Tales From The Pros | Business Leader Stories | Entrepreneurship | Storytelling | Influencers | Ceo's | Business Inspiration

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, Michael Georgiou and Eric Lawrence sit down with Imaginovation Co-Founder Pete Peranzo to unpack a topic that most product teams misunderstand: gamification.Too often, teams treat gamification like a cosmetic upgrade. Add some points. Throw in a leaderboard: a badge or two. But without a strategy, it can backfire fast.Pete shares real examples of what happens when gamification is implemented poorly, including a case where productivity actually dropped. The conversation explores why onboarding is the highest leverage place to design for behavior, how incremental updates sustain long term engagement, and why the next generation of the workforce will expect interactive, game-like systems by default.From SaaS platforms to internal tools to education software, this episode reframes gamification as a strategic design discipline rooted in psychology, data, and intentional product architecture.If you are building digital products and care about retention, engagement, and long-t

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, Michael Georgiou sits down with Chris Ronzio, founder and CEO of Trainual, to talk about what it really takes to build a business that can grow without breaking.Chris shares his journey from starting his first business at 14 to running a nationwide operation and eventually launching Trainual, a platform designed to help small businesses document their processes, train their teams, and scale with confidence. Along the way, he explains why so many founders unintentionally build themselves into a job instead of a company.This conversation goes deep into systems, productivity, and leadership, covering everything from bootstrapping versus raising capital to creating operational clarity, protecting personal well-being, and defining success on your own terms. If you are a founder or operator trying to get out of the weeds and build something sustainable, this episode offers practical insight you can actually apply.

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, Michael Georgiou and Eric Lawrence get real about a mindset many high performers live by but rarely question: continuous improvement. What happens when Kaizen stops being a strength and starts becoming a liability?Drawing from personal experiences scaling Imaginovation, Michael and Eric unpack how relentless growth, overhiring, and constant optimization can quietly lead to burnout, misalignment, and costly decision-making. They explore why pausing, reflecting, and leading with intention is not a sign of weakness but a prerequisite for sustainable success.From leadership pressure and mental health to consistency over impulsive pivots, this conversation reframes ambition through a more human lens. If you are a founder, operator, or leader feeling the weight of always needing to “do more,” this episode offers clarity on how to grow without losing yourself or your team in the process.

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, Michael Georgiou and Eric Lawrence sit down with Andrew Cherry, COO of Movement for Life, to explore how innovation actually works inside a legacy healthcare organization.Andrew shares how COVID, clinician burnout, and access challenges forced Movement for Life to rethink traditional physical therapy delivery and why waiting on off-the-shelf solutions was no longer enough. The conversation dives into the cultural, operational, and leadership shifts required to build EverFlex, a custom platform designed to improve patient access, support clinicians, and create measurable business impact.From change management and internal buy-in to AI’s role in reducing decision errors without replacing human care, this episode offers a candid look at what it takes to lead through uncertainty and why patient experience, not revenue alone, became the guiding metric.Whether you’re a healthcare leader, operator, or founder navigating innovation in a regulated or legacy industry, this episod

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, Michael Georgiou and Eric Lawrence break down what software automation really means for growing businesses and how to know when an organization is actually ready for it. Moving beyond buzzwords, they share real-world examples of companies that automated successfully and others that wasted time and budget by doing it too early or without a plan. Drawing from years of hands-on experience, they discuss the warning signs that manual processes are slowing teams down, why disconnected systems create operational chaos, and how automation should support people rather than replace them. The episode also introduces a practical automation readiness playbook to help leaders audit operations, define ROI, and start small with high-impact pilots. If you are scaling a business or struggling with inefficiencies, this conversation will help you determine where automation fits, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to approach it strategically with clarity and confidence. 

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, Michael Georgiou and Eric Lawrence open up about the hidden challenges that quietly derail SaaS startups. These issues often go unnoticed until it is too late, and they rarely have anything to do with funding or technology. Instead, the real problems show up in planning, leadership, market understanding, and the founder’s mindset.Drawing from real stories and years of working closely with founders, they talk about why a strong business model matters, how emotional resilience shapes decision making, and why continuous innovation is a non-negotiable part of building a lasting SaaS product.If you are building or growing a SaaS startup, this conversation will help you recognize the early signs, avoid common traps, and build with more clarity and confidence.

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, Michael Georgiou and Eric Lawrence dive into a topic every growing business eventually faces — when to stop patching old systems and start rebuilding from the ground up.Many organizations cling to outdated software because rebuilding feels risky — too costly, too disruptive, or simply too big to take on. But as Eric and Michael explain, the real cost often lies in holding on. Slow performance, fragile integrations, and technical debt can quietly drain resources and block growth.Drawing from real client stories and years of experience helping businesses modernize their technology, they unpack how to recognize the warning signs, what an audit should uncover, and how to make the decision to rebuild with clarity and confidence.If your systems are slowing you down, this conversation will help you see rebuilding not as failure — but as a chance to evolve, scale, and future-proof your business.

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, I sit down with my co-host and our Director of Growth, Eric Lawrence, to talk about something that hits home for many founders: what happens after you get funding.You’d think raising capital is the hard part, but what often follows can be even tougher. So many startups make one critical mistake right after receiving funds: choosing the wrong development partner. We’ve seen this happen countless times. Founders get the runway, rush into development, skip validation, and end up burning through their budget with little to show for it.In this conversation, we dig into the emotional and financial cost of poor partnerships, why idea validation before development is essential, and how having funding can create a false sense of security. I share real experiences from our journey at Imaginovation, where a lack of planning and unrealistic expectations led to unnecessary setbacks.We also talk about how to approach these situations differently: plan early, document thoroughly, buil

In this episode of Tales from the Pros, Eric and I dive into something every entrepreneur struggles with at some point: how to choose the right app development partner.If you’ve ever sat through vendor pitches, you know how overwhelming (and sometimes confusing) the process can be. We talk about spotting the red and green flags when evaluating teams, and why things like transparency, clear communication, and a solid discovery phase make all the difference in building a successful partnership.We also share a few hard-learned lessons from our years at Imaginovation—like the risks that come with chasing the cheapest option, and why protecting your intellectual property is non-negotiable.Throughout the episode, we highlight practical ways to cut through the noise: setting clear expectations, keeping communication open, and working with a partner who not only gets your vision but isn’t afraid to challenge your assumptions and give you honest feedback.Listeners will walk away with insights into what really matters

In today’s episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Marwan Forzley, who is CEO of Veem.com, a next-generation global B2B payment network that enables a quick and secure way of sending and receiving money. Since its founding in 2014, Veem is backed by Goldman Sachs, Google Ventures, Silicon Valley Bank, and many many others. In addition, Marwan is an innovator, visionary and enjoys launching new products in domestic as well as international markets through disruptive tech and global strategies. He is the author of “Small Business in a Big World: A Comprehensive Guide to Doing International Business”. In this episode, we talk about Marwan’s journey to entrepreneurship and his experience of building a global payment network such as Veem. We talk about how Marwan spotted the gap between SMB and their payment problems, and how Veem disrupted the global payment space.   Don’t Miss: 1. How did Marwan came up with the idea of ‘Veem’ - 4:15 2. What sets a business on the path of success - 17:00 3. What it takes to

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Dan McGaw, who is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker and CEO of McGaw.io, an analytics and marketing technology consultancy, and also the founder of a SaaS platform called UTM.io. In addition, he also finds time to be a 500 Startups Mentor, and has previously started the first business accelerator in Orlando. He was previously selected to be a United States Ambassador of Entrepreneurship by the United States Department of State In this episode, we talk about Dan’s journey to entrepreneurship and his experience of building and growing a tech consultancy. We talk about mistakes businesses make in sales and marketing, and the future of marketing and data. Don't Miss: 1. What it takes to be an industry leader in marketing space - 7:17 2. Biggest challenges companies face in current times - 13:06 3. KPIs should look for to grow business revenue - 22:10   Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Anthony Blatner, who is the founder of Speedwork Social, a top LinkedIn Advertising agency. He is known as one of the top LinkedIn ads experts in the industry, having managed millions in ad spend and generating over 100,000 new sales opportunities. As a previous tech founder and ex-IBMer, he has seen a lot of companies have explosive growth with good technology and good marketing, while others (even though they had a great product or service) fail without effective marketing. In 2016, this successful entrepreneur started Speedwork to help those companies unlock their B2B marketing potential. By blending his experience in marketing and software, he is able to help businesses reach high-level decision-makers at scale using LinkedIn Ads and technology. In this episode, we talk about Anthony’s journey to entrepreneurship and his experience of building and growing a B2B LinkedIn advertising agency. We talk about mistakes businesses make in sales and marketing,

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Rob Charles, who is the Founder and CEO of Goldfingr, a vetted and exclusive social network of business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and influential thought leaders working together and supporting one another for the common good and with intention. His expertise is exhibited in a long track record of always executing, being an entrepreneur for over 30 years, and investing for over 18 years. Goldfingr is a modern paradigm of social clubs - a think tank, incubator, and socially conscious business accelerator. They have integrated raising capital, investing, business, the arts, entertainment, and social, adding unbelievable value to their members, with a complete VIP experience  In this episode, we talk about Rob’s journey to entrepreneurship, his experience of building and growing a members-only social club, the startup game in today’s digital age, and what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur.   Don't Miss: 1. The story of Goldfingr and how it is d

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Mike Welsh, who is a veteran leader in sales and revenue growth and has been named CEO of Uptime.com, a leader in website monitoring software He brings more than two decades of sales and revenue leadership experience to Uptime.com, driving growth for numerous public and private software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies, such as Chargify, Rackspace Cloud, and Inspired eLearning.  In this episode, we talk about Mike’s journey to entrepreneurship, his experience of building and growing a SaaS business, overcoming the challenges of running a SaaS company, the future of websites, and how to be a strong leader.   Don't Miss: 1. Mike’s advice to handling the role of CEO the right way - 06:30 2. What are the challenges that SaaS companies encounter - 25:13 3. How to execute your website’s performance check the right way - 36:41   Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics We Discuss: 1. Mike’s ins

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Michelle Seiler Tucker, who is the Founder and CEO of Seiler Tucker Incorporated.  She owns many other businesses in several different industries. As a 20-year veteran in the Mergers & Acquisitions industry, she is regarded as the leading authority on buying, selling, fixing, and growing businesses. She and her firm have sold over a thousand businesses in almost every vertical and have a remarkable track record of success. In addition to being featured in INC, Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and USA Magazine, she is an international keynote speaker and makes regular radio and TV appearances on Fox Business News and CNBC.  She has spoken alongside many prominent speakers: Eric Trump, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kathy Ireland, Randi Zuckerberg, Steve Wozniak, and more. She is the Best-Selling Author of the book “Sell Your Business for more than It’s Worth” and has a new book coming out called “Exit Rich®.” In this episode, we talk about Anastasia’s journey to

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Anastasia Leng, who is the Founder and CEO of CreativeX, a technology company that aims to advance creative expression through the clarity of data.  CreativeX technology is used globally by Fortune 500 brands like Unilever, Mondelez, Heineken, ABI, and more to measure creative efficiency, consistency, and impact across all creatives worldwide.  In this episode, we talk about Anastasia’s journey to entrepreneurship, her experience of building and growing a tech company, how to raise venture funding, and how to really succeed as an entrepreneur.   Don't Miss: 1. Anastasia’s inspiration to build a creative tech company - 07:56 2. What is a “good” media content or creative - 19:08 3. Importance of creative quality in marketing performance - 37:21   Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics We Discuss: 1. Anastasia’s inspiring story of how she got to where she is today 2. Problems and missi

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Mark Samuel, who is the Founder and CEO of IWON Organics, a thriving health, and wellness company that makes bold, flavor-infused snacks made from plant-based proteins.  IWON's snacks can be found in over 5,000 stores nationwide, including Kroger's, Sprouts, Whole Foods, Amazon, and many more.  Mark is a foodie and a popular serial entrepreneur in the fitness and nutrition space. His goal is to provide inspirational and insightful value through his personal branding and company. In this episode, Mark talks about his entrepreneurial journey, shares his experience of building and growing a nutrition company, how he grew the IWON brand, and how to really succeed as an entrepreneur.   Don't Miss: 1. Mark’s inspiration to build a nutrition brand - 01:43 2. How to keep your brand authentic - 12:25 3. Advice to succeeding as an entrepreneur - 25:51   Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Tim Salau, who is the CEO and Co-founder of Guide. Coming from humble beginnings, he is a business leader on the Future of Work, leadership, and innovation. Tim is also an accomplished international keynote speaker, and world-renowned global tech leader recognized by global brands such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. He is internationally recognized as Mr. Future of Work. In this episode, Tim talks about his entrepreneurial journey, shares his experience of building and growing a company, how companies can position their workforce to thrive, and the future of employee training and development.   Don't Miss: 1. Tim’s inspiration to becoming an entrepreneur - 02:51 2. Importance of being adaptive to market changes while running a business - 08:42 3. The future of employee training and development - 14:49   Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192   Topics We Discuss: 1. Tim’s inspiring story o

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Beerud Sheth, who is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and Founder and CEO of Gupshup, the world's leading messaging and bot platform. It is used by over 30K+ developers that handle nearly 4 billion messages per month.  Gupshup also developed Teamchat, a smart messaging app that introduced structured templates to messaging. Beerud also founded and led Elance, the pioneer of online freelancing and which is now known as UpWork and is a publicly-traded company. In this episode, Beerud talks about his entrepreneurial journey, shares his experiences and challenges of building and scaling a SaaS company, how to acquire VC funding and what he is up to these days.   Don't Miss: 1. Beerud’s inspiration behind growing a startup to a publicly-traded company - 05:13 2. How to scale a SaaS company - 19:15  3. Overcoming the struggles of running a SaaS company - 29:25   Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id13710671

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Erik Huberman, who is the Founder & CEO of Hawke Media, the company that has over 150 employees and has serviced over 2000 brands of all sizes.  Erik was named The International Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year in the field of Advertising, Marketing, & Public Relations. He is also the recipient of numerous honors and awards including Forbes “30 Under 30,” CSQ "40 Under40", Inc. Magazine’s “Top 25 Marketing Influencers, amongst many others.  As a serial entrepreneur and marketing expert, Erik is a sought-after thought leader in the world of digital marketing, entrepreneurship, sales, and business. In this episode, Erik talks about his entrepreneurial journey, shares his experiences and challenges of building and scaling a digital marketing company and what he is up to these days. Don't Miss: 1. How to run a marketing agency the right way - 03:45 2. Overcoming the struggles of running a marketing agency - 14:35 3. The future of the music ind