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. 9H AGO

    Ep. 143 Subscription Fatigue Bundling and the New Streaming Business Models with Ben Goodfriend

    In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with Ben Goodfriend, an advertising executive in the sports streaming and media technology space, to unpack how streaming, live sports, and evolving consumer behavior are reshaping the future of media and business growth. Ben shares his career journey from documentary filmmaking to media production, talent agencies, FAST channels, and now Fanserv, where he works at the intersection of sports, ad tech, and programmatic advertising. With firsthand experience across legacy media and modern streaming platforms, Ben offers a clear, insider perspective on where the industry is headed. The conversation explores the major shifts in how audiences consume content, including the rise of smart TVs, streaming adoption accelerated by COVID, and the growing dominance of short-form and on-demand viewing. Ben breaks down why live sports remain the most valuable asset in media, driving subscriber growth, advertising revenue, and platform differentiation. Heidi and Ben also dive into the economics of streaming, including subscription fatigue, bundling strategies, advertising-supported models, and why profitability has become the new priority for major platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Peacock, and Paramount+. Ben explains why loyalty today is tied to content, not platforms, and what that means for retention and churn. The episode further examines how streaming platforms are standing out in an increasingly competitive market, from eventized content and niche positioning to strategic rights acquisitions and targeted audience strategies. Ben draws parallels between streaming platforms and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of focus, clarity, and building for the long term. Ben closes by sharing what he’s building next at Fanserv and offers a grounded reminder about leadership, resilience, and maintaining perspective in business and career growth. This episode is a must-listen for founders, marketers, media professionals, and business leaders interested in streaming, sports media, advertising innovation, and modern visibility strategies. Bio:   Ben Goodfriend cites storytelling as the common denominator of his career. A media and ad tech executive, Ben got his start in the non-scripted television department of William Morris Endeavor, where he focused on sports media. He then joined Amagi, the leading software provider in free ad supported television (FAST), helping to build the company's advertising business. Currently, Ben is the VP of Demand Partnerships at Fanserv, a sports-only private marketplace specializing in the monetization of premium live sports streaming across the MLB, NBA, WNBA, NHL, and more. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengoodfriend/ Connect with me: 🎁Spotlight to Scale:  Spotlight to Scale Blueprint LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

    30 min

  2. 3D AGO

    Ep.142 The Future of Outsourcing How People and AI Work Together at CertainlyCX

    Show Notes: In this episode of the Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk welcomes Cindy Terapak, Co Founder and Chief People Officer of CertainlyCX, for a powerful conversation on building a people first, global customer experience organization. Cindy shares her journey from retail and human resources into launching CertainlyCX, a BPO designed to support both employees and clients with flexibility, care, and intention. With more than 150 team members across 10 countries, she explains how consistent communication, lived values, and active listening help create strong culture and low attrition in a fully remote environment. The conversation also explores how CertainlyCX stands out in a crowded market, balances human talent with AI, and prepares for future growth while continuing to invest in leadership development. This episode offers practical insight for founders and leaders focused on scaling teams, strengthening culture, and building sustainable growth. Bio: Growing up in a mobile military family exposed her to diverse cultures worldwide, shaping the empathetic leadership perspective she brings to her work today. With over twenty years of experience in retail, customer service, and human resources, Cindy understands what it takes to build teams that deliver exceptional customer experiences while driving business results. Cindy builds high-performing CX teams that reduce attrition, grow loyalty & revenue, lower costs, and enable smooth scaling for B2B, B2C & DTC brands. When she's not scaling CX operations, you'll find Cindy spending time with her kids, cooking, practicing yoga, and reading. She's also passionate about giving back to her community through her involvement with a local food pantry and serving on her city's food council. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/certainly-cx/?viewAsMember=true https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-terapak-shrm-cp/ Website:  https://www.certainlycx.com/ Connect with me: 🎁Spotlight to Scale:  Spotlight to Scale Blueprint LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

    27 min

  3. 5D AGO

    Ep. 141 Scaling Senior Care With AI While Keeping Care Personal with Matthew Yaari

    Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with Matt Yaari, Founder of My Family Home Care, to explore what it truly takes to build a purpose driven service business while scaling operations responsibly. Matt shares his journey of launching a senior home care company during the uncertainty of 2020 and how his background in caregiving, psychology, and human behavior shaped his leadership approach. He explains why personalized care, family level trust, and founder involvement have been core to My Family Home Care’s growth. The conversation dives into how the company balances hands on care with operational systems, including the thoughtful implementation of AI to support scheduling, caregiver coverage, and future in home safety monitoring. Matt also discusses the expansion of services such as dementia care, fall prevention, and music therapy, all driven by real family needs rather than trends. Listeners will gain insight into how relationship based marketing, community networking, and educational visibility strategies have helped My Family Home Care stand out in a competitive market. Matt also shares lessons learned from early startup challenges, building a reliable on call caregiver system, and what success looks like as the company approaches seven figure revenue. This episode is a must listen for founders building service based businesses, leaders navigating growth with heart, and families seeking compassionate guidance for caring for aging loved ones. Bio: Matt is a Detroit based entrepreneur, launching My Family Home Care in 2020 to meet the needs of senior citizens in his community. When not working on his business, Matt practices Jiu Jitsu and standup comedy. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewyaari/ Website:  www.myfamhc.com Connect with me: 🎁Spotlight to Scale:  Spotlight to Scale Blueprint LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

    21 min

  4. DEC 22

    Ep. 140 The Science of Self-Awareness: Rethinking Leadership Assessments with Pam Boney

    Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk speaks with Pam Boney, Founder of Tilt 365, about why effective leadership development goes far beyond personality labels. Pam shares how true growth comes from understanding character, self awareness, and the ability to adapt behavior based on context. Pam reflects on her transition from senior leadership at Hilton to building a global assessment and certification company that serves coaches and organizations worldwide. The conversation explores how Tilt 365 helps individuals and teams develop trust, psychological safety, and agility using science backed insights rather than opinion driven feedback. This episode also highlights the realities of growing a long standing business in a changing market, including when to simplify, pivot, and let go of products that no longer serve. Pam offers an honest perspective on visibility, lead generation, and what it takes to remain relevant in a crowded coaching industry. Bio: Founder and CEO of Tilt365.com, a designer and builder of fast, innovative assessments that grow character strengths, agility and generativity in people, teams and culture. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tilt365/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pamboneyceo/  Website:  https://www.tilt365.com Connect with me: 🎁Spotlight to Scale:  Spotlight to Scale Blueprint LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

    28 min

  5. DEC 19

    Ep. 139 The Power of Emotional Intelligence in High-Stakes Conversations with Janine Klein

    Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with Janine Klein, Founder of the Emotional Intelligence Institute (EII), to explore one of the most unconventional and impactful intersections of business, technology, and human connection. Janine shares her remarkable journey from professional actress to CEO, revealing how storytelling, improvisation, and emotional intelligence became the foundation of a powerful training platform used by the U.S. military and Department of Defense. By blending live actors, CGI avatars, and immersive role play, EII helps leaders and service members rehearse the hardest conversations before they have to live them. This conversation goes far beyond business as usual. Together, Heidi and Janine unpack fear, intuition, leadership identity, the role of AI in sensitive training environments, and why humans must remain at the center of emotionally complex conversations. Bio: Janine Klein is a dynamic professional with over 40 years of experience as an actress, director,medical recruiter, and improviser. Her expertise lies in blending the talents of military professionals, diverse improvisational actors, and skilled writers to create groundbreaking training environments. As a trauma survivor, she used those experiences to create empathetic communication through performance, she is celebrated for her ability to handle complex material with emotional authenticity and depth. Janine is the CEO and founder of the Emotional Intelligence Institute (Eii), where she collaborates with Air Force and First Responder clients and diverse organizations to deliver impactful training. Her contributions include developing AF-specific human-domain scenarios, designing leadership education curricula, and utilizing MRLS technology for educational purposes. Janine has personally executed over 3000 hours of AF MRLS training and facilitated more than 300 tailored scenarios for audiences ranging from one to 500 attendees. Renowned for her improvisational techniques and character development, she excels at creating compelling scenarios that align with client objectives. Her work encompasses curriculum design, public speaking, EQ workshops, MBTI training, and high-level military meetings. Janine’s has performed internationally, from Scotland to New Zealand and across the United States, including off-Broadway appearances in New York City, as well as roles in commercials and films. Her accolades include a 2018 Best Actress nomination from the Orlando Sentinel, a Broadway World Vocalist of the Decade nomination, and 10 Fringe Patron Pick Awards in her hometown for standout performances overtwo decades. Most recently was nominated regionally for an MTA award for Best Actress in 2024 for her portrayal of Annie Wilkes in Stephen King's "Misery". To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-klein/ Website:  www.eiieq.com Email:  Janine@eiieq.com Connect with me: 🎁Spotlight to Scale:  Spotlight to Scale Blueprint LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

    25 min

  6. DEC 17

    Ep. 138 From Mentorship to AI: How Solvery Is Redefining Employee Growth with Anton Volkov

    Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with Anton Volkov, Co-Founder of Solvery, to unpack his entrepreneurial journey, from launching an unconventional tech school for kids to building a B2B HR-tech platform serving banks and enterprise organizations. Anton shares hard-earned lessons on mentorship, B2B sales, market education, focus, and how Solvery is expanding its platform with AI to future-proof employee development and learning systems. This conversation is a masterclass in building trust-based B2B growth, leveraging networks, and evolving alongside your customers. Bio* I'm 35 and for the last 13 years I work in EdTech. Currently i'm the Co-founder & CEO at Solvery. We help companies grow their metrics by integrating the new generation HR-tools: AI-bots, peer-2-peer learning, smart helpers and etc. At first Solvery was just a marketplace with tech mentors for not-business customers. Now we have our own enterprise platform and work with top market leaders among banks, classified and e-com, resource and tech companies.  More about me: - first business with friends (dance school) at 18 - worked as Event project Lead at one of the Top marketing agencies in Saint Petersburg - for 9 years we've run Digital Banana: tech school for high-school kids where we had over 400 students/ 3 spots and partnered with tech companies - at 26 learned to code and became a Frontend Team Lead in a fintech company - for the last 3 years developing the B2B branch in Solvery - all that time was also have a running community in Moscow with 300+ participants from tech and other companies. Each Sunday we ran, network and breakfast together in different beautiful spots in the city To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/heyantonvolkov/ Website:  https://solvery.space/ Connect with me: 🎁Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

    42 min

  7. DEC 15

    Ep. 137 From Customer to CEO: Competing With Billion-Dollar Companies by Solving Real Problems

    Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with Sean Lee, CEO of OpenDrives, to explore what it really takes to scale a technology company by leading with service, trust, and deep customer understanding. Sean shares his unique journey from OpenDrives customer to CEO, detailing how his background in media and entertainment technology shaped his people-first leadership style. Drawing from over 20 years in Hollywood and a decade inside OpenDrives, he explains why the company is not just a data storage provider, but a workflow enablement partner focused on helping creatives stay in their flow. The conversation dives into how OpenDrives supports high-performance media workflows for some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including powering massive global events like the FIFA World Cup. Sean explains the real business problems OpenDrives solves, why performance and simplicity matter so deeply to creative teams, and how honest, consultative selling has helped the company stand out against billion-dollar competitors. Sean also introduces Astraeus, OpenDrives’ newest platform designed to extend beyond storage into on-prem hyperscale infrastructure management. He shares why this launch represents a major evolution for the company and how it opens the door to new industries beyond media and entertainment. Throughout the episode, Sean offers candid insights on leadership, resilience, hiring for cultural alignment, managing growth responsibly, and why effectiveness matters more than size. He closes by sharing how relationship-driven visibility, in-person events, and authenticity continue to fuel OpenDrives’ growth. This episode is packed with real-world lessons for founders, operators, and technology leaders who want to scale sustainably while staying deeply connected to the people they serve. Bio* Sean Lee is the CEO of OpenDrives, where he leads with a belief that true leadership is about service, purpose, and empowering others. With more than 25 years in media, entertainment, and technology—including roles at Universal Studios, Illumination Entertainment, and AV Squad, where he first experienced OpenDrives as a customer—Sean brings a unique customer-first perspective to innovation. At OpenDrives, he focuses on building cultures of trust, aligning teams around shared values, and delivering scalable solutions that allow people and organizations to do their best work. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanalexanderlee Website:  https://opendrives.com/ Connect with me: 🎁Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

    32 min

  8. DEC 12

    Ep. 136 How Continuous Improvement Drives Scalable Growth in Modern Companies with Ron Pereira

    Show Notes: In this episode of the Business Growth Spotlight, Heidi Schalk sits down with Ron Pereira, co-founder of Gemba Academy, to explore the journey behind one of the most respected continuous improvement training platforms in the world. Ron shares how a simple idea between three Lean and Six Sigma practitioners grew into a global subscription based learning platform with thousands of videos and customers worldwide. Listeners will hear how Gemba Academy began with a spare bedroom studio, a green screen, a budget camera, and a willingness to experiment. Ron discusses his transition from corporate engineer to entrepreneur, the early challenges of launching video training before online learning was mainstream, and the partnership dynamics that made the company possible. The conversation dives into Lean and Six Sigma fundamentals, the value of continuous improvement, and why operational excellence is a long term investment rather than a quick fix. Ron shares insights on microlearning trends, leadership development, certification programs, and how companies can see measurable performance gains through process improvement. This episode offers practical guidance for business leaders, operators, and teams focused on growth, efficiency, and scalable learning. Bio I am a co-founder of Gemba Academy LLC (http://gembaacademy.com). I currently serve as Managing Director of the company. I have more than 30 years of experience working in operations, engineering, supply chain, and continuous improvement (Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma).  I've also personally trained and mentored thousands of individuals across the world in both the lean and six sigma methodologies. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gembaron/ Website:  www.gembaacademy.com Connect with me: 🎁Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

    33 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
    2K
  • Episodes
    144
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Business Growth Spotlight
  • Show Website
    Business Growth Spotlight