLinePodcast #MedTechInnovation #PrecisionOptics #UnityPlatform #MedicalImaging #Endoscopy #B2BMarketing #MDMEast #HealthcareTech #TheAebliGroup

As The Inspectations Podcast wraps up this chapter, we’re excited to introduce our next evolution, The TAGline Podcast. Same mission: to bring you the insights and strategies that fuel business growth. But with a sharper focus and a bold new name that reflects the future of B2B marketing. We can’t wait for you to join us there. Follow The TAGline Podcast wherever you listen.