Shows
FinFactor: Expert Insights for the CFOScott Hollrah on Navigating Data Challenges in FinanceIn this episode of FinFactor, Blaine Bertsch speaks with Scott Hollrah, CEO of Venn Technology, about the often-overlooked challenges finance teams face when working with fragmented data across ERPs, CRMs, and other systems. Scott shares real-world examples of how manual processes bog down efficiency and limit CFOs from making timely, informed decisions. The conversation highlights the critical role of automation, integration, and clearly defined business processes in transforming finance operations. Scott emphasizes that successful tech implementation goes beyond software—it's about aligning teams, building trusted partnerships, and freeing finance professionals to focus on what matters most. From red...2025-06-1627 min
Paul Higgins Podcast598 - Breaking Into Trade Associations: A Tech Consultant's Guide with Chris VaughanWhy you should listenChris Vaughan reveals the untapped potential of industry associations as a lead generation channel for tech consultants, including a game-changing resource that helps you instantly find the right associations for your niche.Learn who to approach within associations, what marketing assets to leverage, and how to position yourself to gain access to their member directories and events—complete with practical strategies for building trust.Discover why associations are actively seeking technology partners like you and how their post-COVID growth creates perfect timing for tech consultants to forge these valuable relationships.As a te...2025-03-1725 minPaul Higgins Podcast597 - Growth Lessons: Balancing Partners, Inbound and Outbound with Scott HollrahWhy you should listenScott Hollrah shares his 10-year journey scaling Venn Technology from referrals to a 35-person company, revealing a winning mix of partner relationships, inbound marketing, and their new outbound strategy.Discover the game-changing marketing hire that transformed their business and how giving up control allowed Scott to overcome the bottleneck of his own growth.Learn practical strategies for leveraging technology partnerships without being wholly dependent on them. These strategies can help you build trust, which can lead to higher close rates and industry recognition.As a tech consultant who's maximized your network, you're...2025-03-1023 min
Hire Power Radio ShowHow to Make a Culture Stand Out with Scott HollrahAs a founder, your first hire is always the hardest. Most often we take the first person who will say yes. Not putting a lot of diligence into a conversation about setting proper expectations.
What ends up happening is that we either get really lucky (if it works out) or it becomes a cautionary tale of what not to do when starting a business. Often an expensive lesson to learn.
Starting with a strong culture in mind from day 1 is the key to having the difficult conversations that ensure a first hire's success.
Gue...2025-02-2528 min
In The Thick of It#45: Jeff Francis, Founder | ENO8Get ready to dive into the entrepreneurial path of ENO8's founder, Jeff Francis. Join us as Jeff takes us from his roots in small-town Farmersville, Texas, to his emergence as a visionary tech entrepreneur.During our conversation, Jeff opens up about the transformative experiences that molded his technology career and the hurdles he's conquered. He delves into how he's built success by ensuring his personal values align with his business objectives, while also sharing candid insights about managing partnership relationships.Discover the origin story of ENO8, as Jeff shares valuable lessons on software development...2024-10-281h 25
In The Thick of It#44: Matt Wensing, Founder & CEO | SummitIn this episode, we welcome Matt Wensing, founder and CEO of Summit, an innovative low-code/no-code automation platform. Matt shares his journey into the world of B2B tech services.From a young age, Matt has always been curious about his future career path. Initially pursuing political science in college, he soon discovered his true passion was in computer science. His first post-college job provided valuable hands-on experience in software development, igniting his interest in the field.Matt's entrepreneurial spirit took flight in 2007 when he launched a weather data startup. This venture taught him the...2024-10-211h 32
In The Thick of It#43: Seth Frey, Founder & President | Big Frey Branded Goods & Swag KitsStarting a business is a collaborative effort, as Seth Frey, founder and president of Big Frey, discovered while navigating partnerships and industry changes in promotional products.Seth's entrepreneurial journey began with family inspiration. Post-college, he and his brother established Granny's Goodies, offering exam survival kits to students.Building on this experience, Seth later founded Big Frey Branded Goods & Swag Kits. He encourages fellow entrepreneurs to savor small victories and prioritize long-term objectives over short-term challenges.This episode dives into Seth's lifelong entrepreneurial adventures, offering insights and lessons learned along the way.***2024-10-141h 08
In The Thick of It#42: Reagan and Elle PughIn this episode, we feature our first-ever husband and wife duo—Reagan and Elle Pugh—each with their own thriving entrepreneurial ventures. Together, they share the personal and professional experiences that not only brought them together but also fuel their mutual support in business.We explore key topics like the value of mentorship, navigating financial highs and lows, and the power of open communication with business partners. Reagan, a motivational speaker and author, and Elle, the founder of an Enneagram coaching business and luxury greenery company, Gracious Garlands, also reveal their future plans and insights on en...2024-09-231h 29
In The Thick of ItToolbox Series: Chris Hamilton on Employee Health BenefitsNavigating employee benefits can be a major hurdle for business owners. Selecting insurance plans—from health to dental to vision—can be daunting, with decisions affecting team members and their families.In this episode, we welcome Chris Hamilton of Hotchkiss Insurance. He shares valuable insights on choosing practical, cost-effective benefit plans for your workforce.Scott here: As a founder myself, I've experienced firsthand the weight of choosing employee benefits. Our conversation revealed strategies I hadn't considered before, and I'm sure listeners will gain a fresh perspective on this topic as well.***Abou...2024-09-161h 01
In The Thick of It#41: Steffie Tomson, Founder & CEO of Getaway SticksIn this episode, we welcome Steffie Tomson, the innovative mind behind Getaway Sticks. Hailing from Houston, Texas, Steffie's journey from a cognitive neuroscience researcher to footwear entrepreneur is as unique as her product line.Steffie shares her mission to revolutionize women's shoes by marrying style with comfort. She recounts the hurdles she faced, from designing her initial high heel prototype to finding a manufacturer willing to produce her bespoke creations.Listen as Steffie delves into the intricacies of balancing innovation, running a business, and maintaining personal drive. This conversation offers insights into her remarkable path...2024-09-091h 20
In The Thick of It#40: Rick Girard, Founder & CEO of IntertruGut feelings in hiring decisions are a common but flawed approach. Rick Girard's experience in recruitment revealed that many companies often lean on personal biases when selecting or rejecting candidates. This insight led him to create Intertru, a platform leveraging generative AI to promote more objective hiring practices.Rick's story demonstrates that while technological expertise isn't a prerequisite for developing a stellar product, assembling an exceptional team is crucial—good thing he's nailed down an interviewing methodology for hiring the best of the best. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Rick's journey underscores the importance of full commitment to...2024-09-021h 15
In The Thick of It4 Founders Have a Chat - In The Thick of It Podcast (LIVE Stream)Recently we celebrated 1 year of In The Thick of It podcast with a live-streamed episode featuring past guests, including:👤 Justin Smith, Founder of Ebenezer Consulting 👤 Roy Keely, Founder of FirmStudio👤 Taylor Brooks, Founder of SimpleWe hope you enjoy our banter and discussion around business, leadership, and professional development. It was a great time sharing the space with fellow founders—stay tuned for more panel episodes like this one!--🎧 Listen to the show & view featured guests: https://founderstory.transistor.fm/📧 If you or a founder you know would like t...2024-08-301h 00
Two Peas in a PodcastEpisode 77 - Scott Hollrah (Venn Technology, Automation & Integration, and Culture)Scott Hollrah is the founder and CEO of Venn Tehcnology, a company working on system automation & integration that give employees a chance to focus on what they are best at. Scott shares insights on the work Venn Technology does, meaning of good corporate culture, and the vision him & the team are working towards.
To connect with Scott please visit:
https://venntechnology.com/
https://www.instagram.com/venntechnology/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJCDtqEClQQ2rlQgDN3rLYA2024-08-1743 min
In The Thick of ItAnniversary Throwback - #22: Jonathan Lusk, BirdDogAs we near one year since starting In The Thick of It, we're working on a celebratory episode. In the meantime, we'd love for you to catch up on some founder stories you may have missed.In this episode, we learn from Jonathan Lusk, an entrepreneur who grew up in a small town in Texas before going on to attend Texas A&M and build a career in wealth management. Jonathan started out at AT&T and Goldman Sachs, but eventually left to launch his own independent investment firm. More recently, Jonathan co-founded BirdDog, an online marketplace...2024-08-121h 19
In The Thick of ItAnniversary Throwback - #17: Taylor Brooks, Simple DonationAs we near one year since starting In The Thick of It, we're working on a celebratory episode. In the meantime, we'd love for you to catch up on some founder stories you may have missed.In this episode of In the Thick of It, host Scott interviews Taylor Brooks, founder and CEO of Simple Donation. Taylor shares his journey from growing up in Atlanta to attending Auburn University and working various jobs before starting Simple Donation, a software company that builds online donation platforms for nonprofits and churches. He discusses the challenges of balancing a full-time...2024-08-051h 44
In The Thick of ItAnniversary Throwback - #6: Clayton Flurry, Flurry's MarketAs we near one year since starting In The Thick of It, we're working on a celebratory episode. In the meantime, we'd love for you to catch up on some founder stories you may have missed.Clayton Flurry is the Founder of Flurry’s Market + Provisions, a beloved local butcher shop and grocery store in Flower Mound, Texas. After spending nearly two decades in the oil and gas industry, Clayton decided in 2020 to leave his career and pursue his entrepreneurial passion. Despite having no prior experience running a retail business, he bootstrapped Flurry's Market from idea to la...2024-07-291h 40
In The Thick of ItAnniversary Throwback - #1: Chelsea Curtis, Seaport ConsultingAs we near one year since starting In The Thick of It, we're working on a celebratory episode. In the meantime, we'd love for you to catch up on some founder stories you may have missed.Last year, we kicked off the podcast with our first guest: Chelsea Curtis, Founder & Managing Partner of Seaport Consulting, a successful Salesforce consulting firm in Boston, MA. Chelsea shares her path to entrepreneurship, discussing the challenges and triumphs she encountered along the way. She highlights the importance of taking risks, building strong client relationships, and sticking to her values. Chelsea also...2024-07-2240 min
In The Thick of It#39: Robert (Bob) Bowdon, Founder & CEO | VerityPay and Verity AdvisorsEntrepreneurial journeys often take unexpected turns, sometimes leading to extraordinary success. In this episode, we explore Robert (Bob) Bowden's transition from landman to thriving business owner. Bob shares his experience founding two distinct companies: Verity Advisors, which assists in unclaimed property recovery, and VerityPay, offering text-based payment solutions for B2C businesses. He discusses the hurdles and victories encountered along the way, including managing market fluctuations and investigating cross-state expansion opportunities.This conversation offers valuable lessons in resilience and flexibility, relevant to both established entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners.***About Bob2024-07-151h 26
In The Thick of It#38: Joni Girardi, Founder & CEO | DataSelfThis episode features Joni Girardi, founder and CEO of DataSelf, a business helping mid-sized organizations use data and analytics to gain a competitive edge.Joni's fascination with technology began in his youth, sparked by learning about the unidirectional flow of electrons in diodes. Initially pursuing electrical engineering, he later switched to programming, joining a web development firm in the late 90s.His time working in Silicon Valley during the dot-com era revealed a critical issue: many businesses lacked proper insight into their data. Recognizing this gap, Joni launched DataSelf to offer affordable business...2024-07-081h 37
In The Thick of ItToolbox Series: Candace Sandifer on Estate Planning for Business OwnersEstate planning may not be the first thing on your mind when launching a business, but it's a crucial step that shouldn't be overlooked. In this episode, we dive into the world of asset protection with estate planning attorney, Candace Sandifer. She outlines key measures entrepreneurs should implement to safeguard their business interests.Candace stresses the importance of enlisting the help of attorneys who specialize in your industry and encourages open, honest discussions during the planning process. Whether you're a business owner or not, this episode offers essential insights i...2024-07-011h 03
In The Thick of It#37: Kasey Sisson, Founder | Kasey S ConsultingIn this episode of "In The Thick of It," Kasey Sisson discusses her journey from recent graduate to successful entrepreneur. After completing her Masters in Organizational Communication in 2019, Kasey leveraged her creative abilities and passion for teaching to establish her own marketing agency, Kasey S Consulting.Kasey shares both the highs and lows of running her business. She recounts the exciting moments of unexpected growth and landing her first international client. However, she also addresses the challenges faced along the way, including cash flow management, talent acquisition, establishing core processes & values, and navigating client...2024-06-241h 24
In The Thick of ItToolbox Series: Yobany Mayen on Banking PartnershipsIn this In The Thick of It Toolbox episode, Yobany Mayen, Senior Vice President at Encore Bank, talks about the importance of entrepreneurs and businesses having a solid banking relationship.Scott and Yobany discuss the impact of interest rates, the role of personal guarantees, cash management, fraud prevention, and lending processes for small to medium-sized businesses. Yobany provides practical tips for approaching banking relationships and shares insights on what business owners should look for when developing a financial plan with their bank. This discussion equips aspiring entrepreneurs with valuable i...2024-06-171h 03
In The Thick of ItToolbox Series: Laura Neathery on Marketing & BrandingUnlock the power of strategic marketing for your startup or small business. In this insightful episode, Laura Neathery, founder of LJ Consulting & Marketing, shares her expertise on the invaluable role of partnering with a marketing agency. Discover the ideal timing to engage an agency and the key qualities to prioritize for a successful collaboration. In today's fast-paced digital landscape, effective marketing demands consistency, quality, and accountability–a long-term game that requires expertise across multiple fronts, from social media channel management to digital advertising, SEO, email marketing, and beyond. If you're an entrepreneurial business ow...2024-06-1053 min
In The Thick of It#36: Sam Bluntzer, Owner | Blue Ribbon Rain GutterOn this episode of In The Thick of It, Scott sits down with Sam Bluntzer, owner of Blue Ribbon Rain Gutter in Fort Worth, Texas. Sam shares his unique path to entrepreneurship, from growing up in the small town of New Braunfels, Texas to becoming a Marine Corps fighter pilot and eventually taking over a gutter business just two weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic began.Sam discusses the challenges of rapidly modernizing the company's systems, managing supply chain disruptions, and keeping crews motivated during uncertain times. He emphasizes the importance of having standard operating...2024-06-031h 38
In The Thick of ItBonus Episode: Happy Memorial Day with Scott HollrahThis week, we're taking a pause to celebrate Memorial Day and honor those who have served.Many people often think of Memorial Day as the start of summer, but I encourage everyone to take a moment to remember those who've sacrificed themselves for our freedom in the United States. While Veterans Day honors both living and deceased veterans, Memorial Day is also an appropriate time to thank everyone who has served. We've had a few veteran guests on the show thus far, including:Clayton Flurry: Episode #6 - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayton-flurry-85667338/D...2024-05-2702 min
In The Thick of It#35: Randy Steinle, Co-Founder & CEO | Cyber Trust Alliance, Inc.In this episode of “In The Thick of It,” Scott welcomes Randy Steinle, CEO and co-founder of Cybertrust Alliance based in Austin, Texas. Randy shares his journey from growing up in New Jersey to studying business and economics at Wheaton College in Chicago, and how his early career experiences in sales and leadership roles at various technology companies prepared him for entrepreneurship.Randy dives into the origins of Cyber Trust Alliance, which began as an idea while working at a managed service provider (MSP) to address the cybersecurity and compliance needs of small and mid-sized healthcare organizations. He d...2024-05-201h 29
In The Thick of It#34: Ray Blakney, Founder & CEO | Rayvensoft VenturesIn this episode of “In The Thick of It,” we're joined by Ray Blakney, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Rayvensoft Ventures, a holding company for multiple successful online businesses. Ray recounts his diverse upbringing, from his birth in the Philippines to his childhood in Turkey and eventual move to the United States. He shares his experiences in the Peace Corps, which led him to Mexico, where he met his wife and started a language school together.Throughout the episode, Ray discusses the challenges and triumphs of building and scaling various businesses, including an online language school, a ma...2024-05-131h 40
In The Thick of It#33: Ahmed Qureshi, Co-Founder, President & COO | BILTOn this episode of In The Thick of It, Scott meets with Ahmed Qureshi, Co-Founder President & COO of BILT, a revolutionary app utilizing 3D technology to deliver interactive and immersive environments to users. BILT's goal is to help companies put their products in the hands of customers through a digital format.Ahmed shares life before launching his business, including stories of his childhood in Saudi Arabia, majoring in Middle East Studies at BYU, and helping Papa John’s expand internationally all while serving his country in the reserves. Ahmed highlights the importance of collaboration an...2024-05-061h 38
In The Thick of It#32: George Baker, Operating Partner | Rujo BootsThis episode of In The Thick of It features George Baker, Operating Partner at RUJO Boots.George has an extensive career that all started with helping people find the perfect parking spot. After years of using traditional management methods, George founded ParkHub to optimize parking operations with innovative technology and subscription-based models for businesses.Today, George has a diverse portfolio of companies he’s helped build, including a leather goods brand, RUJO Boots. During the show, he discusses the motivation behind starting the business and the challenges he’s face...2024-04-291h 11
In The Thick of It#31: Marcus Jeffrey, Co-Founder & VP | Expansion, FreeFuseOn this episode of In The Thick of It, we're joined by Marcus Jeffrey, co-founder of FreeFuse, an interactive video platform focused on creating immersive content experiences online. Marcus shares stories of his upbringing and recounts early ventures into his entrepreneurial journey, including starting a catering business and a vending management company. After realizing the need for a formal education, Marcus obtained his GED and attended Lone Star College, later transferring to Texas A&M University. With the help of a mentor, Marcus gained acceptance into the industrial distribution program, which opened doors for h...2024-04-221h 35
In The Thick of It#30: Roy Keely, Founder | Firm StudioToday’s episode features Roy Keeley, founder of Firm Studio. Roy is a life-long entrepreneur who started his career selling baseball cards as a kid. Not much has changed since then, only now he’s selling technology and helping businesses bring products to life.Roy shares stories about his upbringing and life post-college, taking a job in circuit board prototyping and another selling to accounting firms. Later, he co-founded a successful managed IT services company that focused on serving accounting professionals. Feeling inspired by these experiences—and challenges—the idea of s...2024-04-171h 23
In The Thick of ItToolbox Series: Adam Curran on Commercial Real EstateIn this bonus episode of In the Thick of It, a longtime friend of Scott’s, Adam Curran, gives his advice on how business owners should go about leasing or buying their first property.Adam Curran, Managing Principal at Holt Lunsford Commercial, shares the importance of working with an experienced broker and the qualifying questions you should be asking them. Plus, he gives his perspective on trends in the real estate market today.Other topics discussed:When you should lease or buy a property (and benefits of each)Th...2024-04-081h 00
In The Thick of ItToolbox Series: Chris Goheen on HR & Payroll Solutions for SMBsIn this bonus episode of In the Thick of It, Scott is joined by Chris Goheen, President of Workforce Go!, a leading HR and payroll solutions provider. Handling payroll and HR functions in-house can be complex and time-consuming, especially for growing SMBs. Chris covers the common challenges business owners face, such as keeping up with changes in HR technology and how to navigate compliances and regulations.Chris gives advice on finding the right HR resource for your business, as well as best practices for boosting employee engagement.2024-04-0136 min
In The Thick of It#29: Scott Hollrah, Founder & CEO | Venn TechnologyOn this episode of In The Thick of It, the tables are turned and Scott sits in the hot seat to tell his own founder story.Melissa Bell, Director of Sales and Marketing at Venn Technology, asks Scott all his favorite questions about his own entrepreneurial experiences. He shares memories of life growing up, his college days at Texas A&M, and the jobs that led him to discover his true passion: helping people eliminate manual processes with automation.Scott highlights the importance of finding a role that aligns...2024-03-251h 34
In The Thick of ItToolbox Series: Patrick Tam on Outsourced AccountingIn this bonus episode of In the Thick of It, outsourced accounting expert Patrick Tam joins Scott to discuss the advantages of third-party financial support for any business.Running the financial and accounting aspects of a business is complex, time consuming, and often outside of the wheelhouse for most entrepreneurs and business owners. That’s why many companies, both small startups and larger established businesses, are turning to outsourced accounting firms.As the CEO of Bright Balance Accounting, a fractional accounting and finance firm, Patrick has more than 15 years ex...2024-03-1843 min
The JunctionSage Transform, AI Add-Ons, & Automated Taxes with Scott HollrahDid you miss us? The Junction is back with a bonus episode for now, but stay tuned for Season 2 of the show in the coming weeks!In this episode, Mel is joined by Venn Technology Founder & CEO, Scott Hollrah. Venn is an IT consulting firm that specializes in building integrations between systems, like cloud accounting platform Sage Intacct. A few weeks ago, the Venn Team sponsored Sage's annual Transform conference, where it was announced that an in-platform AI assistant called "Sage Copilot" is in development. Scott gives his take on what Sage customers can expect a...2024-03-1532 min
In The Thick of It#28: Cody Durham, Founder | 10 Gage Ridge RoofingIn this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott sits down with Cody Durham, founder of 10 Gage Ridge Roofing, a leading roofing company specializing in providing high-quality roofing solutions for residential and commercial properties. Cody shares his unique career journey from running Texas A&M’s Chili Fest in college to owning a Jimmy John's. He speaks of feeling like the “black sheep of the family” when he didn’t pursue a career in education and major life events that led him to discover his passion: roofing.Tune in to hea...2024-03-111h 26
In The Thick of It#27: Jim Taugher, CEO & Creative Director | CI Design Inc.With 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, Jim Taugher, founder of CI Design, Inc., offers advice on how to become a great founder in today’s episode. Raised in rural Wisconsin, Jim followed his creative passions for art, music, and design, attending college in Arizona before moving back home to launch CI Design, a branding and design agency, at the age of 25.Today, CI Design employs over 40 people and is a leading design agency in Milwaukee. Tune in to hear why Jim stresses the importance of purposeful evolution, surrounding yourself with the...2024-03-041h 24
In The Thick of It#26: Rick Elmore, Founder & CEO | Simply NotedOn this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott interviews Rick Elmore, Founder & CEO of Simply Noted, an automated handwritten notes company. Rick shares his unique journey that shaped his unrelenting drive and competitiveness, from losing his father at a young age to becoming a college football standout. Though he played in the NFL, Rick quickly realized it wasn’t his lifelong passion. He tapped into his curiosity about business and sales during corporate roles before taking the ultimate risk to start Simply Noted. Rick candidly details the realities of bootstrapping a tech company for over fiv...2024-02-261h 14
Sage Thought Leadership PodcastSage Partner - Scott Hollrah on the weaving together of culture and brandScott Hollrah discussed the mission and culture of Scott's company, Venn Technology. Scott emphasized the importance of freeing small and medium-sized businesses from time-consuming tasks through integrations between cloud accounting and CRM solutions. He also underscored the significance of company culture, noting that their relaxed and fun culture is reflected in their unique branding. Furthermore, Scott highlighted the importance of hiring employees who share their core values and creating a strong company culture. Ed agreed, suggesting that this approach is key to preserving the team's culture. Scott also shared his personal motivation for building the kind of company he...2024-02-2009 minSage Thought Leadership PodcastSage Partner - Scott Hollrah on the weaving together of culture and brandScott Hollrah discussed the mission and culture of Scott's company, Venn Technology. Scott emphasized the importance of freeing small and medium-sized businesses from time-consuming tasks through integrations between cloud accounting and CRM solutions. He also underscored the significance of company culture, noting that their relaxed and fun culture is reflected in their unique branding. Furthermore, Scott highlighted the importance of hiring employees who share their core values and creating a strong company culture. Ed agreed, suggesting that this approach is key to preserving the team's culture. Scott also shared his personal motivation for building the kind of company he...2024-02-2009 min
In The Thick of It#25: Brian Borichevsky, Founder & CEO | ROK GolfGet inside the mind of a scrappy solo founder as we talk with Brian Borichevsky, the CEO and pioneer behind indoor golf entertainment startup ROK Golf. With no prior experience starting his own business but equipped with ample vision, Brian bootstrapped his unique concept from the ground up, tapping into his life savings to open the first high-tech swing analysis bay location in 2018.In this episode, Brian gives an inside look at the Tribe of solo entrepreneurs by sharing his real-world journey - the idea lightbulb moment, navigating start-up unknowns and learning curves as...2024-02-191h 48
In The Thick of ItToolbox Series: Ben Haile on Outsourced Human ResourcesIn this bonus episode of In the Thick of It, HR expert Ben Haile joins Scott to explain why many founders turn to third-party experts when their businesses start to scale.They discuss how early-stage companies leverage outsourced HR services to establish infrastructure for talent management while avoiding common pitfalls.Learn when the right timing is for founders to invest in HR expertise, what the implementation process typically entails, and what the ongoing outsourced relationship provides. Discover some of the everyday people challenges HR outsourcing helps solve around compliance, documentation, terminations, and more. Ben...2024-02-1449 min
In The Thick of It#24: Andy Morehouse, Founder & CEO | TalewindIn this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott interviews Andy Morehouse, founder and CEO of Talewind, about his journey in the entrepreneurial trenches. After working for over a decade in his father’s HR tech company, Andy made the decision to strike out on his own. He shares what propelled him to make the leap, early hiring missteps, the angst of letting employees go, and near catastrophe when engineering factions failed to collaborate. Andy also opens up about the personal side of entrepreneurship - how he copes and finds work-life balance while managing the demands of...2024-02-121h 31
In The Thick of It#23: Chris Mathew, Chief Growth Officer | SniffleIn this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott has an in-depth conversation with Chris Mathew, Chief Growth Officer of Sniffle, an AI-driven telehealth platform. Chris shares his winding journey to entrepreneurship, from working various jobs in healthcare recruiting and staffing startups to finally finding product-market fit with Sniffle.Chris outlines Sniffle's mission to improve healthcare by leveraging technology to reinforce the doctor-patient relationship and enable continuous care. He also discusses some of Sniffle's key features like its AI-powered diagnosis tool, prescription savings program, and insurance marketplace.Throughout...2024-02-051h 37
In The Thick of It#22: Jonathan Lusk, CEO & Co-Founder | BirdDogIn this episode, we learn from Jonathan Lusk, an entrepreneur who grew up in a small town in Texas before going on to attend Texas A&M and build a career in wealth management. Jonathan started out at AT&T and Goldman Sachs, but eventually left to launch his own independent investment firm. More recently, Jonathan co-founded BirdDog, an online marketplace that connects landowners with hunters looking for places to hunt. We’ll hear about Jonathan’s journey from small town kid to successful entrepreneur, the lessons he learned along the way, and how he’s bringing technology and innova...2024-01-291h 19
In The Thick of It#21: Dave Rowe, President/Founder | CloudServusDave Rowe is the founder and CEO of CloudServus, an IT consulting company focused on Microsoft technologies. In the podcast, Dave shares his entrepreneurial journey, from playing college football at the University of Oklahoma to working at Dell and various IT consulting companies. A pivotal moment was in 2019 when he partnered with his "cousin-in-law" Steve to launch CloudServus, combining Dave's consulting expertise with Steve's experience in licensing and sales.Cloud Service has experienced tremendous growth, being ranked 112 on the Inc 5000 list with over 4000% revenue growth over 3 years. Dave attributes this success to delivering high...2024-01-221h 35
In The Thick of ItToolbox Series: Curt Swindoll on EOS - A Framework for GrowthCurt Swindoll is a certified implementer of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a comprehensive framework designed to help leadership teams gain traction. In this episode, Curt explains the EOS system which provides tools to clarify vision, solve problems with accountability, and achieve alignment.Some key EOS concepts covered include leadership team roles like "Visionary" and "Integrator," implementing effective rhythms like the weekly L10 meeting, and getting 100% of the right people in the right seats. Curt shares stories of the organizational transformation he has facilitated. Host Scott Gingold also swaps personal examples, crediting EOS for enabling him to...2024-01-171h 12
In The Thick of It#20: Peter Matejcek, Founder & CEO | INHouse VideoPeter Matejcek is the founder and CEO of INHouse Video, a video production company that helps small businesses create affordable video content. In this episode, Peter chronicles his long entrepreneurial journey from fleeing communist Czechoslovakia as a child to building ventures ahead of shifting market demand and consumer understanding.After valuable learning experiences providing computer services and video production to local customers, Peter has honed his latest venture to provide an economical model for creating and editing unlimited videos for clients each month. He discusses the importance of solving real customer problems, hiring smart...2024-01-151h 35
In The Thick of It#19: Josh Green, Co-Founder & CEO | PursuitGrowing up as the youngest of 8 kids in a Catholic family, Josh Green learned the values of hard work, faith, and close bonds from a young age. He originally planned to pursue politics and government after college, but pivoted to investment banking and later private equity to address his mountain of student loans. As CFO in his late 20s of an aerospace manufacturing firm, Josh helped oversee major growth and acquisitions over nearly a decade in the role. Feeling the entrepreneurial itch, he left that stable career to co-found Pursuit, initially conceived as an "Uber for guides" to connect...2024-01-081h 12
In The Thick of It#18: Cameron Hay, Co-Founder & CEO | Dispatch IntegrationGrowing up on an isolated family farm in rural Canada, Cameron Hay couldn't imagine becoming an entrepreneur. But after successful stints at IBM, business school, management consulting, and leading a medical device firm, he took the leap with his brother to launch integration services firm Dispatch Integration.In this episode, Cameron shares with host Scott Hollrah the unique workings and occasional conflicts of going into business with family, the growing pains of bootstrapping vs seeking outside investment, and why culture trumps revenue when it comes to “firing” bad client fits.He also discusses how respect, trust, and...2023-12-181h 34
In The Thick of It#17: Taylor Brooks, Founder & CEO | SimpleIn this episode of In the Thick of It, host Scott interviews Taylor Brooks, founder and CEO of Simple. Taylor shares his journey from growing up in Atlanta to attending Auburn University and working various jobs before starting Simple Donation, a software company that builds online donation platforms for nonprofits and churches. He discusses the challenges of balancing a full-time corporate job while also running his startup on the side for many years. Taylor provides insights into building company culture, hiring the right people, learning from mistakes, and focusing on solving customer problems rather than just selling features. He...2023-12-111h 44
In The Thick of ItToolbox Series: Jim Woodward on Coaching & Peer GroupsIn this episode of In The Thick of It, Scott sits down with his longtime business mentor Jim Woodward to discuss the value of business coaching and peer advisory groups. Jim outlines the peer group concept, typical meeting frameworks, and benefits such as community support, issue processing with other founders, and executive learning opportunities. He contrasts in-person and virtual formats and stresses the importance of shared values and proper coach training. Jim and Scott explore common objections around time, industry focus, and cost, countering each as barriers with real entrepreneur testimonials and measurable business growth outcomes. They close emphasizing...2023-12-0636 min
In The Thick of It#16: Drew Murr, Founder & CEO | Banjaxed SolutionsIn this episode of In the Thick of It, host Scott speaks with Drew Murr, co-founder of Banjax Solutions. Drew shares his unique entrepreneurial journey, from growing up in a small Texas town and playing high school football, to dropping out of Texas A&M and dabbling in real estate, to serving in the Army Reserves, and working in the oil and gas industry. He founded his first company providing data analysis services to oil and gas firms, before pivoting to develop a text messaging application for law firms called Client Connect. Drew then partnered with law firm Dudley...2023-12-041h 36
In The Thick of It#15: Jeremy Potoka, Founder & CEO | Presales LeaderIn this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott speaks with Jeremy Potoka, founder of Presales Leader, a unique subscription service that provides pre-sales support to software companies. Jeremy shares his origin story, from growing up in a working-class family to starting his career as a Spanish teacher and making the jump to tech.After finding his niche in ERP software pre-sales, Jeremy saw an opportunity to help smaller software firms improve their pre-sales capabilities on an outsourced basis. He took the leap in 2021, quickly landing initial customers and hiring his first employee within months.2023-11-271h 04
In The Thick of It#14: Hector Perez, Founder & CEO | Quantum Finance and Business IntelligenceIn this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott interviews Hector Perez, founder and CEO of Quantum FBI, an outsourced finance and accounting firm with offices in New York and Colombia. Hector shares his journey from working in his father's print shop at a young age, to a 15-year career at PwC, and eventually starting his own company.He discusses the inspiration behind launching Quantum FBI, the challenges of hiring talent and setting up international operations, and lessons learned from acquiring his first clients and seeing the business grow. Throughout, Hector also reflects on the satisfaction...2023-11-201h 03
In The Thick of It#13: Joe Higgins, Founder & CEO | Ethos Logos PublishingIn this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott interviews Joe Higgins, a serial entrepreneur with experience launching and growing a number of different businesses over the years. Learn about Joe's upbringing spent on a farm in Wisconsin to the ventures he pursued as an adult, including a cell phone dealership, a haircut franchise, a trash collection company, real estate development, and now charter schools and educational publishing. Throughout the episode, Scott explores Joe's motivations, challenges faced, factors behind his successes and failures, working with partners, and advice for other entrepreneurs.2023-11-131h 24
In The Thick of It#12: Jennifer Devine, Founder & CEO | Devine Consulting LLCIn this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott learns about what led Jennifer Devine to leave corporate life behind to start Devine Consulting, an outsourced accounting firm based in Houston. One of the unique things about Jennifer’s story is that she bought an existing book of business and grew it from a one-woman show to a 10-person company today. She is transparent about the struggles and surprises faced in the early days, from working out of her home to office plumbing fiascoes, along with keys to eventually building a positive culture foc...2023-11-061h 05
In The Thick of It#11: Mike DeRosa, Founder & President | DeRosa Mangold ConsultingIn this episode, Scott interviews Mike DeRosa, founder of DeRosa Mangold Consulting, a value-added reseller of Sage Intacct based outside of Waco, Texas. Hear how he went from a small-town Texas native hauling hay as a teen to leading his own successful tech consulting firm. Mike shares wisdom from his varied career in public accounting, software sales, and over 20 years running his own business. Tune in for Mike's full inspiring story and insights any founder can apply from childhood entrepreneurship to leading a multi-million dollar firm.About Mike:Mike DeRosa is the...2023-10-301h 10
In The Thick of It#10: Robert Ritzenthaler, President/CEO | REM CapitalAbout this episode:In this episode of In the Thick of It, Robert Ritzenthaler shares his journey from young entrepreneur to president and CEO of REM Capital. He discusses the ups and downs of starting a hedge fund during the dot-com bubble and lessons learned from that experience. Robert also shares how he transitioned into real estate and his role as an asset manager, highlighting the importance of transparency, taking personal responsibility, and being willing to learn and adapt.About Robert:Robert Ritzenthaler is the president and CEO of REM...2023-10-231h 14
In The Thick of It#9: Jennifer Salzman, Executive Director | The Heights of Ellis CountyAbout the episode: In this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott has a heartfelt conversation with Jennifer Salzman, founder and executive director of The Heights of Ellis County, a nonprofit providing critical services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. Jennifer shares the powerful story behind starting this organization in 2018 at the encouragement of her father, despite having no prior nonprofit experience. She candidly opens up about overcoming self-doubt and evolving into her leadership role, as well as the lessons she’s learned about surrounding herself with wise counsel, embracing collaboration, an...2023-10-161h 21
In The Thick of It#8: Dr. John Morgan, Founder & President | People Prosper InternationalAbout this episode: In this episode of In the Thick of It, host Scott Hollrah interviews Dr. John Morgan, founder and president of People Prosper International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching biblical economic empowerment and leadership around the world. After years in ministry, Dr. Morgan had an "Aha!" moment realizing biblical principles align with solving poverty. He founded his nonprofit in 2016 to train national leaders who then empower others locally. He shares the story of a man in Kenya who went from renting to launching multiple businesses after Dr. Morgan's training. They discuss similarities between nonprofits and...2023-10-0959 min
In The Thick of It#7: Steve Durman, Founder & Creative Director | Four Man FurnaceAbout this episode:In this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott sits down with his old friend Steve Durman, founder and creative director of Four Man Furnace. Steve shares his journey from growing up as an artistic kid in New Jersey to starting his career as an in-house designer for a casino marketing department and making his way to the big advertising agency Rap Collins Worldwide.Eventually, Steve left to start his own creative shop, Four Man Furnace (named after a Biblical story). Operating first as a one-man band working with contractors, Steve...2023-10-021h 07
In The Thick of It#6: Clayton Flurry, Founder/Owner | Flurry's MarketAbout this episode:In this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott interviews Clayton Flurry, founder of Flurry’s Market + Provisions, a beloved local butcher shop and grocery store in Flower Mound, Texas. After spending nearly two decades in the oil and gas industry, Clayton decided in 2020 to leave his career and pursue his entrepreneurial passion. Despite having no prior experience running a retail business, he bootstrapped Flurry's Market from idea to launch in just 9 months. Opening amidst a pandemic came with plenty of challenges from supply chain disruptions to cash flow problems, but Cla...2023-09-251h 40
In The Thick of It#5: Erik Korem, Founder & CEO | AIM7About this episode:In this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott interviews his old college friend Erik Korem, founder and CEO of the health and fitness app AIM7. Erik has had an interesting career journey from college football player turned pioneer in sports science and wearables, eventually leading him to start his own company applying those learnings to consumer fitness. Building a startup from scratch amidst a global pandemic, he's learned critical lessons about the importance of finding the right technical co-founder, constantly adapting, and maintaining relentless persistence. Since then, AimSeven has hit p...2023-09-181h 21
In The Thick of It#4: Ashish Patel, CEO & Founder | Simpat TechAbout this episode:On this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott interviews Ashish Patel, CEO and founder of Simpat Tech, a software development company. They discuss Ashish's background as an immigrant growing up in Maryland and how that shaped his entrepreneurial drive. Ashish talks about his career journey, including working for a large tech company and then a consulting firm before deciding to start his own business. He shares the story of how he started Simpat Tech with just one client and has grown it to over 60 employees today, including a team of nearshore developers...2023-09-1149 min
In The Thick of It#3: Justin Smith, Founder & CEO | RedAway Medical Waste SolutionsAbout this episode:On this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott interviews Justin Smith, founder and CEO of RedAway Medical Waste Solutions. Justin shares his journey from flipping houses in Kentucky to launching RedAway in 2013 to serve smaller medical waste customers with better care.Justin talks about navigating regulations, finding good partners, and scaling through subcontractors while maintaining exceptional service. He also discusses the importance of hiring for character, providing opportunities for employee growth, and staying focused on customers rather than comparisons. Justin reflects on learnings from mistakes along the way and how...2023-09-0459 min
In The Thick of It#2: Brian Terrell, Founder | BTerrell GroupAbout this episode:Get ready to be inspired! Join us for a chat with Brian Terrell, the cool founder of BTerrell Group. We dive into his incredible journey from farm life in Texas to becoming a tech maverick in the accounting industry. During this episode, Brian and I explore the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, the risks he took, and the thrilling world of DOS-based accounting systems (remember those?).About Brian:Born in Plainview, Texas, Brian grew up on a family farm where he learned to create value through hard work. From there, he...2023-08-2840 min
In The Thick of It#1: Chelsea Curtis, Founder & Managing Partner | Seaport ConsultingWhat's covered in this episode:In this episode, Scott interviews Chelsea Curtis, former LPGA developmental tour golfer turned founder of Seaport Consulting, a successful Salesforce consulting firm headquartered in Boston, MA. Chelsea shares her path to entrepreneurship, discussing the challenges and triumphs she encountered along the way. She highlights the importance of taking risks, building strong client relationships, and sticking to her values. Chelsea also provides valuable insights into the hiring process and the significance of investing in technology for business growth. Whether you're a founder or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable lessons and inspiration for building...2023-08-2140 min
Enterprise Software PodcastEnterprise Software Podcast Episode 164 – Acumatica Summit 2023 Recap (Part 3)https://traffic.libsyn.com/enterprisesoftwarepodcast/episdoe164.mp3
MANY THANKS to our Acumatica Summit 2023 recap sponsors:
DataSelf Analytics | https://www.dataself.com
REPAY | https://repay.com
Venn Technology | https://venntechnology.com
This onsite #ESPodcast episode is the third of three from #AcumaticaSummit!
Our first recap episode from this event (#162) is here
Our second recap episode from this event (#163) is here
Rob Johnson, Growth Director of Digi...2023-02-2100 min