The Quiet Light Podcast

Ewen Finser is the Founder and CEO of Venture 4th Media, a firm that develops and transacts digital media assets for clients in a wide variety of established and high-growth market niches. He is also the Founder and CEO of Center Keel Media, a digital media company that incubates content brands at scale, and a Partner and Co-founder of Owl Mountain, a firm that acquires and grows digital assets. Before this, Ewen served in the United States Army National Guard for more than eight years. During that time, he ascended from the rank of Second Lieutenant to Captain. In this episode… Are you trying to figure out whether you should build or buy a content site? Do you want to discover how to leverage your strengths in order to achieve success as an online entrepreneur? This is an ever-present question for digital entrepreneurs who work with content sites: “Should I buy or build?” According to ecommerce expert Ewen Finser, this question is highly personal; in order to answer it, you need to be hyper-aware of your capabilities, experiences, and talents. Ewen suggests that as long as you are playing to your strengths and using all of the tools in your toolkit, your website will be a success — regardless of your choice to grow or transfer a business. So, where should you start in the journey of creating and scaling or acquiring a profitable content site? In this re-released episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Joe Valley sat down with Ewen Finser, the Founder and CEO of Venture 4th Media, to talk about the ins and outs of buying or building a content site. Listen in as Ewen reveals how to choose the path that is best suited to your skills, the secrets to building a top-notch content team, and one of the most critical pieces of due diligence to perform before acquiring a content site. Stay tuned!

Juan García is the CEO of Boopos, a revenue-based financing facility. He has a history as an entrepreneur and experience working with investments, transactions, and equity. He was previously the Chief Financial Officer at Cabify, a Private Equity Associate at Portobello Capital, and an Investment Banking Analyst at Merrill Lynch. Juan graduated from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid with a degree in telecommunications. In this episode… Where can you turn when a typical SBA loan is not the right fit for your brand? Are you using the best approach to fund your business loan? Juan García had entrepreneurs in mind when he founded Boopos. Creating revenue-based financing is an alternative for entrepreneurs who want to maximize their lending amount for acquiring a business without long waiting periods. If you want to be a better buyer without risking your personal growth, this episode is for you! In this re-released episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Joe Valley sat down with Juan García, CEO of Boopos, to discuss acquiring a business through asset purchase funding. Juan talked about the due diligence process of acquiring a loan, why revenue-based financing can be the best option, and how to maximize your lending amount to purchase a business. Stay tuned!

Chris Yates is the Co-owner and COO of Centurica, a due diligence services firm that helps ecommerce entrepreneurs avoid scams, fraud, and unreliable information when purchasing an online business, website, or Amazon FBA account. He is also the Co-owner and CEO of Rhodium Weekend and the Co-founder and Managing Member of Vision Group Management, LLC. Throughout his career, Chris has built hundreds of websites, generated millions of dollars in sales, and successfully created, scaled, and sold multiple businesses. He has also been an advisor on more than $50 million in online business acquisitions and exits. In this episode… Do you want to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into when purchasing an online business? Are you looking for advice and tools to help you identify — and avoid — risky deals? It’s difficult to evade unnecessary risks when buying a business, especially as a new entrepreneur. You want to acquire a solid, profitable business — but how can you do so without hard-won experience under your belt to instruct you every step of the way? That’s why Chris Yates is here today: to share his own accumulated wisdom about online businesses and help you identify common red flags to prevent a disastrous sale. In this re-released episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Joe Valley sat down with Chris Yates, the Co-owner and COO of Centurica, to discuss the best-kept secrets for buying an online business. Listen in as Chris talks about his tips and tricks for diversifying risk, what to avoid when buying an Amazon FBA business, and how Centurica’s MarketWatch tool is changing the game for buyers and sellers across the globe. Stay tuned!

Keith Leimbach is the Chief Executive Officer at Portfolio companies and the creator of DINCPIE, where he teaches people how to create diversified income streams. Keith spent almost 30 years in the corporate world before breaking into the entrepreneurial landscape. He has successfully built several companies, including laundromats, an Amazon FBA brand, garbage and trucking businesses, and more. Keith now has an eight-figure exit under his belt and is passionate about educating and empowering other entrepreneurs through his podcast, Diversified Income Experiment. In this episode… Do you feel like something is holding you back from the next chapter in your career? Are you searching for information to build and exit a business but keep meeting a dead end? If so, you’re not alone — Keith Leimbach was once a fresh entrepreneur with no clear path to get started. He had scaled the corporate world only to find his true passion in launching and cultivating brands. However, there were no guiding resources available when he began, and he had to learn the best ways to grow, operate, and de-risk his business through trial and error. Now, Keith is changing the landscape by offering transparent information through his podcast and his platform as a wildly successful entrepreneur. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Joe Valley sits down with entrepreneur Keith Leimbach to break down his path to achieving an eight-figure exit. Keith explains how to delegate as an entrepreneur, the value of consumer-friendly marketing, and why it’s crucial to understand your finances. Plus, he talks about his podcast and how he’s delivering value to other entrepreneurs.

Dr. Noah St. John is a renowned performance coach, corporate trainer, leadership consultant, and talent development expert known as the "Father of Affirmations" and the mental health coach to stars. Working with Hollywood celebrities, seven- and eight-figure CEOs, professional athletes, top executives, and elite entrepreneurs, he is famous for helping his coaching clients make more in just 12 weeks than they did in the previous 12 months. Dr. Noah is the author of 25 books, including The 7-Figure Expert, and has transformed lives by helping people surpass their income ceilings using his 12-week breakthrough system. Through his dedication to coaching, he proves that true success is about mastering the inner and outer game. In this episode… Many individuals encounter situations where they seem stuck at a particular income level even though they know all the correct steps forward. They might question why their habits are not changing even when they put in all their willpower. However, the issue lies in their thought process rather than their actions. Dr. Noah St. John, a renowned leadership consultant, has discovered that numerous individuals are trapped by their negative thoughts, making it hard to overcome personal and professional barriers. He shares his remarkable journey from poverty to prosperity, providing insights into how an inner game can help individuals unlock their full potential. Dr. Noah explores the significant but often overlooked role the inner game plays in achieving success and breaking through what he calls the "income ceiling." He emphasizes the importance of aligning one's inner game with the outer game, reveals the limitations of relying on willpower for habit change, and emphasizes the critical need for a systematic and understanding-based strategy. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Dr. Noah St. John, a renowned performance coach, to discuss strategies to maximize business and personal growth. Dr. Noah shares his journey from despair to success and how he found his purpose, The 7-Figure Experts, mastering the inner and outer game for success, the effectiveness of group coaching, and the mistakes people make when trying to change habits.

Mike Malloy is the Founder and CEO of Malloy Industries, a company matching b2b SaaS businesses with vetted, trustworthy fractional sales executives to facilitate scale and growth. He boasts a dynamic background with experiences ranging from being a Deloitte consultant to an adjunct professor at Georgetown. Mike is passionate about helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time and freedom and advocates for the future of fractional work in sales. His unique approach combines professional excellence with a personal touch, incorporating dad jokes as his dynamic brand personality. In this episode… As the SaaS industry becomes increasingly competitive, many companies struggle to find the right strategy to scale their sales, leaving CEOs scrambling to wear multiple hats and keep up. Could there be a proven method to streamline this process and push businesses past growth plateaus? Mike Malloy, a b2b SaaS expert, delves into the transformative power of fractional sales executives in the SaaS space. He shares his knowledge and unique perspective on how companies can transition from struggling to make sales to achieving robust revenue growth. He emphasizes the importance of standard operating procedures and reinforces the need for CEOs to focus on critical aspects of their business by delegating sales leadership to experienced professionals. Moreover, Mike highlights the benefit of leveraging a network of vetted fractional executives to accelerate business growth without the risks and commitments of full-time hires. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Mike Malloy, Founder and CEO of Malloy Industries, to discuss the value of leveraging fractional sales executives in the SaaS industry. Mike shares the six pillars of a sales engine, how a fractional executive can help solve common sales growth challenges faced by SaaS companies, how he built a network of vetted fractional sales executives, and the common mistakes SaaS businesses make when hiring salespeople.

Henrik Johansson is the CEO and Co-founder of Gembah. Gembah is a pioneering global marketplace for product development that provides a streamlined and simplified process for creating products by connecting individuals with first-rate product designers, manufacturers, and supply chain experts worldwide. Henrik is a successful serial entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in technology-enabled services, SaaS, and marketplaces. He has also co-founded and served as the CEO of several venture startups, including Boundless, a $100M promotional products company and platform. Henrik is a recognized expert in scaling startups, developing world-class teams, creating a positive organizational culture, and establishing scalable processes and infrastructure. In this episode… Developing a new product as an entrepreneur can be intimidating, as it demands a unique set of skills, knowledge, and resources to bring an innovative idea to fruition. From conducting thorough product research to designing, sourcing, and manufacturing, precisely executing these stages helps to launch new products from concept to shelf. Serial entrepreneur Henrik Johansson acknowledges that most entrepreneurs lack the necessary expertise to navigate this complex process. However, he believes that with the right mindset, approach, and support, entrepreneurs can turn their product ideas into tangible reality. To help aspiring entrepreneurs overcome this challenge, Henrik has created a marketplace for product development. By providing access to a streamlined process and top-tier designers, manufacturers, and supply chain experts, the platform has made the process of creating a new product more accessible and less intimidating than ever before. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Henrik Johansson, Co-founder and CEO of Gembah, to discuss the product development journey. Henrik talks about Gembah and its services, product research, product design techniques, and sourcing reliable manufacturers.

Dean Ginsberg is the Co-founder of Winback Pro, a brand that works with DTC brands to reactivate dormant email subscribers. Winback uses an AI-driven scoring, filtering, and deliverability stack to reactivate clients' inactive emails and unlock thousands of dollars in incremental revenue from leads they've previously paid for. Dean has over a decade of experience leading retention strategies for hyper-growth and enterprise companies, including Hello Fresh, Burger King, Teepublic, and Revel. He is also a Coinbase and Brave Health advisor and a WE ARE THE BOARD member. Before Winback, he was the Founder and CEO of Stacked Collective, a company that helped fast-growing companies build their first-party data strategies and transform their cross-channel marketing programs. In this episode… Email marketing is a highly effective and versatile digital marketing strategy that enables businesses to connect directly with their customers, cultivate trust, and establish long-term relationships. However, executing successful email marketing campaigns requires expertise that many brands may not possess. Whether you are a small business owner or a marketing professional, Dean Ginsberg, an experienced email marketer, affirms that email marketing can aid you in reaching your target audience and achieving your marketing objectives. While several businesses may have a clean, segmented email list with subscribers who have opted in to receive their messages, only a few of these subscribers may convert into paying customers. To address this issue, Ginsberg shares his journey of building an email marketing firm specializing in reactivating dormant emails through advanced filtering and deploying a proven playbook to avoid spam traps. This approach enables businesses to generate incremental revenue from their previously unengaged audiences. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Dean Ginsberg, Co-founder of Winback Pro, to discuss how businesses can reactivate their dormant emails. Dean shares his professional background, the genesis of Winback Pro, building a successful email marketing program for dormant audiences, and email marketing strategies for ecommerce businesses.

Dan Cass, also known as Inventor Danny, serves as the Inventor and Executive Consultant of Liddle Speaker. This innovative Bluetooth speaker attaches to various surfaces, including the MagSafe iPhone charging spot and metal, wood, plastic, and glass surfaces. Liddle Speaker offers seamless connectivity to any Bluetooth-enabled device, including iPhones, Android devices, tablets, computers, and more. Dan is a seasoned product development and launches expert with extensive experience in every aspect of the process — from ideation to manufacturing to business development and sales. Possessing a reverse-engineer mindset, he has successfully designed and developed several consumer products for the entertainment and consumer electronics industry, securing multiple utility patents. In this episode… Are you tired of the daily grind of a nine-to-five job? Do you aspire to be your own boss, manage your own schedule, and pursue your passions? You are not alone! Many people have abandoned traditional employment and ventured into entrepreneurship. Dan Cass, an inventor, experienced a similar transition. He acknowledges that shifting from an employee to an entrepreneur can be daunting but also incredibly exhilarating. As an entrepreneur, you can establish something that is genuinely your own. Dan shares his entrepreneurial journey of building a company that designs Bluetooth speakers that attach to various surfaces. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Dan Cass, Inventor and Executive Consultant of Liddle Speaker, to discuss his journey as an entrepreneur. Dan shares his professional background in engineering, entrepreneurial lessons learned from it, how he got into entrepreneurship by inventing and patenting products, and the genesis of Liddle Speaker.

Amy Wees is the CEO of Amazing At Home, an ecommerce consulting company that has helped over 1,000 brands launch private label products on numerous commerce channels, including Amazon. Amy’s wealth of knowledge and experience in product development and sales and marketing has enabled her to advise emerging entrepreneurs to develop their own successful businesses. Amy is an entrepreneur, consultant, and business coach who also shares ecommerce tips and tricks on her podcast The Seller Roundtable. In this episode… Sourcing the right products for your ecommerce business can be a challenging task. As an entrepreneur, you may be uncertain about the best places to source high-quality products. While it's true that foreign markets like China, Mexico, and Jordan offer unparalleled sourcing opportunities, navigating these markets can be daunting. Entering foreign markets can be a complex process that requires a deep understanding of the region's language, culture, and business practices. If you're looking to source products from these markets, ecommerce expert Amy Wees recommends seeking the help of industry experts. These professionals have the experience and connections to connect you with manufacturers and suppliers from China, Mexico, and Jordan. She shares how she's running sourcing trips and trade shows for entrepreneurs to learn how to source their products profitably, meet with manufacturers and service providers, and network with other industry professionals. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Amy Wees, CEO of Amazing At Home, to discuss techniques for sourcing products from China, Mexico, and Jordan. Amy shares her entrepreneurial journey starting Amazing at Home, their sourcing trips and shows to help brands source products from Mexico, Jordan, and China, and the benefits of attending the sourcing shows and trips as an entrepreneur.

In this episode… Entrepreneurship is a multifaceted field that encompasses starting a venture from scratch or acquiring an established business and scaling it up. However, purchasing an already-running business is a complex task that requires thorough research, planning, and strategy. To streamline the business buying process, Elaine Eason, a seasoned business advisor, recommends seeking the assistance of brokers and advisors who possess in-depth knowledge about mergers and acquisitions. These experts have access to a vast pool of sellers, know the best financing options, and can guide you through the process. Communicating your needs and aspirations earlier to them can help you identify the right business that aligns with your vision and goals as an entrepreneur. With their expertise and support, you can make an informed decision and secure the best possible deal for your business acquisition. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Elaine Eason, Business Advisor at Quiet Light, to discuss the best practices for buying a business. Elaine shares her experience of selling an ecommerce business through Quiet Light, recommendations for buying a business, financing options for someone wanting to buy a business, the importance of communicating your needs as a business buyer to a broker or advisor, and the value of understanding the business you want to acquire.

Richart Ruddie is the Founder of Captain Compliance, a data security company helping businesses operate in compliance with regulations related to data privacy and security. He is a Strategic Advisor at BRANDefenders, a digital marketing company that offers numerous branding services. Richart has founded multiple online marketing, SEO, and reputation management businesses, including Alpha Paw, Class Updates, and The Reputation Management Company. He has also been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and more. In this episode… Ensuring compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation is essential for the success of any business, as violations of privacy laws can lead to hefty fines. However, navigating the intricate web of regulations can be daunting for organizations of all sizes. According to compliance expert Richart Ruddie, the constantly evolving regulations have made taking control of online privacy and ensuring compliance a significant challenge for many brands. Compliance requirements range from data retention policies to cookie compliance, and companies are struggling to find the right solutions to obtain user consent. Richart shares his journey of building a compliance and data security company to provide clients with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate compliance requirements. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Richart Ruddie, Founder of Captain Compliance, to discuss data privacy and compliance. Richart shares how he got into the field, data privacy and compliance for ecommerce brands, the services Captain Compliance offers, and website cookies compliance and consent.

Pat Grady is the Founder of Amazing Ads, an international advertising agency focusing on PPC management and optimization on Amazon, Walmart, Target, Google Ads, YouTube, and other mainline advertising platforms. He also founded print-on-demand companies RhinoFish Media, Just So Posh, and Regalo Marketing, which are involved in wholesale, retail, and print preview and visualization technology. Pat has a reputation of driving results with analytical skills focused on optimization problem solving, tracking, attribution, and tool-building. Sal Conca is the CEO of Amazing Ads, with 20+ years of expertise in digital marketing and video development for performance-based advertising. He is an inbound marketing specialist who helps businesses build, grow, and solidify their potential by creating content and marketing campaigns that speak to their customers and core audiences at every step of the customer journey. Sal started his career as an affiliate relationship specialist and expanded his skill set to plan and manage integrated marketing campaigns, including Google Ads, YouTube, email marketing, content marketing, and social media. He is also an adjunct professor at Stony Brook University, where he teaches a comprehensive Digital Marketing course in their MBA program. In this episode… In today's digital age, marketing is more critical than ever for the success of any ecommerce business. However, executing effective marketing strategies without the proper expertise can be challenging — and that's where a professional marketing agency comes in. Marketing experts Pat Grady and Sal Conca say that by partnering with marketing agencies, you gain a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you develop dynamic strategies that propel your brand forward. Whether it's video marketing, content marketing, targeted marketing, or PPC management and optimization, these professionals can help you navigate the complex world of digital marketing. They share their journey running an internet marketing agency to help ecommerce brands create a comprehensive marketing plan calculated for maximum impact and ROI. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Pat Grady, Founder of Amazing Ads, and Sal Conca, CEO of Amazing Ads, to discuss how ecommerce brands can thrive through marketing. They talk about the philosophy behind the start of Amazing Ads, video and targeted advertising, using data and analytics for effective advertising, and Amazing Ads’ business model.

Ramon Van Meer is the Founder and CEO of Genius Litter, a health-monitoring, odor-fighting, environmentally friendly cat litter. Featured on Shark Tank, it's a color-changing litter formula that catches signs of illness, keeping you and your pet happy and healthy. Ramon is also the CEO and Founder of Alpha Paw, a leading pet wellness brand that has grown into an eight-figure empire. Alpha Paw has also been featured on FOX, NBC, Allure, and many other popular sources. As a serial entrepreneur, Ramon has started and built multiple successful companies, including Soap Hub, a multimillion-dollar content site, Toodledo, a set of organizational tools, and Growth Hacker TV, a video site for start-ups. His life goals are to become the Marcus Lemonis for tech companies and to finally beat his son at chess. In this episode… Are you an entrepreneur with a brilliant business idea but lacking the capital to bring it to life? If so, you're not alone. Many business owners face this challenge, which can be a huge obstacle to success. However, there is a solution that could change everything: Shark Tank. Shark Tank is a popular TV show that features a panel of successful entrepreneurs and investors who hear pitches from up-and-coming businesses. If you can make it onto the show and pitch your idea to the "sharks," you have the opportunity to secure the funding you need to scale your business. The sharks will offer you a percentage of equity in exchange for their investment. However, serial entrepreneur Ramon Van Meer says that getting onto Shark Tank is no easy feat. The application process can be lengthy and complex, but by putting in the effort and making a robust case for your business, you could be one step closer to achieving your dreams. He shares how he killed it on Shark Tank. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Joe Valley sits down with Ramon Van Meer, Founder and CEO of Genius Litter, to discuss his journey and experience on Shark Tank. Ramon shares his professional background, why he wanted to get to Shark Tank, the application process, and his experience pitching to the Shark Tank investors, as well as negotiation strategies and deal-making.

Manish Chowdhary is the Founder and CEO of Cahoot, a peer-to-peer order fulfillment network of ecommerce merchants working together to expedite shipping at a lower cost. He is also the Founder and CEO of Pulse Commerce, the leading enterprise cloud platform for order and inventory management. Manish is an innovator, thought leader, and highly sought-after speaker for all facets of ecommerce, business methods innovation, and omnichannel supply chain and logistics optimization. Insights Success magazine recognized him as one of the 30 Most Innovative Business Leaders and has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Internet Retailer, and other leading publications. In this episode… Distributing products to customers quickly is one of the rudimentary factors for success as an ecommerce business. It helps you satisfy your customers, retain them, and acquire more as they receive their orders as promised. Where can you find the most cost-efficient method to successfully and consistently deliver customer orders? Ecommerce expert Manish Chowdhary says Seller Fulfilled Prime could be a game-changer for your ecommerce brand. The program allows you to deliver directly to domestic Prime customers from your warehouse, committing to fulfill orders with one-day and two-day delivery. He shares how Cahoot is helping brands leverage the Seller Fulfilled Prime program to grow. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Manish Chowdhary, Founder and CEO of Cahoot, to discuss how ecommerce brands can thrive through the Seller Fulfilled Prime program. Manish talks about Cahoot and Pulse Commerce, how Cahoot streamlines order fulfillment for ecommerce brands, the Seller Fulfilled Prime program, its benefits, and the ways it differs from Amazon FBA.

Liziana (Liz) Carter is the Founder and CEO of GROW AI. This innovative chatbot agency leverages conversational AI technology to instantly connect consumers to ecommerce businesses via Facebook Messenger, Instagram DM, and WhatsApp automation. As a trailblazer in the AI industry, she has received widespread recognition for her expertise and thought leadership. Her contributions have been featured in esteemed publications such as Entrepreneur, Business Insider, and Tech Times. Liz's professional background includes stints at leading organizations, including Triple2 Digital, Vinergy, and Dynamic 365 Group. In this episode… In today's fast-paced digital world, social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have become essential tools for businesses to reach their potential customers. However, with technology enhancements and the number of followers increasing, staying relevant and efficiently running the business becomes challenging. How can you take advantage of AI automation to grow your business? AI expert Liz Carter says businesses can save time, effort, and money and engage with customers by leveraging AI automated chat funnel strategies. Systems can use advanced AI algorithms to provide personalized responses to customers' queries, helping businesses build stronger relationships with their clients. Through Facebook Messenger, Instagram DM, and WhatsApp automation, brands can educate their customers about their products and services, convert them into clients, and ultimately grow their business. She shares how these chat funnel systems are the perfect solution for companies looking to enhance customer engagement and retention rates. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Liz Carter, Founder and CEO of GROW AI, to discuss how to monetize socials through AI automated chat funnel systems. Liz explains how she maximizes the full potential of automated chat funnels, what the benefits of 24/7 automation are, how AI automations engage your audience and multiply organic reach, and what the impact of automation is on growing a business.

Sean Duncan is the Founder and President of SMD Consulting & Accounting, LLC, a firm using a multifaceted approach to helping people and businesses build and preserve life-long wealth by focusing on financial planning, asset preservation, and investment management through strategic tax planning. He is a CPA who has established his reputation as a thought leader in the accounting industry by focusing on advising, teaching, and helping clients with proactive strategy and planning. Over the last 25-plus years, Sean has accumulated a diverse and unique set of credentials and knowledge that he shares through speaking at conferences and events, in private seminars, and one-on-one with clients. He also founded Chief Proactive Advisor, LLC, which provides training, coaching, and systems for CPAs and accounting professionals to support them in transforming their firms and building stronger client relationships. In this episode… Many entrepreneurs struggle to balance financial and bookkeeping responsibilities while managing a business. Getting help to navigate your obligations and make solid decisions is essential to grow a business effectively. Should you hire a CPA, a tax advisor, a financial planner, and an investment consultant? What's the best course of action to get the guidance you need? According to Sean Duncan, a seasoned strategic consultant and CPA, the benefits of a comprehensive and collaborative approach to the financial aspects of a business are many. Rather than separating functions, bringing accounting, investment strategies, and significant business objectives together provides a holistic view for making sound decisions. Using this method helps to identify areas that need improvement and allows the consultant to pinpoint places that should be refined, thereby customizing solutions for each client. Businesses can save time, money, and resources and make informed management decisions when they enlist the help of a professional strategist who blends their services into a collective package. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Sean Duncan, Founder and President of SMD Consulting & Accounting, LLC, to discuss how he works with small businesses. Sean talks about how SMD is unique, why a comprehensive consulting approach eliminates redundancy, how financial statements aid in making management decisions, and what strategies he uses to prepare businesses to sell, merge, or acquire a new business.

Lerin Lockwood is the Founder and Creator of Lion Latch, a product that provides secure storage for small valuables like jewelry. After ruining her engagement ring in a softball game, she was inspired to create a place to store and protect it so it wouldn’t happen again. The Lion Latch was a hit, and she raised $14,000 to get it off the ground so she could meet demand. She’s appeared on shows, including Shark Tank, Good Morning America, and The View. In addition to her entrepreneurial pursuits, Lerin is the Coordinator for the Rising Stars Youth Volleyball League. Before Lion Latch, she taught art and coached youth volleyball. In this episode… Entrepreneurs who identify a specific need and develop a product or service that caters to it often achieve great success. In fact, some of the most prosperous businesses today started by addressing a personal need. However, how can you ensure your business gets the exposure it needs to take flight? From teacher and coach to Shark Tank and TikTok, Lerin Lockwood has embarked on an unexpected journey. Born out of a need to store her jewelry safely, Lerin designed the Lion Latch. Her innovative solution resulted in the genesis of a booming business. After appearing on Shark Tank, she gained widespread exposure to millions of people, and that's when she realized the potential of her product. She began using TikTok since it provides an unparalleled opportunity to engage with a massive user base. By tapping into the platform's enormous audience and creating engaging and shareable content, she built a loyal following and developed a thriving brand. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Lerin Lockwood, Founder and Creator of Lion Latch, to discuss how to grow a new business. Lerin talks about what inspired her product creation, how Shark Tank and TikTok are integral to her success, why it's essential to be authentic and listen to your audience, and how being persistent and proactive will pay off.

Scott Couchenour is the Founder and Life Coach at Serving Strong Enterprises, where he coaches business owners over 50 on both personal and organizational empowerment. With over three decades of business experience, Scott uses his insights to assist entrepreneurs in gaining clarity and devising strategies that produce both immediate and long-lasting outcomes by identifying their goals, overcoming obstacles, and prioritizing their objectives. As host of the Serve Strong Finish Strong podcast, he uses the platform to cater to business owners in their 40s and 50s to help them design and execute a meaningful future. In this episode… Life can significantly transform as you enter your 50s, and your perspective and goals may shift. It's beneficial to have someone in your corner who can assist you in creating a strategic plan by identifying what you envision for your life, legacy, and purpose. With guidance, you can realign your direction and achieve a revised set of objectives. So who can you turn to when you need help developing a systematic and consistent lifestyle map that aligns with your values? As a seasoned businessman, Scott Couchenour is helping people navigate through life's changes. Having gone through a circumstance that completely turned his life upside-down, he understood how invaluable it would have been to have someone guide him through that process — a coach to get him over the hurdles. Since life after 50 becomes more of a cycle of growth and recognizing opportunities you might otherwise miss, having a coach who can deliver a system, help you focus, and devise a pathway for goal achievement is priceless. Additionally, he notes that continuous learning and development are essential to iterating your mission, and small group collaborations with others from diverse backgrounds and perspectives can offer valuable ideas for personal growth. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Scott Couchenour, Founder and Life Coach at Serving Strong Enterprises, to discuss how entering your 50s can shift your perspective and necessitate reevaluating life. Scott discusses why being rationally rich is essential, how your stage of life impacts your outlook, why small group collaboration reaps rewards, and how a coach can help you realize your later-in-life mission.

Kirk Hodgdon is the Founder and Growth Catalyst of Altus Marketing, a firm focused on helping its clients reach new heights of business performance. As a distinguished business professional, he has nearly four decades of experience in marketing and business development. Previously, Kirk served in executive roles at CNS, Inc The Breathe Right Company, U.S. Communications & Focus GTE, and Land O' Lakes. Kirk and his team possess a level of expertise and experience that can benefit any organization seeking a partner to enhance their marketing and business development efforts. In this episode… While the online marketplace offers unprecedented opportunities for entrepreneurs to reach a wider audience and increase sales, it also presents unique challenges. In today's environment, growing a business requires specific skills and knowledge that only a few possess. Seasoned expert Kirk Hodgdon explains why business owners must navigate the ecommerce space effectively to stay ahead of the curve and promote growth. From fierce competition to rapidly evolving technology and customer expectations, ecommerce entrepreneurs must understand the intricacies of a complex and dynamic landscape. Kirk recommends that entrepreneurs focus on three critical areas: marketing communications, leveraging technology, and strategic development initiatives. These elements are vital to creating a robust and scalable business that can withstand the challenges of a competitive marketplace. Working with specialists can be a game-changer. Entrepreneurs can capitalize on the expertise and knowledge of professionals who deeply understand the ecommerce landscape and can help them overcome challenges and obstacles. In this episode of the Quiet Light Podcast, Pat Yates sits down with Kirk Hodgdon, Founder and Growth Catalyst of Altus Marketing, to discuss strategies entrepreneurs can employ to drive growth. Kirk talks about how Altus helps entrepreneurs, what retail strategies ecommerce entrepreneurs can use, and how strategic partnerships can promote expansion.