Episodes

  • Jon Morris: Journey from Agency to Financial Consulting
    Sep 17 2025

    In this episode of Consulting Spotlight, Software Oasis Founder, Michael Bernzweig, interviews Jon Morris, founder of Fiscal Advocate and former CEO of Rise Interactive. Jon shares his entrepreneurial journey, discussing how he transformed a $10,000 investment into a successful digital agency and later transitioned into financial consulting. He emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making, understanding financial metrics such as gross margin, and the role of innovation in driving business growth. Jon also highlights the challenges service-based companies face and the signs that indicate when it's time to seek financial guidance. The conversation explores the integration of AI in economic consulting and the importance of making tough decisions for business success.

    Takeaways

    • Jon turned $10,000 into an eight-figure exit.
    • Fiscal Advocate helps service-based companies with strategic planning.
    • Data-driven decision-making is crucial for growth.
    • Understanding gross margin is key to profitability.
    • Many companies are unaware of their financial metrics.
    • Investing in innovation can reduce churn and increase profits.
    • AI can enhance financial consulting services.
    • Making tough decisions is often necessary for business success.
    • A strong financial process is essential for growth.
    • The income statement is the ultimate measure of performance.

    Sound Bites

    • "Investing in innovation can reduce churn."
    • "Data-driven decisions require hard work."
    • "There are only three KPIs that matter."

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Introduction to Jon Morris and His Journey
    • 02:44 Transition from Agency to Financial Consulting
    • 05:46 Understanding Financial Metrics and Their Importance
    • 08:45 Challenges Faced by Service-Based Companies
    • 11:48 Innovations in Financial Consulting with AI
    • 14:49 The Role of Data in Business Decision Making
    • 18:02 Identifying Signs for Seeking Financial Help
    • 20:50 Success Stories and Client Transformations
    • 23:42 The Importance of Tough Decisions in Business
    • 26:34 Keys to a Successful Financial Process
    • 29:25 The Ongoing Relationship with Clients
    • 32:29 Navigating the AI Landscape in Business
    • 35:44 Key Takeaways from Jon’s Entrepreneurial Journey
    • 38:34 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

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    45 mins
  • Marketing Secrets with Red8 Interactive's James Hipkin
    Jun 26 2025

    In this episode of Consulting Spotlight, Michael Bernzweig interviews James Hipkin, CEO of Innately, discussing the importance of effective marketing strategies for mid-sized businesses. James shares insights from his extensive background in marketing and advertising, emphasizing the significance of digital assets, the buyer's journey, and the need for authenticity in marketing. He introduces the hub and spoke strategy for digital marketing and provides actionable tips for effective presentations. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding customer needs and crafting messaging that resonates with the target audience.

    Takeaways

    • Innately provides a premium option for mid-sized businesses.
    • Many small businesses have poorly designed websites.
    • A strong marketing strategy is essential for digital assets.
    • Understanding the buyer's journey is crucial for effective marketing.
    • Authenticity in messaging can enhance marketing efforts.
    • The hub and spoke strategy helps organize marketing efforts.
    • Effective presentations should engage the audience's problems.
    • Email marketing can significantly improve engagement rates.
    • Focusing on the right customers can increase profitability.
    • Crafting the right messaging is key to attracting clients.

    Sound Bites

    • "Websites without worry!"
    • "It's about the messaging!"
    • "Your website is the hub!"

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Introduction to Innately and Its Mission
    • 02:38 James Hipkin's Background and Experience
    • 05:37 Understanding Digital Assets and Marketing Strategy
    • 11:16 The Buyer’s Journey and Marketing Messaging
    • 15:58 Authenticity in Marketing and Guerrilla Tactics
    • 20:07 The Hub and Spoke Marketing Strategy
    • 27:49 Effective Presentation Techniques
    • 32:10 Innately's Solutions for Mid-Tier Businesses

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    35 mins
  • Ali Hafizji of Wednesday Solutions: MVP to Market Fit
    Jun 26 2025

    In this episode of Consulting Spotlight, Michael Bernzweig interviews Ali Hafizji, founder of Wednesday Solutions, a professional services agency specializing in AI-driven product engineering. They discuss the journey from MVP to market fit, innovative business models, the role of founders in scaling businesses, and the importance of building effective teams. Ali shares insights on the differences between B2B and B2C strategies, the consultative approach to product strategy, and common challenges faced by founders. The conversation highlights the significance of focusing on meaningful metrics and the impact of effective consulting on business growth.

    Takeaways

    • Ali Hafizji is the founder of Wednesday Solutions, specializing in AI-driven product engineering.
    • The journey from MVP to market fit is crucial for founders.
    • Innovative business models can change the way agencies operate.
    • Founders need to shift their roles as their businesses grow.
    • Building effective teams is essential for product development success.
    • A consultative approach helps founders strategize effectively.
    • Understanding the differences between B2B and B2C is vital for marketing.
    • Founders often focus on vanity metrics instead of meaningful growth metrics.
    • Identifying when to seek help is crucial for founders.
    • Success stories highlight the impact of effective consulting on business growth.

    Sound Bites

    • "We help founders move from MVP to market fit."
    • "We charge per sprint and not on time."
    • "Founders often focus on vanity metrics."

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Introduction to Wednesday Solutions and Ali Hafizji
    • 02:27 The Journey from MVP to Product-Market Fit
    • 05:07 Innovative Sprint-Based Development Model
    • 07:02 The Role of Founders in Scaling Businesses
    • 09:31 Team Dynamics and Structure for Success
    • 11:55 Consultative Approach to Product Development
    • 14:14 Differences Between B2B and B2C Strategies
    • 17:04 Advisory Services and Ongoing Support
    • 19:33 Go-to-Market Strategies and Marketing Insights
    • 22:16 Common Challenges Faced by Founders
    • 24:35 Identifying When Founders Need Help
    • 26:46 Success Stories and Impactful Journeys

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    31 mins
  • Steven Schneider on B2B SEO Marketing Strategies
    Jun 12 2025

    In this episode of Consulting Spotlight, host Michael Bernzweig of Software Oasis interviews Steven Schneider, founder of Trio SEO. They discuss Steven's journey into SEO, the importance of quality content, unique strategies for B2B SEO, and the evolving landscape of digital marketing. The conversation highlights the significance of understanding search intent, the role of AI in content creation, and the need for long-term planning in SEO strategies. They also explore emerging channels in B2B marketing and the future of monetizing AI in search.

    Takeaways

    • SEO is a game of delayed gratification.
    • Quality over quantity is crucial in content creation.
    • Unique strategies like calculators can drive engagement.
    • Understanding search intent is vital for effective SEO.
    • Long-term planning is essential for SEO success.
    • AI content needs human oversight to add value.
    • Emerging channels like TikTok can be effective for B2B.
    • Client engagement requires transparency and communication.
    • SEO is about understanding customer psychology.
    • You need to show up where your audience is.

    Sound Bites

    • "You need to find what drives traffic."
    • "Calculators and quizzes can drive engagement."
    • "AI content needs human oversight."
    • "Quality over quantity is crucial in content."
    • "SEO is a game of delayed gratification."
    • "SEO is like investing in a retirement account."
    • "You have to appeal to the next generation."

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Introduction to SEO and Entrepreneurship
    • 02:59 The Journey of Trio SEO
    • 06:01 Content Creation Strategies in SEO
    • 09:11 Unique B2B SEO Tactics
    • 11:52 The Role of AI in Content Creation
    • 14:57 Understanding Search Intent
    • 18:03 Client Engagement and SEO Strategy
    • 20:54 The Importance of Long-Term SEO Planning
    • 23:55 Monetizing AI and Future of Search
    • 27:05 Emerging Channels in B2B Marketing
    • 30:00 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

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    35 mins
  • Nexus Strategy's Gretchen Villegas: Aligning Business & Social Impact
    Jun 4 2025

    In this episode of Consulting Spotlight, Michael Bernzweig of Software Oasis interviews Gretchen Villegas, CEO and founder of Nexus Strategy and Growth Partners. They discuss Gretchen's journey in global development, the importance of aligning business with social impact, and the evolving landscape of funding and stakeholder engagement. The conversation highlights the need for new models that merge profit with purpose, the role of technology in social impact, and the collaboration between nonprofits and corporations. Gretchen emphasizes actionable steps for businesses to create sustainable social impact and the interconnectedness of global supply chains.

    takeaways

    • Gretchen Villegas has over 25 years of experience in global development.
    • Nexus Strategy aims to align business opportunities with social impact.
    • The funding landscape is changing, requiring new models for support.
    • Technology plays a crucial role in collecting and analyzing data for nonprofits.
    • Collaboration between nonprofits and corporations is essential for success.
    • Business for good focuses on profitability while creating social impact.
    • Gen Z consumers prioritize ethically sourced products.
    • Nonprofits must adopt business principles to survive and thrive.
    • The interconnectedness of global supply chains affects all stakeholders.
    • Actionable steps for businesses include integrating social impact into their processes.

    Sound Bites

    • "We need new models to align global social impact."
    • "The need hasn't changed."
    • "Business for good is about purpose meets profitability."
    • "Nonprofits need to partner with for-profits to survive."
    • "If we can all win, we all win at the end of the day."
    • "We need to show them how they all win."
    • "What could you do that creates a social impact change?"

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Introduction to Nexus Strategy and Growth Partners
    • 02:52 Gretchen's Journey in Global Development
    • 04:49 Aligning Business with Social Impact
    • 09:34 The Future of Funding and Stakeholder Engagement
    • 12:49 Business for Good: Merging Profit with Purpose
    • 18:00 The Role of Technology in Social Impact
    • 24:46 Collaboration Between Nonprofits and Corporations
    • 30:05 Opportunities for Change and Actionable Steps

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    32 mins
  • Matthew Edgar: Elementive's Technical SEO Deep Dive
    Jun 3 2025

    In this episode of Consulting Spotlight, host Michael Bernzweig interviews Matthew Edgar, co-founder and technical SEO consultant at Elementive. They discuss the critical role of technical SEO in ensuring that websites are properly crawled and indexed by search engines. Matthew shares insights on the importance of foundational SEO practices, the need for collaboration between marketing and IT, and the challenges organizations face in the technical SEO landscape. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on SEO strategies and the importance of internal and external links. Matthew provides examples of common technical issues and shares a success story of a client who improved their website's performance through technical SEO efforts.

    Takeaways

    • Technical SEO is essential for website visibility.
    • Foundational aspects of SEO must be prioritized.
    • Client onboarding should be customized, not standardized.
    • SEO is a long-term strategy, not a quick fix.
    • Collaboration between marketing and IT is crucial for success.
    • Common technical challenges include rendering and site structure issues.
    • AI is changing the landscape of SEO and development.
    • Crawl budget is a myth for most websites.
    • Internal links are vital for discoverability and topic relevance.
    • Traffic drops often indicate underlying technical problems.

    Sound Bites

    • "If Google can't get to your site, nothing else matters."
    • "SEO is a long-term game."
    • "Technical SEO fits somewhere in between marketing and IT."
    • "Rendering issues are a common challenge."
    • "Crawl budget is more of a myth."
    • "Internal links are way more important for discoverability."
    • "AI is changing development and speeding up processes."
    • "If you see major spikes in Google Search Console, investigate."
    • "Traffic drops often indicate technical issues."

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Introduction to Technical SEO and Elementive
    • 02:55 The Importance of Technical SEO Foundations
    • 05:54 Client Onboarding and Custom Audits
    • 08:56 SEO as a Long-Term Strategy
    • 11:46 Collaboration Between Marketing and IT
    • 14:59 Common Technical SEO Challenges
    • 17:53 The Impact of AI on SEO
    • 21:10 The Role of Technical SEO in Implementation
    • 23:55 Emerging Trends in SEO
    • 26:57 Crawl Budget and Link Importance
    • 29:51 Client Success Stories and Future of SEO

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    40 mins
  • Unlocking Podcast Success with Alesia Galati
    Apr 8 2025

    In this episode of Consulting Spotlight, host Michael Bernzweig interviews Alesia Galati, a podcasting expert and founder of Galati Media. They discuss Alicia's journey into podcasting, the importance of strategic planning, and the key elements of a successful podcast strategy. Alicia shares insights on market research, defining goals, and the significance of community in podcasting. The conversation also covers content repurposing, audience growth strategies, and measuring podcast success beyond just downloads. Alicia highlights future trends in podcasting and the increasing importance of unique voices in the space.

    Connect with her on LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.

    Takeaways

    • Alicia Galati started her journey in podcasting in 2015.
    • Strategic planning is crucial for podcast success.
    • Community and connection are vital in podcasting.
    • Market research should precede podcast launches.
    • Defining clear goals is essential for podcasting.
    • Niche down to find your unique voice in podcasting.
    • Repurposing content can maximize reach and engagement.
    • Being a guest on other podcasts is a powerful growth strategy.
    • Completion rates provide valuable insights into audience engagement.
    • The podcasting space is evolving with new voices and opportunities.

    Sound Bites

    • "I want to launch my own podcast."
    • "I took a more strategic approach with that show."
    • "Every quote unquote failure has helped me decide."
    • "There's no one right way to podcast."
    • "Market research is so important for people."
    • "Completion rate gives you a lot of information."
    • "I'm excited to see new voices in the space."

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Introduction to Podcasting and Alicia's Journey
    • 02:57 Strategic Podcasting: Lessons Learned
    • 06:02 The Importance of Community and Connection
    • 09:00 Key Elements of a Successful Podcast Strategy
    • 11:55 Market Research: The Foundation of Podcast Success
    • 15:03 Defining Goals and Metrics for Podcasting
    • 18:08 Niche Down: Finding Your Unique Voice
    • 21:03 Repurposing Content for Maximum Reach
    • 24:08 Growing Your Audience in a Crowded Market
    • 27:00 Measuring Podcast Success Beyond Downloads
    • 30:05 Future Trends in Podcasting
    • 33:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    38 mins
  • Unlocking Growth in SaaS with Tye DeGrange
    Apr 3 2025

    Summary

    In this episode of Consulting Spotlight, host Michael Bernzweig interviews Tye DeGrange from Round Barn Labs. They discuss Tye's journey in tech and marketing, the importance of multi-channel strategies for SaaS companies, and the common pitfalls in partner marketing. Tye shares insights on the role of influencers, the impact of AI on marketing, and the essential metrics for scaling partner programs. The conversation emphasizes the need for genuine connections in marketing and the importance of product-market fit before launching affiliate programs.

    Takeaways

    • Tye DeGrange has a diverse background in tech and marketing.
    • Multi-channel strategies are crucial for SaaS growth.
    • Understanding global onboarding differences can enhance marketing strategies.
    • Common mistakes in partner marketing include treating it like programmatic advertising.
    • Regular performance reviews are essential for optimizing partner programs.
    • Influencers play a significant role in modern marketing strategies.
    • Earnings per click is a key metric for partner marketing success.
    • AI is transforming the landscape of partner marketing.
    • Building trust with consumers is more important than ever.
    • Product-market fit is essential before launching an affiliate program

    Sound Bites

    • "Influencers are the new oil."
    • "Product-market fit is key."
    • "AI is changing partner marketing."

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Introduction to SaaS and Consulting Growth
    • 03:03 Tye DeGrange's Journey in Tech and Marketing
    • 06:10 Strategies for Amplifying Reach and Revenue
    • 09:05 Understanding Global Onboarding Differences
    • 11:58 Common Mistakes in Partner Marketing Strategies
    • 14:57 Case Studies: Transforming Client Partner Programs
    • 17:59 The Role of Influencers in Modern Marketing
    • 21:00 Actionable Tips for Building Partner Programs
    • 24:04 Tools and Technologies for Scaling Partner Programs
    • 26:50 Key Performance Indicators for Partner Marketing
    • 30:11 Identifying Ideal Clients for Partner Marketing
    • 33:13 The Impact of AI on Partner Marketing
    • 36:02 Conclusion and Future Insights

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    40 mins