Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Eccentrics

How Benjamin Schieken Built Fincast to Level the Playing Field for Home Loan Borrowers

In this episode, Benjamin Schieken, founder and CEO of Fincast, explains how his company is changing the mortgage shopping process through AI and competitive lending technology. He shares how traditional loan shopping creates friction for borrowers and limits visibility across lenders, often leading consumers to overpay on one of the largest financial decisions of their lives. Benjamin discusses how Fincast helps borrowers compare real mortgage offers without spam calls or repeated applications, while also creating better access for smaller lenders that struggle to compete with large institutions. The conversation also covers Benjamin’s journey from SaaS founder to fintech entrepreneur, lessons learned from failed ventures, the importance of trust in fintech branding, and his long-term vision to bring offline financial shopping behaviors into a transparent digital marketplace. Takeaways * Fincast is an AI-powered mortgage shopping platform designed to help borrowers find better loan offers. * The platform starts with a borrower’s existing loan estimate rather than requiring multiple new applications. * Mortgage loan estimates became standardized by the CFPB in 2016 to support easier comparison shopping. * Traditional mortgage shopping is time-consuming, while comparison websites often overwhelm users with calls and emails. * Fincast anonymizes and shops mortgage offers across a lender network to reduce friction and protect borrower privacy. * According to Benjamin, 73% of borrowers who use Fincast find a better mortgage deal. * Smaller lenders often offer strong pricing and service but struggle to compete with the marketing budgets of large lenders. * Benjamin’s motivation for building Fincast came from a desire to create technology that positively impacts consumers directly. * The company plans to expand beyond mortgages into other financial products such as auto loans and SBA loans. * Trust, education, and transparency are central to the company’s branding and long-term growth strategy. Today's guest, Benjamin Schieken, can be found at: Website: https://www.gofincast.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-schieken/ Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at: Website: https://scottturman.com/, https://brightray.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/ IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14602682/ Keywords mortgage loans, mortgage shopping, fintech, AI lending, loan estimates, CFPB, consumer finance, refinancing, home buying, lenders, mortgage marketplace, loan comparison, interest rates, borrower savings, financial technology, loan origination, mortgage rates, lending ecosystem, mortgage refinancing, SaaS, startup growth, fintech branding, mortgage automation, competitive lending, mortgage transparency, lending intelligence, home financing, digital marketplace, consumer lending, financial products, mortgage offers, loan shopping, mortgage technology, borrower privacy, financial transparency, mortgage innovation, fintech startup, lending platform, real estate finance, personal finance

Maggie Segrich on Building a Coworking Space for Women, LGBTQ+ Folks, and Creatives

In this episode, Maggie Segrich shares the story behind building Texas’s only coworking space designed for women, communities of color, and the LGBTQ community. She discusses her path from jewelry designer and chamber founder to coworking entrepreneur, and explains how the business evolved from a small leased space into a 21,000-square-foot operation in Houston. The conversation covers the realities of scaling a physical business during COVID, managing construction delays and supply chain issues, building a referral-driven company, and creating flexible workspaces that adapt to modern business needs. Maggie also talks about leadership, resilience, community-driven growth, and the future of inclusive coworking across Texas. Takeaways * Maggie Segrich operates Texas’s only coworking space focused on women, communities of color, and the LGBTQ community. * The business started after Maggie struggled to find a creative workspace in Houston for her jewelry company. * The original coworking location opened in Montrose before expanding into a much larger Midtown space. * COVID nearly forced the company to close after losing all clients within six weeks of opening. * A conversation about “being allowed to quit” helped Maggie recommit to the business instead of walking away. * The company scaled from 2,000 square feet to 21,000 square feet through phased expansion. * Supply chain problems during construction created major delays, including missing doors and air conditioning materials. * Flexibility is central to the business model, with clients able to rent offices for hours, weeks, or long-term use. * The coworking space offers services beyond desks, including mailing addresses, conference rooms, showers, legal resources, and event spaces. * Nearly all business growth now comes through referrals rather than paid advertising. Today's guest, Maggie Segrich, can be found at: Company Website: https://seshcoworking.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-segrich/ Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at: Website: https://scottturman.com/, https://brightray.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/ IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14602682/ Keywords coworking space, entrepreneurship, Houston business, inclusive workplaces, women entrepreneurs, LGBTQ business community, communities of color, flexible office space, coworking industry, startup growth, commercial real estate, remote work, business resilience, COVID business recovery, referral marketing, Stripe billing, office rentals, community building, women-owned business, Midtown Houston, networking, nonprofit support, creative entrepreneurs, business operations, scaling a business

Lee Norwood on College Sharks: Making College Search Easier and Paying Less for College

In this episode, Lee Norwood shares how she built a successful college consulting business focused on helping families navigate the complex college admissions process while avoiding full tuition costs whenever possible. She explains the challenges students and parents face with college applications, financial aid, Common App, and school selection, especially for first-generation families and students without access to strong school counseling support. Lee also discusses her entrepreneurial journey from pharmaceutical sales into education consulting, the importance of mentorship and networking, and how she created College Sharks, a scalable online platform designed to make expert college admissions guidance more affordable and accessible for families nationwide. Takeaways * Many high school counselors are overloaded, leaving students without enough personalized college guidance. * Families should start college visits early to help students understand different campus environments and preferences. * College pricing is often negotiable through scholarships, merit aid, and strategic planning. * First-generation students and families without college experience face added challenges during admissions. * The Common App simplifies applications but also encourages students to apply to too many schools. * Successful college consulting requires both admissions knowledge and an understanding of student personality and goals. * Lee transitioned from pharmaceutical sales into entrepreneurship through networking and mentorship. * Buying an existing business gave Lee a foundation of reputation, systems, and client trust. * College Sharks was created to scale expert college admissions advice at a lower price point through structured video lessons and workbooks. * Lee believes entrepreneurship requires self-motivation, adaptability, and a willingness to solve scaling problems creatively. Today's guest, Lee Norwood, can be found at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leenorwood/ Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at: Website: https://scottturman.com/, https://brightray.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/ IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14602682/ Keywords college admissions, college consulting, Common App, college applications, financial aid, scholarships, college tours, higher education, first-generation students, entrepreneurship, mentoring, networking, educational consulting, college essays, merit aid, student counseling, homeschool families, college planning, admissions strategy, College Sharks, business scaling, online education, parent guidance, college affordability, student success

Tessa and Susan Santarpia on Neuroplasticity, Epigenetics, and Healing Beyond Old Patterns

In this episode, Scott Turman speaks with Tessa Santarpia and Susan Santarpia, co-founders of VISUALIZEin360, about their integrated approach to health, wellness, and personal transformation. They explain how their work blends neuropsychology, coaching, and holistic practices to address the full human experience rather than relying on traditional talk therapy alone. The conversation explores the role of neuroplasticity and epigenetics in shaping behavior, the importance of combining mental and physical healing, and why consistent support and accountability are key to lasting change. They also discuss generational shifts in attitudes toward therapy, the unique challenges faced by young adults, and their vision for the future of healthcare, where individuals take a more active role in their own healing. Takeaways * VISUALIZEin360 was founded to create a more holistic approach to mental health and wellness. * Traditional talk therapy often falls short when used as a standalone solution. * Neuroplasticity and epigenetics show that people can change over time through behavior and environment. * Healing requires both mental understanding and physical embodiment. * Consistent coaching and support help individuals stay committed to personal growth. * Integrating practices like mindfulness and somatic work enhances outcomes. * Young adults in their thirties often face existential anxiety and a search for purpose. * Generational trauma and learned behaviors can be addressed through intentional work. * Attitudes toward therapy have shifted, with younger generations more open to self-exploration. * The future of healthcare may focus more on self-healing and holistic practices rather than quick fixes. Today's guests can be found at: Susan Santarpia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-santarpia-32081366/ Tessa Santarpia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessasantarpia Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at: Website: https://scottturman.com/, https://brightray.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/ IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14602682/ Keywords health, wellness, neuropsychology, neuroplasticity, epigenetics, coaching, therapy, mindfulness, somatic psychology, mental health, personal growth, generational trauma, holistic healing, public health, consciousness, behavior change, self healing, anxiety, purpose, transformation

Eli Igra Serfaty on Scaling a Niche LinkedIn Agency and Winning Through Focus

In this conversation, Eli Igra Serfaty, co-founder and CEO of MAIA Digital, explains how his agency helps B2B organizations, executives, and teams build a strong presence on LinkedIn through company page management, executive branding, and employee activation. He discusses why LinkedIn remains the most important platform for credibility, trust, and visibility in business, especially as it integrates with search engines and emerging AI tools. The discussion explores the evolution of LinkedIn from a hiring platform to a full business ecosystem, the risks of automation and artificial engagement, and the shift from vanity metrics to meaningful business outcomes. Eli also shares insights on organic versus paid strategies, the growing importance of thought leadership ads, and how a retainer-based business model enabled his agency to scale sustainably. Takeaways * MAIA Digital focuses exclusively on LinkedIn, allowing deep expertise and specialization in one platform. * The agency operates across three pillars: company page management, executive branding, and employee activation. * LinkedIn serves as a central growth engine that supports marketing, sales, hiring, and fundraising. * A strong LinkedIn profile acts as a first impression and is often the top result in search engines. * Businesses benefit from consistent visibility, as multiple touchpoints are required to build trust in B2B. * AI-generated engagement and automation tools can harm credibility and risk account penalties. * LinkedIn’s algorithm is shifting toward quality interactions and business outcomes rather than vanity metrics. * Organic content should come first, with paid amplification used to scale content that already performs well. * Thought leadership ads allow companies to promote personal profile content, increasing authenticity and reach. * A retainer-based model provides predictable revenue and supports long-term client growth and scalability. Today's guest, Eli Igra Serfaty, can be found at: Company Website: https://team-maia.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eli-igra-serfaty/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0k6SHSnZ7NjhdpdYr85JUC Linktree: https://linktr.ee/TEAM_MAIA Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at: Website: https://scottturman.com/, https://brightray.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/ IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14602682/ Keywords LinkedIn marketing, B2B marketing, executive branding, company page management, employee advocacy, thought leadership, LinkedIn ads, organic content, paid amplification, AI engagement, automation risks, social media strategy, personal branding, employer branding, retainer model, subscription revenue, digital marketing, SaaS marketing, venture capital, business growth