Ep. 226 AI and Marketing: Why Relationships Matter More Than Ever with Jared Harman

Ep. 226 AI and Marketing: Why Relationships Matter More Than Ever with Jared Harman

Show Notes: As AI transforms marketing at an incredible pace, many businesses are asking the same question. How do you embrace automation without losing the human connection that customers actually value? In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, Heidi Schalk sits down with Jared Harman, Founder of One Group Agency, to explore how successful brands balance technology with authentic relationships. From branding and content creation to AI adoption and business growth, Jared shares practical lessons learned while growing his agency through referrals, customer service, and a willingness to adapt. This conversation is a refreshing reminder that while tools will continue to evolve, trust remains one of the most valuable assets a business can build. Bio: Jared Harman is the CEO & Co-Founder of The One Group Agency, a full-service marketing agency based in British Columbia. Since launching in 2018, he has led the company’s growth from a startup into a multi-faceted agency through strategic expansion and acquisitions. Jared is known for his hands-on leadership style, focus on team performance, and ability to deliver measurable marketing outcomes for brands across North America. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jaredharman/  [https://www.instagram.com/jaredharman/] Website:  www.onegroupagency.ca  [http://www.onegroupagency.ca] Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/] 🎁Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint [https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint]  🎁Join us for a free 60 Minute Executive Briefing all about Visibility and AEO:  https://becomeairecommended.com/future-of-visibility [https://becomeairecommended.com/future-of-visibility]

Ep. 225 Protect Your Family Business Legacy: The Fire Drill Every Business Owner Should Run with the Beringer Group

Show Notes: Great Businesses Plan for Success Before They Need To Featuring Ted Beringer, Chris Beringer, and Eric Beringer of The Beringer Group One of the most rewarding parts of hosting Business Growth Spotlight is watching businesses evolve. That's why this episode is especially meaningful. Ted Beringer was one of our earliest guests, and now he returns with the next generation of leadership, Chris and Eric Beringer, for a conversation about what it really takes to build a business that lasts. The discussion goes far beyond succession planning. It explores family dynamics, governance, AI, leadership transitions, business valuation, and why many successful companies unknowingly carry risks that could threaten everything they've built. Whether you're planning to sell your company, pass it to the next generation, or simply want to protect what you've created, this episode offers practical insights every business owner should hear. Bio: Ted Beringer, Founder Ted founded The Mid-Atlantic Companies, Ltd. in 1979 with the mission of serving the financial needs of private and closely held business owners and their families. Mid-Atlantic grew to become a national firm with more than 100 employees and offices throughout the United States. In 1998 Mid-Atlantic's operations were acquired by First Union Corporation (now Wells Fargo.)  In early 2000, Ted, his family, and a few select partners established The Beringer Group, a company providing business owners with transition, corporate development, and liquidity options. He specializes in the “keep/sell” discussion and its impact on the family business. Ted is a graduate of the University of Buffalo and holds a Master's Degree from the University of Oklahoma. Chris Beringer, President Chris has extensive experience advising high net worth families establishing family offices and/or family investment companies, in regard to feasibility, design, staffing, transitioning and IT operations. Eric Beringer, Client Relations Consultant  Eric excels in nurturing and maintaining strong relationships with clients. With more than twenty years of experience in this field, Eric ensures that clients receive exceptional service and support. Eric graduated from the University of Colorado. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theberingergroup/  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/theberingergroup/] YouTube:  youtube.com/@TheBeringerGroup?feature=shared  [http://youtube.com/@TheBeringerGroup?feature=shared] Website:  www.theberingergroup.com  [http://www.theberingergroup.com] Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/] 🎁Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint [https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint]  🎁Join us for a free 60 Minute Executive Briefing all about Visibility and AEO:  https://becomeairecommended.com/future-of-visibility [https://becomeairecommended.com/future-of-visibility]

Ep. 224 The Future of AI Search and What Every Business Needs to Know about AEO with Kim Reynolds

Show Notes: AI Is Changing More Than Search. It's Changing How Customers Buy. Featuring Kim Reynolds, Co-Founder of AI Advantage Agency AI isn't just helping people search faster. It's beginning to make purchasing decisions on their behalf. In this eye opening conversation, Heidi sits down with Kim Reynolds, Co Founder of AI Advantage Agency, to discuss what many businesses are still overlooking about AI visibility, answer engine optimization, agentic commerce, paid advertising, and the future of customer acquisition. Kim shares practical strategies businesses can implement today while explaining why waiting another year could make it much harder to compete. If you've been wondering how ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, and Google's AI experiences will impact your business, this episode is your roadmap. Bio: Kimberly Reynolds is a seasoned digital strategist and the co-founder of AI Advantage Agency. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she specializes in transitioning brands from traditional search models to Agentic Commerce and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyannreynolds/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyannreynolds/], Company LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/ai-advantage-agency/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ai-advantage-agency/] X:   x.com/kimreynolds, x.com/aiadvantage  [http://x.com/kimreynolds] Website:  https://aiadvantageagency.com/ [https://aiadvantageagency.com/]  Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/] 🎁Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint [https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint]  🎁Join us for a free 60 Minute Executive Briefing all about Visibility and AEO with Heidi Schalk and Kim Reynolds:  https://becomeairecommended.com/future-of-visibility [https://becomeairecommended.com/future-of-visibility]

Ep. 223 Why Great Strategies Fail Without Strong Management with Tara Landes

Show Notes: Having a great business strategy is only the beginning. The real challenge is making sure it gets implemented. In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, Heidi Schalk sits down with Tara Landes, Founder of Bellrock, to discuss why so many businesses struggle with execution, how leadership and management differ, and why investing in managers is one of the highest ROI decisions a growing company can make. Drawing from nearly two decades of helping organizations scale, Tara shares practical advice on creating clarity, building systems that support growth, developing future leaders, and using AI as a thinking partner without losing the human element. The conversation also explores why implementation often fails, how founders can successfully remove themselves from day to day operations, and why authentic expertise is becoming more valuable than ever in the age of AI. Whether you're leading a team of ten or scaling toward one hundred employees, this episode is filled with actionable insights you can implement immediately. Bio: For over 25 years, Tara Landes has helped more than 300 small business leaders solve complex operational challenges through strategic planning and implementation of those plans. A certified Change Management Practitioner (Prosci), a Licensed Influence Trainer (Cialdini Institute), she leads Bellrock’s management training programs and has guided hundreds of managers to greater confidence and capability. Tara has spoken for TEC Canada, MacKay CEO Forums, Engineers and Geoscientists BC, and The Buildings Show. She holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business. When not working with clients, she’s often aboard a boat in BC’s Gulf Islands, reading while her family hauls in prawns and crab. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/taralandes [http://linkedin.com/in/taralandes] Bellrock LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/bellrock-benchmarking-inc-/  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bellrock-benchmarking-inc-/] Website:  https://bellrock.ca/  [https://bellrock.ca/] Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/] 🎁 Grab your Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint [https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint] 🎁A Complimentary 60-Minute Executive Briefing for Business Owners, CEOs, Consultants, Agencies, and Service-Based Organizations:  https://becomeairecommended.com/ [https://becomeairecommended.com/]

Ep. 222 How International Companies Can Successfully Expand Into the US Market with Matt DiMarsico

Show Notes: Expanding into the United States is one of the biggest growth opportunities for international companies, but it is also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, Heidi Schalk sits down with Matt DiMarsico, Co Founder of USA LaunchingPad, to discuss why many successful international businesses struggle when entering the US market and what they can do differently to accelerate growth. Drawing from more than two decades of experience building and scaling disruptive technology companies, Matt shares the strategies that help startups and scaleups validate product market fit, refine their messaging, leverage AI effectively, and build scalable go to market systems that actually work in the United States. The conversation also explores how AI is changing business development, why strategic planning still matters more than speed, and why authentic human relationships remain one of the greatest competitive advantages in today's marketplace. Bio: Matt DiMarsico is the Co-Founder of USA Launching Pad, a market expansion and go-to-market advisory firm that helps international startups and scale-ups successfully enter and grow in the U.S. market. With more than 20 years of experience leading revenue growth, sales transformation, and global expansion initiatives across AI, SaaS, IoT, telecom, and emerging technology companies, Matt has held executive leadership roles including Chief Revenue Officer and Senior Vice President for high-growth and enterprise technology organizations. Through USA Launching Pad, he works with founders, accelerators, economic development organizations, and innovation ecosystems worldwide to help companies validate product-market fit, refine go-to-market strategy, build demand generation systems, and reduce the risk of international expansion. Matt is also actively exploring how AI and automation are transforming modern sales, market intelligence, and business growth strategies. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattdimarsico/  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattdimarsico/] Website:  www.usalaunchingpad.com  [http://www.usalaunchingpad.com] Connect with me: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/] 🎁 Grab your Spotlight to Scale Blueprint:  https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint [https://spotlighttoscale.com/blueprint] 🎁A Complimentary 60-Minute Executive Briefing for Business Owners, CEOs, Consultants, Agencies, and Service-Based Organizations:  https://becomeairecommended.com/ [https://becomeairecommended.com/]