Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad

by Mary Scott
EntrepreneurshipMarketing
Season 2026
Insurance Facts for Startups with Pete Shemetulskis from Marquee Benefit Advisors
Insurance Facts for Startups with Pete Shemetulskis from Marquee Benefit Advisors Startup Insurance and Benefits Mary and Pete discussed the importance of insurance for startups, particularly focusing on employee benefits. Pete explained that the need for insurance depends on the industry and organization type, noting that benefits are more crucial for organizations with high employee turnover or those seeking to attract and retain staff. Business Insurance Requirements Discussion Pete discussed insurance requirements for businesses, emphasizing the need for health insurance and workers' compensation coverage. He advised startups to find a trusted insurance professional early in the business development process to help navigate benefits and risk management. Pete outlined common employee benefits including health insurance, dental, vision, and life insurance, noting that life insurance is particularly inexpensive for employers to provide. Employee Benefits Overview Pete discussed various employee benefits including pet insurance, critical illness and accident policies, and programs for nursing mothers. He explained that COBRA provides coverage for employees who leave the organization, and stop loss insurance protects employers from liability after a certain point. Pete also mentioned how employee benefits can help retain key personnel like chief scientists in biotech startups. Business Insurance Options for Solopreneurs Pete explained life insurance policies for business continuity and discussed health insurance options for solopreneurs, including group plans, ICRA arrangements, and chamber of commerce plans. He noted that while some solopreneurs may be covered under spouse plans, many employers now require eligible individuals to move to company plans. Pete also mentioned that two-person groups, including spouses, can sometimes get coverage but at higher costs due to lack of underwriting. https://marqueebenefit.com Book a 15 minute synergy call with Mary Scott at https://calendly.com/businessriff/15min
S2026 · E825
Aug 25, 2026
9:29
Use a Book to Showcase Your Expertise with Suzy Prudden from Itty Bitty Publishing
Use a Book to Showcase Your Expertise with Suzy Prudden from Itty Bitty Publishing Book Marketing for Startups Mary welcomed attendees to Stuck? Time to Improv! and introduced Suzy Prudden from Itty Bitty Publishing as an expert on using books as marketing tools for startups. Business Benefits of Marketing Books Suzy discussed various types of businesses that benefit from creating marketing books, including speakers, coaches, accountants, travel experts, website designers, ADHD coaches, medical professionals, sales experts, and even authors writing about space for children. She provided specific examples, such as an author negotiating a contract with Boys and Girls Club of America for 4 million kids and another author who wrote a book on TEDx speaking. Suzy emphasized that books serve purposes beyond simple sales, as they can support broader business goals and reach diverse audiences. Book Writing Processes Overview Suzy explained various book writing processes, including writer's clinics, weekend workshops, and support for different types of book projects. She described itty bitty books as short expert guides typically containing 15 chapters with two pages each, designed to help people learn specific skills or knowledge areas. Suzy noted that these books serve as marketing tools for experts to demonstrate their knowledge and attract potential clients. Book Template Discussion Meeting Mary and Suzy discussed a book template that Suzy uses to guide authors through the writing process, which Suzy described as a centerpiece for business activities like seminars and webinars. When asked if the template could substitute for a pitch deck, Suzy indicated it was not equivalent but could demonstrate an author's expertise to potential investors. Suzy also mentioned that authors can get sponsors to help offset book costs, and the conversation concluded with Mary expressing appreciation for Suzy's insights. Website https://www.ittybittypublishing.com Book a call with Suzy https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/suzy-prudden Gift for you: 4 hour Write Your Book Workshop FREE https://www.ittybittypublishing.com/products/444169/four-hour-seminar-write-your-book-now.htm Book a 15 minute synergy call with Mary Scott at https://calendly.com/businessriff/15min
S2026 · E818
Aug 20, 2026
6:57
What an Investor Needs from a Startup with Randy Berholtz from Mesa Verde Venture Partners
What an Investor Needs from a Startup with Randy Berholtz from Mesa Verde Venture Partners Early-Stage Life Sciences Investing Randy discussed his background in investing, explaining that he transitioned from being a lawyer with an MBA to working as a CEO and now invests through Mesa Verde Venture Partners, an early-stage life sciences venture fund in San Diego. He typically invests $500,000 to $1 million in US companies as the first VC investor, with an additional $1 million in reserves. Randy expressed his interest in identifying promising opportunities early and looking 20 years ahead in his investments. Biotech Startup Investment Guidance Randy explained that startups should prepare a detailed presentation specifying the problem to be solved and their exit strategy, including potential buyers and competition. He emphasized that biotech startups particularly need to demonstrate market viability, asking whether someone will pay for their product, whether through insurance or direct pay. Randy indicated his investment focus spans therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, and healthcare improvements, with personal interest in longevity and health span technologies. Academia to Biotech Transition Guidance Randy advised that scientists transitioning from academia to biotech should focus on commercialization rather than just basic science, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and people skills in the industry. He highlighted that successful biotech companies require collaboration across multiple disciplines including chemists, biologists, engineers, marketing, sales, regulatory, and clinical trial personnel. Randy noted that the average time to bring a drug to market is about 12 years, and successful commercialization requires working with diverse teams rather than focusing solely on scientific expertise. FDA Impact on Medical Technology Randy discussed the impact of FDA shakeups on the industry, stating that while some change is beneficial, delays in SBIR and STTR programs could hurt science and investing in the long term. He emphasized the need for more government certainty and less politics in the regulatory process, particularly regarding medical technology approvals. The conversation concluded with Mary providing contact information for Randy's venture capital firm and promoting her startup services. Randy's link: https://mesaverdevp.com Book a call with Mary Scott at https://calendly.com/businessriff/15min
S2026 · E811
Aug 14, 2026
9:31
Startup Marketing Tips from Alesha Henley, A Dose of Insight
Marketing Tips for Startups with Alesha Henley from A Dose of Insight. Startup Marketing Strategy Discussion Mary and Alesha discussed key tips for startups, focusing on the importance of clearly defining the target audience rather than marketing to everyone. Alesha emphasized that social media should be used for personal engagement rather than just transactional purposes, as building trust with potential customers is essential for business growth. Effective Marketing Audience Strategies Alesha emphasized the importance of understanding the target audience's demographics and their preferred social media platforms for effective marketing. She highlighted that authenticity and trust-building are key to successful communication, and marketers should focus on addressing customer pain points and benefits rather than just promoting themselves. Social Media Content Strategy Alesha recommended including pictures on social media as people are visual and have short attention spans, though she noted that the type of content depends on the audience and message. She explained that younger audiences prefer quick videos while more mature audiences are more willing to read longer content. Alesha emphasized the importance of including a call to action to direct followers to a website, stating that having an online presence is essential for appearing legitimate as a business. Low-Cost Business Startup Strategies Alesha advised Mary on low-cost strategies for new businesses to get started, including using free platforms like Zoom and social media to create initial content. She emphasized that consistency beats going viral and recommended affordable website creation tools with templates for startups. When asked about hiring developers or graphic artists, Alesha suggested they are beneficial but acknowledged budget constraints for new businesses, suggesting alternative affordable software options instead. Alesha's links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/69446054/admin/dashboard/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoseInsight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adoseofinsightmarketing/ Book a free consultation: 30 Minute Consultation: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/my-30-minute-consultation Book a 15 minute synergy call with Mary Scott at https://calendly.com/businessriff/15min
S2026 · E804
Aug 7, 2026
8:27
Entrepreneurship for Engineers with Richard Bowling
Entrepreneurship for Engineers with Richard Bowling, MicroPod Global Engineer Entrepreneur Academy Engineer Entrepreneur Transition Challenges Richard identified the primary challenge for engineers transitioning to entrepreneurship as overthinking the process, particularly struggling with business development, marketing, and validation rather than technical aspects. He noted that engineers must make a significant professional mindset shift from seeking perfect solutions to launching products despite uncertainty. Richard explained that his program, Micropod Global Engineer Entrepreneur Academy, uses micro-hacks to help engineers transition, including concepts like "action precedes clarity" and the "70% rule." Product Development and Customer Engagement Richard discussed product development strategies, emphasizing the importance of making decisions when a product is 70% complete rather than waiting for 100% completion. When Mary asked about hacks to help engineers overcome social anxiety when talking to potential customers, Richard shared an example of an engineer who was psychologically resistant to customer interactions and mentioned that they provide personal development coaching to address these fears and build confidence in business development activities. Entrepreneurship and Product Validation Insights Richard advised engineers to join communities or beta test with other engineers to overcome isolation during entrepreneurship journeys. He emphasized the importance of validating ideas through lean startup principles before building functional products, even using simple mock-ups to confirm market needs. The discussion concluded with Mary thanking Richard for his insights and promoting her startup consulting services.
S2026 · E728
Jul 28, 2026
6:45
AEO tips and tricks with Dotty Scott from AskDotty.com
AEO tips and tricks with Dotty Scott from AskDotty.com AEO Definition and Optimization Dotty Scott explained that AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) refers to optimization within artificial intelligence platforms like Claude, Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Gemini, clarifying that all related acronyms represent the same concept. Answer Engine Optimization Strategies Mary and Dotty Scott discussed answer engine optimization (AEO), explaining that people are increasingly asking questions directly rather than using traditional keyword searches. They noted that users are now starting their searches within AI chat platforms like ChatGPT and Claude rather than traditional search engines. Dotty Scott recommended that startups include FAQ sections on their websites to address common questions and improve both SEO and AEO, suggesting this is an easy way to provide direct answers to potential customers' inquiries. Website Optimization and SEO Strategies Dotty Scott discussed website optimization strategies, recommending tools like Answer the Public and Google's "people also ask" feature to identify common questions that should be addressed on websites. Dotty Scott emphasized the growing importance of SEO, particularly with AI, and highlighted that many business owners avoid implementing online reviews despite their significance. Online Reviews and AI Impact Dotty Scott explained that online reviews are essential for building confidence with AI systems and search engines, as quantity matters more than quality in how these systems evaluate businesses. She noted that AI systems don't read reviews but focus on comparing the number of reviews a business has against competitors in the same industry. Dotty Scott also warned against buying Google reviews, as this practice can lead to negative consequences, and mentioned that Google uses AI to detect and remove bot reviews, though the exact mitigation methods remain unclear. Digital Footprint Measurement Tool Dotty Scott presented a digital footprint measurement tool that scores businesses from 0 to 100 based on their online presence, including website, Google business profile, reviews, and social media mentions. She explained that a larger digital footprint helps build confidence with AI engines beyond just what's on the business website. Mary thanked Dotty Scott for the presentation and mentioned that the tool's link would be shared in the comments.
S2026 · E721
Jul 27, 2026
9:21
Social Media Mistakes to Avoid with Heather Havenwood, Haven Media
Social Media Mistakes to Avoid with Heather Havenwood, Haven Media Social Media Mistakes by Startups Heather identified two major social media mistakes startups make: not having a clear spokesperson, especially for larger companies and tech firms, and failing to align their messaging with what resonates with their audience rather than just explaining their technology. Tech Sales Messaging Best Practices Heather discussed common mistakes tech companies make in their sales messaging, emphasizing the importance of understanding their target audience and articulating their value proposition effectively. Mary agreed, highlighting the need to focus on how clients hear the messaging and what's in it for them rather than focusing on the company's "secret sauce." Heather shared an anecdote about a street protestor in St. Petersburg to illustrate how aggressive messaging can be ineffective, comparing it to social media posts that "scream" at audiences without resonating with them. Social Media Engagement Strategies Heather and Mary discussed the importance of clear messaging and call-to-action strategies for social media engagement. They agreed that directing interested users to a free community is an effective next step, as it allows for deeper relationship building and helps identify clients' primary concerns. Community Problem Identification Strategy Heather and Mary discussed the importance of understanding multiple problems that potential community members might be facing, rather than focusing solely on one issue. They emphasized the need to identify both primary and secondary problems to effectively engage with customers and improve sales conversations. The discussion highlighted the value of tapping into various pain points to build stronger relationships and provide more comprehensive solutions. Heather: HeatherHavenwood.com Book a 15 minute synergy call with Mary at https://calendly.com/businessriff/15min
S2026 · E714
Jul 20, 2026
6:19
Family Business Challenges with Lowell Mora from Impact CFO
https://www.impactcfo.net Family Business Challenges with Lowell Mora from Impact CFO Family Business Challenges Discussion Lowell discussed the unique challenges of family businesses, highlighting that the family aspect creates complications regardless of the number of family members involved. He shared his personal experience of being advised against working in family businesses but eventually being drawn back to them. Lowell noted that in family-owned businesses, the enterprise often serves as both the business owner's and the family's livelihood, with some challenges being generational in nature. Family Business Identity and Ownership Lowell and Mary discussed the challenges of managing identity and ownership in family businesses, particularly the complexity of distinguishing between business and personal aspects. Lowell emphasized the importance of clear job descriptions and legally defining ownership structures, noting that just having a family name doesn't automatically entitle someone to a job or ownership in the business. He also highlighted issues with overcompensating family members based on name recognition rather than actual contribution, and mentioned that many next-generation family members either self-select out of business roles or lack the necessary qualifications for the positions they would fill. Family Business Succession Planning Mary discussed the importance of training family members for business succession, emphasizing the need to start when teenagers and verify relevant skill sets. She highlighted that salaries for family members should be commensurate with non-family employees in similar positions to avoid long-term detrimental effects on both the individual and the business. Lowell agreed, noting the difficulty in maintaining fair compensation and the potential impact on business valuation and corporate culture. Family Business Leadership Strategies Mary discussed how successful family-owned businesses often have relatives as CEOs who possess the relevant skills and align with the company's philosophy, even if not in a direct line of succession. Lowell noted that company philosophies and traditions can evolve over time and emphasized the importance of adopting simple automation and processes rather than focusing on complex technologies like AI. Business Problem Recognition Strategies Lowell discussed the importance of recognizing and addressing business problems to maintain competitiveness and avoid issues like bankruptcy. He provided an example of a large client with strong revenue and profitability but using outdated banking practices, such as relying on checks instead of modern payment methods like ACH transfers. Family Business Modernization Challenges Lowell discussed common challenges in family-owned businesses, particularly those with sales between $5-50 million, where owners often resist modernizing practices despite limited management teams and growth opportunities. He explained how business owners tend to rely on outdated methods, such as avoiding marketing after a single unsuccessful trade show 23 years ago, rather than adapting to new approaches. Lowell emphasized the importance of bringing in external expertise to help these businesses overcome their resistance to change and maximize their earnings potential. Book a call with Lowell Mora at https://calendly.com/impactcfo_lowellmora/meeting-with-lowell-mora-impact-cfo?month=2026-07 Book a call with Mary Scott at https://calendly.com/businessriff/15min
S2026 · E707
Jul 9, 2026
9:08
Networking Tips with Mary Scott, PitchSTL
Networking Tips with Mary Scott, PitchSTL Startup Networking Strategies Discussion Mary discussed the importance of networking and follow-up for startups seeking customers and investors. She emphasized that in-person networking is more effective than Zoom, and highlighted the value of leaving contact information, particularly through LinkedIn. Mary also shared a strategy for introverts to initiate conversations by asking others about themselves, which helps build connections and gather valuable information about potential networking contacts. Networking Follow-up Strategies Mary explained the three key components for effective follow-up after networking: Information (sharing useful links or resources), Invitation (offering events or workshops), and Introduction (connecting people with potential synergy). She emphasized the importance of including contact details when making introductions and recommended using these follow-up strategies to help startups succeed. Book a synergy call at https://calendly.com/businessriff/15min More Networking Tips at https://businessriff.com/documents/2022/02/neetworking-in-3-2-1.pdf/
S2026 · E630
Jul 9, 2026
3:49
Tips for Veteran-owned Startups with Dan Lauer
https://businessriff.com Dan Lauer from Maryville University talks about Tips for Veteran Startups Veteran Entrepreneur Funding Challenges Mary discussed her podcast "Stuck? Time to Improv" with Dan Lauer from Maryville University, focusing on challenges faced by veteran entrepreneurs. Dan identified early-stage capital as a key challenge, noting that while there are good education and networking programs available, veterans often struggle to access funding for equipment and business setup. He emphasized the importance of accelerator programs like Techstars and Y Combinator, which provide not just capital but also resources such as intern support, faculty advisors, and mentorship. Veteran Accelerator Program Overview Dan described their veteran accelerator program that selects 6-8 participants annually from 400 applications, providing them with $50,000 in equity-free funding. The program includes information sessions and peer support to help applicants navigate the competitive application process, with veterans assisting other veterans throughout the application. Mary agreed that applying to accelerators helps startups focus on their problem-solution fit and unique value proposition, noting that such programs create economic ripple effects across the region. Maryville Veteran Accelerator Program Dan Lauer discussed Maryville's new Veteran Accelerator program, which aims to support veterans in entrepreneurship through certificate programs, student clubs, and community outreach. He explained that funding will come from companies, foundations, and governments through pass-through philanthropy rather than an equity fund. The program will be led by Beth Sweet, a former army colonel and senior leader at NGA, providing an authentic veteran-to-veteran experience.
S2026 · E623
Jun 23, 2026
7:49
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