Ep. 220 Building High Performing Teams Through Core Values and Leadership with Vivienne Wagner

Ep. 220 Building High Performing Teams Through Core Values and Leadership with Vivienne Wagner

Show Notes: In Part Two of this conversation, Heidi Schalk welcomes back Vivienne Wagner, founder of Houndstooth Media Group, for an insightful discussion on leadership, company culture, and building teams that thrive. Vivienne shares how her agency grew from an accidental startup at her dining room table into a successful team of 16 serving businesses across the country. She explains why hiring for fit comes before skill set and how clearly defined core values have shaped every aspect of the company's growth. Throughout the conversation, Heidi and Vivienne explore: • Why chemistry and shared values matter when building teams • The five core values that guide Houndstooth Media Group • How company culture influences client relationships and referrals • Why founders should empower employees to bring solutions, not just problems • How to create a collaborative environment where team members feel seen and valued • The importance of understanding individual personalities and communication styles • Why referrals are powerful but should not be your only growth strategy • How leaders can stay aligned with their values while scaling • The role gratitude, humor, and kindness play in long term success • Why fear is normal and should never stop entrepreneurs from pursuing growth Whether you're building your first team or leading a growing company, this episode offers practical insights for creating a culture that attracts great people, loyal clients, and sustainable success. Bio: Vivienne Wagner is the founder and CEO of Houndstooth Media Group, a digital marketing agency based in Southern California. With a team of 16 specialists, she helps mid-sized businesses transform their websites into revenue-driving hubs by combining SEO expertise with the latest in AI-driven optimization. Known for her ability to make complex marketing concepts accessible, Vivienne speaks on how businesses can position themselves to be found by both human audiences and AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity. Her agency’s approach not only boosts visibility and organic traffic but also reduces dependence on paid ads, giving business owners the freedom to scale more sustainably. Vivienne frequently works with decision-makers who need trusted marketing leadership—either because they don’t have in-house expertise or want a sharper second opinion on their current strategy. She offers a structured starting point through her SEO & AI Optimization Audit, which helps companies uncover hidden opportunities, identify weak points, and gain clarity on the steps needed to compete in today’s search-driven landscape. Outside of work, Vivienne enjoys life with her husband and extended family of four grown sons. Known for her mix of humor, candor, and genuine care for the people she works with, she brings the same energy into her professional world that she does into her personal one. As a guest, she is direct, insightful, and engaging—ready to share practical strategies for AI-optimized marketing, building strong website foundations, and scaling digital strategies for long-term success. Houndstooth Media Group Houndstooth Media Group is a boutique digital marketing agency based in Southern California. With a team of 16 specialists across the country, the agency helps mid-sized businesses turn their websites into revenue-driving hubs through SEO, AI-driven optimization, and strategic digital marketing. The majority of Houndstooth’s client base comes through referrals and word of mouth, with most partnerships lasting for years. That loyalty stems from the agency’s commitment to transparency and education—qualities that set it apart in an industry often clouded by jargon and “smoke and mirrors.” Houndstooth eliminates the “flying blind” feeling many business owners experience when working with marketing agencies, instead giving them clarity, confidence, and measurable results. From SEO strategy and AI-optimized content to social media, branding, and revenue development, Houndstooth delivers custom solutions without cookie-cutter tactics. Clients gain not only execution but also a trusted partner who explains the “why” behind the strategy, so leaders can make informed decisions and see the direct impact on their business growth. At its core, Houndstooth Media Group is built for long-term success: results-focused, strategy-driven, and deeply invested in helping businesses grow with confidence. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivienne-wagner/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivienne-wagner/]                  https://www.linkedin.com/company/houndstooth-media-group/  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/houndstooth-media-group/] Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/houndstoothmediagroup/  [https://www.instagram.com/houndstoothmediagroup/] Website:  https://houndstoothmediagroup.com/  [https://houndstoothmediagroup.com/] 🎁Get your free webinar on AI Visibility https://houndstooth-media-group.webinargeek.com/aio-webinar-get-your-business-found?cst=business-growth-spotlight [https://houndstooth-media-group.webinargeek.com/aio-webinar-get-your-business-found?cst=business-growth-spotlight] 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]

Ep. 219 Why SEO Still Matters in the Age of AI Search with Founder and CEO of Houndstooth Media Group

Show Notes: Search is changing faster than ever. Customers are no longer relying solely on Google. They're asking ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI platforms for recommendations, and businesses that fail to adapt risk becoming invisible. In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, Heidi Schalk sits down with Vivienne Wagner, founder of Houndstooth Media Group, to explore the future of SEO, AI visibility, and why clarity has become one of the most valuable assets a business can have. Vivienne shares how she accidentally built a thriving digital marketing agency, why authentic storytelling still matters in an AI world, and what business owners need to do today to ensure they are found and recommended tomorrow. She also reveals the three questions every business must answer clearly if they want to stand out in both search engines and AI platforms. Bio: Vivienne Wagner is the founder and CEO of Houndstooth Media Group, a digital marketing agency based in Southern California. With a team of 16 specialists, she helps mid-sized businesses transform their websites into revenue-driving hubs by combining SEO expertise with the latest in AI-driven optimization. Known for her ability to make complex marketing concepts accessible, Vivienne speaks on how businesses can position themselves to be found by both human audiences and AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity. Her agency’s approach not only boosts visibility and organic traffic but also reduces dependence on paid ads, giving business owners the freedom to scale more sustainably. Vivienne frequently works with decision-makers who need trusted marketing leadership—either because they don’t have in-house expertise or want a sharper second opinion on their current strategy. She offers a structured starting point through her SEO & AI Optimization Audit, which helps companies uncover hidden opportunities, identify weak points, and gain clarity on the steps needed to compete in today’s search-driven landscape. Outside of work, Vivienne enjoys life with her husband and extended family of four grown sons. Known for her mix of humor, candor, and genuine care for the people she works with, she brings the same energy into her professional world that she does into her personal one. As a guest, she is direct, insightful, and engaging—ready to share practical strategies for AI-optimized marketing, building strong website foundations, and scaling digital strategies for long-term success. Houndstooth Media Group Houndstooth Media Group is a boutique digital marketing agency based in Southern California. With a team of 16 specialists across the country, the agency helps mid-sized businesses turn their websites into revenue-driving hubs through SEO, AI-driven optimization, and strategic digital marketing. The majority of Houndstooth’s client base comes through referrals and word of mouth, with most partnerships lasting for years. That loyalty stems from the agency’s commitment to transparency and education—qualities that set it apart in an industry often clouded by jargon and “smoke and mirrors.” Houndstooth eliminates the “flying blind” feeling many business owners experience when working with marketing agencies, instead giving them clarity, confidence, and measurable results. From SEO strategy and AI-optimized content to social media, branding, and revenue development, Houndstooth delivers custom solutions without cookie-cutter tactics. Clients gain not only execution but also a trusted partner who explains the “why” behind the strategy, so leaders can make informed decisions and see the direct impact on their business growth. At its core, Houndstooth Media Group is built for long-term success: results-focused, strategy-driven, and deeply invested in helping businesses grow with confidence. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivienne-wagner/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivienne-wagner/]                   https://www.linkedin.com/company/houndstooth-media-group/  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/houndstooth-media-group/] Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/houndstoothmediagroup/  [https://www.instagram.com/houndstoothmediagroup/] Website:  https://houndstoothmediagroup.com/  [https://houndstoothmediagroup.com/] 🎁Get your free webinar on AI Visibility 👉 https://houndstooth-media-group.webinargeek.com/aio-webinar-get-your-business-found?cst=business-growth-spotlight [https://houndstooth-media-group.webinargeek.com/aio-webinar-get-your-business-found?cst=business-growth-spotlight] 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]

Ep. 218 From Fitness to Wellness How the Industry Is Evolving with Brian Meisenburg

Show Notes: Many people discover that the strategies that worked in their 20’s and 30’s no longer deliver the same results after forty. In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, Heidi Schalk sits down with Brian Meisenburg, founder of Applied Fitness, to discuss why personalized wellness is replacing traditional fitness and how his unique approach is helping adults over forty reclaim their health. Brian shares how Applied Fitness combines personal training, nutrition, accountability, and medical weight loss support to create life changing transformations. He explains why metabolism, stress, hormones, and recovery play such a critical role in long term success and why the goal is much bigger than simply losing weight. The conversation also explores entrepreneurship, scaling multiple locations, creating systems, AI integration, and how wellness businesses are evolving toward personalized longevity and healthspan. Bio: Brian Meisenburg is the founder of Applied Fitness, a boutique personal training studio in Williamsville, New York, specializing in helping adults over 40 rebuild strength, improve metabolic health, and feel confident in their bodies again. With more than 20 years of experience in fitness and transformation coaching, Brian is the creator of the patented Metabolic Reset Method, a system designed to help people move beyond outdated dieting and cardio-based approaches by focusing on strength training, nutrition, accountability, and long-term metabolic health. He is also the author of a book on the Metabolic Reset, where he teaches why the body changes after 40 and how the right strategy can help people lose fat, protect muscle, and age stronger. Brian’s businesses include Applied Fitness, home of the Fit Over 40 Transformation, and Strong Again RX, a 12-week medical weight loss and metabolic reset program that combines medically guided weight loss, personal training, precision nutrition, and accountability tracking. His mission is simple: to help people stop chasing the scale, rebuild their strength, and become strong again for the next chapter of life. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/fatlossbuffalo  [https://www.facebook.com/fatlossbuffalo] Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fatlossbuffalo  [https://www.instagram.com/fatlossbuffalo] Website:    https://www.fatlossbuffalo.com/ [https://www.fatlossbuffalo.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]

Ep. 217 The Business Side of Medicine Most Doctors Never Learn with Binta Patel

Show Notes: In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, host Heidi Schalk sits down with Binta Patel, Founder and CEO of Zen Medical Services, to uncover one of the biggest hidden challenges facing private medical practices today: getting paid. With more than 14 years of experience in medical revenue cycle management, Binta explains how doctors can lose thousands of dollars each month through denied claims, coding errors, missed authorizations, and inefficient processes. She shares how her company helps practices recover revenue, improve profitability, and focus on what matters most: patient care. Binta also shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey from software engineer and new mother to building a thriving healthcare company almost entirely through referrals. Bio: Binta Patel is the founder of Zen Medical Services. After working as a software engineer, she started Zen while raising her young son and looking for a business that combined flexibility, scalability, and meaningful impact. Today, Zen helps medical practices improve billing, collections, denials, authorizations, AR follow-up, and overall revenue cycle performance. For more than 13 years, Binta and her team have helped practices collect better and operate more confidently in the business of medicine. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/binta-patel-zen [http://nkedin.com/in/binta-patel-zen] Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/zenmedicalservices [https://www.instagram.com/zenmedicalservices] Company LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/zen-medical-services/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/zen-medical-services/] Website;  https://www.zenservices.net/  [https://www.zenservices.net/] https://claim.zenmedicalservices.com/ [https://claim.zenmedicalservices.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]

Ep. 216 Can Home Healthcare Save Billions? Iqbal Shariff Shares His Vision

Show Notes: What does high quality home healthcare really look like, and how can it transform patient outcomes while reducing healthcare costs? In this episode of Business Growth Spotlight, Heidi Schalk sits down with Iqbal Shariff, CEO of Best Home Healthcare Network, to discuss the evolution of home healthcare, the importance of patient safety, and how innovation and AI are shaping the future of care. Iqbal shares the personal story that inspired his mission, the challenges his organization overcame during healthcare reform and COVID 19, and why patients today are shifting from simply aging in place to proactively pursuing longevity and wellness. He also reveals ambitious plans to expand services and create a healthcare model capable of saving Illinois hundreds of millions of dollars while improving access and outcomes. Bio: Iqbal Shariff, MBA, is the President and Administrator of Best Home Healthcare Network and a passionate advocate for patient safety and healthcare innovation. He founded the organization in 2006 with a mission to provide high quality, compassionate care that empowers patients to heal safely in the comfort of their own homes. A pioneer in the industry, Iqbal established the first home health program in Chicagoland to include a clinical pharmacist on the care team. Guided by the philosophy "Patient Safety. First.," he continues to champion proactive approaches that improve outcomes, reduce preventable medical errors, and enhance the patient experience. Iqbal holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from DePaul University and an Executive MBA in Healthcare from the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago. To connect with our guest, click on the links below: LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/iqbal-shariff-72743322 [http://www.linkedin.com/in/iqbal-shariff-72743322] LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/best-home-healthcare-network  [http://www.linkedin.com/company/best-home-healthcare-network] Website:  www.BHHCare.com  [http://www.bhhcare.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]