Business Ninjas by WeLevel

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andy Steuer sits down with Isabelle Tashima, Investor at Volition Capital, for a behind-the-scenes look at growth equity investing. Isabelle walks through her path into private equity, what a day in the life of an investor actually looks like, and how Volition partners with founder-led companies that are ready to scale. Together, they unpack what investors look for beyond revenue numbers—team dynamics, capital efficiency, and long-term vision—and how founders can better prepare for growth-stage funding conversations.💡 Backing Proven Founders with Patient Growth CapitalVolition Capital specializes in growth equity investments in capital-efficient, founder-owned technology and tech-enabled services companies. Rather than pushing premature exits, Volition takes a long-term, flexible approach—helping founders accelerate growth while maintaining control. Isabelle explains how the firm evaluates opportunities, supports portfolio companies post-investment, and differentiates itself by aligning incentives with founders. With a focus on sustainable scaling, disciplined execution, and partnership-driven investing, Volition Capital has become a trusted name for entrepreneurs looking to grow without losing autonomy.🔗 Learn more about Volition Capital: https://www.volitioncapital.com/💼 Connect with Volition Capital on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/volition-capital/👤 Connect with Isabelle Tashima: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-tashima-780065135/Want to be featured on our Business Ninjas podcast? Go to WeLevel.net and schedule a time with us and we'll make it happen.  See the Faces Behind The Voices on our YouTube Channel! 

What does it take to transform a 50-year-old lighting supplier into a modern infrastructure intelligence partner? In this episode, WLS Lighting & Electrical CEO, Brandon Scogins, shares how the company evolved from bucket-truck service calls to leading the industry in connected lighting, analytics, and sustainability reporting.We talk about the LED boom, the rise of total cost of ownership thinking, the push toward unified platforms, and why commercial property owners need better visibility into their assets. Brandon also opens up about navigating the pandemic, rebranding a legacy company, and building an AI-powered future for portfolio insights.Tune in for a grounded and forward-looking conversation about energy savings, smart infrastructure, and what it means to run a “new 50-year-old company.”🔗 Learn more about WLS Lighting & Electrical: https://wlslighting.com/ 💼 Connect with WLS Lighting & Electrical on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wls-lighting-systems-inc/ 👤 Connect with Brandon Scogins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-scogins-46a15853/ Want to be featured on our Business Ninjas podcast? Go to WeLevel.net and schedule a time with us and we'll make it happen.  See the Faces Behind The Voices on our YouTube Channel! 

In this episode of Business Ninjas, Andrew Lippman sits down with Kristin McLane, President of CIMx Software, to talk about three decades of transforming how manufacturers build, track, and deliver products. Since 1996, CIMx has been helping manufacturers modernize production processes, eliminate paper-based workflows, and gain visibility across the shop floor with their advanced Manufacturing Execution System (MES) solutions.Kristin shares how CIMx empowers manufacturers to gain full control of production data, reduce waste, and boost throughput through real-time insights. By focusing on adaptability and customer support, CIMx has become the trusted partner for complex manufacturing operations—from aerospace and defense to medical devices and electronics. The company’s flagship platform, Quantum, bridges the gap between production and performance, helping teams make better decisions faster.If your business is ready to streamline operations, enhance traceability, and future-proof your manufacturing, this conversation is a must-listen.🔗 Learn more about CIMx Software: https://www.cimx.com/ 💼 Connect with CIMx Software on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cimx/ 👤 Connect with Kristin McLane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinmclane/ -----Do you want to be interviewed for your business?  Schedule time with us, and we'll create a podcast like this for your business: https://www.WriteForMe.io/-----https://www.facebook.com/writeforme.iohttps://www.instagram.com/writeforme.io/https://twitter.com/writeformeiohttps://www.linkedin.com/company/writeforme/https://www.pinterest.com/andysteuer/Want to be featured on our Business Ninjas podcast? Go to WeLevel.net and schedule a time with us and we'll make it happen.  See the Faces Behind The Voices on our YouTube Channel! 

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman sits down with Nikhil Rai of QNX, a BlackBerry subsidiary, to explore how their real-time operating system powers the automotive industry — and why the company is expanding into new frontiers like industrial automation, medical devices, and aerospace.From digital cockpits and over-the-air updates to mission-critical systems that demand zero failure, QNX has built its reputation on safety, reliability, and innovation. Now, the company is leveraging its dominance in automotive to become a global leader in embedded software across multiple industries.If you’re curious about the future of automotive technology, industrial automation, and the hidden software powering our most critical systems, this conversation is one you don’t want to miss.👉 Tune in to hear how QNX is redefining what’s possible in embedded software.🔗 Learn more about QNX💼 Connect with QNX on LinkedIn👤 Connect with Nikhil Rai on LinkedInWant to be featured on our Business Ninjas podcast? Go to WeLevel.net and schedule a time with us and we'll make it happen.  See the Faces Behind The Voices on our YouTube Channel! 

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman sits down with Stu Seltzer, President of Seltzer Licensing Group. Stu shares his journey from working at Yves Saint Laurent and Warner Brothers to founding his own licensing agency more than 25 years ago. They dive into how brand licensing helps companies—from global CPGs to nonprofits and entertainment brands—unlock growth through partnerships, collaborations, and royalties. Stu also talks about his new book, Brand Licensing for Dummies, and what it means to be inducted into the Licensing International Hall of Fame.💡 Turning IP Into Revenue and OpportunitySeltzer Licensing Group helps brands like Scotts Miracle-Gro, Dove, Airheads, Zippo, and even American Ninja Warrior grow by strategically extending their IP into new categories and products. Their unique process starts with a research-driven licensing plan—an 80+ page roadmap answering where a brand can extend and how much revenue to expect. From licensing Dunder Mifflin copy paper with The Office, to launching American Ninja Warrior Adventure Parks, to helping nonprofits like the American Red Cross, Seltzer Licensing Group proves licensing is more than merch—it’s a business model that drives real growth.🔗 Learn more about Seltzer Licensing Group 💼 Connect with Seltzer Licensing Group on LinkedIn 👤 Connect with Stu Seltzer on LinkedIn Get the Book: Licensing for Dummies Want to be featured on our Business Ninjas podcast? Go to WeLevel.net and schedule a time with us and we'll make it happen.  See the Faces Behind The Voices on our YouTube Channel! 

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman sits down with Logan Yonavjak, Co-Founder and CEO of the Founder Readiness Institute. Logan shares how her two decades in impact investing, natural capital, and startup financing led her to launch a groundbreaking new tool: the Founder Readiness Level. Unlike typical assessments, this framework measures a founder’s ability to handle complexity, pivot under pressure, and grow as a leader—giving early-stage investors and founders a clearer picture of “people risk” in startups.💡 Standardizing Founder Assessment to Improve Startup SuccessThe Founder Readiness Institute sits at the intersection of psychology, leadership, and venture investing. Their assessments go beyond more traditionally static traits like extroversion or conscientiousness, instead evaluating coachability, resilience, systems thinking, and vertical development. With follow-on coaching and support, the tool helps uncover both risks and overlooked opportunities—reducing investor bias while empowering founders with actionable feedback. Backed by research, a co-founder trained in psychology and data science, and plans for academic partnerships, the Institute aims to make “founder readiness” as essential as technology readiness in the investment process.🔗 Learn more about Founder Readiness Institute 💼 Connect with Founder Readiness Institute on LinkedIn👤 Connect with Logan Yonavjak on LinkedInWant to be featured on our Business Ninjas podcast? Go to WeLevel.net and schedule a time with us and we'll make it happen.  See the Faces Behind The Voices on our YouTube Channel! 

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman chats with Matt Seefeld, EVP at MedEvolve. Matt shares his journey from consulting to healthcare entrepreneurship and how MedEvolve helps medical providers survive and thrive in today’s margin-crushing environment. From skyrocketing costs and declining reimbursements to the complexity of revenue cycle management, Matt breaks down the realities of running a healthcare practice in 2025—and why automation alone won’t save the industry.💡 Data + Accountability = Real Healthcare ROIMedEvolve stands out by turning billing chaos into clarity. Their platform layers on top of any billing system to track staff effectiveness, reduce wasted touches, and uncover margin improvements that traditional systems miss. With clients ranging from surgical specialties to rural hospitals and BPOs, MedEvolve helps providers recoup millions by fixing denials before they happen, streamlining workflows, and holding teams accountable with real-time analytics. Unlike hype-driven “humanless” AI solutions, MedEvolve leverages generative AI responsibly, backed by novel datasets and human expertise—because in healthcare, mistakes are too costly to leave unchecked.🔗 Learn more about MedEvolve💼 Connect on LinkedIn 👤 Connect with Matt Seefeld Want to be featured on our Business Ninjas podcast? Go to WeLevel.net and schedule a time with us and we'll make it happen.  See the Faces Behind The Voices on our YouTube Channel! 

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman sits down with Daniel Murray, President and CEO of Roman Stone. Founded in 1903, Roman Stone has been at the forefront of precast concrete manufacturing for more than a century. Daniel shares how his 30+ years of experience in precast shaped his leadership—and how Roman Stone is scaling from a New York legacy brand into a national player. From underground infrastructure and shoreline resiliency to data centers and carbon-negative concrete, the company is proving that innovation and tradition can coexist to solve today’s toughest challenges.💡 Faster Builds, Greener Futures, Stronger CommunitiesRoman Stone specializes in precast concrete infrastructure—helping municipalities, utilities, and private companies move water, electricity, and protect coastlines. Their precast solutions shrink construction timelines by weeks, cut labor needs, and deliver consistent quality with rigorous QC standards. What sets them apart is a customer-first mindset: solving complex engineering problems within 48 hours, building stormwater filtration systems, and offering mobile on-site manufacturing to cut costs and carbon footprints. With new national product launches tailored for data center markets and the development of carbon-negative concrete, Roman Stone is writing the next chapter in sustainable infrastructure—without forgetting the quality and trust that earned them a 65-year contract with Con Edison.🔗 Learn more about Roman Stone: Roman Stone website Roman Stone on LinkedIn👤 Connect with Daniel Murray on LinkedInWant to be featured on our Business Ninjas podcast? Go to WeLevel.net and schedule a time with us and we'll make it happen.  See the Faces Behind The Voices on our YouTube Channel! 

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman chats with Paula Grunfeld, Chief Revenue Officer and Managing Director at Bunny Studio and Bunny Creative.Paula shares her global journey from media to SaaS to creative leadership—and how Bunny Studio grew from a scrappy voiceover platform into a full creative services powerhouse. Now, with the launch of Bunny Creative, the company offers a managed, hands-on production partner for agencies and enterprises looking to scale content without the chaos.💡 Where Self-Service Meets Strategic PartnershipBunny Studio makes creative execution simple: from quick voiceovers and audio on their platform to fully managed campaigns through Bunny Creative. By acting as an extension of in-house teams, they take on the coordination, quality control, and scaling headaches that come with today’s nonstop demand for content. Serving verticals like marketing, advertising, e-learning, SaaS, retail media, and adtech, Bunny’s blend of speed, flexibility, and global talent has made it the go-to partner for brands that need high-quality creative at scale—without the overhead of a full-time team.🔗 Learn more about Bunny Creative & Bunny Studio💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bunnycreative/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/bunnystudio/ 👤 Connect with Paula Grunfeld on LinkedIn  Want to be featured on our Business Ninjas podcast? Go to WeLevel.net and schedule a time with us and we'll make it happen.  See the Faces Behind The Voices on our YouTube Channel! 

In this episode of Business Ninjas, host Andrew Lippman chats with Ladd Schuiling, VP of Sales at SkilledTrades.comLadd brings nearly two decades of experience in construction recruiting and operations to explain how SkilledTrades.com is tackling one of the toughest challenges in the industry—finding and retaining skilled labor. From electricians to plumbers to CDL drivers, SkilledTrades.com is a niche job board designed specifically for tradespeople and the companies who need them. Ladd also shares how fixed-price job postings, a user-friendly platform, and real human support are changing the way contractors hire.💡 A Human + Technology Approach to Hiring TradespeopleUnlike broad job boards that flood employers with unqualified applicants, SkilledTrades.com combines advanced recruiting technology with a human-driven approach. Their employment specialists personally help candidates complete applications—capturing talent that often gets lost in the process. The result? A higher quality pipeline and fresh candidate pools that keep contractors’ crews growing. With budget-friendly subscription models, a growing national database, and outreach into trade schools, SkilledTrades.com is on a mission to not just fill jobs, but to elevate the skilled trades as a rewarding career path.🔗 Learn more about SkilledTrades.com💼 Connect on LinkedIn 👤 Connect with Ladd SchuilingWant to be featured on our Business Ninjas podcast? Go to WeLevel.net and schedule a time with us and we'll make it happen.  See the Faces Behind The Voices on our YouTube Channel!