Jeff Swartz's 20 years of experience in digital advertising have made him an expert in evaluating and selecting technology for his business. But when clients continually asked for a service for which Jeff's agency couldn't find a provider, Jeff set out to create the software himself.

In this episode of Aepiphanni Off the Cuff, Jeff and Rick explore the risk-reward analysis that led Jeff to take the leap into entrepreneurship and self-fund his startup. Discover how he transformed his company over the years, integrating cutting-edge tech into their daily operations, and how he tackles the challenge of selecting the right software solutions.

Don't miss this episode filled with wisdom and inspiration! Tune in and stay ahead in the tech game.

• How Jeff's marketing agency piloted a program for self-serve, highly targeted, location-based advertising

• The tools and software utilized by Jeff 's team to grow the business, including adopting new AI

• How Jeff's agency makes decisions about what projects to prioritize

• Why Jeff gives the authority to team members to select new software

• Common pitfalls in evaluating new software

Have you been considering starting a business podcast?

On this week's episode of Aepiphanni Off the Cuff, Rick sits down with marketing and media expert Lee Judge to discuss all the ins and outs of running a successful podcast that will elevate your brand and strengthen your business.

Before starting his company, Content Monsta, Lee describes living parallel lives – doing corporate marketing and sales by day and working deep in creativity doing video production by night.

Today, he has combined both, bringing creativity and data analytics into one powerhouse business that helps executives and businesses produce podcasts, video, and content marketing.

Discover everything Lee Judge and Content Monsta have to offer. Learn how to leverage podcasts and other forms of media to successfully market your business in today's episode of Aepiphanni Off the Cuff.

• About Content Monsta's Unique Approach Combining Media and Marketing

• Why So Many Companies Are Getting into Podcasts

• 5 Mistakes Executives Make When Doing a Podcast

• The Ideal Podcast Length, Quality, Format, and Promotion

• How Executives Should Present Themselves on Video and Audio Podcasts

What does it take to succeed as a tech startup?

Kelly Flynn and Tim Chalk share their decades of knowledge in the tech space with this week's listeners of Aepiphanni Off the Cuff.

Kelly and Tim, founders of Seirios Technologies, coach tech founders and help them build both the roadmap and the business they need to support their dreams. Their job is to work themselves out of a job as they help turn your vision into reality.

Listen in to this week's episode of Aepiphanni Off the Cuff to gain the perspective you need as an ambitious tech founder with a unique, clever idea.

• The 3 Levels of Startup Support Provided by Seirios Technologies

• Myths vs. Reality for Tech Startups

• Working with Development Teams

• Are NDAs Necessary for Tech Startups?

• Scaling, Roadmaps, and Advice for Founders

Kiki and Corey are shaking up the online dating industry with their newly launched audio-based dating app, SWITCH. The two best friends dove into the world of tech startups to create a virtual speed dating app that lets people connect first, and judge later. In their research and design, they prioritized creating the kind of user experience that will put an end to swipe culture and lead to real connection.

Their fresh approach and unique solutions to the real issues created by today's dating apps has already helped them secure investment funds and launch their app in beta. Listen in to today's episode of Aepiphanni Off the Cuff to hear their story, learn how they have overcome obstacles, and be inspired by their infectious energy and dedication to building a business that will make a difference.

In this episode:

• What is the SWITCH Dating App and How Does it Work?
• Solving the Main Problems with Today's Dating Apps
• What it Takes to Build a Business and How Corey and Kiki's Startup Journey Has Evolved
• Getting Funding as Black Female Startup Founders

How to Become a Beta Tester and/or Invest in the Switch App

Brandon Rhodes and Navarr Grevious have both entered the hyper-competitive realm of tech startups, even though neither one has any background in tech.

Brandon's app, Yumfox, is taking on the middleman and saving restaurants and consumers both time and money in the world of restaurant food delivery.

Navarr and his co-founders of Quikliq—a digital marketplace for beer, wine, and spirits—are helping small liquor shops deliver your favorite drink to your doorstep.

Both have taken very different paths on their road to startup success. Listen to this week's episode of Aepiphanni Off the Cuff to discover their unique approaches to tech development, fundraising, investor shares, and what they would do differently if they were to start the journey all over again.

In this episode:

• How to build a tech department as a non-tech founder
• Learning the ropes of the tech startup world
• The value of connections and relationships in business
• Protecting your ideas with NDAs and people you trust
• Working with co-founders and consultants
• Is it important to find a co-founder with a technical skillset?
• How to design an equity plan and distribute shares
• What has fundraising been like for Brandon and Navarr?
• What Brandon and Navarr would have done differently if they had known what they know now
• The importance of doing market research early on
• The moments they wanted to give up or thought they had failed
• The importance of vision, and the grit and work necessary to bring your vision to life.

Michael Wolsten is an executive trainer, coach, speaker, and bestselling author. He helps businesses improve their work culture to keep and develop the talent they have and powerfully attract new talent.

Michael has put in the work to learn the real-world answers and understand what makes a great leader.

He has tested and taught his principles of heart-driven leadership over the last 17 years, helping companies achieve world-class sales, service, and retention by fostering workplace cultures that drive results.

Listen to Michael's story and insights into today's job market in Episode 9 of the Off the Cuff Season 3 podcast.

In this episode:

• Defining leadership integrity and purpose
• The value of investing in mentorship
• Signs of self-sabotage and burnout as a business owner
• Stopping the burnout cycle by empowering others
• What makes a successful leader?
• The shift from Hustle Culture to Quiet Quitting
• Opportunities for leaders to ask themselves what is healthy for them when it comes to work.
• How to get open and honest feedback from your team to effect change within your organization.
• Relational leadership and honoring the present to help other people feel valued.
• The importance of assessing cultural fit in the hiring process

We've always viewed leadership from the perspective of leading others to complete a goal.

But have you heard of identity-based leadership? It's a leadership style where you lead yourself first to ultimately inspire your team to win through personal values and character.

Professional speaker and identity leadership expert Ricco McAdory talks more about this topic in the newest Aepiphanni Off the Cuff episode.

Hear more about what Ricco has to say about legacy, his pastorship experiences and how all these shaped how he is now as a leader.

Website: https://www.riccomcadoryspeaks.com/

Social media:

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP7Bw5xYUYIJKR34ZyyZmcw

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064238194162

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riccosmcadory/

Kirk Gimenez, who was a Venezuelan immigrant and the first ever Latino to anchor in English for ESPN, shares with listeners the leap he took in starting Xizzle TV (a platform for raising up underrepresented voices).

It wasn't always easy but the reward of pursuing his passion has made it all worth it. From learning the entrepreneurial spirit to getting a business off the ground with his own money, Kirk's clarity for this project is what keeps him going. For him, it's about embodying, embracing, and representing those minority stories, and giving them a platform to shine.

Xizzle TV is a FREE smart TV app on Roku and Amazon Fire that makes TV in English for Latinos & all minorities.

Kirk is a network anchor (formerly with ESPN & SNY), Two-time Emmy Winner, TV host and Executive Producer.

You can reach out to him here:

Instagram: @kirkgimenez

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kirkgimenez/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirk-gimenez/