Your Next Move

Marc Lore has never been shy about betting against the conventional model, and with Wonder, he’s taken that approach to the restaurant industry. As the company grows, so do the questions around its economics, technology, and ambitions. In this conversation, we’re unpacking the big bets behind the business — from robotics to AI, the hard lessons that come with scaling an unconventional business, and what it takes to turn a disruptive idea into a durable company.

In this episode of Your Next Move: Audio Edition, Inc. staff reporter Ben Sherry sits down with Darren Murriner, founder of AI coaching platform Cloverleaf, ranked No. 917 on the 2026 Inc. 5000. After spending 15 years in the corporate world, Darren launched Cloverleaf to help employees understand how they work best with others by delivering personalized coaching through familiar tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, email, and calendars. Darren explains how observing the dramatically different results produced by small creative teams inspired the company—and why Cloverleaf initially struggled to explain its technology to potential customers. He shares how the arrival of ChatGPT helped the company define its product as an AI coach and how Cloverleaf combines behavioral insights with multiple AI models to offer guidance tailored to individual employees and their workplace relationships. Plus, Darren discusses why successful AI pilots require measurable results, how Cloverleaf encourages adoption without forcing employees to use another workplace platform, and why word of mouth has helped the product spread from small teams throughout entire organizations. He also explains how the company hopes to make personalized coaching—which has traditionally been reserved for senior executives—accessible to frontline workers, new managers, and anyone preparing for a difficult conversation, promotion, or next career move.

In this episode of Your Next Move: Audio Edition, Inc. staff reporter Chloe Aiello sits down with Boomer Anderson, founder of Smarter Not Harder Life Sciences and Technologies, ranked No. 895 overall and No. 99 in healthcare on the 2026 Inc. 5000. The company develops supplements and other technologies designed to optimize focus, sleep, stress management, and overall health. Boomer explains why the rapidly growing company is shifting its strategy toward healthcare practitioners—even though doing so means sacrificing short-term margins—and how a new distribution partnership could put its products in the hands of providers around the world. He also shares how Smarter Not Harder evaluates new initiatives, prepares its international supply chain for tariffs, and decides which marketing channels are worth its investment. Plus, Boomer discusses the company’s expansive approach to AI, including its work to automate the analysis of lab results so practitioners can spend more time with patients. He also explains why he hires adaptable generalists, how transparency helps preserve company culture, and why the supplement industry needs stronger standards. Looking ahead, Boomer shares his ambition to help move healthcare from treating disease to optimizing health—and why the number of people served matters more to him than growth alone.

Holly Thaggard founded Supergoop! to provide child-friendly sunscreen pumps for Texas public schools. Her focus on clean formulas transformed the sunscreen market and created a new category in health and beauty. Now she's shaking up the crowded bottled water category with her new company, WaterOuai!

In this episode of Your Next Move, Inc. staff reporter Ali Donaldson sits down with Chris Schembri, founder of Alethia Marketing and Media, ranked No. 1,342 on the 2025 Inc. 5000. Alethia is a marketing solutions and media company that combines behavioral science, audience data, and AI to help brands understand what motivates their customers and create more effective campaigns. Chris explains how Alethia developed its values-driven marketing approach—and why moving beyond traditional demographic targeting can improve campaign performance by as much as 20 to 25 percent. He also shares how acquisitions, recurring data revenue, and thought leadership have helped the company distinguish itself in a crowded industry. The conversation also explores how Alethia is incorporating AI into data analysis, hiring, and everyday workflows; why founders must learn to trust their leadership teams as their companies grow; and how transparency guides difficult decisions around costs and staffing. Plus, Chris discusses the dangers of relying on a handful of large clients, the growing importance of visibility in AI-powered search, and why sustainable growth requires entrepreneurs to build a strategy beyond hope.

In this episode of Your Next Move: Audio Edition, former Inc. staff reporter Ben Sherry sits down with Luba Kaplan, founder of pediatric therapy provider Kidology, ranked No. 3,726 on the 2025 Inc. 5000. Based in the Philadelphia area, Kidology provides speech, occupational, physical, and behavioral therapy to children and young adults from birth through age 21. Luba explains how her background as a Russian-speaking speech-language pathologist helped her recognize an unmet need, challenge cultural stigmas surrounding disabilities and developmental delays, and build a community-centered practice. She also shares how Kidology grew from a contractor-based operation without an office into two 5,500-square-foot clinics featuring sensory play gyms—and how embracing teletherapy helped the business adapt during the pandemic. Plus, Luba discusses the risks and rewards of accepting insurance, the importance of building trust with pediatricians and families, and her plans to expand through pop-up locations in Philadelphia. She also explores how virtual reality, AI-assisted documentation, and other emerging tools could make pediatric therapy more measurable, engaging, and accessible—without losing the human connection at the heart of the work.

In this episode of Your Next Move: Audio Edition, Inc. senior editor Rebecca Deczynski sits down with Ebony Wilkins, president and CEO of Aalis Management Consulting, a government contracting firm ranked No. 369 on the 2025 Inc. 5000. The company provides acquisition support, financial management, and digital transformation services to more than 10 federal agencies. Wilkins explains how consistency, discipline, and regular self-assessment helped make Alice Management Consulting a two-time Inc. 5000 honoree. She also recounts how she rebuilt the company after losing every contract and watching its revenue fall to zero during the early days of the pandemic—and why persistent follow-up is the key to turning professional relationships into new business. Drawing on her experience as an Army veteran, Wilkins shares how a mission-driven mindset influences her leadership, hiring, and company culture. Plus, she discusses preparing employees to work with AI, helping government agencies navigate digital transformation, and finally transitioning from working in her business to focusing on its long-term strategy.

Leah Solivan of TaskRabbit and Joanna Strober of Midi Health discuss funding, infrastructure decisions, and AI opportunities that are rewriting the rules.

In this episode of Your Next Move: Audio Edition, Inc. senior editor Tim Crino sits down with Yann Deredec, cofounder and chief growth officer of Yama Group, a San Diego–based pharmaceutical and biotech marketing agency making its second consecutive appearance on the Inc. 5000. Yan explains how a lack of creativity in healthcare communications inspired him to leave the corporate world and launch Yama Group during the 2009 financial crisis. He also shares how the company has remained profitable without outside investment, why developing strong leaders has been one of its greatest challenges, and how a “blue ocean” strategy helps the agency pursue distinctive opportunities rather than compete in crowded markets. The conversation explores Yama Group’s immersive patient-simulation platforms, which help doctors navigate complex treatment decisions and engage with lifelike virtual patients. Yan also discusses the need for responsible AI guardrails in healthcare, the risks surrounding sensitive patient data, and how reduced research funding could affect medical innovation.

Breaking into established markets requires strategic vision, passion, and relentless execution. This episode explores how to spot opportunities and think like a disruptor. It features insights from Olipop’s Ben Goodwin and Netic’s Melisa Tokmak, two founders who’ve scaled their businesses by challenging traditional industries and introducing consumers and clients to innovative alternatives.