Episodes

Welcome to Business Growth Talks, the podcast that explores the real challenges of growing a business and how to overcome them. Hosted by Mark Hayward, this show is designed for entrepreneurs who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of their next steps. Each episode features real-world strategies from successful entrepreneurs who have navigated obstacles, boosted revenue, and built stronger, more profitable businesses. In this episode, Mark speaks with Jodi Hume, founder of At The Core and a trus...

In this in-depth conversation, host Mark Hayward sits down with Alan Versteeg—an engineer turned sales management expert and co-founder of Growth Matters International. Alan shares his personal journey from engineering to mastering sales, the critical importance of mindset in business, and actionable strategies for scaling a company while ensuring that your business works for you, not the other way around. Key Discussion Topics: The Business Mindset:How to ensure that your business serves you i...

In this episode of Business Growth Talks, Mark Hayward sits down with Daryl Bates-Brownsword, a business succession and exit planning specialist. Daryl shares his insights on helping business owners maximize the value of their companies and transition on their terms. With over 20 years of experience building multi-million turnover international businesses, Daryl provides a wealth of knowledge on strategy, leadership, and business scalability. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ The importance ...

In this episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward sits down with Kyle Mealy, the founder and CEO of Next Level Revenue. Kyle helps small and mid-sized B2B businesses ($1M–$10M revenue) achieve predictable, profitable growth through fractional Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) services. With experience scaling businesses across industries—including martial arts schools and digital marketing agencies—Carl shares his expertise in sales, marketing, and revenue strategy. This conversation is pac...

In this episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward sits down with Stoy Hall, the CEO and founder of Black Mammoth, a company dedicated to financial literacy, inclusivity, and holistic wealth management. Stoy shares his insights on building a modern family office, the importance of financial education, and how mindset and community play a pivotal role in achieving wealth. Key Discussion Points: Introduction to Stoy Hall: CEO and founder of Black Mammoth and Calla Capital, host of The No...

In this episode of Business Growth Talks, host MarK Hayward embraces a deep dive into the fascinating world of body language with returning guest David Schneer. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to understand the unspoken cues that can significantly impact business relationships and negotiations. David's expertise opens a window into the intricate layers of non-verbal communication, often unperceived but integral to authentic interaction and efkeftive m...

In this episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward engages with Joe Mindak, a dynamic entrepreneur behind The Connective and Nolodex. Joe shares his insights into the development of his networking platform, which focuses on creating opportunities for businesses to grow through efficient and meaningful connections. Throughout the conversation, Joe elucidates his journey from establishing a magazine to co-founding a sophisticated software company, underscoring the significance of consiste...

In this engaging episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward speaks with Mark Graban, a noted authority on lean management and continuous improvement. With his extensive experience that spans industries such as healthcare and manufacturing, Mark Graban shares insights into fostering a culture of learning and improvement in corporations large and small. His journey from corporate life to consultancy offers eye-opening revelations about the power of entrepreneurship and the challenges and ...

In this engaging episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward discusses with Rob Levin the significant impact of strategic talent sourcing and the transformative potential of having an assistant for business growth. Rob, who co-founded Work Better Now, shares his journey from being a CPA to becoming an entrepreneur, revealing the challenges he faced and the lessons learned along the way. The episode delves into the evolving nature of business culture, the critical need for growth, and how...

In this episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward welcomes seasoned entrepreneur Colin Hirdman to delve into the complexities and strategies behind successful business growth and LinkedIn engagement. Hirdman's entrepreneurial journey began right out of college, and over the years, he has co-founded Monkey Island Ventures and ventured into various sectors, notably launching the innovative Rainmaker service. This platform aids users in expanding their LinkedIn presence, generating leads,...

In this captivating episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward welcomes Chris Jennings, an esteemed business consultant and author, who delves into the intricacies of scaling a business through effective communication and sales strategies. With a rich background in business development and an entrepreneurial spirit, Chris shares his journey from a corporate career to founding his own successful consultancy firm. Highlighting the significance of aligning purpose, passion, and potential t...

In this insightful episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward interviews Angela Frank, a growth advisor with extensive experience scaling health and wellness startups. Hayward and Frank explore the nuances of marketing and growth strategies for health and wellness businesses, leveraging Angela's expertise and proven methods. They delve into how marketing and sales teams can synergize for optimal results, ways to achieve sustainable business growth, and the importance of clearly understa...

In this engaging episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward sits down with Tim Branyan, a successful entrepreneur and former USAF combat veteran, to explore his journey in business and entrepreneurship. Tim shares insightful lessons learned from his experiences in leading three different ventures to successful exit strategies, including his work in custom software development and brand consultancy. The conversation delves into Tim's current role with the Indiana Small Business Developme...

On this episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward welcomes seasoned business coach Steve Preda to delve into transforming businesses through systemized frameworks. With a storied career starting in Hungary with investment banking, the episode explores Steve's journey to the US, facing challenges of adapting business strategies, and his evolution into a prominent coaching figure. The conversation provides entrepreneurs with actionable insights into scaling businesses through well-design...

Join Mark Hayward as he engages in a comprehensive discussion with Collin Graves, CEO of North Labs, in this episode of Business Growth Talks. Delve into the intricacies of the cloud data analytics world as Collin shares his experiences and insights, from the military to entrepreneurship. This episode focuses on understanding the importance of capital allocation within business growth, Collin's specialization in scaling businesses, and how data analytics is revolutionizing manufacturing and indu...

In this episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward engages with Darren Saul, a dynamic entrepreneur excelling in podcasting, recruitment, and photography. Darren shares his journey of discovering podcasting as a transformative business development tool and how he has turned it into a thriving consultancy, coaching others to achieve similar results. The episode explores Darren's entrepreneurial mindset, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, failing fast, and continuous growth. Darren...

In this engaging episode of the Business Growth Talks podcast, hosted by Mark Hayward, listeners are introduced to Elona Lopari, the dynamic CEO and founder of Life School. Mark and Elona delve into the multifaceted world of entrepreneurship, especially focusing on how businesses can thrive during the growth stage marked by rapid development and escalating customer bases. Elona shares her journey and insights, pulling from her rich experience as a seasoned Fortune 500 executive, on how business ...

In this engaging episode of the Business Growth Talks podcast, host Mark Hayward dives into a multifaceted conversation with Jonathan Green, an AI consultant and prolific author. Jonathan's journey through academia to building a thriving online business is both compelling and instructive. The episode unpacks the transformative role of AI and automation in business, revealing how these technologies can create more efficient processes and generate significant growth. With a narrative that includes...

In this compelling episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward delves into the fascinating world of qualitative market research with guest David Schneer, CEO of Mel Research. Schneer presents his innovative approach, leveraging nonverbal intelligence and AI to transform the way corporations launch products and orchestrate their strategic communications. His latest book, "Backbone," serves as both a guide to essential market research traits and a deeply personal narrative of overcoming ad...

In this exciting episode of the Business Growth Talks podcast, host Mark Hayward sits down with Peter Schroeder, a former DJ and tech pioneer who transitioned from spinning records to pioneering a cloud phone system for businesses. Peter shares his unique journey from Denmark to LA and how his early influences shaped his multi-faceted career. As a former DJ known as DJ Pete Fox, Peter brings an eclectic mix of experiences that have taught him invaluable lessons in business growth, especially in ...

In this episode of the Business Growth Talks podcast, host Mark Hayward welcomes Feras Alhlou, a seasoned entrepreneur and business mentor, to discuss his extensive journey in entrepreneurship and business growth. Feras Alhlou shares his insightful experiences from starting as a hardware engineer to transitioning into the business world, founding multiple companies, and ultimately selling his digital marketing firm to a major global player, Dentsu. Mark and Feras delve into the intricacies of de...

In this episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward delves into the journey of Sean Tepper, the visionary behind Tikr, a state-of-the-art stock screener and education platform. Sean discusses the founding principles of Tikr, inspired heavily by Warren Buffett's investment strategies, and how he transformed an Excel sheet into a leading fintech company serving thousands globally. This episode is rich with insights into scaling processes, strategic market expansion, and effective financial...

In this episode of "Business Growth Talks," host Mark Hayward delves into the profound impact of COVID-19 on businesses worldwide and the crucial lessons learned during the pandemic. With the onset of COVID-19, businesses faced unprecedented disruptions, compelling them to adapt swiftly to a volatile environment. Mark breaks down the top ten business lessons from the pandemic that are essential for thriving in the post-pandemic world. Mark highlights the significance of business continuity and ...

In this enlightening episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward dives deep into the world of digital marketing with Brandon Leibovitz, the founder of SEO Optimizers. With a professional journey that began in 2007, Brandon shares his insights into how the digital marketing landscape has evolved and how businesses can leverage SEO, social media, and content marketing to boost their online presence and drive growth. Throughout the conversation, Brandon offers a wealth of knowledge on the ...