Second Bite Podcast

In the third segment of the Agency Growth Advisor Series, seven agency owners share where their clients gain honest feedback to propel their businesses forward. In this episode… In the early stages of growth, agency owners often leverage quick hacks from people who claim to have grown from $1 to $10 million in under a year. How can you identify harmful strategies and acquire advice from those who will tell you what you need to hear? Bruce Eckfeldt, Dr. Jeremy Weisz, Ian Garlic, Tim Kilroy, Aaron Levenstadt, Jason Swenk, and Joshua Johnston share their clients’ most valuable feedback sources. With host Todd Taskey, they delve into why you should seek outside perspectives, the importance of acquiring a mentor for each stage of growth, and how to implement frameworks to solve growth challenges.

In the second episode of the Agency Growth Advisor Series, Todd Taskey’s guests discuss what small agencies can learn from larger agencies that have overcome challenges.   In this episode… In the early stages, small agencies may struggle to grow to the scale of more established agencies. What are the growth secrets of large agencies, and how can you harness them? Bruce Eckfeldt, Dr. Jeremy Weisz, Tim Kilroy, Aaron Levenstadt, Jason Swenk, and Joshua Johnston share strategies small agencies can learn from larger ones. With host Todd Taskey, the advisors share market leader positioning strategies, the three most common startup challenges, and how to achieve niche growth.

Robert Glazer is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Acceleration Partners, a global partnership marketing agency. He is also the former Co-founder and Chairman of the Board of BrandCycle, which was acquired by Stack Commerce in 2021. As a serial entrepreneur, award-winning executive, best-selling author, and keynote speaker, Robert helps individuals and organizations elevate their performance.   In this episode… Every entrepreneur wants to believe their business is special, but to private equity firms, it’s often just another company in the market. How can you identify and present your company’s value proposition? Robert Glazer, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Acceleration Partners, talks about his experience getting acquired by private equity. With host Todd Taskey, Robert shares how he collaborated with board members to expand his service capabilities, how to partner with private equity, and how he transitioned into a new role post-acquisition.

Robert Glazer is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Acceleration Partners, a global partnership marketing agency. He is also the former Co-founder and Chairman of the Board of BrandCycle, which was acquired by Stack Commerce in 2021. As a serial entrepreneur, award-winning executive, best-selling author, and keynote speaker, Robert helps individuals and organizations elevate their performance.   In this episode… If given the option to do a rollover with private equity, would you take it? How can you structure the deal to ensure a profitable earnout? Robert Glazer, the Co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Acceleration Partners, talks about his private equity rollover. With host Todd Taskey, Robert shares how he selected a private equity firm and structured his rollover, why he partnered with private equity to accelerate growth, and the aftermath of his company’s transaction.

Jamie Birch is the Founder of JEBCommerce, a digital marketing agency specializing in affiliate program management. As a serial entrepreneur, he is also the Co-founder of Renewed Horizons, a day program for adults with developmental disabilities, and EquineRevShare, which helps equine professionals generate revenue from product recommendations. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Jamie established and managed affiliate, email, and SEO campaigns at Coldwater Creek. He also hosts The Profitable Performance Marketing Podcast. In this episode… If you want to exit your business quickly, you might consider selling to your employees. How can you structure this type of deal, and what does it involve? Jamie Birch, the Founder of JEBCommerce, shares how he sold his agency to his employees. With host Todd Taskey, Jamie explains how he initiated the transaction, how he adapted to its outcome, and the sale structure.

In the second installment of the Agency Growth Advisors series, seven agency experts share what owners should consider when preparing their agency for growth.   In this episode… What does it take to propel an agency to the next stage? How can agency founders transform their current strategies into high-performing growth trajectories? Bruce Eckfeldt, Dr. Jeremy Weisz, Ian Garlic, Tim Kilroy, Aaron Levenstadt, Jason Swenk, and Joshua Johnston discuss the inquiries pivotal to improving agency performance. With host Todd Taskey, they offer insights like delegating unproductive tasks, identifying your company’s revenue drivers, and strategic planning for your growth goals.

Mitch Meyers is a Partner at the medical cannabis firm BeLeaf Medical and the CEO of The BeLeaf Company, which produces high-quality CBD oils to treat epilepsy patients. Mitch is also the Co-Owner and Partner at Nature's Care Company, a Chicago-based dispensary that provides premium medical cannabis. With over 25 years of experience in the marketing and communications industries, she has built, launched, and consulted for Fortune 100 companies, startup businesses, advisory boards, and nonprofit organizations.  In this episode… Selling your agency to a public holding company can be a huge risk. How can you ensure you structure the transaction to your benefit? Mitch Meyers, a Partner at BeLeaf Medical and the CEO of The BeLeaf Company, talks about selling her creative boutique to a public holding company. With host Todd Taskey, Mitch shares how she acquired brands in the alcohol industry, the roadblocks she experienced scaling her first agency, and how to navigate transactions.

In this introduction to the Agency Growth Advisors series, Todd Taskey sits down with seven agency owners who share how they help founders accelerate growth.   In this episode… When it comes to scaling an agency, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Strategies often depend on size, revenue, and operational structure. What insights can you learn from agency owners who work all across the spectrum? Jason Swenk, Joshua Johnston, Bruce Eckfeldt, Tim Kilroy, Dr. Jeremy Weisz, Ian Garlic, and Aaron Levenstadt talk about their methods for agency growth. With host Todd Taskey, the founders share insights like driving strategic growth, how to attract clients, and how to build an eight-figure agency.

Aaron Levenstadt is the Founder of Join Agency Alliance, an advisory board composed of former agency owners who have exited their businesses. He has built and sold multiple agencies, including Pedestal Search, which emerged from his experience as one of the original members of Google’s Search Analytics team. As an investor, Aaron supports agencies and entrepreneurs through coaching, connections, and advisory board development.  In this episode… Sometimes, selling your business gives you a higher risk tolerance, especially if you execute a profitable transaction. What criteria should you focus on when evaluating the perfect deal for your company? Aaron Levenstadt, the Founder of Join Agency Alliance, talks about his agency’s strategic exit. With host Todd Taskey, Aaron shares the deal’s inner workings, why selling his company increased his risk tolerance, and his endeavors with Join Agency Alliance.

Adam Hanin is the Head of Business Development at eHouse, which builds and optimizes e-commerce sites for shoppers. He is also the former Founder and Operating Partner at Commerce12, which was acquired by eHouse in 2024, and the former Founder and President of Skye Associates, a full-service e-commerce company specializing in fashion brands and retailers. In this episode… Entrepreneurship requires playing the long game and anticipating failures. However, introducing innovative business models and reinventing the wheel are no easy tasks. What does it take to create value, sell multiple companies, and survive industry changes? The Head of Business Development at eHouse, Adam Hanin, talks about his entrepreneurial wins and losses, including multiple company acquisitions. With host Todd Taskey, Adam describes how his failures created profitable new ventures, the lessons he learned when negotiating transactions, and how he transformed a licensing deal into an e-commerce fashion business.

In the final segment of the PE Insight Series, eight private equity executives weigh in on what drives value in a transaction.  In this episode… What factors drive true value in a private equity transaction? How can you position your company as a profitable fit for investors? Casey Swercheck, Joshua Bilmes, Nick Moritsugu, Bill Sommerschield, Trenton Sisson, Brian Schmidt, Bill Dyer, and John Findlay talk about the top value drivers in transactions. With host Todd Taskey, they explain the importance of high-growth structures, culture and leadership, industry expertise, and product-market fit in investors’ final decisions.

In this episode of the PE Insight Series, eight private equity executives talk about the primary sources of friction in deal negotiations. In this episode… Disagreements occur in many deal negotiations, but they can collapse if these disputes aren’t resolved appropriately. What causes the most friction during the negotiation process, and how can you eliminate strife to ensure a smooth transaction? Casey Swercheck, Joshua Bilmes, Nick Moritsugu, Bill Sommerschield, Trenton Sisson, Brian Schmidt, Bill Dyer, and John Findlay talk about the common sources of friction during transactions. With host Todd Taskey, they discuss the value of attorney involvement, disputes around representation and warranties, and how comprehensive LOIs and due diligence reduce these friction points.

In the third installment of the PE Insight Series, Todd Taskey’s guests offer a behind-the-scenes look into investment committees. In this episode… Most entrepreneurs aren’t familiar with investment committees, so it can be quite daunting to approach them during a transaction. What is an investment committee, and how do they facilitate the transaction process? Casey Swercheck, Joshua Bilmes, Nick Moritsugu, Bill Sommerschield, Trenton Sisson, Brian Schmidt, Bill Dyer, and John Findlay demystify investment committees. With host Todd Taskey, the guests discuss the inner workings of these committees, how they assess companies and deals, and how they differ between large and small firms.

In the second edition of the PE Insight Series, eight private equity executives discuss the #1 factor in failed deals.  In this episode… Imagine being on the brink of closing a major transaction and having it fall apart unexpectedly. What causes a deal to crumble following the LOI, and how can you prevent a failed deal? Casey Swercheck, Joshua Bilmes, Nick Moritsugu, Bill Sommerschield, Trenton Sisson, Brian Schmidt, Bill Dyer, and John Findlay talk about the most common deal killers. With host Todd Taskey, the executives discuss the importance of transparency, how to align expectations before signing an LOI, and how visibility and performance impact deal closure.

In the first installment of the PE Insight Series, Todd Taskey interviews eight private equity executives about how they make their initial assessment of a company. In this episode… Private equity executives often sift through thousands of investment decks each week. So what are their criteria for evaluating them, and how can business owners structure their pitches to capture interest? Casey Swercheck, Joshua Bilmes, Nick Moritsugu, Bill Sommerschield, Trenton Sisson, Brian Schmidt, William Dyer, and John Findlay share their first impression requirements. With host Todd Taskey, the private equity executives talk about their elimination criteria for investment decks, the number of investments they evaluate each week, and how to craft a compelling pitch that resonates with investors.

Kevin Buerger is the CEO of Labelium, a digital marketing and performance agency. In his role, he drives the company’s growth strategy and positioning for the US market. Before Labelium, Kevin spent nearly 13 years as the Global Chief Growth Officer at Jellyfish, where he built its US presence.  In this episode… What differentiates successful companies in the market? Strategic partnerships can create valuable companies and contribute to exponential growth. How can you identify the proper fit? Kevin Buerger, the CEO of Labelium US, talks about profitable acquisition strategies. With host Todd Taskey, he shares how he aligns values and culture for acquisition targets, his transition from an equity analyst to a digital marketing leader, and his strategic growth strategies.

Jamie Shanks is the CEO of Get Levrg, a community mastermind helping founders and CEOs navigate offshoring talent. As a serial entrepreneur, he is also the CEO of Pipeline Signals, the #1 sales methodology for account-based sellers. Jamie was previously the CEO of Sales for Life, the leading social selling training company, which he scaled to 600 global customers and 250,000 international sellers. Additionally, he is the best-selling author of Outsource To Profits. In this episode… Imagine having an influential business with 600 global clients and robust intellectual property only to discover you’re $1 million in debt. How can you transform your company’s infrastructure to emerge stronger than before?  The CEO of Get Levrg, Jamie Shanks, explains how he restructured his business to escape from debt. With host Todd Taskey, Jamie discusses the significance of recurring revenue, the power of strategic outsourcing, and how to cut costs without compromising service quality.

Bruce Eckfeldt is a Strategic Coach and Master Facilitator at Eckfeldt & Associates, where he works with CEOs and leadership teams to scale their businesses. As a former Inc. 500 founder and CEO, he successfully scaled and sold his business. Bruce focuses on developing leadership skills, optimizing companies for transactions, and navigating mergers and acquisitions.  In this episode… If you’re wondering what comes next after strategic growth, you may want to consider transitioning from a hands-on founder to a strategic CEO. How can you navigate this transition and prepare yourself — and your business — for an exit? Strategic coach and facilitator Bruce Eckfeldt talks about his high-level coaching process for founders and CEOs. With host Todd Taskey, Bruce addresses the challenges founders face when shifting to CEO and how he helps companies scale and exit.

Kevin Wilhelm is the Founder and President of POD Marketing, a digital agency specializing in industry-specific marketing services. With a decade of experience, he has successfully led the company through dynamic growth. Kevin is also the President of several other marketing firms, including Marketing4ECPs, CITIZEN Marketing, and Lift Aesthetic Marketing.  In this episode… What’s involved in negotiating a fair partner buyout in a high-value company? How can you ensure a process rooted in respect and strategic thinking? Kevin Wilhelm, the Founder and President of POD Marketing, shares how he bought out his partner. With host Todd Taskey, Kevin talks about the value of investment risks, how to navigate complex business negotiations, and how he founded a partner-led company.

Lindsay Frey is the Co-founder and President of demandDrive, an industry leader in building sales development programs for B2B tech companies. She is also the Co-founder of Data Fuel, demandDrive’s former data offering providing actionable sales data.  In this episode… Strategic acquisitions are an effective way to fast-track business growth, but how can entrepreneurs transition from the role of a seller to a buyer? Lindsay Frey, Co-founder and President of demandDrive, talks about how she gained equity ownership through a strategic acquisition. With host Todd Taskey, Lindsay shares demandDrive’s founding story, how she grew the business through creative deals and strategic partnerships, and her most significant learning curves throughout the process.