Top Business Leaders Show

Rise25 Media
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

This is the Top Business Leaders Show powered by Rise25 Media. We feature top founders, executives, and leaders from all over the world.

  1. Sep 23

    Why Insider Ownership Can Beat Market-Cap Investing With Haren Bhakta of Insider Ownership Index

    Haren Bhakta is the Founder and CEO of Inside Ownership Index, the company behind the Inside Ownership 100 (IO 100). He has more than two decades of experience in financial markets and portfolio construction and developed the index around the idea that executive ownership can better align leadership with shareholders. Earlier in his career, he worked at Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley before serving as Managing Member and Investment Adviser Representative at HSB Capital Advisors. A CFA charterholder, Haren focuses on ownership-aligned investing, accountability, and the role of "skin in the game" in long-term value creation. In this episode… Equity investing often emphasizes company size, earnings, and valuation while paying less attention to the personal ownership stakes of corporate leaders. Significant insider ownership can reshape incentives by tying executives' financial outcomes more closely to long-term shareholder value. Could weighting companies by leadership ownership help investors capture more of the market's biggest long-term winners? According to Haren Bhakta, who founded the Inside Ownership100 Index, ownership provides a practical way to measure alignment between corporate leaders and shareholders. His Inside Ownership 100 methodology begins with S&P 500 companies, ranks them according to the dollar value of insider-held shares, and gives greater weight to businesses where leaders have meaningful financial stakes. Haren argues that owner-operators are more likely to think long term, protect company culture, accept short-term tradeoffs, and pursue unconventional ideas because their own wealth rises or falls alongside shareholders. On this episode of Top Business Leaders Show, Chad Franzen welcomes Haren Bhakta, Founder and CEO of Inside Ownership Index, for a conversation about insider ownership, founder-led companies, and the "skin in the game" philosophy behind the Inside Ownership 100. Haren explains how the index differs from the S&P 500, why ownership can shape incentives and culture, how leadership changes affect rebalancing, and why he sees ownership concentration as a governance risk.

  2. Sep 9

    Building the World's First Professional Sport in Space With Philip Hover-Smoot of Atlas Cup

    Philip Hover-Smoot is the Founder and CEO of Atlas Cup, a professional sports media company building the world's first orbital racing league. Before launching Atlas Cup in late 2025, he served as the CEO of Scout Space and previously held senior executive roles at Spaceflight and Momentus. A seasoned aerospace and defense executive and California-licensed attorney, Philip has worked across military and commercial space, space law and regulation, satellite technology, and executive leadership. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and now focuses on developing a global sports property at the intersection of space, technology, and entertainment.           In this episode… Commercial space is entering a phase where entertainment, media, and competition can become viable applications alongside government and industrial missions. As spacecraft capabilities mature and sports consumption shifts toward social, mobile, and streaming platforms, orbital racing could turn advanced satellite performance into a fan-facing spectacle. How can a professional racing league in low Earth orbit become both compelling entertainment and a catalyst for space innovation? According to Philip Hover-Smoot, who leads Atlas Cup as its founder and CEO, the opportunity comes from combining technologies that already exist with a proven racing format and a media model designed for how audiences consume sports today. Instead of building its own spacecraft, Atlas Cup plans to bring together existing maneuverable satellites, imagery providers, telemetry systems, and race teams while creating short-form storytelling around their performance. Competition can reward speed, maneuver accuracy, efficiency, communication, and other measurable capabilities, creating incentives for technology development while opening opportunities for sponsorships, prediction markets, and fan engagement. In this episode of the Top Business Leaders Show, Chad Franzen welcomes Philip Hover-Smoot, Founder and CEO Atlas Cup, for a conversation about building professional sports in space. Philip explains Atlas Cup's 2028 orbital racing plans, short-form media strategy, regulatory model, technology incentives, and the evolution from uncrewed satellite races toward his long-term vision of humans competing in space.

  3. Aug 26

    Why Traditional Sales Metrics Fail and How AI Can Help With Jack Siney, Co-founder of FrontRace

    Jack Siney is Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of FrontRace, an AI-powered decision intelligence company focused on uncovering the activities and behaviors that drive business performance. As a seven-time entrepreneur with five successful exits and 25 years in B2B SaaS and technology, Jack has led teams of more than 100 sales reps and closed more than $500 million in sales. His practical approach to AI is grounded in experience spanning US Navy contract negotiations and building companies such as Advanced Public Safety and GovSpend, which became a leading provider of government purchasing data before its acquisition. In this episode… Sales organizations have invested heavily in technology, yet many still struggle to forecast accurately and understand why their best performers consistently outperform everyone else. The real drivers of success may be hidden in small behaviors, timing decisions, relationship-building habits, and process variations that traditional dashboards fail to capture. How can leaders use AI and their existing business data to uncover those invisible patterns and turn them into repeatable performance? According to Jack Siney, AI thought leader and the Co-founder of FrontRace, companies should begin by understanding and organizing the data they already have rather than rushing to purchase another AI platform. FrontRace connects and normalizes data from tools such as CRMs, email, messaging, and video systems, normalizes that data, and analyzes the small activities associated with wins and losses. Jack argues that the differences between elite and average performers are often found not in headline metrics such as call volume but in dozens of subtle behaviors. By identifying those patterns, organizations can improve coaching, forecasting, and decision-making while applying AI to measurable business problems. On this episode of the Top Business Leaders Show, Chad Franzen welcomes Jack Siney, Co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of FrontRace, for a conversation about scaling businesses, uncovering the hidden drivers of sales success, and adopting AI strategically. Jack explains why traditional sales metrics fall short, how FrontRace analyzes high performers, why clean data matters, and how resilience and strong teams fuel entrepreneurial success.

  4. Aug 12

    Escape 'Tax Jail': A Roadmap to Lasting Wealth With Michael Uadiale of SMEED CPA

    Michael Uadiale is the Managing Partner at SMEED CPA, where he helps entrepreneurs reduce taxes and pursue financial freedom through proactive planning. A seasoned CPA and master tax advisor with more than 20 years of experience, Michael specializes in serving home health and social service providers, healthcare professionals, real estate investors, and technology service businesses. He is known for translating complex tax rules into actionable strategies for wealth building, asset protection, and generational planning. In this episode… Tax planning can be one of the most powerful yet underutilized tools for helping entrepreneurs convert business income into long-term wealth. Rather than treating taxes as a once-a-year compliance task, business owners can align entity structure, deductions, credits, investments, and documentation with a clear financial vision. How can proactive tax strategy help entrepreneurs reach financial freedom sooner? According to Michael Uadiale, a tax and wealth-building strategist, entrepreneurs can accelerate financial freedom by defining a specific end goal, measuring the gap from their current position, and reinvesting legally created tax savings. He frames the tax code as a set of incentives rather than a punishment and encourages owners to ask, "How can I deduct this?" instead of, "Can I deduct this?" His DECIDE and BOND frameworks help clients evaluate deductions, entity structures, credits, income shifting, deferral, documentation, and legacy planning. The process requires year-round education, disciplined implementation, and collaboration among tax, legal, insurance, and financial professionals. On this episode of the Top Business Leaders Show, Chad Franzen welcomes Michael Uadiale, Managing Partner at SMEED CPA, for a conversation about using proactive tax strategy to build financial freedom. Michael explains "tax jail," the difference between preparation and planning, the DECIDE and BOND frameworks, credits and deferral, year-round advisory meetings, client fit, virtual service, and the value of mentorship.

  5. Jul 30

    How To Turn SEO Traffic Into Leads and Sales With Brandon Leibowitz of SEO Optimizers

    Brandon Leibowitz is Founder and Operator of SEO Optimizers, a Los Angeles-based digital marketing agency specializing in SEO and AI search optimization. Since founding the company in 2007, Brandon has helped businesses increase their online visibility, attract qualified traffic, and generate leads without relying exclusively on paid advertising. He is known for his hands-on approach, blending technical SEO, content, backlinks, and AI to deliver sustainable business growth in some of the most competitive industries. Drawing on more than 300 podcast appearances and his book, The Power of Guest Podcasting, Brandon teaches businesses to build authority through podcasting and expand their visibility across AI search platforms. In this episode… Online visibility is no longer about generating the largest possible volume of website traffic. Businesses must attract high-intent organic traffic and deliver a clear, persuasive user experience that turns search visitors into customers. How can companies combine SEO, conversion optimization, and emerging AI search platforms to drive sustainable revenue growth? According to Brandon Leibowitz, a search engine optimization and digital marketing strategies expert, businesses should begin by targeting relevant, high-intent keywords rather than focusing solely on broad traffic numbers. Once visitors arrive, companies must clearly communicate their value proposition, display calls to action and social proof above the fold, and continually test their pages to improve conversions. Brandon also recommends diversifying traffic across search, email, social media, remarketing, and AI platforms while using third-party mentions and backlinks to strengthen authority. On this episode of the Top Business Leaders Show, Chad Franzen welcomes Brandon Leibowitz, Founder and Operator of SEO Optimizers, for sustainable SEO growth, buyer-intent keywords, conversion optimization, AI-powered search, backlinks, podcast guesting, marketing analytics, and deciding which business activities to delegate or outsource.

  6. Jul 3

    What Is a 409A Valuation? Startup Founder Guide With Tomas Milar, Founder and CEO of Eqvista

    Tomas Milar is the Founder and CEO of Eqvista, an equity management and valuation platform for private companies. He heads the leadership team in steering the company as it provides services for cap table management, digital share issuance, transaction tracking, fundraising modeling, and real-time 409A valuations. Founded in 2018, Eqvista has served over 25,000 companies, covering approximately $4 trillion in company value, and is recognized as one of the fastest-growing fintech solutions for startup equity and valuation. Beyond Eqvista, Tomas has launched multiple successful ventures including the neobank Cheqly and Startupr, and is known for his expertise in building financial infrastructure that simplifies equity and compliance for startups. In this episode… Startup equity can be one of the most powerful tools for attracting talent, rewarding early contributors, and building long-term company value. Yet many founders underestimate the compliance requirements behind issuing stock options, especially when common stock must be priced in a way that can withstand IRS scrutiny. How can founders use 409A valuations to protect their companies, employees, and future exits? According to Tomas Milar, who leads equity management and valuation services for Eqvista, a 409A valuation gives private companies a defensible fair market value for common stock. He explains that founders need this valuation when issuing stock to founders or employees, creating employee stock option plans, raising new funding, or experiencing major liquidity or business events. Tomas also emphasizes that the goal is not to invent the lowest possible number, but to establish the lowest defensible price supported by a professional valuation report, ongoing documentation, and audit-ready reasoning. On this episode of the Top Business Leaders Show, Dr. Jeremy Weisz welcomes Tomas Milar, Founder and CEO of Eqvista, to discuss 409A valuations and startup equity compliance. Tomas demystifies 409A valuation, why it differs from fundraising valuations, and how it impacts stock option issuance. He also discusses common founder misconceptions, the regulatory importance of accurate pricing, and how founders can protect their companies while building long-term equity value.

  7. May 13

    How To Scale Up a Financial Services Firm With Jim Dunlop Managing Partner at Advent Partners

    Jim Dunlop is the Founder and Managing Partner at Advent Partners, a Gettysburg, Pennsylvania-based wealth management and financial planning firm. A Certified Financial Partner with over two decades in the financial services industry, Jim has developed a niche focus on helping faith-based clients align their wealth with their values. He is also the host of the podcast You Can't Take It With You, which explores generosity, legacy planning, and impactful giving. Through Advent Partners, Jim supports clients in making meaningful decisions about their financial futures while planning with purpose.  In this episode… Faith-based financial planning can offer a meaningful framework for managing wealth with purpose. As more people accumulate resources, many are asking deeper questions about legacy, generosity, and what happens to their money when they're gone. How can financial advisors guide clients toward intentional giving and legacy planning? According to Jim Dunlop, a seasoned wealth advisor, legacy planning starts with aligning finances to core values. After years of helping clients navigate wealth decisions, Jim emphasizes the power of generosity — whether it's supporting family, donating to community causes, or creating lasting impact through charitable giving. Through his firm and podcast, he encourages clients to plan wisely and give meaningfully, even before the end of life. On this episode of The Top Business Leaders Show, John Corcoran welcomes Jim Dunlop, Founder and Managing Partner at Advent Partners, for a conversation about scaling a financial practice during a crisis, building a faith-aligned client base, and why generous clients often experience the most joy. Jim also shares insights on merging firms, planning with purpose, and the story behind his podcast, You Can't Take It With You.

  8. Apr 22

    Why Direct Mail Still Wins With Rick Rappe, President and Owner of RPM Direct Marketing

    Rick Rappe is President and Owner of RPM Direct Marketing, a firm focused on direct mail strategy, testing, and optimization. With over 30 years of experience in direct marketing, he previously held senior management roles at Hackeragency including Vice President of Account Services. Earlier in his career, Rick also led agency work on AT&T direct mail programs for more than 10 years, overseeing hundreds of programs, thousands of test packages, and more than 1.5 billion pieces of direct response mail. In this episode… Direct mail remains a powerful growth channel because it can combine precise targeting, compelling offers, and measurable response data. The challenge is that many organizations either test too slowly or fail to connect creative, targeting, attribution, and sales conversion into one system. How can companies make direct mail faster, more predictable, and easier to scale? According to Rick Rappe, a direct mail strategist and performance optimization expert, companies need a structured testing methodology that identifies the strongest combinations of audience, offer, format, and messaging early in the process. He explains that direct mail works best when marketers treat it like a research and development effort, track response carefully, compare mailed and non-mailed groups, and align campaign goals with sales capacity. That approach helps brands move from guesswork to repeatable performance. On this episode of The Top Business Leaders Show, John Corcoran welcomes Rick Rappe, President and Owner of RPM Direct Marketing, for a conversation about building high-performing direct mail programs through structured testing. Rick explains the Rapid Performance Method, the role of targeting and offer strategy, how to improve attribution, and why companies need an R&D mindset to make direct mail scalable and profitable.

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About

This is the Top Business Leaders Show powered by Rise25 Media. We feature top founders, executives, and leaders from all over the world.

Information

  • Creator
    Rise25 Media
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    178
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Top Business Leader Show (c) 2021
  • Show Website
    Top Business Leaders Show