Growth + Exit

Susan Kearney and Heather Bennett
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This is the Growth + Exit Podcast, where owners of privately held, middle-market companies talk about founding, scaling, and exiting their businesses successfully.

  1. 4D AGO

    The Future Workforce: What Leaders Need To Know About Hiring and Training

    Matt Vuckov is the Co-founder and CEO of TalentCraft, a recruiting firm focused on placing technical, engineering, and life sciences talent. With over 14 years of expertise in talent acquisition and workforce solutions, he's built TalentCraft’s reputation for delivering high-quality candidates to organizations undergoing digital transformation. He is also the US Staffing Leaders Founding Member at TALiNT Partners, a global network of top employers, and an Advisory Council Member at the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue. In this episode… Workforce needs are shifting as industries face new challenges in technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. Employers are rethinking how to find and develop talent, while employees weigh alternative career paths. What does it take to build a strong team and prepare for the future of work? According to staffing and recruitment industry veteran Matt Vuckov, values-driven leadership and long-term thinking are essential in building resilient teams. He stresses the importance of creative hiring strategies during talent shortages, the role of partnerships between education, industry, and government in workforce development, and why adaptability is a company’s greatest asset. Aligning employees with a company’s mission and staying ahead of industry changes forges lasting organizational impact.  In today’s episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett sits down with Matt Vuckov, Co-founder and CEO of TalentCraft, to discuss workforce development and the future of work. He explains the challenges of scaling a business during rapid growth, how to attract and retain top talent in competitive markets, and the partnerships shaping national workforce strategies.

    48 min

  2. OCT 1

    Finding a Niche While Growing

    Stephen Brent May is the Co-founder and Chief Strategist at One Foot Over, a digital agency that delivers strategy-led marketing for B2B tech companies. He is also the President-Elect of the Professional Chapters Council at the American Marketing Association. With over 17 years of experience in marketing and communications, Stephen held leadership roles in hospitality marketing and served as the Marketing Product Owner at cPanel. He also hosts the B2B Happy Hour podcast.  Hami Arrington is the Co-founder and Chief Strategist at One Foot Over and the Foundation Chair and Board Member at the American Marketing Association. In her role at One Foot Over, she works alongside CMOs and marketing executives to build B2B strategy and inbound marketing solutions. Hami serves in several other leadership roles at professional marketing associations and has been selected as an ambassador for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. In this episode… Building a marketing career that thrives through industry shifts and changing client needs requires more than clever campaigns. It demands a balance between long-term strategy and day-to-day execution while preserving room for creativity and personal growth. How can leaders stay focused on strategy without losing momentum? Seasoned marketing strategists Stephen Brent May and Hami Arrington learned to scale a business while prioritizing strategy. Stephen credits an Agency Management Institute workshop for giving them financial and operational growth benchmarks, while Hami recommends hiring client-facing talent early to free leadership for higher-level planning. Both urge marketers to pause and define goals and audiences before executing campaigns to drive sustainable marketing growth. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett hosts Stephen Brent May and Hami Arrington, Co-founders and Chief Strategy Officers at One Foot Over, to discuss how marketers can combine strategy with action. Together, they share the agency’s origin story, explain their clarity before tactics philosophy, and reveal how launching their B2B Happy Hour podcast helps them connect with and educate their audience.

    34 min

  3. SEP 17

    Building a Values-Driven Company

    RJ Blake, CPA, is the President and CEO of Blake Willson Group (BWG), a veteran-owned CPA firm providing professional and technology solutions to federal defense, intelligence, and civilian agencies. As a combat veteran, he has experience with Big Four audits and advisory practices. Before Blake Willson Group, RJ served as a team leader in the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division, where he led counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan. He gives back to the veteran community by serving as the Regional President of Reuniting After War and as a member of the Board of the Veteran Institute for Procurement. In this episode… Business growth often comes down to more than strategy or timing; It’s about sustaining values, resilience, and leadership under pressure. How can leaders carry their formative experiences into building organizations that endure challenges, scale sustainably, and inspire those around them? With a background in the military and a career in accounting, RJ Blake credits discipline, service, and integrity in shaping his leadership approach. He emphasizes the importance of aligning teams around core values, leading with influence rather than authority, and making strategic financial decisions to weather early cash flow struggles. Through adaptability, foresight, and values-based leadership, entrepreneurs can sustain a lasting impact.  In this episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney welcomes RJ Blake, President and CEO of Blake Willson Group (BWG), to discuss building a resilient business rooted in values. RJ explains how military service shaped his leadership style, the lessons he learned from managing cash flow challenges, and the role of innovation labs in driving efficiency.

    44 min

  4. SEP 3

    The Hard Truths of Entrepreneurship

    Tim Hohman is the Co-founder and CEO of CodeCargo, an AI-powered workflow automation tool for GitHub. He is also the Co-founder and former CEO of BoxBoat Technologies, a DevOps and container services firm that was acquired by IBM in 2021. Before BoxBoat, Tim founded Triad Technology Partners and held leadership roles at IBM, BMC, Oracle, and Ariba. In this episode… Scaling a business often comes with painful lessons, like choosing the right partners, navigating cash flow, and knowing when to pivot strategies. Many entrepreneurs struggle to build strong sales cultures, identify market value, and balance growth with resilience. How can leaders prepare their companies for long-term growth and avoid costly missteps? Software industry veteran and serial entrepreneur Tim Hohman emphasizes the importance of selecting business partners carefully, managing cash and credit effectively, and paying attention to market signals. By enabling flexibility in your strategies, fostering a resilient company culture, and treating your business as an operational entity and asset, you can position it for growth and value appreciation.  Tune in to this episode of Growth + Exit as Susan Kearney interviews Tim Hohman, Co-founder and CEO of CodeCargo, about scaling and selling software companies. Tim discusses building sales-driven organizations, creating resilient cultures, and navigating pivots when markets shift.

    45 min

  5. AUG 20

    Building a Mission-Driven Government Contracting Business

    Mohammad Elias is the Founder, CEO, and Chairman of RELI Group, a government contracting firm. With over two decades of experience in federal IT and strategic program delivery, he held senior roles at CMS, where he led efforts to implement mission-critical programs and modernize health IT systems. Mohammad also co-founded the Elias & Sultana Foundation, which supports underserved communities through grants for food, shelter, and education. In this episode… Many entrepreneurs aspire to build businesses that make a meaningful impact while achieving financial independence, but this goal requires navigating complex industries, attracting talent, and establishing credibility in competitive markets. How can founders grow without losing sight of their mission and values? According to IT and government contractor Mohammad Elias, focusing on trusted relationships, deep domain expertise, and a narrow initial target market can accelerate growth. He emphasizes the importance of delivering exceptional performance to earn repeat opportunities, noting that mentorship and strategic partnerships accelerate early growth. Leaders should also develop empathy and leverage personal and professional experiences to guide their company culture.  In today’s episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney sits down with Mohammad Elias, Founder, CEO, and Chairman of RELI Group, to discuss how he built a mission-focused government contracting business. Mohammad talks about his charity work, how he pursued entrepreneurship while risking stability, and RELI Group’s value proposition in the government contracting industry.

    33 min

  6. AUG 6

    Technology Intelligence: What Business Owners Need To Know

    Jody Jankovsky is the Founder and CEO of Blackline, a strategic technology partner for small- and medium-sized businesses. Under his leadership, Blackline was recognized twice on the Inc. fastest-growing companies list. With over 45 years of experience in business and technology, Jody created the Technology Intelligence (TQ) framework to help organizations regain control over their technology. He also speaks about AI, technology strategy, and cybersecurity for small- to medium-sized companies. In this episode… Most business leaders know technology is critical, but many still make costly decisions based on sales pitches or blind trust. As tech stacks grow more complex and the pace of change accelerates, leaders face mounting pressure to innovate while lacking the tools or framework to make informed decisions. How can business owners become more tech-savvy? According to IT strategist Jody Jankovsky, the first step is to recognize the gaps in decision-making and stakeholder alignment. Leaders don’t need to become engineers, but they should develop technology intelligence and awareness to avoid being misled by hype or pushed into misaligned solutions. You can transition from unconscious incompetence to conscious competence by asking questions, understanding business outcomes, and delegating tech initiatives. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett interviews Jody Jankovsky, Founder and CEO of Blackline, about empowering leaders to make smarter technology decisions. Jody explains how to evaluate new tools, build resilience through adversity, and shift your mindset as a founder.

    44 min

  7. JUL 23

    Successful Exit Through Collaboration

    Kevin Fleming is a Partner at Newport LLC, a business advisory firm helping middle-market companies grow and exit. He is also a Chief Financial Officer and board member at ThinkBio.AI, an AI technology enablement firm. With experience as a CEO and President of middle-market companies, Kevin has held leadership roles at Ernst and Young, Paradigm Management Services, and Loyale Healthcare, working with Fortune 500 companies. In this episode… Scaling a business in a commoditized industry is a challenge for many middle-market firms lacking the scale of larger corporations. Founders can struggle to differentiate their offerings, build sustainable growth, and determine when or how to exit. How can companies transform their business model and stay competitive while navigating disruption and preparing for a sale? Turnaround CEO Kevin Fleming has revitalized a struggling healthcare company from growth to exit. He emphasizes challenging traditional business models, like fixed processing fees, and leveraging innovation to create a meaningful financial impact. Kevin also recommends reimagining customer engagement through unified billing and tailored communications. To stay competitive, companies can leverage high-value partnerships, facilitate cultural alignment, and time exits based on market conditions.  In this episode of Growth + Exit, Heather Bennett sits down with Kevin Fleming, a Partner at Newport LLC, to discuss turning around a failing business in a commoditized market. Kevin shares how to increase enterprise value through strategic transformation, the importance of strong customer experiences, and how to prepare for a smooth and profitable exit.

    40 min

  8. JUL 9

    Leading With Empathy and Strategy: Building Mission-Driven Government Solutions

    Lisa Mascolo is the CEO of Voyatek, a public sector technology firm. With over 30 years of experience in IT leadership, she has held senior roles at IBM, where she led the U.S. Public Service business unit and was a Founding Partner at Accenture, where she managed major federal government accounts. Lisa is also a board member for educational nonprofits and organizations supporting the advancement of women and disadvantaged individuals. In this episode… Many mid-market company leaders find it challenging to integrate acquisitions, build unified teams, and create meaningful cultures while staying mission-focused. The stakes heighten when private equity gets involved, especially in government service sectors. How can leaders navigate post-merger integration while preserving purpose, empowering teams, and delivering outcomes? Seasoned executive and leadership developer Lisa Mascolo has led multiple mission-driven organizations through change. She explains the role of empathetic leadership, consistent communication, and culture-building in building a strong organizational foundation. Involving employees directly in integration — rather than outsourcing — fosters alignment and ownership. Lisa has also developed an IDEA (Involvement, Decency, Empathy, and Accountability) cultural framework, which anchors team behavior and decision-making in complex environments.  In this episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney sits down with Lisa Mascolo, CEO of Voyatek, to discuss leadership, employee integration, and building a mission-driven culture. Lisa shares how her early exposure to public service shaped her career, why listening precedes leadership, and how she united two companies post-acquisition.

    31 min
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About

This is the Growth + Exit Podcast, where owners of privately held, middle-market companies talk about founding, scaling, and exiting their businesses successfully.

Information

  • Creator
    Susan Kearney and Heather Bennett
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Growth + Exit (c) 2025
  • Show Website
    Growth + Exit