The Growth Fire Kevin Hourigan

Sharon Toerek is the Owner and Founder of Toerek Law, where she dedicates her practice to advising independent marketing and creative services agencies on protecting and monetizing their intellectual capital. A marketing law attorney with extensive experience in copyright, trademark, and content protection, Sharon offers strategic counsel on licensing, brand protection, social media, and advertising compliance. 
She is a sought-after speaker at top industry events, including INBOUND, Content Marketing World, and MAGNET Global Agency Network, empowering professionals to recognize legal risks and uphold their rights. Recognized for her contributions, Sharon was inducted into The American Advertising Federation (AAF) Cleveland Hall of Fame in 2019, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in legal advocacy and community leadership.
In this episode… The rise of AI-generated content has sparked numerous legal and ethical concerns, prompting industry leaders to advocate for a nuanced understanding of ownership, liability, and legal implications. Although AI streamlines processes and enhances content quality, how can marketing and advertising agencies ensure brand protection?
With years of experience in intellectual property protection, Sharon Toerek has witnessed firsthand the challenges of recognizing legal issues and safeguarding creative assets. She underscores the need for agencies to grasp the legal landscape surrounding AI implementation, emphasizing its gradual evolution and the importance of regulations to safeguard brands. One of the central concerns revolves around determining ownership and copyright protection for AI-generated content. As agencies navigate this complex terrain, recognizing and appraising intellectual property, combined with a vast knowledge of industry dynamics, emerge as vital pillars for fostering growth, innovation, and legal compliance within the ever-evolving landscape of AI-driven creativity.
In this episode of the Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan welcomes Sharon Toerek, the Owner and Founder of Toerek Law, to discuss AI-generated content ownership, liability, and legal implications. Sharon provides insights into copyright protection for AI-generated content, highlights the importance of human oversight in AI, and explores the potential for agencies to monetize their intellectual property.

Julia Fitzgerald is a seasoned marketing executive, board advisor, and author with over 20 years of experience in branding, digital transformation, and marketing strategies. Her expertise has consistently driven growth across various sectors, having served as the CMO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, the American Lung Association, and The AZEK Company, and as the Chief Digital Engagement Officer at Sears Holdings. A renowned public speaker on marketing and leadership, Julia is the author of Midsize, which shares success stories and strategies for marketing midsize firms.
In this episode… Leadership and marketing are intertwined disciplines that play crucial roles in shaping the success of organizations. Can resilient leadership, fueled by a commitment to lifelong learning, drive impactful marketing initiatives and propel organizations toward success in an ever-evolving landscape? 
Marketing executive Julia Fitzgerald sheds light on the essence of effective leadership and its intersection with marketing strategies. With over 20 years of experience leading marketing initiatives, Julia believes effective leadership requires a blend of creativity, strategic vision, and a willingness to embrace change. As AI emerges as a game-changer in marketing, Julia emphasizes the importance of discerning genuine innovations from mere trends. By staying abreast of industry shifts and leveraging emerging technologies, leaders can steer their organizations toward sustainable growth and relevance in a dynamic marketplace. 
In this episode of the Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan chats with Julia Fitzgerald, a seasoned marketing executive, about the intersection of leadership and marketing. They delve into Julia’s career trajectory, how industry leaders and mentors shaped her perception of the industry, marketing strategies for midsize companies, and leveraging emerging technologies efficiently.

Scott Maroney is the President and Co-owner of Crazy Shirts, a t-shirt and clothing brand founded in Hawaii. In his role, Scott drives retail sales and profitability across the United States through creativity, exceptional customer service, and innovation. His 25-year journey in the retail industry includes experience at outlet shopping malls with Phillips-Van Heusen and operating 14 Champs Sports stores owned by Foot Locker. 
Scott specializes in retail management, training and development, visual merchandising, marketing, direct-to-consumer, ecommerce growth strategies, and running brick-and-mortar stores. In addition to his corporate responsibilities, he served as the Chairman and board member of Retail Merchants of Hawaii from 2016 to 2018, was recognized as one of PBNs 40 under 40, and was named Retailer of the Year in 2019.
In this episode… In addition to fostering a sense of shared responsibility and accountability, resilient cultures inspire confidence among team members, preparing them to deal with crises. What can you learn from a company that’s leveraging resilience and impactful leadership for growth? 
For retail executive Scott Maroney, the hallmark of resilient leaders lies in their capability to create feelings of belonging in the workplace. He credits Crazy Shirts’ success to instilling loyalty and prioritizing employees during challenges and crises. Reflecting on the company’s response during fire outbreaks and the pandemic, he cites examples of team leaders who demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, going above and beyond to support employees and find new ways to retain them. Additionally, he highlights the importance of coming together and supporting each other during difficult times. Beyond the internal support system, Scott describes how the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) has supported Crazy Shirts during crises, providing a platform for members to share updates and encourage each other. 
In this latest installment of the Growth Fire Podcast, Marc Reifenrath welcomes Scott Maroney, the President and Co-owner of Crazy Shirts. Together, they discuss the importance of leadership, culture, and resilience in a retail business. Scott shares insights on retail management, training, and vertical company operations and his experience with YPO.

Laura Walmsley is the Chief Commercial Officer of Personify Health, the industry’s first personalized health platform delivering health plan administration, wellbeing solutions, and comprehensive health navigation. In this position, Laura spearheads the company’s commercial go-to-market strategy, with responsibility for all client-facing teams. With 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and account management, Laura has held executive roles at Fortune 500 and mid-market companies, deploying game-changing solutions. She thrives on growth and is passionate about empowering others.
In this episode… For forward-thinking brands, providing value to customers is central to delivering quality products and services. It requires an in-depth knowledge of your audience’s pain points and creating meaningful experiences for them. How can you leverage consumer-centric marketing to build a strong brand community and scale? 
Having navigated the health services industry for over two decades, sales expert Laura Walmsley maintains the value of strategic creativity in conveying your product’s value to potential customers. She has discovered that business growth occurs when you understand a buyer’s needs and match solutions to them rather than trying to sell a product or service. Additionally, Laura prioritizes nurturing relationships with existing clients through data insights and recommendations, an approach that increased her company’s sales by 40% in a year. A winning marketing strategy entails balancing client needs with market trends and developing solutions that position your brand as a long-term partner. 
In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan hosts Laura Walmsley, the Chief Commercial Officer of Personify Health, to discuss value-added marketing, leadership, and mentorship. Laura emphasizes creating diverse experiences for buyers, developing solutions for existing customers, and adapting creative marketing strategies to generate leads. She also shares her versatile career arc, the power of mentorship, and how she built her leadership skills. 

Lisa Martin is the Chief Revenue Officer at 8x8, a company that unifies customer engagement and communications across organizations with a single, all-in-one platform. In this role, Lisa drives and maximizes revenue growth, oversees sales strategies, and manages a global team. With a robust sales background in the technology and communication sectors, she has consistently delivered double-digit year-over-year growth by leading global teams effectively. Lisa's tenure as VP of Flex North America, Willow, and Genesys showcases her ability to navigate complex market landscapes and drive impactful results.
In this episode… Effective sales strategies are the lifeblood of successful businesses, offering a roadmap for engaging customers, driving revenue, and fostering growth. With a keen understanding of market dynamics and consumer behavior, businesses can tailor their approaches to meet evolving needs and preferences. How can you leverage these insights and solutions to elevate your sales strategies and achieve success?
After transitioning from a sales engineer to a representative, sales leader Lisa Martin discovered she needed to develop soft skills to communicate with customers. She notes that consumers are often wary of salespeople trying to upsell or deceive them, so you must identify your customers’ needs and provide solutions to help them achieve business outcomes and solve problems. Becoming acquainted with your prospects on a personal and professional level fosters connection and trust, making them feel at ease with the interaction. You can also leverage visual technology and automation tools to streamline and enhance the experience. 
In this episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan hosts Lisa Martin, the Chief Revenue Officer at 8x8, to talk about sales strategies, insights, and innovations. Lisa discusses 8x8’s target audience, their go-to-market strategy, and how to propose your solution to prospects effectively.

Jason Mandel is the Founder and CEO of Mandel Family Office, a firm dedicated to providing comprehensive financial services to high-net-worth individuals and families. As a Wall Street insider and private financial advisor, he has held senior positions at the LeFrak Organization, D.E. Shaw, and Cantor Fitzgerald. Jason has over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience in financial services and risk management. Additionally, he is the President of Caretrust Financial and the author of DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Stop Wall Street Greed and Rising Taxes From Destroying Your Wealth.
In this episode… As the wealth management industry undergoes a significant evolution, traditional Wall Street ideologies are being challenged by a paradigm shift toward transparency and accountability.
Jason Mandel, a seasoned practitioner in this field, sheds light on this transformation through his book, DEMAND TRANSPARENCY. With a background steeped in the industry's evolution, Jason endorses the increasing demand for clarity and accountability that was once concealed in obscurity. Central to Jason's philosophy is his unwavering commitment to his clients' best interests. Going beyond conventional norms, he advocates for transparency and integrity, forging lasting relationships built on trust and mutual understanding.
In the newest episode of The Growth Fire Podcast, Kevin Hourigan hosts Jason Mandel, Founder and CEO of Mandel Family Office. Jason delves into his passion for wealth building and unveils the motivation behind his book, DEMAND TRANSPARENCY. He also shares insights on cultivating client loyalty and provides a comprehensive breakdown of the wealth management industry.