INspired INsider Podcast

Cliff McDonald is Co-founder and Managing Partner of Brainheart Growth, a consulting firm oriented toward advising lower mid-market businesses on revenue growth. He also serves as the Chief Growth Officer and chairman of the advisory board at RehabPath, overseeing its expansion from a small team to an enterprise with over 55 staff members. Cliff firmly believes in compassionate business strategies and advocates for the intrinsic worth of core values and human-centric approaches within organizations. In this episode… It's no secret that the lack of a common vision amongst employees and an inconsistent set of core values can sink any company. Cliff McDonald shares the valuable life lessons and core values passed on by his father, which shaped his perspective on leadership, compassion, and diversity. Cliff brings that perspective into the core mission of Brainheart Growth while emphasizing the challenges of promoting revenue in companies that lack brand awareness. He highlights the use of technology, like CRM systems, as a way to create competitive advantages in company growth and culture implementation. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, join host Dr. Jeremy Weisz and Cliff McDonald, co-founder and Managing Partner of Brainheart Growth, as he delves into the systemic issues within lower mid-market companies related to revenue generation, poor training, and lack of strategy.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix is the Founder and President of Shikatani Lacroix Design, an international design firm specializing in creating immersive experiences that connect in the blink of an eye. He is also a registered graphic designer in Ontario, a credential that demonstrates his professional standards and ethics. As a visionary leader with over three decades of experience in the branding and design industry, Jean-Pierre has helped Fortune 500 companies transform their brands and organizations through his unique "ThinkBlink" process, which combines strategic foresight, design innovation, and consumer experience engineering. He is also an accomplished speaker, author, and educator who has shared his insights and expertise on global stages, in best-selling books, and at prestigious institutions. In this episode… Building a successful retail business requires significant effort and dedication, but one crucial aspect not to overlook is the value of design. Good design is essential for creating a powerful brand identity that resonates with customers and sets you apart from competitors. Business design is a powerful tool for creating a unique brand identity, enhancing the customer experience, and driving sales. Branding and design expert Jean-Pierre Lacroix says engaging a design firm that can harness the power of strategically led design is essential for achieving design excellence. By working with experts who understand the importance of aligning design with business goals, you can be confident about your brand representation in a way that resonates with your target audience. From packaging and environmental design to graphics and digital, a skilled design team can help you deliver transformational change that drives business growth. On this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Founder and President of Shikatani Lacroix Design, to discuss the value of business design. Jean-Pierre explains how SLD helps its clients, the "ThinkBlink" process, the friction points SLD seeks to address, and how to remain relevant as a business.

Richard Walker is the CEO of Quik!, a provider of forms automation and management solutions for companies looking to maximize efficiency and productivity. He started Quik! in 2002 to help people spend less time on paperwork and more time on what they do best. Before Quik!, Rich was a business consultant with Arthur Andersen. He is a published author of two books and a father of three boys. In this episode… Building a SaaS-based company is a challenging but rewarding journey. As an entrepreneur, you have a unique opportunity to create software that solves real problems and delivers value to your customers. But to succeed in such a competitive market, one must go beyond simply building a great product. To stand out and attract loyal customers, business consultant and entrepreneur Richard Walker says your software must be easy to use and intuitive. You don't want your users to struggle with complex features or spend hours figuring out how to use your product. Instead, you want to create a seamless and delightful experience that makes your customers feel empowered and productive. He also recommends creating a better customer experience. This way, you boost the adoption of your software and create a community of super users and raving fans who will not only use your software but also recommend it to others. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Richard Walker, CEO of Quik!, to discuss how SaaS-based companies can create super users of their products. Rich talks about software adoption, the steps for converting software adopters to super users, and how creating a good customer experience boosts the adoption rate and use of your software.

Robert Burko is the Founder and CEO of Elite Digital Agency, an award-winning digital agency headquartered in Toronto, Canada. With a sophisticated marketing strategy and cutting-edge digital tactics to execute programs that exceed expectations, Elite has been helping clients leverage the digital landscape to achieve their goals for 20 years. Robert was also the Founder and President of Elite Email, a world leader in email and mobile marketing solutions. As one of Canada's chief email and digital marketing specialists, he has appeared on national television, radio programs, podcasts, and countless print publications across North America. Recognized as a thought leader in his industry, Robert speaks as an expert in his field at high-profile events both within his industry and for those outside who are looking for easy online business solutions. In this episode… In today's digital age, marketing has become more complex than ever before. The rise of social media and the constantly evolving digital landscape has left businesses facing a significant challenge in keeping up with the latest trends and technologies. The competition is fierce, and companies must work tirelessly to stay relevant and stand out in a crowded marketplace. Despite the challenges, digital marketing remains a vital component of any business strategy. Marketing guru Robert Burko says that with the right digital marketing tactics, businesses can reach their target audience more effectively, increase brand awareness, and drive more business growth. However, most lack the expertise and resources to develop and execute a successful digital marketing strategy. This is where partnering with a digital marketing agency can be invaluable, which can provide businesses with the expertise and resources they need to develop and execute an effective strategy. On this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Robert Burko, Founder and CEO of Elite Digital Agency, to discuss his journey in digital marketing. Robert talks about Elite Digital Agency and its offerings, how it expanded its services, the evolution of SMS and email marketing, and how gamification can be utilized to engage consumers.

Corey Quinn is a self-employed Fractional CMO and GTM Strategist at Corey Quinn, Inc., where he helps agencies escape founder-led sales with the deep specialization method and break the cycle of flat sales and high customer churn. He has spent over 15 years in marketing and sales leadership roles at numerous respected digital agencies. Previously, Corey was Chief Marketing Officer of Scorpion, an agency he helped scale from $20 million to $150 million in seven years. He is also the host of The Vertical Go-To-Market Podcast. In this episode… Building an agency from scratch can be both exciting and challenging. Most agencies reach a certain point in revenue and get stuck, not knowing how to navigate and scale. However, it's possible to overcome these obstacles and succeed with the right mindset and strategy. Marketing expert Corey Quinn says that building a founder-led sales business is a barrier to success in the agency world. It causes the agency to reach a certain point and get stuck because it depends on the founder's ability to get leads and convert, and there's only so much a founder can do until burnout sets in. He shares how he helps agency founders free themselves from founder-led sales and increase revenue while decreasing churn. On this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Corey Quinn, Fractional CMO and GTM Strategist at Corey Quinn, Inc., to discuss how he helps agencies scale. Corey talks about his experience growing Scorpion from $20 million to $150 million, how to work with him, the five steps for scaling an agency, and how to warm up your cold prospects ahead of a sales call.

Mark Gascoigne is the CEO of Trampoline Branding, a full-service marketing communications agency based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is highly experienced with over 30 years of work in professional marketing. Mark has a strong background in integrated marketing, communications, advertising, and marketing strategy. Before Trampoline Branding, he held various leadership positions at Twist & Bits, including Managing Director and Director of Strategic Services. In this episode… With so many businesses vying for attention in today's marketplace, it can be challenging to stand out. Creating a brand that resonates with customers and accurately reflects the company's mission and values is essential. Experienced marketing professional Mark Gascoigne says that branding is crucial for any business — it is how a company presents itself to the world, and it can significantly impact its success. A strong brand can help a company differentiate itself from competitors, build customer trust, and create a loyal following. However, developing and maintaining a brand is not an easy task. He shares his journey of creating a branding agency to provide valuable insights and guidance throughout the branding process, helping businesses overcome challenges and achieve their branding goals. On this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Mark Gascoigne, CEO of Trampoline Branding, to discuss his journey of building a branding agency. Mark talks about Trampoline Branding's services and ideal clients, the experience of building a company with a spouse, and shares insights on growing an agency through strategic client management.

Will Nitze is the Founder and CEO of IQBAR, a company that produces plant-based nutritional protein bars, hydration mixes, and instant coffee that boost brain and body performance. IQBARs are keto, vegan, and paleo-friendly, and are made with nutrient-dense ingredients. Before IQBAR, Will was a Sales and Marketing Manager for Wood Mackenzie, a global insight business for renewables, energy, and natural resources. In this episode… Mental exhaustion is increasingly prevalent for many from work, school, and other obligations, making it all the more challenging to eat healthy. So, how can you regularly improve your brain and body performance? Some foods can help you feel structurally sound, energized, and operate at your best. A passion for mental performance and long-standing interest in the brain propelled Will Nitze to create IQBAR protein bars, hydration mixes and instant coffee that promote sustained cognitive energy, performance, and health. He shares his journey as an entrepreneur in building a nutrition company focused on the brain and body. On this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Will Nitze, Founder and CEO of IQBAR, to discuss how he built a brain and body food brand. Will introduces IQBAR and the evolution of its products, how he's created unique protein bars with brain health benefits, and the growth strategies for a CPG company in a changing market.

Phil Haid is the Co-founder and CEO of Public Inc., an agency that is redefining the role of corporate engagement in social issues. With a career spanning over two decades, his work extends to collaborations with leading brands like Johnson & Johnson, Starbucks, and more, helping them navigate and amplify their social impact in the world. As a member of the B Corp movement, Phil consistently advocates for businesses to be a force for good, integrating social benefits within their core strategy. In this episode… Can a strong and successful company also make a positive social impact on the world? According to Phil Haid, it can be an uphill battle to convince companies to buy into the "profit with purpose" thesis, but through determination and market evolution, it's possible to guide even giants like Johnson & Johnson and Starbucks to marry profit and social impact. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz is joined by Phil Haid, CEO and Co-Founder of Public Inc., who explains how the company maintains its internal culture by encouraging transparency, open communication, and a strong adherence to shared values even while working in a remote environment. He shares how they've learned to lean into honest feedback to nurture an environment that promotes both individual well-being and a common mission of social change.

Devon Bate is the Founder of SEO Brothers, a leading provider of white-label search engine optimization services and direct SEO services for agencies. SEO Brothers helps businesses enhance their online visibility and achieve top rankings in search engine results. Devon is an experienced SEO professional who helps companies of all sizes achieve their revenue growth goals using SEO and data analytics. Before his role at SEO Brothers, he served as the Lead SEO Specialist at Hoyes Michalos, where he successfully increased the company's organic performance by 33% year over year and improved its visibility in multiple cities across Ontario. In this episode… As an expanding agency, adding value to your clients is vital to helping them grow. Search engine optimization can be an effective solution for achieving their business objectives while also providing a new revenue stream for your agency. According to Devon Bate, SEO is a great way to help businesses enhance their online visibility and achieve top rankings in search engine results. However, not many agencies offer this service, because it can be particularly challenging to perfect SEO services. He shares how he helps agencies looking to add a new SEO offering or transition from another white-label SEO provider. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Devon Bate, Founder of SEO Brothers, to discuss how agencies can incorporate a new SEO offering. Devon talks about SEO and website ranking strategies, common mistakes companies make with SEO, how they help agencies sell SEO, and SEO Brothers' ideal clients.

Peter Bolt is the CEO of Camp Jefferson, an advertising agency that helps clients grow their brands. He has over 20 years of experience in marketing in Canada and the US, and has been instrumental in the establishment and growth of numerous successful agencies. Peter has spearheaded Camp Jefferson's growth, leading it to annual revenues of over $6 million. In this episode… Peter Bolt takes us behind the scenes of Camp Jefferson, an advertising agency that has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the North American market. Peter discusses how the agency uses strategic marketing techniques to drive brand choice and growth for their clients. He delves into the company's comprehensive discovery and research methods, including the use of choice audits, which strip down consumer preferences by eliminating factors such as price to isolate the true motivators behind decision-making. Peter also illustrates the importance of understanding the DNA of a brand by engaging with all the key stakeholders within a company — beyond just the marketing department. In this episode of Inspired Insider Podcast, join host Dr. Jeremy Weisz and Peter Bolt of Camp Jefferson. As a seasoned marketing professional, he emphasizes the role of understanding and meeting consumer motivations to drive brand strategy and influence choice in the market.