Show Notes:

In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with David Daneshgar, founder of Whippy AI, to explore the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and what it takes to scale a business effectively. David shares lessons learned from his startup journey, emphasizing the critical role of sales processes, strong documentation, and strategic hiring.

The conversation covers funding insights, the evolving future of AI, and how to market effectively in today’s fast-moving environment. David also teases the upcoming launch of Whippy’s new VoIP platform and underlines the importance of building a strong company culture as a foundation for sustainable growth.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-daneshgar-a47474b/

Website: www.whippy.ai

Connect with me:

Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

Show Notes:

In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk speaks with Jonathan Silverstein, founder of Mobile1st, about the critical role of website optimization and data analytics in accelerating business growth. Jonathan delves into the challenges businesses face in today’s fast-changing digital marketing environment, offering practical insights on how to effectively engage decision-makers and increase revenue per visitor.

The discussion explores the importance of continuous optimization in e-commerce, the need for data-driven decision-making, and strategies for staying competitive by aligning with evolving customer expectations. The episode underscores that success in digital marketing requires adaptability, insight, and relentless pursuit of improvement.

Bio:

I help digital-first brands turn underperforming product experiences into high-performing growth engines.

As Co-Founder of Mobile1st, I lead a team of Digital Product Growth experts who drive profit through precision. We act as an embedded team, harnessing Business Intelligence, Customer Data Analytics, User Research, and Data-Driven Experimentation, to continually optimize your digital experience and unlock perpetual RPV growth.

The best part? We deliver outsized impact for the cost of roughly one FTE, often showing 10x ROI with minimal demands on your internal team.

We prioritize. We test. We implement winning variations.

And we show our work in the data.

We're a good fit if you're:

-A $10M–$100M eCommerce or specialty retail brand with a strong online sales channel

-A CMO, Head of Growth, or Director of eCom focused on profitable, scalable growth

-Short on in-house UX/analytics/experimentation firepower, but long on ambition

-Ready to optimize your site as a high-performing asset, not just a digital brochure

-Interested in measurable growth, not guesswork

I started on Wall Street, but found my calling in strategy and marketing. I’ve led brand strategy and client service for icons like Time Inc, AT&T, DreamWorks, and Southwest Airlines at top agencies including J. Walter Thompson, Deutsch, Inc, and GSD&M.

After selling my first agency (Greatest Common Factory), I went on to lead five digital media brands at Media General and Nexstar, where I fell in love with data-driven ROI. That passion led me to co-found Mobile1st in 2017.

I'm a disciple of Purpose-Based Branding (inspired by Jim Collins, Simon Sinek, Seth Godin) and believe clarity of purpose is the greatest growth engine.

Proud husband, father of two brilliant daughters, and forever student of what makes brands and people grow.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanasilverstein

Website: mobile1st.com

Email: jonathan@mobile1st.com

Connect with me:

Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

Show Notes:

In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk speaks with Hari Srinivasan, founder and CEO of iCover, about how technology is reshaping the life insurance landscape. They explore the innovative use of AI and predictive analytics to simplify underwriting and improve the overall buying experience.

Hari shares key insights on marketing strategies, the value of referrals in a trust-based industry, and the challenges of balancing automation with a personal touch. The conversation also looks ahead to iCover’s future plans, including product expansion and deeper consumer engagement, all while navigating the complexities of a highly regulated sector. The episode emphasizes the importance of making life insurance more accessible, affordable, and customer-friendly.

Bio:

Hari Srinivasan is the Founder & CEO of iCover, a Missouri-based InsurTech, that has designed the "Best Life Insurance Buying Experience". Before iCover, Hari successfully launched and exited i3 Tech, specializing in digital marketing and mobile app tech. Driven by a passion for innovation and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, he actively advises Space Kidz, and mentors startups through the Nimoniks Foundation. Hari believes in leveraging technology to solve real-world problems, create value, and improve lives.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hari-s-42b92628/

Website: https://icoverinsure.com/

Connect with me:

Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

Show Notes:

In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk speaks with Raghu Bala, co-founder of Synergetics, about how businesses can harness the power of AI to drive growth and innovation. Drawing from decades of experience in the software industry, Raghu explores the transformative potential of AI in corporate training and beyond.

The conversation addresses common misconceptions around AI, the shift toward personalized learning experiences, and how businesses can better engage customers by adapting their marketing strategies for diverse audiences. He also underscores the importance of embracing evolving technology to stay competitive in today’s rapidly changing business environment.

Bio:

My work in the Generative AI startup arena showcases my ability to turn complex concepts into innovative and widely adopted solutions. I thrive on creating cutting-edge technologies that push the boundaries of what's possible in AI and blockchain. As a strong leader, my approach is rooted in both hands-on product development and high-level strategic oversight, ensuring that innovative ideas are executed effectively and sustainably. My commitment to advancing technology and fostering global market expansion continues to drive my enthusiasm for innovation and growth. Let’s connect to explore new opportunities and drive the future of technology together.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raghubala/

Connect with me:

Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, we sit down with Alejandro Rivas-Micoud, CEO of Userlytics Corporation, for a powerful conversation about why user experience (UX) is no longer optional—it's mission-critical.

Alejandro breaks down the evolution of usability testing, from manual processes to today’s cutting-edge, AI-driven research tools. He shares how companies that truly listen to their users gain a serious edge—and how continuous testing fuels smarter decisions and stronger products.

Beyond UX, Alejandro opens up about his own entrepreneurial path, including the hurdles of growing a tech company, the importance of building a strong internal culture, and how to stand out in a saturated market.

We also explore what’s ahead for Userlytics: expanding accessibility testing and pushing the boundaries of AI-powered research to uncover deeper user insights.

Whether you're a founder, product leader, or just obsessed with building better experiences—this episode is packed with practical strategies and inspiration.

Bio*

As CEO of Userlytics, Alejandro Rivas-Micoud relies on his extensive high technology, research and testing experience to bring the company to the forefront of qualitative user experience research.

He began his career designing and implementing the testing procedures for nuclear power reactor safety systems, for the US Navy, Bechtel Power Corporation, and the Cleveland Electric Power Company.

After completing his MBA at INSEAD, in Europe, Rivas-Micoud worked as a CEO in the telecommunications market research field in Japan. He led a team of French, Japanese, and US market researchers and consultants assisting major telecommunication firms in strategic product management.

After Japan, Rivas-Micoud began a series of entrepreneurial ventures in Europe in the software, telecommunications and SaaS fields, including the launch of Aló Communications, and Clearwire Spain, a wireless telecommunications operator, which were sold to Clearwire Communications in 2006.

Alejandro joined YPO (Young Presidents Organization) in 2004 and WPO (World Presidents Organization) in 2011, and is the founder of the Personal Board of Directors Programs of Silicon Valley and Madrid.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/userlytics-corporation/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/userlyticscorporation/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/userlytics/ https://x.com/userlytics

Website: www.userlytics.com

Connect with me:

Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

Show Notes:

In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk speaks with Christina Hawatmeh, founder of Scopio, a platform designed to bridge the gap between global creatives and major brands. Christina shares the vision behind Scopio, detailing her entrepreneurial journey and the challenges she faced as a woman navigating the tech space.

The discussion highlights the power of visual storytelling, the evolving relationship between AI and human creativity, and the critical role confidence plays in the success of creatives. Christina also offers a glimpse into her upcoming book, which explores what the world might look like under women-led leadership. The conversation underscores the importance of community, networking, and building inclusive platforms that elevate diverse voices.

Bio:

Christina Hawatmeh is the Founder and CEO of Scopio which stands for “Scope it out” and is empowering artists to share, and monetize their images instantly, offering businesses access to a diverse pool of valuable images to use, and talented artists to hire which spans from 190 countries for skills in art, illustration, graphic design, video and 7,000 skills in the visual arts. Over 30,000 businesses including Disney, Microsoft, and Adobe trust Scopio for talent and imagery.

Christina is an influential voice in the creator economy for the past decade, speaking globally on why “underdogs” need to access, and the creative revolution that is exploding today. She is named Top 10 Influential Women to look out for in 2023, Top Entrepreneurs to Follow by NY Finance and has been recognized by leading publications such as CNN, Entrepreneur, and Forbes 30 Under 30. She is the author of The Year Time Stopped: The Global Pandemic in Photos, featured at the Grammys and winner of “the mind award” available in all major retailers. Christina is currently working on her second book titled "If Women," featuring art and photography contributed by artists from all around the world, reimagining a world where women have redesigned it.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chawatmeh/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christinahawatmeh

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinahawatmeh/?hl=en

Website: www.scop.io

Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scopioimages/

Connect with me:

Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

Show Notes:

In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with Daniel Peña, co-founder and CEO of DevSavant, a specialized software development firm. Daniel shares his unexpected path from the legal world to the tech industry, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the founding of DevSavant and the principles that guide its success.

The discussion explores how the company stands out in a saturated market, emphasizing the importance of a growth mindset when building high-performing teams. Daniel also delves into the integration of AI in software development, overcoming cultural and political hurdles in international growth, and crafting effective marketing strategies. Looking ahead, he outlines his vision for DevSavant’s continued expansion and innovation in the global tech space.

Bio: Daniel is a graduate lawyer from Universidad del Rosario, with a deepening degree

in Commercial Law and further studies on M&A and Corporate law from Pontificia

Universidad Javeriana. Before joining DevSavant, Daniel worked at the Capital and Securities team at Brigard & Urrutia, one of the leading law firms in Latin America, and lead as CEO

JAYA Company LLC, a software development company founded in 2018 with

operations in Latin America and the U.S. Daniel founded Ressolve.ai in 2019, a revolutionary AI company that develops NLP-NLU algorithms specific to LATAM Spanish.

In 2020 Daniel co-founded DevSavant a software accelerator company, with more than 200 developers, that provides services to tech companies

Venture Capital Fund and prospects of investment, where he currently works as

CEO. He has over ten years of experience advising companies and startups from the

legal, strategic, and financial perspective. In 2023 the MIT—Harvard Colombia Club granted Daniel the corporate innovation award. In 2024 joined Mr Pink VC as partner and investor.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielpprr/

Website: https://devsavant.com/

Connect with me:

Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/

Show Notes:

In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk speaks with Anthony Bay, founder of Techquity, who brings decades of experience in technology and media to his latest venture. Anthony shares the story behind Techquity’s creation—a partner-driven collective dedicated to helping businesses harness technology for both growth and positive social impact.

The conversation explores the strategic use of AI to streamline operations and drive innovation, as well as the unique business structure that emphasizes collaboration over hierarchy. Anthony also reflects on key lessons from his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges that come with scaling a mission-driven business, and why service to others remains central to lasting success.

Bio:

During my career, I have had the incredible opportunity to be a senior executive at three, trillion dollar tech companies (Apple, Microsoft, Amazon) during periods of rapid, exciting, and formative growth. I was CEO of a global music subscription service before subscription music had achieved mass adoption. I have also been involved with a number of startups and smaller private tech companies as an investor, CEO and board member, and have co-founded several companies. I have been a board member of four public companies in the US and Europe, and was chairman of two of them.

I have been involved in multiple aspects of the software industry, including very early involvement in digital communications, social media, e-commerce, digital media, and subscription services. I have managed product and engineering organizations, business units, and divisions and have been involved as a principal in numerous M&A transactions on both the buy and sell-side ranging in size from less than $1M to >$250M, as well as establishing and operating several international joint ventures.

My passion for technology and desire to make a difference led to the founding of Techquity as a way to help companies that matter solve problems that matter through world-class software thinking and execution.

To connect with our guest, click on the links below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonybay/

Substack: https://techquityai.substack.com/

Connect with me:

Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/