Business Growth Spotlight

Heidi Schalk
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED DAILY

Welcome to Business Growth Spotlight, the podcast where we shine a light on innovative business leaders, cutting-edge strategies, and the latest trends shaping the world of business growth. Whether you're a corporate leader, entrepreneur, or online educator, this podcast delivers actionable insights and expert conversations to help you scale your business, increase revenue, and stay ahead in a competitive market. Join host Heidi Schalk as we dive deep into the stories and strategies of industry leaders, uncovering the tools and tactics they use to drive success. From navigating corporate challenges to mastering online visibility, this podcast is your go-to resource for scaling your business and reaching your goals. Tune in weekly for inspiring conversations, practical advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to thrive in today’s ever-evolving business landscape.

  1. 1D AGO

    Ep. 175 Fired at 50 and Built an Eight Figure Business With Verl Workman

    Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with Verl Workman, founder of Workman Success Systems, to talk about building high performing teams, creating predictable success, and designing a business that supports the life you actually want to live. Verl shares the powerful story of being fired at age fifty after selling a company he helped build. Instead of seeing it as a setback, he used the moment as a catalyst to build a new company alongside his daughter. That company has since grown into an eight figure business that helps entrepreneurs and real estate professionals build systems for growth, leadership, and profitability. The conversation explores why greatness is predictable, how referral systems outperform expensive marketing strategies, and why profitability must be the focus for every entrepreneur. Verl also dives into the role of artificial intelligence in coaching, the importance of family and intentional life design, and how entrepreneurs can create businesses that support both financial success and meaningful relationships. If you are building a business, scaling a team, or searching for a better way to grow without sacrificing your life, this episode is packed with practical insights. Bio* Verl Workman is the co-founder and CEO of Workman Success Systems, a business coaching company that specializes in developing high-performing companies and teams, using his unique approach that focuses on the totality of the team or company, developing leaders at every organizational level. Verl knows that Greatness is Predictable and has built systems, processes, and procedures (tools, training, and trade secrets) to make Greatness Predictable by focusing on the right things, and developing greatness-predicting habits. As a father of 6, Verl believes that no other success can compensate for failure in the home. His focus on family is such that he co-founded Workman Success Systems with his oldest daughter Brianne to be the kind of place where his family would want to join in and add to the business. He’s succeeded in that: 3 of his 6 children have helped Verl build Workman Success into what it is today. Verl says his greatest success is measured by how he teaches his clients to have balance in their lives as they grow their businesses. For more than 20 years, Verl has led agents, brokers, and teams with enthusiasm, determination, unashamed optimism, and innovative systems that have created Greatness that is truly Predictable, building top producers and real estate millionaires who understand what’s really important in life and real estate. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: https://www.instagram.com/workmansuccesssystems/ https://www.facebook.com/WorkmanSuccessSystems/ https://www.facebook.com/VerlWorkmanWSS https://www.linkedin.com/company/workman-success-systems/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/verlworkman/ https://verlworkman.com/ Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ 🎁 Grab your Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint

    50 min

  2. 3D AGO

    Ep. 174 How Organizations Can Close Leadership Gaps and Improve Performance with PPS International Ltd Co Founder Kelly Fairbairn

    Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk welcomes Kelly Fairbairn, Co Founder, President, and CEO of PPS International Limited. With more than twenty five years of experience in talent development and leadership consulting, Kelly shares insights into how organizations can build stronger leaders and improve performance across teams. PPS International works globally with organizations to deliver leadership assessments, training programs, and development solutions that help individuals and teams perform at a higher level. Kelly explains how the leadership landscape has evolved over the past two decades and why today’s leaders must develop new skills to navigate uncertainty and rapidly changing environments. Heidi and Kelly discuss the leadership gaps companies are facing today, how businesses can align leadership development with real business outcomes, and the trends shaping the future of corporate learning. Kelly also shares the strategies PPS uses to maintain strong client relationships, grow through referrals and thought leadership, and adapt to new technologies and hybrid work environments. If you are a business owner, executive, HR leader, or someone responsible for developing people within your organization, this conversation offers valuable insight into building leadership capacity and driving meaningful organizational growth. Bio* Kelly Fairbairn is co-founder, President and CEO of PPS International Limited, a consulting firm that partners with regional and global organizations to build leadership talent through customized training, assessments, coaching and more. Before co-founding PPS, Kelly was a Director of Human Resources and Manager of Instructional Design for several manufacturing, financial services and technology corporations. Kelly holds many certifications and she and her team have won awards related to the creation and implementation of learning, including several Brandon Hall, HCM Excellence Awards for Innovative Learning and Development Programs. PPS International Limited is a nationally certified, Women-Owned Small Business Enterprise, is Ecovadis certified for sustainability and a Fortune 5000-ranked organization. In addition to her work in talent development, for 20 years, Kelly has served as Vice Chair of the Board for Project HOPE Foundation, a nationally-recognized organization providing a lifespan of services for individuals with autism. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: PPS LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/pps-international-limited Kelly's LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellylawasfairbairn/ PPS YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/@ppsinternationallimited-sy4711 Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ 🎁 Grab your Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint

    24 min

  3. 5D AGO

    Ep. 173 How AI and Machine Learning Are Transforming Investment Management with Justin Solms

    Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk welcomes Justin Solms, founder of Index Solutions in South Africa. Justin shares his fascinating journey from aerospace engineering and missile guidance systems to building a successful investment management firm powered by advanced technology and machine learning. Justin explains how his engineering background helped him develop data driven investment strategies that outperform traditional benchmarks while keeping fees low for everyday investors. The conversation dives into how technology is transforming the finance industry, including the role of machine learning, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and large scale simulation tools. Heidi and Justin also explore the realities of building a business over more than a decade, the challenges of marketing highly technical services, and why founders must focus on their zone of genius while bringing in experts to support other areas of growth. If you are curious about the future of investing, the role of AI in finance, and how technology can empower everyday investors, this episode delivers valuable insights. Bio: Experienced software developer and systems engineer with a background spanning aerospace avionics, quantitative finance, and AI-driven automation. Founder and Chief Investment Officer of a successful investment firm with deep expertise in designing and deploying mission-critical systems using Python, SQLAlchemy, and the scientific stack with a host of other languages. Proven track record in working remotely, independently delivering robust, scalable solutions. Holds a Master's degree in electronic engineering. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinsolms/ Website:  www.indexsolutions.co.za http://www.itransact.co.za/ Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ 🎁 Grab your Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint

    25 min

  4. MAR 6

    Ep. 172 The Hidden Data Problem Costing Businesses Millions and How AI Fixes It with QoreAI

    Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, Heidi Schalk sits down with Todd Smith, founder of QoreAI, to explore how artificial intelligence and clean data are transforming decision making in the automotive industry. Todd brings more than 30 years of experience across dealership operations, automotive technology, and entrepreneurship. After exiting his previous company, he began studying dealership workflows and discovered a major inefficiency. Employees were spending roughly thirteen percent of their day simply navigating between systems. Research from the Harvard Business Review suggests this constant switching can add up to five weeks per year of lost productivity. That discovery became the foundation for QoreAI. Todd explains how his company focuses on organizing dealership data, improving data hygiene, and creating a reliable data layer that allows AI to generate meaningful insights. Without clean and structured data, AI tools can produce inaccurate outputs, hallucinations, or poor customer experiences. The conversation dives deep into how businesses can use AI to move from reactive reporting to predictive decision making. Instead of only looking at past results, companies can forecast service demand, customer behavior, and operational needs. Todd also shares practical insights for entrepreneurs, including how to validate ideas before building products, why listening to customers is critical for growth, and how founders should focus on solving the most broken part of their business at any given time. For Todd, the future of AI in business is not just automation. It is about capturing organizational knowledge, improving customer experience, and creating smarter systems that help companies operate more efficiently. Bio* Todd Smith is a pioneer in automotive technology, transforming how dealerships harness data and AI to drive profitability. As CEO of QoreAI, he’s building the industry’s first AI-powered system of intelligence—turning dealership data into actionable insights that optimize sales, marketing, and operations. Previously, he founded ActivEngage, scaling it into the largest managed chat provider in automotive. He also advises and invests in emerging auto tech as Managing Director of Kyzor. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddlearsmith/ Website:  https://www.qoreai.com/ Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ 🎁 Grab your Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint

    38 min

  5. MAR 4

    Ep. 171 How Smile Perfected Disrupted the Dental Whitening Industry

    In this episode of the Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with South Florida entrepreneur and dentist Dr. William Balanoff, founder of Smile Perfected. With more than 43 years in dentistry and 13 years building a national whitening brand, Dr. Balanoff shares the unconventional lessons that fueled his growth. From being gifted a trademark by a patient to building a 20 minute whitening system that competes with industry giants, this conversation dives deep into customer clarity, relationship driven growth, market positioning, AI powered marketing, and resilience over time. You will also hear the remarkable story behind Dr. Balanoff’s open source Tourette syndrome appliance and how generosity and accessibility have shaped both his business and his life. Bio: William L. Balanoff, DDS, MS, FICD, is a seasoned healthcare executive, clinician-scientist, and entrepreneur with decades of leadership experience spanning clinical innovation, enterprise operations, and healthcare transformation. He has served in multiple senior executive roles including President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Clinical Officer, and Chief Medical Director across complex healthcare, dental, and life-science organizations. His career is distinguished by the ability to translate deep clinical expertise into scalable, evidence-based business and care delivery models. Dr. Balanoff has founded, scaled, and led healthcare companies operating in clinical services, medical devices, oral health products, and laboratory manufacturing, with global distribution and multi-channel go-to-market strategies. As President and CEO of Oral Care Perfected, Inc. and Impact Dental Lab, Inc., he directed product development, manufacturing partnerships, intellectual property strategy, and commercial execution while maintaining rigorous clinical and quality standards.  Recognized for his leadership in clinical research, medical innovation, and regulatory advancement, Dr. Balanoff has acted as Chief Science Consultant to healthcare technology companies and has guided FDA 510(k) regulatory pathways. He holds multiple U.S. and international patents related to oral appliances and medical devices. His work connects scientific research, product development, and commercialization to ensure that innovation remains both clinically rigorous and commercially sustainable. He has served as an adjunct professor, visiting lecturer, and clinical instructor in the United States and internationally. He is a published author, an editorial board member for leading clinical journals, and a frequent lecturer on clinical innovation, healthcare strategy, and evidence based practice. Dr. Balanoff advises boards and executive teams on growth, transformation, and clinical excellence. He is known for building high performing multidisciplinary teams, fostering strategic partnerships, and guiding organizations through innovation while maintaining strong patient outcomes and clinical integrity. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Website:  www.smileperfected.com LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-l-balanoff-dds-ms-618b6480/ Dr. Bill’s Phone:  954-683-2693 Smile Perfected Phone:  877-624-6674 Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ 🎁 Grab your Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint

    42 min

  6. MAR 2

    Ep. 170 Sales Is a Life Skill and Why Most Teams Get It Wrong

    Show Notes: In this powerful episode of the Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk of HLH Growth Solutions sits down with Maria Edelson, founder of Edelson IO and former executive at Procter & Gamble. With more than 35 years at Procter and Gamble and over 15,000 professionals trained across 86 countries, Maria shares how she transformed world class corporate sales frameworks into a scalable global training platform that delivers measurable ROI. This episode dives deep into: • Why selling is a life skill, not just a job  • How to overcome resistance from experienced sales teams  • Why real time case based practice outperforms role playing  • The secret to sustaining growth in a crowded sales training market  • How referrals built a global business  • Why confidence and loving feedback change sales performance  • What it really takes to stand out in a noisy industry If you lead a sales organization, run a growing company, or want to improve revenue performance, this conversation is a masterclass in practical, measurable sales excellence. Bio: After dedicating 35 years to sales at P&G, I now train sales organizations to sell - to create solutions to solve customer problems so that they achieve consistent, profitable growth. When I left Procter & Gamble, I was responsible for $1Billion in revenue leading a team of over 250 people.  Now I share what I learned because I found others can benefit. Fortune 100, midsize and even startups have used our Sales Academy including our ‘Thinking Framework’. The Academy adds tools and skills to even the most experienced sales executive’s toolbox. We produce results as evidenced by our customers loyalty and longevity – some over 13 years. In 15 years in business we have: • trained over 14,000 sales people • in 86 countries • worked with over 1 dozed Fortune 100 companies training their global commercial organization To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-edelson-8a36984/ Website:  www.edelson.io Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ 🎁 Grab your Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint

    39 min

  7. FEB 27

    Ep. 169 How David's Loft Group Built an Integrated Behavioral Health Model

    Show Notes: In this powerful episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with Dr. David Thompson Jr., founder of the David's Loft Group, an integrated behavioral health organization serving Baltimore City. From growing up in Park Heights to leading a nearly 60 person team serving over 140 patients daily, Dr. Thompson shares the raw realities of scaling a mission driven healthcare organization. What started as a solo private practice evolved into a fully integrated system offering substance use treatment, mental health care, primary care, psychiatric rehabilitation, residential services, and withdrawal management under one coordinated model. This conversation explores leadership evolution, accountability, AI in healthcare, infrastructure building, and the hard decisions required to build something sustainable. Bio: David H. Thompson Jr., PsyD, LCPC, is a veteran behavioral health executive and clinician with more than 38 years in human services and over 25 years in senior executive leadership. As CEO and Chief Clinical Officer of the David’s Loft Group, with multiple programs and locations throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area.  Dr. Thompson provides strategic and operational direction to an integrated behavioral health organization, overseeing clinical quality, administrative performance, and partnerships across public and private systems of care. Throughout his career, Dr. Thompson has been repeatedly recruited into high-stakes leadership roles to stabilize complex service systems, improve outcomes, and implement data-driven, results-based accountability. He has led large multidisciplinary workforces, managed budgets ranging from $20 million to $647 million, and guided diverse divisions spanning child welfare, adult services, juvenile justice, entitlement programs, and community-based behavioral health. Dr. Thompson is widely recognized for building high-performing teams, establishing strong accountability systems, and delivering measurable improvements in care access, safety, permanency, and organizational sustainability. His leadership blends clinical excellence, pragmatic systems reform, and a steady commitment to community-centered outcomes. Dr. Thompson is neurodiverse, living and thriving with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Dr. Thompson was born and raised in the Park Heights neighborhood of Baltimore, MD. He attended Baltimore City Public Schools and graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar Community High School. Dr. Thompson holds a doctorate in psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology and behavioral health leadership. He is a licensed clinical professional counselor with additional certifications in forensic counseling. He is the father of four sons, 11, 12, 14, and 35. He is currently a full-time nursing student pursuing licensure requirements to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-david-h-thompson-jr-psyd-lcpc-ccfc-ccjts-cccjs-670a8923/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/davidsloftclinicalprograms/ Website:  www.davidsloft.com Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ 🎁 Grab your Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint Check out our AI Assistant Leah:  myhlhgrowthsolutions.com/leah

    58 min

  8. FEB 25

    Ep. 168 The Future of Community Driven Growth in the AI Era with CEO of Pyaza

    Show Notes: In this episode of the Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with Mark Grech, founder and CEO of Pyaza, to explore the future of networking, community building, and digital growth in an increasingly fragmented online world. Mark shares his journey from leading product and tech in the iGaming industry to building a platform designed to eliminate the chaos of managing multiple networking apps. With deep experience in blockchain, crypto, Web3, and AI, he offers a candid perspective on what is broken in digital marketing today and why community driven growth is the future. Bio: A seasoned product expert and emerging tech advisor with over 10 years of experience in the iGaming industry, having worked with leading companies in Product, Marketing, and Technology. His last full-time role was as Chief Product & Technology Officer withing the iGaming industry. For the past 8 years, Mark has been deeply involved in the Crypto, Blockchain, and Web3 spaces, driving innovation and developing innovate solutions. Mark is also a frequent speaker and moderator at global panel discussions.  As a versatile leader, Mark is now driving Pyaza, his innovative product idea, towards its full potential. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/m4rkgrech/ https://x.com/m4rkgrech https://www.facebook.com/m4rkgrech https://www.instagram.com/m4rkgrech/ https://pyaza.com Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ 🎁 Grab your Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint

    39 min
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Business Growth Spotlight, the podcast where we shine a light on innovative business leaders, cutting-edge strategies, and the latest trends shaping the world of business growth. Whether you're a corporate leader, entrepreneur, or online educator, this podcast delivers actionable insights and expert conversations to help you scale your business, increase revenue, and stay ahead in a competitive market. Join host Heidi Schalk as we dive deep into the stories and strategies of industry leaders, uncovering the tools and tactics they use to drive success. From navigating corporate challenges to mastering online visibility, this podcast is your go-to resource for scaling your business and reaching your goals. Tune in weekly for inspiring conversations, practical advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to thrive in today’s ever-evolving business landscape.

Information

  • Creator
    Heidi Schalk
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    176
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Business Growth Spotlight
  • Show Website
    Business Growth Spotlight

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