Disrupt & Innovate

Lisa L. Levy sits down with Cathy Baillargeon, founder of Virtual Cathy and self-titled “Chief Cathy Officer.” Cathy shares her journey from corporate consultant to virtual assistant entrepreneur and dives deep into the importance of delegation, remote support, and building strong company culture—even in a fully remote environment.

Cathy opens up about the emotional challenges business owners face when outsourcing tasks, including the fear of handing over their email inbox. She also offers real-world stories—from horse trainers to overwhelmed executives—showcasing the transformational impact of virtual assistants. Whether you’re a solopreneur or scaling a team, this episode is packed with practical advice, inspiration, and honest lessons learned from behind the scenes.

Keywords:

• Virtual Assistant
• Delegation
• Remote Work
• Business Growth
• Entrepreneurship
• Scaling Small Business
• Time Management
• Business Operations
• Cathy Baillargeon
• Virtual Cathy
• Leadership
• Team Culture
• Outsourcing
• Email Management
• Productivity

Hashtag:

#VirtualAssistant #DelegationMatters #RemoteWorkLife #Entrepreneurship #ScaleYourBusiness #TimeFreedom #LeadershipDevelopment #VirtualSupport #BusinessGrowth #SmallBusinessSupport #VirtualCathy #CathyBaillargeon #ProductivityTips #OutsourcingSuccess #WorkSmarterNotHarder

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Lisa L. Levy speaks with Larry Mandelberg, a fifth-generation business leader, consultant, and author of “Businesses Don’t Fail, They Commit Suicide.” Larry shares insights from over 23 years of research into why businesses collapse from within—not due to external threats. Learn the secrets behind multi-generational family business success, the importance of clarity of purpose, and how organizations evolve through youth, adolescence, and maturity. Whether you’re a founder, CEO, or team leader, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom.

Keywords:

• Larry Mandelberg

• Businesses Don’t Fail

• Business suicide

• Family business

• Organizational maturity

• Purpose-driven leadership

• Business lifecycle

• Employee engagement

• Scaling strategy

• Business consulting

• Lisa L. Levy interview

• Business transformation

• Succession planning

Hashtag:

#BusinessLeadership #LarryMandelberg #FamilyBusiness #BusinessGrowth

#PurposeDriven #BusinessesDontFail #LeadershipMatters

#OrganizationalSuccess #ScaleWithPurpose #EntrepreneurMindset

#LisaLevy #BusinessConsulting #SuccessionPlanning

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Lisa L. Levy speaks with Brandon Barnum — CEO of HOA.com and widely known as the “King of Referrals.” Together, they explore how AI and referrals are transforming local communities, the future of homeowner associations, and how real estate professionals can lead the way in building trust, connection, and profitable networks. Discover how HOA.com is turning neighborhoods into tight-knit communities with technology, events, and heart.

Keywords:

• HOA.com
• Brandon Barnum
• Community as a Service
• AI in real estate
• Homeowner Associations
• Real estate referrals
• Local networking
• Personality science
• Trusted teams
• Real estate technology
• Neighborhood connection
• Bank Code
• Realtor marketing strategies
• Building community with AI
• Home service professionals
• Lisa L. Levy podcast

Hashtags:

#CommunityAsAService

#BrandonBarnum

#HOAcom

#RealEstateTech

#AIInBusiness

#KingOfReferrals

#NeighborhoodNetwork

#LocalBusinessSupport

#RealtorLife

#TrustBasedMarketing

#BankCode

#HomeownerAssociation

#ReferralMarketing

#HumanConnection

#LisaLLevy

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Chris Hood, an expert in customer experience strategy, discusses how AI is reshaping the way businesses approach customer service and engagement. With over 35 years of experience, Chris shares real-world examples from brands like Discover Card and Taco Bell to highlight the importance of maintaining human-to-human connections in an increasingly digital world. He also explains why traditional customer journey mapping is outdated and how businesses must adapt to the ever-changing expectations of modern consumers.

Keywords:

Customer experience, AI in business, human connection, customer journey, Discover Card, Taco Bell, technology in customer service, digital strategy, multi-dimensional customer journey, customer engagement, artificial intelligence, customer-centric strategy, human-to-human interaction, business transformation, customer success, business development

Hashtag:

#CustomerExperience #AI #HumanConnection #DigitalStrategy #BusinessTransformation #CustomerJourney #TechInnovation #CustomerSuccess #AIinBusiness #CustomerEngagement #FutureofCX #BusinessDevelopment

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Lisa L. Levy interviews Deirdre Tshien, the co-founder and CEO of Capsho, an AI-powered podcast copywriter platform. Deirdre shares her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of building businesses across multiple industries, and how Capsho is helping podcasters amplify their voices efficiently. Learn why content repurposing, when done mindlessly, can be counterproductive, and how AI can help create intentional content that connects with audiences. Deirdre also discusses how her experiences, including a tough betrayal in her first business, have shaped her approach to leadership and innovation.

Keywords:

AI, podcasting, Capsho, entrepreneurship, content creation, content repurposing, podcast marketing, content strategy, business growth, intentional laziness, Deirdre Tshien, podcast copywriting, technology in podcasting, social media strategy, content marketing, personal story, AI-powered tools, content vomit, authenticity in content.

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Mike Straza, a fractional CFO and COO, discusses his approach to helping businesses overcome operational challenges and achieve growth. With a focus on a 90-day engagement process, Mike emphasizes the importance of understanding a company’s current state, identifying pain points, and implementing actionable solutions. He shares insights on the significance of experience in consulting, the necessity of leadership willingness to change, and the challenges faced in business growth, particularly regarding cash flow management. The discussion highlights the value of bringing in external expertise to complement existing leadership and drive organizational success.

Takeaways

• Mike Straza specializes in helping businesses overcome operational challenges.
• A fractional CFO can provide expertise at a fraction of the cost.
• The 90-day engagement process is designed to diagnose and treat business issues quickly.
• Experience is crucial in consulting; seasoned professionals deliver faster results.
• Leadership willingness to change is essential for successful consulting engagements.
• Cash flow management is a common issue for many businesses.
• Consultants should empower employees to enhance their operations.
• Understanding the company’s health is the first step in the consulting process.
• External consultants can provide an unbiased perspective on organizational issues.
• Building strong client relationships is key to successful consulting.

Keywords

business consulting, fractional CFO, operational efficiency, cash flow management, leadership development, business growth, consulting process, client relationships, problem-solving, organizational change

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Lance Seiko, a serial entrepreneur and architect, discusses his journey with F9 Productions, emphasizing the importance of customer service in architecture, the role of architects in everyday life, and the shift towards sustainable design. He shares insights on generational living, the challenges of building tiny houses, and the impact of residential architecture on people’s lives. The conversation highlights the need for architects in small business projects and the significance of good design in creating functional and meaningful spaces.

Takeaways

• Lance Seiko emphasizes the importance of customer service in architecture.
• F9 Productions was founded during the Great Recession, focusing on client needs.
• Good design is assumed; the key differentiator is how clients are served.
• Architects play a crucial role in everyday life, impacting how we live and work.
• Misconceptions about needing an architect can lead to costly mistakes for small businesses.
• Residential architecture can significantly affect people’s lives and well-being.
• Generational living is becoming more common, requiring thoughtful design.
• The ADU movement is gaining traction, promoting multi-generational living.
• Challenges in building innovative designs, like tiny houses, can lead to significant growth.
• The conversation underscores the importance of consulting an architect before making structural changes.

Keywords

architecture, customer service, design, sustainability, tiny houses, generational living, F9 Productions, Lance Seiko, business success, residential architecture

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Lisa L. Levy speaks with Leanne Linsky, a comedian turned entrepreneur, about her journey from the corporate world to founding Plauzzable, an innovative online comedy platform. They discuss the importance of education in entrepreneurship, the unique features of
Plauzzable that empower comedians, and how the platform is reshaping the comedy landscape by making it more accessible and profitable for performers. Leanne shares insights on the significance of networking and continuous learning in building a successful business.

Takeaways

• Leanne Linsky transitioned from a corporate career to comedy.
• Plauzzable aims to make comedy more accessible online.
• Education can play a crucial role in entrepreneurship.
• Networking is vital for business success.
• Comedians can control their careers through Plausible.
• The platform allows comedians to earn money directly from ticket sales.
• Plauzzable offers a seamless experience for both comedians and audiences.
• Comedy is a significant genre in the entertainment industry.
• Continuous learning is essential for staying relevant.
• Plauzzable helps level the playing field for comedians everywhere.

Keywords

comedy, entrepreneurship, online platforms, innovation, networking, Leanne Linsky, Plausible, virtual comedy, business strategy, women in business

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Alec Crawford, CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, shares insights on AI adoption and the critical steps businesses need to take to protect themselves from AI-driven financial fraud and cybersecurity risks. From implementing private AI and securing sensitive data to setting governance rules and navigating compliance, Alec explains how organizations can safely leverage AI technology for growth. He also delves into the history of neural networks and AI’s transformative role in various industries, including healthcare and finance. Don’t miss out on valuable advice for AI security, risk management, and compliance.

Keywords:

Artificial Intelligence, AI Risk Management, AI Safety, AI Adoption, Cybersecurity, AI Compliance, Data Protection, Financial Fraud, AI Risk, Private AI, Governance, Risk Management Tools, Healthcare AI, AI in Finance, Generative AI, AI Podcast, AI in Business, AI and Compliance.

Hashtags:

#AI #AIEthics #Cybersecurity #AICompliance #BusinessGrowth #AIAdoption #DataSecurity #RiskManagement #AIFraud #FinancialRisk #AIinHealthcare #TechLeadership #Innovation #GenerativeAI #AIforBusiness

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Tawnya Landis, seasoned entrepreneur, certified coach, and wellness advocate, shares her inspiring journey through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Co-author of Balancing Act, Tawnya talks about her experiences in building businesses, overcoming financial crises, managing personal challenges, and finding work-life harmony. From navigating a bankruptcy during a health crisis to successfully rebuilding, Tawnya discusses the importance of diversification, authentic relationships, and creating businesses that provide freedom. Learn how she empowers others to lead balanced, fulfilling lives while growing their business and legacy.

Keywords:

Tawnya Landis, Balancing Act, entrepreneurship, work-life balance, family business, financial crisis, diversification, business growth, wellness advocate, personal journey, business coaching, generational legacy, personal development, health crisis, financial independence, entrepreneur struggles, network marketing, business consulting, leadership development.

Hashtags:

#Entrepreneurship #WorkLifeBalance #FamilyBusiness #BusinessSuccess #FinancialCrisis #Diversification #BusinessGrowth #WellnessAdvocate #BalancingAct #EntrepreneurialJourney #FamilyValues #GenerationalLegacy #PersonalGrowth #FinancialFreedom #BusinessStrategy

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